A Pickpocket's Tale By Timothy Gilfoyle

"A Pickpocket's Tale" by Timothy J. Gilfoyle is an absorbing tale that transports readers to the dark passageways and filthy corners of late-nineteenth-century New York City. The protagonist, George Appo, is a well-known pickpocket who became famous for his criminal exploits. Readers observe the brutal reality experienced by the urban poor and working-class during this era through Appo's eyes, as well as the extent they had to go to in order to sustain themselves. Readers are captivated as the novel continues by the ascent of Appo's criminal career and the innovative techniques he utilizes to outwit the authorities and rival gangs. However, beneath the action-packed plot, lies a deep exploration of the interplay between capitalism and crime,

Gilfoyle's skillful weaving of historical analysis and narrative creates a book that not only entertains but also challenges readers to confront their preconceptions about the complex social dynamics of the "city that never sleeps".

Gilfoyle approaches the connection between capitalism and criminality in Gilded Age subcultures from an unusual perspective. According to Gilfoyle's Marxist viewpoint, the pickpockets were reacting to the economic conditions established by capitalism. As can be observed in Chapter 3, Gilfoyle explores the societal factors that encouraged pickpocketing to become a popular career choice throughout the Gilded Age. He observes that the United States' fast industrialization and urbanization during this time produced stark economic inequities, particularly among the poor. As noted by Gilfoyle, pickpocketing allowed some people to obtain goods and money that they otherwise would not have had, providing them a chance to survive in the current economic circumstances. According to the passage, "New York witnessed an explosion of new ameliorative institutions to remedy problems associated with homeless, abandoned, orphaned, and criminal youths" (Gilfoyle 41); the emergence of new

He uses a variety of sources, including police records, court transcripts, newspaper stories, and personal correspondence, to paint a complex and nuanced picture of the pickpocket subculture and its role in the greater social and economic backdrop of the time. Gilfoyle's use of primary sources, in particular, is outstanding, presenting personal narratives and facts that serve to explain pickpockets' experiences and the problems they encountered. For instance, he incorporates passages from George Appo's memoirs, which provide a distinctive perspective on a pickpocket's motivations and experiences, as well as anecdotes from other pickpockets and criminals of the era. One example of how capitalism's emphasis on individualism and self-interest an effect on the criminal justice system in New York City in the late 19th and early 20th centuries had is the phrase "I was anything but good, he sent me to State's Prison instead of the Penitentiary" (Gilfoyle 53). The comment is from a police officer's statement outlining his reasoning for choosing a state jail over a penitentiary for a specific pickpocket. The officer's choice was influenced less by the seriousness of the crime than by his opinion of the