Marm Mandelbaum: The Criminal Matriarch

This chapter explores the life and exploits of Marm Mandelbaum, a German immigrant in New York City who rose to prominence in the criminal underworld through her exceptional linguistic abilities and shrewd negotiation skills. It details her establishment of a unique pickpocketing school for young criminals, her strategic expansion in both criminal and legitimate businesses, and the eventual unraveling of her empire due to political reform and betrayal. Through her relationships with protégés and associates, Mandelbaum's story illustrates the blurred lines between crime and survival in a tumultuous historical period.