The Bourbon King: The Life and Crimes of George Remus, Prohibition's Evil Genius

Name: The Bourbon King: The Life and Crimes of George Remus, Prohibition's Evil Genius
Price: 2.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (214 reviews)
Author: Bob Batchelor

by Bob Batchelor

Biography Memoir

4.5 (214)

4.5 stars from 214 reviews

$2.99KU83% off peak

Last checked: Jul 14, 2026

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Price history: $2.99 – $18.04

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Price range: $2.99 – $18.04

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Perfect for you if...

You love narrative non-fiction about Prohibition and the Jazz Age that reads like a thriller, not a history textbook.
You're fascinated by real criminals who were brilliant enough to outsmart entire systems, not just violent thugs.
You want to understand the true story behind Fitzgerald's world: the actual money, the actual corruption, the actual chaos of the 1920s.

Maybe not for you if...

You prefer straightforward chronological biographies without the legal drama and personal scandal mixed in.
You're looking for a redemption arc or morally complex antihero you can root for.
You want to avoid detailed accounts of infidelity, murder, and courtroom sensationalism.

About this book

The Bourbon King tells the story of George Remus, a bootlegger who built one of the largest criminal operations in America during Prohibition. After Congress enacted Prohibition in October 1919, Remus amassed a fortune worth billions in today's dollars by acquiring distilleries along Kentucky's Bourbon Trail and exploiting legal loopholes through his work as a pharmacist. He also bribed officials in the Harding Administration to expand his empire, living a lavish lifestyle that defined the Jazz Age. Remus was a skilled criminal defense lawyer and ran a bootlegging operation larger than Al Capone's. His life ended in scandal when he murdered his wife in cold blood after she had an affair with a federal agent who had imprisoned him. Remus was acquitted based on a legal defense of temporary maniacal insanity that he developed himself. His story encompasses love, murder, political corruption, and massive wealth, offering insight into Prohibition's criminal underworld and reportedly inspired aspects of The Great Gatsby.

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Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$2.99 – $18.04

Currently on sale at $2.99 — 83% off peak. Price has dropped 27 times over the last 5 years. Goes on sale roughly every 70 days. Typically stays discounted for 151 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #405K in the Kindle store — a niche title. Sales have softened 23% recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.5★ from 214 reviews

Gaining approximately 1 new review per month. Rating has remained stable at 4.4 over the tracking period.

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This book is currently discounted at $2.99. It typically returns to around $18.04.

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