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9781501171215

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Drawing on a treasure trove of family records, Oldfield and coauthor Bruce (No Apparent Danger) use the remarkable life of the author's great-grandfather, Frank Oldfield, to illuminate the little-known role of federal postal inspectors in federal law enforcement at the turn of the 20th century... A captivating summary of the origins of the U.S. postal system adds intrigue to this lucid blend of true crime and history. --Publishers Weekly Inspector Oldfield and The Black Hand Society is part family history and part history of a terrorist crime group that was finally rounded up by a dedicated Post Office inspector. It is a well-written and well-researched book that will interest students of crime and history. --Washington Times It's filled with colorful characters... neatly balances the old family stories with a solid historical perspective on the time and place. The combination makes for an intriguing look at a forgotten piece of Ohio's history. --Columbus Dispatch 'An inspector should go quietly about his business, avoiding newspaper notice or self-advertisement.' - Manual of Instructions for Post Office Inspectors. Thankfully, Inspector Frank Oldfield paid no attention to these instructions! This book not only captures the investigative exploits of Oldfield's relentless pursuit of the Black Hand, but shows what a masterful public relations machine he was for the Postal Inspection Service - and for Frank Oldfield. As someone who has worked hard to raise the profile of Postal Inspectors from the 'Silent Service' image, I tip my hat to Inspector Oldfield. He was way ahead of his time and his efforts are magnificently relived in this book. --Daniel L. Mihalko, Postal Inspector in Charge, Congressional & Public Affairs (Retired) A simply riveting read from cover to cover... a unique and extraordinary study that will prove to be an immediately popular and enduringly valued... Impressively informative and exceptionally well written, organized and presented. --Midwest Book Review Precise, fascinating. --Wall Street Journal This unputdownable book covers a topic that hasn't received much attention. Highly recommended. --Library Journal (starred review)

A simply riveting read from cover to cover... a unique and extraordinary study that will prove to be an immediately popular and enduringly valued... Impressively informative and exceptionally well written, organized and presented. --Midwest Book Review Precise, fascinating. --Wall Street Journal This unputdownable book covers a topic that hasn't received much attention. Highly recommended. --Library Journal (starred review) 'An inspector should go quietly about his business, avoiding newspaper notice or self-advertisement.' - Manual of Instructions for Post Office Inspectors. Thankfully, Inspector Frank Oldfield paid no attention to these instructions! This book not only captures the investigative exploits of Oldfield's relentless pursuit of the Black Hand, but shows what a masterful public relations machine he was for the Postal Inspection Service - and for Frank Oldfield. As someone who has worked hard to raise the profile of Postal Inspectors from the 'Silent Service' image, I tip my hat to Inspector Oldfield. He was way ahead of his time and his efforts are magnificently relived in this book. --Daniel L. Mihalko, Postal Inspector in Charge, Congressional & Public Affairs (Retired) Drawing on a treasure trove of family records, Oldfield and coauthor Bruce (No Apparent Danger) use the remarkable life of the author's great-grandfather, Frank Oldfield, to illuminate the little-known role of federal postal inspectors in federal law enforcement at the turn of the 20th century... A captivating summary of the origins of the U.S. postal system adds intrigue to this lucid blend of true crime and history. --Publishers Weekly Inspector Oldfield and The Black Hand Society is part family history and part history of a terrorist crime group that was finally rounded up by a dedicated Post Office inspector. It is a well-written and well-researched book that will interest students of crime and history. --Washington Times It's filled with colorful characters... neatly balances the old family stories with a solid historical perspective on the time and place. The combination makes for an intriguing look at a forgotten piece of Ohio's history. --Columbus Dispatch

Drawing on a treasure trove of family records, Oldfield and coauthor Bruce (No Apparent Danger) use the remarkable life of the author's great-grandfather, Frank Oldfield, to illuminate the little-known role of federal postal inspectors in federal law enforcement at the turn of the 20th century... A captivating summary of the origins of the U.S. postal system adds intrigue to this lucid blend of true crime and history. --Publishers Weekly A simply riveting read from cover to cover... a unique and extraordinary study that will prove to be an immediately popular and enduringly valued... Impressively informative and exceptionally well written, organized and presented. --Midwest Book Review Precise, fascinating. --Wall Street Journal Inspector Oldfield and The Black Hand Society is part family history and part history of a terrorist crime group that was finally rounded up by a dedicated Post Office inspector. It is a well-written and well-researched book that will interest students of crime and history. --Washington Times This unputdownable book covers a topic that hasn't received much attention. Highly recommended. --Library Journal (starred review) It's filled with colorful characters... neatly balances the old family stories with a solid historical perspective on the time and place. The combination makes for an intriguing look at a forgotten piece of Ohio's history. --Columbus Dispatch 'An inspector should go quietly about his business, avoiding newspaper notice or self-advertisement.' - Manual of Instructions for Post Office Inspectors. Thankfully, Inspector Frank Oldfield paid no attention to these instructions! This book not only captures the investigative exploits of Oldfield's relentless pursuit of the Black Hand, but shows what a masterful public relations machine he was for the Postal Inspection Service - and for Frank Oldfield. As someone who has worked hard to raise the profile of Postal Inspectors from the 'Silent Service' image, I tip my hat to Inspector Oldfield. He was way ahead of his time and his efforts are magnificently relived in this book. --Daniel L. Mihalko, Postal Inspector in Charge, Congressional & Public Affairs (Retired)

Author Information

William Oldfield is an archivist and historical lecturer. He is currently engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits in the areas of environmental and sustainable operations. He grew up in Akron, Ohio, and currently lives in Annapolis, Maryland. Victoria Bruce is the author of No Apparent Danger, Hostage Nation, and Sellout. She is the recipient of the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for excellence in broadcast journalism for her film, The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt. She lives in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

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