Hazlet Author Discusses Prohibition-Era Novel at Barnes & Noble

Matthew Linderoth, 25, of Hazlet Township discussed his new historical novel, "Prohibition on the North Jersey Shore: Gangsters on Vacation," at the Barnes & Noble in Holmdel Saturday.

Shoppers stopped by to purchase the book and chat with Linderoth on the rich history behind it.

In the book, Linderoth tells how vacation communities in Long Branch, Red Bank, Ocean Grove, and the Atlantic Highlands evolved into smuggling ports for organized crime after laws were passed prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol from 1920 - 1933.

The 130-page book contains 23 photos and three maps of the Jersey shore.

Fisherman and clammers working for well-known crime figures like Vito Genovese, Charles Luciano, Meyer Lansky, and favored Atlantic Highlands when smuggling liquor, according to Linderoth.

"I'm going to buy this book," Nuralon Dohnanyi of Aberdeen said, after a brief history discussion with Linderoth. She asked him to sign her book. 

"Prohibition on the North Jersey Shore" was inspired when his girlfriend, Sarah Halleran, of Middletown told him stories of her grandmother growing up by the shore with rum runners. Linderoth, a student at Monmouth University, turned it into his master's thesis for his degree in United States History.

History Press picked up the book and published it in December of 2010 with a cost of $19.99. The book can be purchased at Barnes & Noble or from his website at www.gangstersonvacation.com. He hopes to team up with them again for a project on the 1930s.

On Monday, Linderoth will appear at the Middletown Historical Association at Croydon Hall at 900 Leonardville Road to talk about his book, and sign copies. He speaks at 7:30 p.m.