Harlem Godfather

The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson

By: Karen E. Quinones, Mayme Hatcher Johnson

Narrated by: Patricia R. Floyd

The first and only full biography on legendary Harlem gangster, Bumpy Johnson who was depicted in the movies Cotton Club, Hoodlum, and American Gangster

Al Capone may have ruled Chicago. Lucky Luciano may have run most of New York City. But from the 1930s to the late 1960s, when it came to Harlem, the undisputed king of the underworld was Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson. Bumpy was a man whose contradictions are still the root of many an argument in Harlem. But there is one thing on which both his supporters and detractors agree in his lifetime, Bumpy was the man in Harlem. Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson is the first complete biography of a man who for years was Harlem's best kept, and most cherished, secret. There is also a full chapter on Madame Stephanie St. Clair, the infamous Harlem numbers banker who instigated the famous fight with Jewish mobster Dutch Schultz. The book is written by Bumpy's widow, Mayme Johnson, and details not only his criminal life but also his personal life.

This book also details Bumpy's relationship Harlem dopedealer with Frank Lucas, who has called himself Bumpy's right-hand man, but was -according to Mrs. Johnson - little more than a flunky.

©2008 Oshun Publishing, Inc. (P)2021 Recorded Books

Less of a mystery

Ever since my first introduction to Bumpy..which was the movie Hoodlum, which had L Fishburn portraying the GOH! Since then I’ve been trying to find out more about this mysterious character that stood up against opposition from the start. Our history has always been obscured, where are our historians

One of the greatest book I’ve ever read.

I love the book great read. His wife Mrs. Johnson did a marvelous job along with the author and narrator. Mr. Johnson was impeccable a man’s man. I’m going to read it again. Thank you

Bad Narration

Narrator was terrible! She tried too hard and at times was a total distraction.

Greatest story untold

Beautiful story narration. I don't know if everything is 100% accurate tho. I highly recommend it!

Really enjoyed this!

Since I enjoyed the show so much I wanted to see what actually happened and was surprised at what the differences were, although many similarities.