Herbert Asbury

Newsman and author (1889-1963). Wrote “true crime” books about the American underworld of the early 20th century, whose topics centered on gangs and gambling, including The Gangs of New York and its sequel. [groups search] [wikipedia] [official site]

For further reference

topic=17444.0;prev_next=prev#new">an annotated walk down the bowery in lower manhattan (long)