Roemer: Man Against the

The author, who runs a private investigating agency in Tucson that specializes in organized crime, spent 30 years as an FBI agent, mostly in Chicago. He writes that although innumerable opportunities to rise in the hierarchy came his way, he preferred to remain on the street, taking on the mob. Roemer's particular concern as an agent was to track corrupt public officials who were vital to the success of the ``family.'' Here he recalls his mob dealings, from 1950 to 1980, with Sam Giancana, Murray Humphreys (successor to Capone lieutenant Jake Guzik), Tony Accardo and dozens of others. Distinguishing between ``good'' bad guys who could be trusted, and ``bad'' bad guys, he shows that some gangland figures virtually became his friends. His intimate knowledge of them enriches the book. (Oct.)