Each era gives birth to people who strive to change the world for the better, and people who are no less gifted with intelligence and talents, but who prefer to cynically turn the weaknesses and shortcomings of society to their advantage. One such antihero is the American gangster Al Capone (1899-1947). His life is the American dream turned inside out. Coming from a semi-poor family of Italian immigrants, who rose to the title of “King of Chicago,” during the Prohibition era he earned so much money from the illegal production and import of alcohol that he bought “wholesale and retail” the most influential politicians and journalists of that time. Naturally, the path to such a peak was long and bloody. Errand boy, street robber, bouncer in entertainment venues, racketeer, pimp - just a few of the “professions” that Capone changed during his career. His life story is primarily a story of what happened in American cities in the first third of the 20th century. Paradoxically, the bright individuality of this man expressed what was characteristic of that time and that place. The name Al Capone became not only synonymous with the mafia of the 1920s, but also one of the symbols of this entire difficult and vibrant era. It is difficult to say what prompted the De Agostini publishing house to rank the famous bandit among the people who changed the course of history. Although some logic can still be found in this decision. Probably, Al Capone’s main “contribution” to history should be considered the circumstances of his arrest and conviction. Capone was one of the first to think of legalizing illegal income, but did not bother to pay the required taxes. Only thanks to this, the police were able to put the “untouchable” gangster behind bars. Future generations of crime bosses, having borrowed many of his “innovations”, primarily the tradition of “buying” politicians, tried to avoid such a mistake. And for any businessman, Capone’s bitter experience serves as a very effective incentive not to forget: taxes must be paid.