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Patrick O’Daniel publishes book on notorious Memphis criminal Diggs Nolen

Patrick O'DanielPatrick O’ Daniel, executive director of Library Services at Southwest Tennessee Community College, is celebrating the release of his latest novel. 

The book, titled “Notorious Memphis Gangster Diggs Nolen,” focuses on the life of a criminal well-known in and around Memphis, Tennessee in the 1920s. O’Daniel shares information about crimes committed by the infamous outlaw, including Diggs Nolen’s management of a drug empire and his escape from Leavenworth Prison.

O’Daniel has been writing books for several years now. 

Patrick O'Daniel“I started writing articles and books about Memphis history when I worked in the History Department at the Memphis Public Library in the early 2000s,” said O’Daniel. “I enjoy sharing stories about the colorful events and people from our city's past.”

This latest book release makes O’Daniel’s fifth book release. O’Daniel previously authored “Crusaders, Gangsters, and Whiskey: Prohibition in Memphis,” “When the Levee Breaks: Memphis and the Mississippi Valley Flood of 1927,” “Memphis and the Superflood of 1937,” and co-authored a book titled “Historic Photos of Memphis” with author Gina Cordell.

Congratulations, Patrick!

To find out more about O’Daniel’s novels or Southwest’s library services, contact him via email at podaniel@southwest.tn.edu or visit Library Services.