Herbert Asbury's "The Gangs of New York". I missed the film, but
although it is "based on" the book, I don't think it is very closely
based on it*. The book is a history of the the 19th century gangs and
there members. It is full of evocative names and characters many of
whom could be used in Hero Wars with very little change...
I'll post some examples seperately
- (I can't find Leo di Caprio's character mentioned anywere, for example)