Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi

I have ordered Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi on Amazon.co.uk. The book will arrive in two days. I am a fan of GoodFellas, so I thought I would have found this book very interesting. I was wondering what your opinion is of the book, so I will know what to expect when I begin reading it.

I haven't read it, but from what I've heard it's an excellent read.

Thank you, Don_Andrew.

Very good decision on getting the book. worth the read and money, one of the Best books about the Mafias.

GoodFella

Definitely worthwhile. Pileggi has a way of being a bit too sympathetic to his subjects, but still an insightful read.

Thank you, goodfellaoggie and Turnbull.

It is a fine narrative, though it does whitewash the rather repugnant character of Henry Hill considerably (although not even in 10% as much as Scorsese's adaptation).

One of the best books I've read, I was glued to it

Thank you, Sammy the Bull and scarfacefan.

It's a wonderful book, you won't be able to put it down, it has so much more in it that Godfellas left out You made a wise coice in getting it
You won't be dissapointed



Joe Batters

Excellant book,about the life of Henry Hill and his crimes Well worth the read

By the way, Henry recently sweated out a badly written and mostly redundant followup to the book, "Gangsters and Goodfellas" (Yes, of course he used the title of the film ).
It's an egocentric narrative of his life after "Wiseguy", with some newly added details of the stories covered in the first book (for instance, an implication of Gotti in De Simone's murder - strangely enough, added after Gotti had already died) and even more self-whitewashing. I absolutely wouldn't recommend it for the price that's asked for it, but if you can find it for, say, 25% of that, then you might consider it...

I thought that was an ok book

Yea I read G&G and actually fairly enjoyed it. It was like a sequel to Goodfellas, sort of, as you got to see Henry trotting around somewhat enjoying his life after he flipped. I have to agree that it "whitewashes" his life of crime and makes him seem like the victim in the situation, but still a good read, especially if you like Goodfellas and read Wiseguy.

By far, the best book (that was the basis for a film) emulating the life of a mafiosi. I am reading it for the second time right now. (just picked it up 3 days ago along with a cigar).

P.S. Cusano 18 (a really nice cigar for a moderate price, $4.00 or less)

I totally agree Enzo
I've read it a second time and it is just as good if not better the second time around



Joe Batters

I have found a similar apprecation when reading The Godfather for the second time. I have also noticed that I enjoy watching the film adaptation first, and then reading the novel. I am more interested in reading from cover to cover, and I have a deeper understanding of the plot; which makes for a more enjoiable experience.

Yea that always confused me, how people said they enjoyed reading the book and then seeing the movie, of any work that has both. I always liked it better seeing the movie a few times first and then reading the book.

I've always found that after watching the movie and then reading the book in your mind while you read you have faces of characters and it makes it seem more alive.......I always imagine Ray Liotta talking it's good



Joe Batters