First Mafia Book you ever read?

The first mafia book i ever read was Gangs of New York by Herbert Asbury. It was hard reading as it was published in 1928 and a lot of the language is different. Still a great book though..

Murder Machine

Same here Murder Machine...should have been made into a movie a long time ago. The Iceman didn't do it any justice.

murder machine as well. digging the Basciano book right now. D'arco next I guess.

Do they hand Murder Machine out in school?

Donnie Brasco

A Man of Honor

Gaspipe: Confessions of a Mafia Boss.

My first was probably the Valachi Papers.

<moving this to the Mob Books Forum>

Joey the Hitman was my first book, followed by Wiseguy (Goodfellas) in the same week. I was hooked after that.

My first fictional mob book was the Godfather.

Giancana's Double Cross

I loved the chapters discussing Sam's involvement with the murders of Marilyn Monroe, JFK, and RFK. I believed it to be true..., but always wondered about the accuracy because documentaries didn't always point the finger at Giancana.

Mafia Dynasty by John Davis, one of the greatest books I've ever read!

Yes,i just loved how Chuck.G. explained the way of life in the pach back in thouse days and i also belive that the book has some dose of fiction in it.Sam may have cooperated with the CIA but some chapters in the book are just hard to belive....but than again it was a great book.

I agree, excellent book..

I agree with you on this book Southend...incredible! Sadistic group of guys!

Just finished The Quiet Don: The Story of Russell Bufalino--Hands down one of the best biographies I've read in a while...not much out there on him, so it was nice to learn some new things.

Murder Machine in 8th grade. Went to a Catholic grade school so this raised some eyebrows. One of the best.

Valachi Papers. Bought and read in 1977, still have it.

My Life In The Mafia by Vincent Teresa. Found it in my local library back in 1984 and was mesmerized by it. Went back and borrowed the book perhaps ten times. The librarian must have thought I was nuts!

My first was either Wiseguy or Blood and Honor. Joe Dogs soon followed

The Last Mafioso

The valachi papers followed by boss of bosses about paul castellano.found em in the school library in 9th grade.bn hooked ever since.first mob book i bought would be joey the hitman.hes got another book out.hit#29

Blood and Honor.

The mafia prince Philip Leonetti

Ouch! You need to get your hands on a classic, not garbage from that lying sac of shit Leonetti.

The first one I read was The Godfather by Puzo, but the first non-fiction was a biography of Tony Accardo by William Roemer and I think it was also called The Godfather

It is called The Genuine Godfather, I've read this book also, a good read..

La Matanza or something like that . It was a trashy novel that my mother read and would give me anything as long as I read. It was an ok story from what I remember but a cheesy rip off of the godfather. The next one was the Sicilian which was good by Puzzo. The first non fiction was a book on Longy Zwillman who was a real interesting character.

Wiseguy by nicholas pileggi

I think that was the second mafia book i read..

Mine was actually "The Godfather"

As for non-fiction, I believe that it was "My Life In The Mafia" by Vincent Teresa

Am i the only one thats never read a mafia book?

Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, then Murder Machine.

The Valachi Papers, not too long after it was published.

The second and third Mafia books I read was also the Valachi Papers.

I read it several times before graduating to The Godfather.

Westies then murder machine

Only book I have ever read on this was the godfather. Didn't they make luca a pussy in the movie?

Do they have the murder machine as an audio book? I want to see what it was really like in the Gemini lounge. Some Said on this that Roy was gay? Do they say that in the book?

Reading puts me to sleep. But an audio book I can get past I think?

Have a book on the Westies as well. I have to get that audio book as well.

Doesn't necessarily say it in the book. They say that Roy liked the company of Senter, Testa, Borelli and Rosenberg because they were young, handsome, virile and he could probably get more women on the side by virtue of being around them.

He didn't have the best childhood on account of bullying and his weight so he was probably just making up for it in his adulthood.

I read "The Valachi Papers" while I was still in high school. Probably around 1975, give or take a year.

i had to be around 10-12 when i read donnie brasco, waaay before the movie or anyone cared.

I know what you mean, Cheech. I read that book while it was still in hardcover and on the best seller list. It had to be around '88 or '89. By the time the movie came out it was almost anti-climactic for me.

How big was the Donnie Brasco stuff on the news, PB?

ill never forget when i bought it...on the weekends my father used to take us on road trips...we would drive up to new hampshire for the day...have lunch and then drive home...some flea market type place on the side of the road had it in the used book section with the cover ripped off...got it for like 50 cents...i still have it...reminds me of simplier times

O.G. Status.