Where is the Skinny Joey Merlino book???

Ralph "Liar" Natalie wrote a book. Or made up a book is a better way of saying it.

Where is good book on Skinny Joey Merlino? I gotta think George Anatasia has gotta to be writing it. Who else right?

Yes, George wrote "The Goodfella Tapes" about the mob war between Stanfa and Merlino. It just feels to me like there is SO MUCH MORE to write about with Skinny Joey and no one has done it.

I wonder if they'll release the wiretaps he was caught on. Supposedly some video and such.

I thought it had been discussed that Anastasia was kind of tired of writing Philly mob books. Plus between "Goodfella Tapes" and "Last Gangster" Anastasia covered pretty much most of Merlino's mob life considering there wasn't much to add after Merlino went to jail. But I honestly don't know how much more there is to write about Merlino that hasn't been done. As of right now that is. Seems like everything would be a rehash of what's already known. The only area I can think of would be some chapters about Merlino between Scarfo going away 87ish and 1992 when Merlino got out of jail for that armored car robbery. But once again for a chunk of that he's in jail. But I'd like more information on the Louis Deluca, James Diaddorio and Felix Bocchino murders. And the attempt on Nicky Scarfo Jr. But to me that seems like the only relatively fuzzy area. I just don't see a book there and I feel like the only person who could give some decent info on that time period would be Gaetano Scafidi, but I'm really not sure how close he was to Merlino and his guys back then.

Lol...You could fit Merlino's criminal genius exploits on the back of a matchbook !!

Wow...I could not disagree with you more. I think Blood and Honor, Goodfellas Tapes and The Last Gangster don't do Skinny Joey and his crew any credit. The right author needs to tell the story. Or maybe there is too much ahead to tell it now?

Fair enough. People see things differently. What exactly do you think should be covered in a book that hasn't yet? To me the gap right now is when Ligambi was in charge, but we don't really have the witnesses to give us a lot of information on that. Ligambi's trial wasn't particularly exciting. And Merlino was in prison that entire time.

I see your point too. There isn't a story teller for Merlino's time. Sammy Gravano told the story on the stand and in his book and interviews on John Gotti. Joey's main guys have all hung tight and not ratted.

The story we need to hear is the time when Ligambi ran things. And his time since Joey got out. I think there is a lot more to know but again...who is giving the info? Ralph Natalie sure is worthless.

Just my opinion as I find the Philly family and its history so interesting.

Side note...a couple years George Anastasia met with Skinny Joey in Florida. He interviewed him. It was terrific. I sent George an email and told him he needed to write a book telling the entire Skinny Joey story. George emailed me back and thanked me for the kind words and said he was working on that book. Obviously he must not have completed it or set it to the side. Who knows what happened but I have never seen or heard anything about a Joey Merlino book since.

Funny!....Merlino meets with a notable author to tell his side of his story and nothing happens..Luciano goes to meet a Hollywood writer to tell his story and he drops dead in the process. Things have certainly changed.

I guess Joey Merlino's story isn't over yet, as the recent bust has shown. Maybe Anastasia has put writing a book about him on hold.

Exactly DR ... The story still continues. He's an active boss. That book ain't coming until he's dead or never coming home. At least it shouldn't. I think we can all agree we wanna hear more than we already know. Say what you want about the guy but he's one of a kind and makes his biggest critics wanna know more.