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What book should I read next? #784721
06/19/14 02:50 PM
06/19/14 02:50 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 54
Phoenix, Arizona
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Walkner Offline OP
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Walkner  Offline OP
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Phoenix, Arizona
So I have read Murder Machine, sins of my father, and am like 3/4 of the way through deal with the devil. I think im getting Enforcer or Casino.. Which is the better of those two? Or are they both must reads?

After that it's wide open.. I was considering Donnie Brasco, wiseguy, Five families or boss of bosses. I am mostly interesting the American mob. Anyone have any suggestions for a must read? And what is the better of the books I just mentioned. Thanks .

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784726
06/19/14 03:07 PM
06/19/14 03:07 PM
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,408
Snakes Offline
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Snakes  Offline
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Casino is definitely better. Roemer just rambles a lot in Enforcer plus he makes up dialogue... never a good thing.

As for your other selections:

1. Wiseguy
2. Five Families
3. Donnie Brasco
4. Boss of Bosses


"Snakes... Snakes... I don't know no Snakes."
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784741
06/19/14 05:59 PM
06/19/14 05:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,296
Throggs Neck
pizzaboy Offline
The Fuckin Doctor
pizzaboy  Offline
The Fuckin Doctor

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,296
Throggs Neck
Originally Posted By: Walkner
So I have read Murder Machine, sins of my father, and am like 3/4 of the way through deal with the devil. I think im getting Enforcer or Casino.. Which is the better of those two? Or are they both must reads?

After that it's wide open.. I was considering Donnie Brasco, wiseguy, Five families or boss of bosses. I am mostly interesting the American mob. Anyone have any suggestions for a must read? And what is the better of the books I just mentioned. Thanks .

Just read "Five Families" first. It will give you the background you need before you delve into the more individual biographies.

Oh, for the record, the best individual mob bio I've ever read was "Little Man: Meyer Lansky and the Gangster Life," by Robert Lacey. Absolutely wonderful book smile .


"I got news for you. If it wasn't for the toilet, there would be no books." --- George Costanza.
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: pizzaboy] #784748
06/19/14 06:49 PM
06/19/14 06:49 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 54
Phoenix, Arizona
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Walkner Offline OP
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Walkner  Offline OP
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Thanks fellas.. I appreciate the input.

Last edited by Walkner; 06/19/14 06:49 PM.
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784749
06/19/14 06:50 PM
06/19/14 06:50 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 45
San Francisco
Benedetto Offline
Wiseguy
Benedetto  Offline
Wiseguy
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 45
San Francisco
The ones suggested are great reads. You may also enjoy "Mob Killer" by Anthony M DeStefano. It is about Gambino wiseguy Charlie Carniglia.

Also I found "The Gotti Tapes" to be an interesting read. It has the transcripts of fbi recordings on Gotti and his guys, also Gravano's court testimony.

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Benedetto] #784751
06/19/14 06:54 PM
06/19/14 06:54 PM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,487
AZ
Turnbull Offline
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,487
AZ
I echo what PB said about the Lansky bio. Two other bios that are must-reads:

"Capone," by John Kobler.
"King of the Godfathers," by Anthony DiStefano.


Ntra la porta tua lu sangu � sparsu,
E nun me mporta si ce muoru accisu...
E s'iddu muoru e vaju mparadisu
Si nun ce truovo a ttia, mancu ce trasu.
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784757
06/19/14 07:45 PM
06/19/14 07:45 PM
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,017
SonnyBlackstein Offline
Underboss
SonnyBlackstein  Offline
Underboss
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Posts: 2,017
I'm hanging out till big joey writes his own biography.
"The current problem with the BOP. When prison food leads you to flip"

Or 'underboss 2.0, the untold story of why your best mate f**king your sister is always bad for business.' By salvatore Vitale.

Even "Let me out now, I was only kidding. The never before told story of the best looking prisoner in Colorados supermax prison.'

It's a Bonnano trilogy. A discount if you pay cash.

wink


MORGAN: Why didn't you fight him at the park if you wanted to? I'm not goin' now, I'm eatin' my snack.
CHUCKIE: Morgan, Let's go.
MORGAN: I'm serious Chuckie, I ain't goin'.
WILL: So don't go.
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784761
06/19/14 08:17 PM
06/19/14 08:17 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 189
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mldetroit Offline
Made Member
mldetroit  Offline
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A couple of the best books are Wiseguy and Donnie Brasco.

Also, I really liked Unlocked by Louis Ferrante - and it gives you a picture of a more modern mobster.

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784770
06/19/14 09:05 PM
06/19/14 09:05 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 432
Chicagoland
SgWaue86 Offline
Capo
SgWaue86  Offline
Capo
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 432
Chicagoland
Yeah 5 families and The Outfit by Gus Russo will give you a wealth of information and a basis on what times, families, and individuals you may be interested in an want to learn more about.

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784802
06/20/14 07:47 AM
06/20/14 07:47 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 20
Memphis
Sal_Luca Offline
He's a friend of ours.
Sal_Luca  Offline
He's a friend of ours.
Wiseguy
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 20
Memphis
The Casino book is really good - just read it about a month ago - but i have heard the The Black Book and the Mob gives much more info...I bought it but havent read it yet


"Paid my taxes."
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784845
06/20/14 12:57 PM
06/20/14 12:57 PM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 6,531
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pmac Offline
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hasn tbeen a good one in a while. the little al book was dull. it could have been better almost like he held back. what ever happened to jr gotti going for a book probably reson he got stabbed, shut him up. merlino said something about a book I thought and up here in boston I thought frank salemmi was gonna try to cash in on the whitey bulger gold rush but didn't. maybe the north end old timers nixed it. I liked crazy phills book but he waited 10yrs to late all his storys were told over and over. shit he would have got 1mill back in the 90tys.

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784846
06/20/14 12:58 PM
06/20/14 12:58 PM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 6,531
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pmac Offline
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best one in the last 10yrs I think was the last don or whatever it was called about joe massino. great read.

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784853
06/20/14 01:34 PM
06/20/14 01:34 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,595
manchester uk
domwoods74 Offline
Underboss
domwoods74  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,595
manchester uk
Mafia prince , the book about Phil leonetti is up there with the best I've read

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784865
06/20/14 03:03 PM
06/20/14 03:03 PM
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 517
NJ
F
FrankMazola Offline
Underboss
FrankMazola  Offline
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Underboss
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NJ
+1 for Mafia Prince. Also, I really liked Nick Caramandi's book with George Anastasia. Also really liked Jimmy Breslin's book "The Good Rat" about Burt Kaplan, Gas, and Eppolito/ Caracappa.

Last edited by FrankMazola; 06/20/14 03:04 PM.

F. Mazola, Esq.
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Turnbull] #784907
06/20/14 05:56 PM
06/20/14 05:56 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 54
Phoenix, Arizona
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Walkner Offline OP
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Walkner  Offline OP
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Wow thanks everyone.. So many recommendations! I think ill start with Five Families and take it from there. Thanks again.

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #784997
06/21/14 08:15 AM
06/21/14 08:15 AM
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,363
Alabama
D
dixiemafia Offline
ROLL TIDE!!!!!
dixiemafia  Offline
ROLL TIDE!!!!!
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Underboss
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Posts: 3,363
Alabama
I say it depends, what is your favorite family to read about or which one would you like to get into? I have found that if I'm not interested in the family I wont get into the book like I should and if I like the family enough I can overlook a bad book.

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785009
06/21/14 09:26 AM
06/21/14 09:26 AM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,094
Moe_Tilden Offline
ForeverBotheringIranians
Moe_Tilden  Offline
ForeverBotheringIranians

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Posts: 5,094
I got to say. When Murder Machine was good it was really, really good but Capeci's Gotti book is probably more consistent all the way through - I'm over half way into it now.


I invoke my right under the 5th amendment of the United States constitution and decline to answer the question.
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785046
06/21/14 11:20 AM
06/21/14 11:20 AM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 498
Texas
TonyG Offline
Capo
TonyG  Offline
Capo
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 498
Texas
+1 for the Good Rat by Jimmy Breslin (about the Mafia Cops). I love Breslin's writing style: tongue in cheek humor while discussing a murder.

In addition to 5 Families, some of my other favorites are:

Last Days of the Sicilians - the Pizza Connection case.

Mafia Inc - the Montreal / Rizzuto family.

The Outfit - Good history of Chicago


Best way to catch the smart ones? Get an idiot working for them.
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785060
06/21/14 12:39 PM
06/21/14 12:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 198
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PP Offline
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Posts: 198
Of the ones you mentioned I thought Five Families was the best. Gives the history of each family and goes through to current times. Was one the of few books to have any info on recent Genovese happenings and some info about Gigante.

Wiseguy is good, so is Boss of Bosses. Read them both a long time ago. Can't remember many details.

Books I would recommend:

Family Secrets by Jeff Coen. Good book about the Chicago Outfit
Underboss. About Sammy Gravano and the Gambinos.

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: TonyG] #785125
06/21/14 05:58 PM
06/21/14 05:58 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,296
Throggs Neck
pizzaboy Offline
The Fuckin Doctor
pizzaboy  Offline
The Fuckin Doctor

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Posts: 23,296
Throggs Neck
Originally Posted By: TonyG
+1 for the Good Rat by Jimmy Breslin (about the Mafia Cops). I love Breslin's writing style: tongue in cheek humor while discussing a murder.

Breslin is a love him or hate him kind of guy. But whether you love him or hate him, he and Pete Hamill are the last of the hard-boiled NYC reporters.


"I got news for you. If it wasn't for the toilet, there would be no books." --- George Costanza.
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785127
06/21/14 06:01 PM
06/21/14 06:01 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,401
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Footreads Offline
Underboss
Footreads  Offline
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Underboss
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Posts: 4,401
Wait to my friends book comes out read that one if he ever finishes it. It should be a lot of fun.


only the unloved hate
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785128
06/21/14 06:04 PM
06/21/14 06:04 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,401
F
Footreads Offline
Underboss
Footreads  Offline
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Underboss
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How many pages in The Murder Machine I might decide to try and read that one day. Book put me to sleep is it also an audio book?


only the unloved hate
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785147
06/21/14 07:15 PM
06/21/14 07:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 210
philly
SonnyL Offline
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SonnyL  Offline
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Posts: 210
philly
I'm currently reading 5 families and it's a really good read, I don't know if you're interested in Philly LCN but Nicky Crows book blood and honor by George Anastasia is a great read. Even Leonetti's book mafia Prince was a good read as well.

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785532
06/23/14 09:31 PM
06/23/14 09:31 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 235
NE1020 Offline
Made Member
NE1020  Offline
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Are there any good books about Costello or Luciano you guys know of?

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785557
06/24/14 12:25 AM
06/24/14 12:25 AM
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 950
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HuronSocialAthletic Offline
Underboss
HuronSocialAthletic  Offline
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Underboss
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 950
'When Corruption Was King' by Robert Cooley.

Gives first hand insight into what Bridgeport/Chinatown was like during the LaPietra Bros heyday, as well as insight into the D'Amico Crew during the 1980s. And of course the inner workings of Chicago's city hall when it was still Outfit-controlled.

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785562
06/24/14 12:36 AM
06/24/14 12:36 AM
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,017
SonnyBlackstein Offline
Underboss
SonnyBlackstein  Offline
Underboss
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,017
@Huron.

Thanks. Always on the lookout for a good Chicago book.

Casino was good, as was the family secrets book. Roemers books seemed a little (wink) ONEsided but there was some good overall info.

So again, thx for the recommends.


MORGAN: Why didn't you fight him at the park if you wanted to? I'm not goin' now, I'm eatin' my snack.
CHUCKIE: Morgan, Let's go.
MORGAN: I'm serious Chuckie, I ain't goin'.
WILL: So don't go.
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785657
06/24/14 11:21 AM
06/24/14 11:21 AM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 189
M
mldetroit Offline
Made Member
mldetroit  Offline
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Posts: 189
Did anybody else really like "Unlocked" by Lou Ferrante? I never see it mentioned and I thought it was great. Lou is a surprisingly good writer and he's funny. He makes fun of himself and his crew throughout his book. Also, it was interesting to hear from a young guy talking about life in the mob in the early 1990s. He didn't become a rat and he served his time and changed his life. He wasn't made but he was still affiliated with powerful people like the Gottis.

Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785661
06/24/14 11:25 AM
06/24/14 11:25 AM
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,408
Snakes Offline
Underboss
Snakes  Offline
Underboss
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,408
Check out Ovid Demaris's "Captive City" for another good Chicago book. It was published in 1969 but it's a good companion piece for Roemer's book as it covers roughly the same time period.


"Snakes... Snakes... I don't know no Snakes."
Re: What book should I read next? [Re: Walkner] #785677
06/24/14 12:03 PM
06/24/14 12:03 PM
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 950
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HuronSocialAthletic Offline
Underboss
HuronSocialAthletic  Offline
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Underboss
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 950
Ya no problem. Mark Wahlberg purchased the rights to produce 'When Corruption Was King' but I haven't heard anything else regarding the project.


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