It amazes me how much of a failure Gotti was. He was a degenerate gambler, greedy, no common sense, drew too much attention to himself. The worst boss of all time. He didn't seem like someone who was qualified to be a skipper, much less a boss.

He was a broke until he became a boss. They said in the book he made a comment on how he was in disbelief about these construction extortion kickbacks he was getting, and how he had never had money like that before. How he ever got into that position blows me away.

Chin made him look like an amature, the way they ran their shows was like night and day.

Its interesting that another bad Boss was Amuso and Casso(i consider them both the boss of their family). Probably the 2nd worst boss run behind Gotti. Whats worse as they were both running their respective families at the same time.

These 3 guys, and the damage they did to their families, was much worse than even the original commision case for the mob. They set their families back years.

To me, the most qualified person to run a crime family would be someone that is not really violent, but respected. Someone who specializes in white collar crimes. If someone makes a living money from violence, robbery, or drug dealing, they don't seem like someone who would be sophisticated enough to run a crime family.

Just some observations from the book.

It amazes me how much of a failure Gotti was. He was a degenerate gambler, greedy, no common sense, drew too much attention to himself. The worst boss of all time. He didn't seem like someone who was qualified to be a skipper, much less a boss.

As for the apartment Gotti used to conduct meetings, he probably assumed that the F.B.I would never bug a civilian's home. Well, we all know that ain't the case.

Valachi's knowledge was mostly limited to NY. When asked about other families such as the Outfit, Detroit, Philly, Florida, etc. he either embellished or told his handlers he didn't know. In fact, it's now become known that his knowledge for the most part was only limited to the Luciano/Genovese family. And he only had general knowledge of the other families, like who the bosses were. He didn't know what the other families were involved in, or who had got moved up and who didn't and who were the Capo's and soldiers, etc. The feds actually fed him information during their debriefings of him to make him more credible.

Along with Pete Hamill (and maybe Breslin, who still writes, but he's kinda senile and as bitter as ever),

As for the apartment Gotti used to conduct meetings, he probably assumed that the F.B.I would never bug a civilian's home. Well, we all know that ain't the case.

He should have known better. If he knew or suspected that the Ravenite was bugged, he should have been wary of talking in that apartment, which was right upstairs--especially since it was rented to the widow of a Gambino soldier whose name logically would be known to the cops.

Worse, he really didn't conduct much business there (he did on his walk/talks). The transcripts of the bugs show he used the place to brag and swagger ("I'll sever his MF head..." "I killed him because he didn't come in when I called...")

Great book seen a interview hes writing a sequel. The book on Massimo by destefano is great for a modern day book.

Really? Two things I want to see, him go deeper into the 1970's. I find that decade interesting. Particularly the late 70's after Gambino died. It seemed like a chaotic time, with the books opening, and all the guys that were made that become historic infamous guys, the amount of guys getting clipped(Paul Castellano in particular seemed ruthless). It also seemed like a high point too. The feds and police still hadn't gotten their shit together it seemed, and the mob was incredibly powerful.

Also, I would like to read more about whats going on now. I found it interesting in 5 families, when he touched on some of the scams they are using now. Like phone cards, and health insurance fraud. It's just interesting the elaborate schemes these guys come up with to get money. I am not sure how much info he can give, seems like they have moved way under ground. But it would be nice to read about.

I was amazed at how much money they were making on these gas ripoffs, in the tens of millions.

If the wiseguys can steal that much in a gasoline racket, how much do you think the Government makes?

Why else would we give two shits what goes on in the Middle East?

Call me crazy.

Valachi's knowledge was mostly limited to NY. When asked about other families such as the Outfit, Detroit, Philly, Florida, etc. he either embellished or told his handlers he didn't know. In fact, it's now become known that his knowledge for the most part was only limited to the Luciano/Genovese family. And he only had general knowledge of the other families, like who the bosses were. He didn't know what the other families were involved in, or who had got moved up and who didn't and who were the Capo's and soldiers, etc. The feds actually fed him information during their debriefings of him to make him more credible.