That's because Joe Bonanno basically idolized the guy and everyone know's it. In the book, The Mob & The City, the author mentions that quite of what we hear about Joe Masseria & Maranzano isn't entirely based in facts. We've always heard Masseria was fat and a gluttonous pig, but I think the book says he only weighed about 185 at the time of his death, I could be mistaken but it either said at the time of his death or during most of his life that were his weight. We've heard Masseria didn't believe in intermingling races and working with those who weren't Sicilian. But he collaborated with Jewish & Irish gangsters. Maranzano on the other hand, was a pretty hefty guy, had money, and wanted to be sophisticated, but barely spoke good english, and couldn't dress very well.
That photo though, damn. They messed him up. Shot him a couple of times, contrary to the popular myth that no guns were used, and then stabbed him multiple times with stiletto's.
I read "the mob and the city" and found it interesting, the author alex hortis, has been on this site talking about his book. he spent a great deal of time on his research, and he stands by the comments he wrote that you mentioned, masseria at 185, and maranzano a heavy man.
alex hortis is a fine young man and wrote a very good book.
