garcia5
08-28-2006, 08:59 AM
Growing up I never really had an interest in the whole La Cosa Nostra thing and even if I did I probably wouldn't be so drawn to the lifestyle as I am now. I used to work with this guy who could trace his bloodline all the way back to early Sicily and we'd wax poetic about our favorite Scorcese films or family members who lived the lifestyle (in their own way). One day he gave me a copy of Wiseguy, the book the film Goodfellas is based on, and I read it from cover to cover and then when I was done I ran out and bought Pilleggi's other book Casino though I can't say I enjoyed that one as throughoughly as Wiseguy. From then on I delved into books snatching up as many mob based books as I could and our conversations grew more indepth because believe it or not the Mob has a lot to do with American History. From the JFK assassination to the Rat Pack to the Teamsters and on. So here are a few choice selections from my own personal library that I think others would enjoy if they are interested in the Mafia:
Wiseguy by Nicholas Pilleggi: If you've ever seen Goodfellas you haven't heard the entire story of Henry Hill.
Donnie Brasco by Joseph Pistone: After reading this book you'll probably think if not know the film was crap. Not a great book but it truly clarifies the realties of Pistones life deep in the underbelly of the New York Mafia and the changes and consequences the Mob culture underwent because of his case against them.
Mafia Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the Gambino Crime Family by John H. Davis: This is probablt the best fact based book on the Mafia you will ever read. The history it covers leads directly back to the Sicilian Black Hand to the New York underworld of bootleggers and the thought process of one man who created the heirarchy ideology of the Mafia that still exists to this day. If you've ever seen the film The Godfather you can pretty much reference the film from here. Carlo Gambino, who I believe was the inspiration behind Puzo's Micheal Corleone character, is probably one of the smartest men the Mob ever knew and if was a legitamite man could probably have been the President of the United States. I would also suggets seeing the film Lansky which seems derived from this book.
The Last Mafioso by Ovid Demaris: The Last Mafioso is the true story of hitman Jimmy "The Weasel" Frattriano who turned states evidence against the West Coast Mob. Unlike Henry Hill, Jimmy Frattriano really has a story to tell and when cross referenced with other books about the West Coast Mob you see a picture being weaved that really puts exaggerations and truths in perspective. Definitly a must read.
Double Cross: The Explosive Inside Story of the Mobster That Controlled America by Chuck and Sam Giancana: Really the story about the assassination of Bobby and John Kennedy this book explains the motives and the capabilities of Sam Giancana's influence in the notorious deaths. It also talks about Marilyn Monroe, The Rat Pack, and Las Vegas. This book makes a good companion piece to the film Sugartime starring John Turturro as Sam Giancana as well as the film Ruby starring Danny Aiello.
Underboss: Sammy The Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia by Peter Maas: Sammy Gravano was Underboss for New York's Teflon Don John Gotti. I personally never liked Gotti. He was more ruthless then his Boss Paul Castillano but he was less cunning then Paul's boss Carlo Gambino. Gotti became Boss of bosses by killing Castillano at his favorite New York Steak House and then went on to turn the mob into some Hollywood bullshit story. Sammy The Bull being more of a street thug eventually turned states evidence on him and his story is chalk full of great stories. My all time favorite of his was a story of an assassination and a pair of shoes that is nonetheless a murder story but shows a human side to a killers mind.
Sacred Heart by Marcel Montecino: The book starts out in the lives of Bulldog Coyne and his sons who live in a prohibition era. One son is on his way to priesthood and the other is the spitting image of Bulldog looking to make it big in the bootlegging business as part of the Irish Mob. One fatal day Tommy Coyne, ambushed with his father, finds himself running away from the only world he knows to Mexico to avoid the heat and find his brother who is a missionary there. Great read.
Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard: By now everyone has seen the film but reading it is so much better. Leonard has a way with words and dialogue that create this whole other image. He is also know for placing characters in different books so after you read this one read Pronto which ha ssome of the same characters in it though not in any related way.
Wiseguy by Nicholas Pilleggi: If you've ever seen Goodfellas you haven't heard the entire story of Henry Hill.
Donnie Brasco by Joseph Pistone: After reading this book you'll probably think if not know the film was crap. Not a great book but it truly clarifies the realties of Pistones life deep in the underbelly of the New York Mafia and the changes and consequences the Mob culture underwent because of his case against them.
Mafia Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the Gambino Crime Family by John H. Davis: This is probablt the best fact based book on the Mafia you will ever read. The history it covers leads directly back to the Sicilian Black Hand to the New York underworld of bootleggers and the thought process of one man who created the heirarchy ideology of the Mafia that still exists to this day. If you've ever seen the film The Godfather you can pretty much reference the film from here. Carlo Gambino, who I believe was the inspiration behind Puzo's Micheal Corleone character, is probably one of the smartest men the Mob ever knew and if was a legitamite man could probably have been the President of the United States. I would also suggets seeing the film Lansky which seems derived from this book.
The Last Mafioso by Ovid Demaris: The Last Mafioso is the true story of hitman Jimmy "The Weasel" Frattriano who turned states evidence against the West Coast Mob. Unlike Henry Hill, Jimmy Frattriano really has a story to tell and when cross referenced with other books about the West Coast Mob you see a picture being weaved that really puts exaggerations and truths in perspective. Definitly a must read.
Double Cross: The Explosive Inside Story of the Mobster That Controlled America by Chuck and Sam Giancana: Really the story about the assassination of Bobby and John Kennedy this book explains the motives and the capabilities of Sam Giancana's influence in the notorious deaths. It also talks about Marilyn Monroe, The Rat Pack, and Las Vegas. This book makes a good companion piece to the film Sugartime starring John Turturro as Sam Giancana as well as the film Ruby starring Danny Aiello.
Underboss: Sammy The Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia by Peter Maas: Sammy Gravano was Underboss for New York's Teflon Don John Gotti. I personally never liked Gotti. He was more ruthless then his Boss Paul Castillano but he was less cunning then Paul's boss Carlo Gambino. Gotti became Boss of bosses by killing Castillano at his favorite New York Steak House and then went on to turn the mob into some Hollywood bullshit story. Sammy The Bull being more of a street thug eventually turned states evidence on him and his story is chalk full of great stories. My all time favorite of his was a story of an assassination and a pair of shoes that is nonetheless a murder story but shows a human side to a killers mind.
Sacred Heart by Marcel Montecino: The book starts out in the lives of Bulldog Coyne and his sons who live in a prohibition era. One son is on his way to priesthood and the other is the spitting image of Bulldog looking to make it big in the bootlegging business as part of the Irish Mob. One fatal day Tommy Coyne, ambushed with his father, finds himself running away from the only world he knows to Mexico to avoid the heat and find his brother who is a missionary there. Great read.
Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard: By now everyone has seen the film but reading it is so much better. Leonard has a way with words and dialogue that create this whole other image. He is also know for placing characters in different books so after you read this one read Pronto which ha ssome of the same characters in it though not in any related way.