Book Description
"At the age of twelve my ambition was to become a gangster. To be a wiseguy. Being a wiseguy was better than being President of the United States. To be a wiseguy was to own the world." -- Henry Hill
Wiseguy is Nicholas Pileggi's remarkable bestseller, the most intimate account ever printed of life inside the deadly high-stakes world of what some people call the Mafia. Wiseguy is Henry Hill's story, in fascinating, brutal detail, the never-before-revealed day-to-day life of a working mobster -- his violence, his wild spending sprees, his wife, his mistresses, his code of honor.
Henry Hill knows where a lot of bodies are buried, and he turned Federal witness to save his own life. The mob is still hunting him for what he reveals in Wiseguy: hundreds of crimes including arson, extortion, hijacking, and the $6 million Lufthansa heist, the biggest successful cash robbery in U.S. history, which led to ten murders. A firsthand account of the secret world of the mob,
Wiseguy is more compelling than any novel.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome.......2007-07-23
GREAT book. It's great to read about Henry Hill, of whom the movie Goodfellas was made. A must for any fan of Goodfellas!
Filling out the GoodFellas story.......2007-07-02
If you've seen the movie GOODFELLAS and remain curious about the book...then definitely check out Nicholas Pileggi's "Wiseguy."
This is the whole story of "Henry Hill," the lower level mobster who could never be made (he was not a full-blood Italian) but was such a great earner that he made his own place in the Mob.
I'm a huge fan of GOODFELLAS and it's great to see how Scorsese & Company bring the book to life. You'll often run across lines of dialogue straight from the narrative that ended up in the movie. And the book is fascinating and chilling reminder that this stuff really happened.
But the book also fills in the story that the movie could only touch on. Henry's military service was completely left out of the film but is discussed here, a funny chapter about how he applied his mob money-making methods while serving his country. The book also discusses their biggest heist in detail, something not shown in the film (Henry hears of the heist while taking a shower and we never see or hear about how they pulled it off). Pileggi does a great job of weaving in New York and Mafia history as Henry tell his story.
All in all, "Wiseguy" is definitely a book for anyone interested in the Mafia, a lean, fast-moving biography that sheds much more light on the GOODFELLAS phenomenon.
Excellent.......2007-05-07
If your a mob freak like me any mob book is a great buy. This is a classic among mob books. One of the best rats tells a great book. This doesn't dissapoint. buy it, you won't be sorry.
Good Quick Read.......2007-04-16
If you like the movie this fills in some of the spots! Interestingly, the movie is a little more entertaining but this wasnt bad for some light reading.
An engrossing account of a Mafia Soldier.......2007-03-12
It is amazing reading the book after having seen Goodfellas several times. The book itself reads like the script, with so much of it exactly as it appeared in the book. On the flip side there is a lot that happened in the book that the movie didn't cover, as well as there being a ton more detail than the movie, which is to be expected.
It is almost shocking enough to doubt its validity, but then we see the investigations and police reports and so on and there is no way he made it up. Hill may have embellished a little, but for the most part this is a very well documented and supported account of a mafia soldier.
You should definitely read this book whether you have seen the movie or not. They are both great in and of themselves but they add a lot to one another in completing the picture. I would say to read The Valachi Papers first as this give insight into how the Cosa Nostra came about and how it lead into where Henry Hill joined it. A definite recommend.
5 stars.
Book Description
After a quarter of a century of silence, Henry Hill can finally tell us the rest of his story. Taking readers on a crazy ride of his life hiding out in the Witness Protection Program, doing prison time for drug charges and testifying in high profile mafia trials.
Customer Reviews:
Gangsters, Goodfellas and a jerk........2007-07-29
In a review of his children's book it was stated that Henry comes off well in this book, Wiseguy and the Movie. Just to let people know I thought he comes across as an arrogant, narcisstic jerk, who cares nothing for other people.
Ok Rat book.......2007-05-07
Was good to hear what the rat has been doing since he was freed for giving up the people that protected him and taught him how to make a living.
Never Read This Just Stating . . . .......2007-03-07
People basing this book on the movie "Goodfellas" would be very disappointed. If you looking for the inspiring book of the screenplay for "Goodfellas" should look for Wiseguy by Peligio
Great Book, Great Story.......2005-09-20
I read the book before seeing the movie, and Wow! I really enjoyed the book and had a hard time putting it down. Very well written. Two thumbs up!!!!!!!
Don't waste your time........2005-08-02
I'm giving this book two stars, and I think that is being VERY generous. I'm a HUGE fan of the movie 'Goodfellas' but this was terrible.
First of all, the writing is horrid. There was no flow whatsoever and Henry Hill kept repeating words. Grammar mistakes were ridiculously obvious (ever heard of having it proofread at least ONCE?) Honestly, I didn't even make it through the whole book, it was that bad. I almost always press myself until the end but this time I decided it wasn't worth it.
Henry Hill was obviously just trying to capitalize on his fame. If you want to read a decent book about Henry check out the one written by his kids (Greg and Gina Hill) called 'On the Run' - that one is worth your time.
Book Description
Considering that they thrive on secrecy, mobsters have, over the years, proven themselves to be notorious gossips-even out-and-out blabbermouths. The fact is, mobsters DO say the darnedest things, and whether discussing business, women, food, death, sex, or "the life," you can always count on a mobster to spill it in an unintentionally funny, incredibly insightful, or simply terrifying way. With quotable quotes from both semi-literate stooges and the smoothest professionals who ever made headlines, this book speaks to the millions of people who are fascinated by the mob.
Customer Reviews:
Anotable misprint, or the wrong quote Credited to Bugsy Siegel.......2007-05-31
In the chapter named "Death" there are two quotes credited to Benjamin Siegel that probably should have been credited to Louis "Little Lepke" Buchhalter. He was the only prohibition era gangster that was sentanced to the Electric Chair. Benny Siegel was killed in Virgina Hill's livingroom, as was noted in the Cast of characters at the end of the book. Somewhere the author or the proofreader slipped up on the job.
Very Funny.......2007-05-07
Very Funny book. Listen to many not so bright people come up with some not so bright things to say.
Brown M. (Loves Park,IL).......2006-04-20
I thought this book would be more interesting. I personally think that if there were more background given to some of the quotes it would be better. Instead it's just one quote after another. I would have like to know in what context they were spoken. I've read alot worse ,but i've also read alot better from this author.
Lots of fun; just one error.......2005-01-13
This book is great fun, and is loaded with many humorous and/or insightful quotes. I just want to point out one error: on Page 47, three quotes about the electric chair are incorrectly attributed to Bugsy Siegel. Bugsy Siegel was never sentenced to death (at least not by any court of law). He was shot to death by the mob in 1947 in Hollywood. The "Bugsy" who actually said the things quoted in the book was Martin "Buggsy" (spelled with two G's) Goldtsein, who went to the chair at Sing Sing in 1941. He was one of the Murder, Inc. hit men sold out by Abe "Kid Twist" Reles, who is mentioned in one of the quotes.
capeci's done the legwork -- all you have to do is enjoy.......2004-08-19
capeci must have combed through thousands of pages to gather this assortment of mafia quotes. it's hard to believe that they are all real! i never realized that mobsters could be so philosophical--or funny. some quotes even made me laugh out loud. this also makes a great gift for friends and family.
Book Description
Here's the first nonfiction work from author Joe Pistone since his New York Times #1 bestseller and hit movie, Donnie Brasco. Perhaps no man alive knows the inner workings and lifestyle of wiseguys better than Pistone does, having spent six years infiltrating the Mafia as an undercover FBI agent. Now, years later, Pistone reassesses what the underworld was really about. Occasionally poignant, always in shocking detail, The Way of the Wiseguy gives readers a first-hand look at the thinking, psychology, and customs that make wiseguys a unique breed. The book is divided into anecdotes that reveal key principles of wiseguy life, including "Don't Volunteer You Don't Know Something," "Be a Good Earner," "Look Like You Mean Business, "It's Your Best Friend Who Will Kill You," and much more. The stories-more than 80 of them-are spellbinding, and the insights into this lawless realm of badguys are often uncannily relevant to the workings of the legitimate world of big business and everyday social discourses. Includes CD with shocking undercover surveillance audio from the Donnie Brasco operation (with commentary by author Joe Pistone).
Customer Reviews:
Incredible and intoxicating.......2007-05-07
you will love this book whether your a mob book lover or not. Excellent book.
Good, Quick Read.......2007-04-08
This is the first Donnie Brasco book I have read so I can't complain about it being repetitive. Although the book didn't have me on the edge of my seat (those I give 5 stars) I felt it was a good, quick read.
Unlike most books today which have a story that could be told in twenty pages, but which are filled with 200 pages of boring ramblings just to make it a book, this book is made up of short chapters of different topics.
Some chapters are a page long which I liked because they were quick and to the point. This also allows you to pick it up and read for only a few minutes at a time without having to remember where you were in the story when you last stopped reading.
I almost didn't get this book based on some of the negative reviews here. To play it safe, I got it from the library so didn't have to worry if the short length made it a good value. In the end I was glad I picked it up.
If you are looking for a long book that is going to take two weeks to read, this is not the one. I finished it in one day. However if you want some quick light reading to last a few hours, this is a good book.
Joe Pistone.......2006-07-25
I must be discreet. I don't want to get "whacked."
You know.....this guy "Pistone" must have grown up in my old neighborhood. I used to think movies influenced this stuff but after 50 years, I think this stuff could be real. This book seems like it could be a training manual for upcoming wanabe gangsters. It's pretty well written and makes numerous references to Donnie Brasco, but I guess this is what the author is famous for. If you consider the fact that this man "Pistone" was engaged in the same crimes as the men he helped incarcerate, it only makes sense to me that he is just as guilty as them. I guess taking these created criminals off the streets leaves more room for the real criminals. (Pedohiles, CEO's,Politicians.) What Pistone does and trains people to do is a sad pathetic game that ruins a lot innocent people' lives. Save your money and go to Disneyworld. Spend time with your family and love your children. Don't give people like Joe Pistone your hard earned money. He would do the same thing to you and have a clear conscience. You gotta lot of blood on your hands, Joe.
The Way of the Wiseguy.......2006-07-01
These book is great! I have not been able to put it down. I highly recommend this book. I can't wait to finish this one and start on my other books.
Pretty Good.......2006-03-13
I liked the book. It gives you some really good inside info, such as How wiseguys get respect, How wiseguys take out a contract and Who can be apart of the Mafia. Mr. Pistone explains that you have to be a "White male of Italian descent" in order to be in the Mafia." DUH!!!
Average customer rating:
- Roselli Did it "His Way."
- For Jimmy Roselli Lovers
- Where's the movie?!
- like casino profits, best used by skimming
- Great Book
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Making the Wiseguys Weep: The Jimmy Roselli Story
David Evanier
Manufacturer: Farrar Straus Giroux
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ASIN: 0374199272 |
Book Description
The fascinating life of an Italian American icon.
The mob couldn't live with Jimmy Roselli and it couldn't live without him. Roselli is Hoboken's other great singer, and to a greater degree than Frank Sinatra, Roselli maintained his ties to his old neighborhood and its people--indeed, he made a career of those ties. He's their link to their cultural heritage and Italy, and continues to sing a good half of his repertoire in Italian. But this didn't stop his wiseguy following from getting angry at him from time to time.
"When I started singing big," Roselli told biographer David Evanier, "the tough guys were in the front row with the big cigars. They loved me so much they wanted to kill me. But their mothers and sisters and their wives wouldn't allow it." Roselli sang his best-loved song, "Little Pal," at John Gotti, Jr.'s wedding reception. Mobster Larry Gallo was buried with a Roselli record in his hands. "Hell of a guy," Roselli says of Gallo. "Nice, warm individual."
Hoboken's unsung singer feuded with Sinatra, stood up to shakedown artists, befriended godfathers, and now has thirty-six recordings in print. A captivating story of a brilliant entertainer, Making the Wiseguys Weep is also a colorful portrait of Italian American culture from the 240 saloons that lined Hoboken's streets to the bright lights of New York City.
Customer Reviews:
Roselli Did it "His Way.".......2007-08-17
Gifted with a rich, passionate voice, Jimmy Roselli could have had it all had it not been for his stubborn determination to navigate his life and career as he felt a real "man" should. He declined to play ball with the Mob, infuriated Frank Sinatra when he refused to perform at a charity event chaired by the singer's mother, Dolly, and generally alienated many who were influential enough in the entertainment industry to "make" or "break" him. Although his records had been blackballed in mob-controlled jukeboxes - and even legitimate record stores which feared reprisals - Roselli commanded a strong following in the Italian-American community, and he forged on, rejecting the time-honored tradition of using help from the Mob to advance his vocation. Author David Evanier, through a series of personal interviews with many of the singer's friends, acquaintances, family members, and Roselli himself, provides an in-depth portrait of one of the finest singers of his era. Roselli's dynamic, impassioned version of "Mala Femmena" is in a class by itself, and his stirring rendition of "Little Pal" brought lumps to the throats of many wiseguys, including John Gotti. A word of advice: before you begin this book, put on a Roselli CD, pour yourself a glass of wine (red or white, whichever you prefer), sit back and enjoy. Salute!
For Jimmy Roselli Lovers.......2007-05-07
The real story of a truly great American singer who never quite made it to the big time.It's written by someone who researched his subject well and knows how to tell a story.
Where's the movie?!.......2004-07-12
I read Making The Wiseguys Weep 4 times. It had me captivated from beginning to end. I was not aware of Jimmy Roselli's music before reading it, but picked it because I am Italian-American and wanted a compelling mafia story. This book paints a picture so vivid of Italian-American culture, the life and times of the "good ol' days" and the amazing experiences of Jimmy Roselli. It made me track down some Roselli albums for his talent is amazing.
I read that this would be adapted into a movie starring John Travolta called Standing Room Only directed by Gus Van Sant. As of now, it has not been made, and I read an interview with Mr. Van Sant from mid-2003 saying that it is a possibility that the film will indeed be made. I want to know any information about this movie! I am unaware of it being in production and if it is, I absoloutly cannot wait to see it! Travolta would be terrific as Mr. Roselli.
like casino profits, best used by skimming.......2001-07-27
This book has much to recommend it. It provides insight into the aftermath of the profliferation of rock in the '60s---the virtual banishing to the wilderness of talented performers committed to, in my opinion, songs on a much higher level than those penned and sung by many of the musically less-than-literate '60s icons. Both songs crafted by Berlin, Porter, et al and the performers who delivered them with depth of feeling and well-honed craft were suddenly visciously shunted aside by both kids caught up in rebellion (somewhat understandable given the times, hell, I was one of them) and profit-driven record companies (sickening and unforgiveable). Gifted singers like Tony Bennett, Roselli, and many others were pretty much hung out to dry as American culture took a nose dive it has yet to recover from ... . This phenomenom, the steamrolling of America's great song book and its interpreters, is well documented in chapter 6 here.
Evanier also casts the light well on Roselli's sentimentality toward wiseguys as family that supplanted that of his biological family, and does a good job of explaining why Roselli kept coming back for more punishment, exposing and analyzing his frailties and rationalizations. He also does manage to take us into the Copa or other saloons and relive the excitement, the raw emotional power, the connection with his audience which made Roselli special. All commendable.
But I must confess disappointment. ... In the book ... the reminiscences of his wife and running buddies get repetitive and old awful fast. The key points are made, and made well early in the book, and after that there's some coasting and page filling. It goes on longer than it has to. As for Roselli himself, what at first reads like admirable [bravery] in standing up to the "boys", blowing off Ed Sullivan, etc., soon turns into tiresome tirades of self-justification and egotism. Ironically, he comes off as petty, mean, and self-important at times as his purported hated arch-rival, Sinatra. (This is not, of course, Evanier's fault) ... I have to hear Roselli sing (which the book did make me want to, a definite plus).
Pay close attention up to chapter 6, then skim like you were a boss controlling the slots in a classy joint in Atlantic City.
Great Book.......2001-02-04
Five more stars to David Evanier for writing a great story on Jimmy Roselli. After reading the reviews, some people feel that Jimmy is not the greatest person in the world, but I think we can all agree that he is one of the best singers who's story is a story of interest and it was superbly told by David Evanier.
Average customer rating:
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From Wiseguys to Wise Men: The Gangster and Italian American Masculinities
Fred Gardaphe
Manufacturer: Routledge
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0415946484 |
Book Description
As the real American gangsters of yesterday recede into the history books, their iconic figures loom larger than ever. From Wiseguys to Wise Men studies the cultural figure of the gangster, and explores its social function in the construction and projection of masculinity in the United States.
Gardaphe shows how the gangster can be seen as a 'trickster' figure. The trickster figure exists in many cultures and serves as a model of improper behavior. The gangster has served as that figure in American culture by showing what is and is not authentically American. It is not American to speak a language other than English. It is not American to use violence to secure business deals. It is not American to have both a mistress and a wife and family. However, in the hands of Italian-American artists, the gangster becomes a more telling figure in the tale of American race, gender, and ethnicity-a figure that reflects the autobiography of an immigrant group just as it reflects the fantasy of a native population.
While this figure has been a part of American literature since even before Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, it has only been with the revolution in cinema, and the work of Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese that the figure of the gangster has been humanized and disseminated on a large scale. Gardaphe investigates the role of the gangster in their films, as well as the literature of such great Italian American writers as Mario Puzo and Gay Talese.
By looking at the cultural icon of the gangster through the lens of gender and masculinity From Wiseguys to Wise Men presents new insights into material that has been part of American culture for close to 100 years.
Book Description
COP: “Buddy, I think this is a whorehouse.”
BUDDY CIANCI: “Now I know why they made you a detective.”
Welcome to Providence, Rhode Island, where corruption is entertainment and Mayor Buddy Cianci presided over the longest-running lounge act in American politics. In The Prince of Providence, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Mike Stanton tells a classic story of wiseguys, feds, and politicians on a carousel of crime and redemption.
Buddy Cianci was part urban visionary, part Tony Soprano—a flawed political genius in the mold of Huey Long and James Michael Curley. His lust for power cost him his marriage, his family, and close friendships. Yet he also revitalized the city of Providence, where ethnic factions jostle with old-moneyed New Englanders and black-clad artists from the Rhode Island School of Design rub shoulders with scam artists from City Hall.
For nearly a quarter of a century, Cianci dominated this uneasy melting pot. During his first administration, twenty-two political insiders were convicted of corruption. In 1984, Cianci resigned after pleading guilty to felony assault, for torturing a man he suspected of sleeping with his estranged wife. In 1990, in a remarkable comeback, Cianci was elected mayor once again; he went on to win national acclaim for transforming a dying industrial city into a trendy arts and tourism mecca.
But in 2001, a federal corruption probe dubbed Operation Plunder Dome threatened to bring the curtain down on Cianci once and for all.
Mike Stanton takes readers on a remarkable journey through the underside of city life, into the bizarre world of the mayor and his supporting cast, including:
• “Buckles” Melise, the city official in charge of vermin control, who bought Providence twice as much rat poison as the city of Cleveland, which was at the time four times as large, and wound up increasing Providence’s rat population. During a garbage strike, Buckles sledgehammered one city employee and stuck his thumb in another’s eye. Cianci would later describe this as “great public policy.”
• Anthony “the Saint” St. Laurent, a major Rhode Island bookmaker and loan shark, who tried to avoid prison by citing his medical need for forty bowel irrigations a day, thus earning himself the nickname “Public Enema Number One.”
• Dennis Aiken, a celebrated FBI agent and public corruption expert, who asked to be sent to “the Louisiana of the North,” where he enlisted an undercover businessman to expose the corrupt secrets of Cianci’s City Hall.
The Prince of Providence is a colorful and engrossing account of one of the most tragicomic figures in modern American life—and the city he transformed.
Customer Reviews:
interesting subject, trying writing.......2005-09-09
There is no doubt Buddy Cianci is an interesting figure worth reading about. However, this book seems at many times to be not much more than the rehashing of newspaper articles written by the writer or his colleagues. All the chapters have snappy introductions, or "ledes," as journalists say, and tend thereafter to be very repetitive in their descriptions of the mayor.
I did not mind purchasing the book, as Cianci is an interesting figure to know about, but I found myself skimming over sentences and sections much more often than I like. Not recommended.
He wanted to be Vice President of the United States someday.......2005-06-18
One day in grammar school a young lad named Vincent Cianci announced to his classmates that he was going to be Vice President of the United States when he grew up. What those kids in the schoolyard could not have possibly realized was that even at the age of 10 or 11 Vincent Cianci was dead serious about what he wanted to do with his life. In "The Prince of Providence", author Mike Stanton. a reporter for the Providence Journal, chronicles the life of this colorful and controversial, energetic and enigmatic figure.
When "Buddy" Cianci arrived on the scene in 1974 he really was a breath of fresh air. For Providence was a corrupt and dying town that had long been dominated by the Democratic machine. It was only as the result of a unlikely confluence of circumstances that this young upstart Republican had been elected Mayor of Providence. As a dynamic young urban mayor, Cianci gained favor with Republican President Gerald Ford who was looking for ways to expand his base for the 1976 election.
And Buddy Cianci had a quality that few politicians these days seem to possess---vision. He aggressively pursued federal funds for his city and entertained innovative proposals and project ideas that would have been summarily dismissed as "pie in the sky" by previous administrations. In addition, the mayor seemed to have boundless energy--he was everywhere. Those of us who live in Rhode Island saw firsthand the impact that such energy and imagination was beginning to have on our capitol city.
But unfortunately, there was also a dark side to Buddy Cianci that would ultimately lead to his downfall. In the pages of "The Prince of Providence" you will read all about the corruption greed and intimidation that would ultimately become hallmarks of the Cianci administration. Although I have lived here all of my life I was personally taken aback by the how frequently Buddy Cianci employed violence and intimidation in both his role as Mayor and in his personal life. You will also be introduced to Dennis Aiken, the FBI agent bound and determined to get to the bottom of all of the wrongdoing in the city. It is a fascinating story.
In his later years, Buddy Cianci would once again become somewhat of a national figure by his frequent appearances on the "Imus In The Morning " show. No one can deny that he was a compelling and entertaining guest. On "Imus", Buddy would maintain his innocence. In many respects, Buddy Cianci reminds me of Richard Nixon. Both were extremely gifted individuals with serious personality flaws. Even if you are not from Rhode Island or New England where Buddy Cianci is a household name, I think you will find "The Prince of Providence" to be well worth your time. You will come away shaking your head and wondering what could have been. Recommended.
Good book, lots of great information.......2005-01-08
THis book was a good read. Being from RI it was enlightening to see really how corrupt RI politics is. It's sad. I would recommend this book to people who want to know how city hall really works.
Both entertaining and illuminating........2004-10-17
As a native Rhode Islander who last lived there in 1975 (the year the Buddy story really started) I came to this book with a somewhat sketchy knowledge of the story of Buddy Cianci's reign(s) over Providence. With relatives still living there I paid some attention, but didn't follow it in depth. I knew about the two sides of Buddy, and the strong feelings he elicited, as well as the attitude that, yeah, he was corrupt, but look what he did for Providence, so he's okay. I even witnessed something described in the book-the incredible adoration Cianci would receive upon entering the Providence Civic Center late in a Bruins hockey game to take his seat. I have never seen ANYTHING like this (and I live in NH, so I've seen lots of politicians).
With this background I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed Mike Stanton's book, and, after reading this, I can only conclude that my fellow Rhode Islanders who support this guy are either morally brain dead, or just were not aware of the depth of the corruption that existed in his administration. Stanton's in depth analysis of how it all happened put to rest any sympathy I may have had for Cianci. The book is thoroughly entertaining, and I recommend it to anyone interested in an amazing well-told story, not just Rhode Islanders or political junkies, although it will certainly appeal to both of those groups.
I think most of the reviews I have browsed through are pretty consistent, and pretty accurate, but let me add my disagreement with some of the comments. First, there is no fluff or excess in this book. All of the anecdotes are useful, and interesting, and I would not take a single one out. If anything, I wanted more. There is so much in this book that just touches the surface of various incidents or scams, this book could have easily have been half as long again, and I would have followed along. The minor repetitions that exist serve to remind you of who different players were, and, given the large cast of characters I found it helpful rather than redundant. Second, while the author does not always name names, the detailed notes at the end do name names, excepting, of course, those sources who chose to stay anonymous, for, I think most would agree, excellent reasons. In fact, I am somewhat amazed that as many people spoke on the record to the author as did, and I really thought the author did a nice job of telling the story, and pulling together such an assemblage of information. In fact, given that he usually writes for a newspaper, I was very impressed with his engaging and articulate style. If I have a quibble with this book, it is that, while it makes it clear about the corrupt side of Cianci, it is hard to understand what it was he did or had that made him so successful in leading the Providence renaissance. Clearly he has drive, charisma, charm, and chutzpah. But how did he create, fund and shepherd such massive projects, such that people did not mind the fact that he was totally corrupt? I wish there had been a little more insight into this facet of Buddy, but aside from that, this book filled in the gaps in my knowledge. I will be recommending it to all my Rhode Island friends and relatives, and anyone else who wants a great read.
By the way I gave this book four stars, rather than five, not because it is not one of the better books I have read recently, as it is, but because I try to reserve five stars for the Crime and Punishments of this world, the books that are truly great, not just a cut above the others. There are too many reviewers, IMHO, that will give a five star review to anything they like, and are not being critical enough. This is not in a league with five star books, but it is not far off.
A Must Read if You Are from RI.......2004-02-13
I don't think the overall subject of the book will be surprising to anyone from Providence, or elsewhere in RI for that fact, but some of the stories and details in the book will shock you! I lived 1/2 my life in Providence and the other 1/2 in or near Miami. As bad as the banana republic of Miami has demonstrated it can be (Elian!), it cannot compare to the corruption found in Providence and throughout Rhode Island politics. I could not put the book down for 3 days.
The only reason I knocked off 1 star on my rating is that the writing quality could have been a bit better. The author rambles in some sections and then seems to repeat himself from time-to-time. The same is noted in some other reviews, so I don't think it was my reading. Nevertheless, it is a minor issue and the book is well worth reading and owning, particularly if you ever lived in Rhode Island. Just remember, it isn't fiction like the Godfather - it really happened.
Book Description
"As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a gangster."
Henry Hill grew up in the midst of New York City's criminal underworld, finally achieving the coveted status of "wiseguy." But in 1980, he made the decision to exchange his knowledge for a new identity. GoodFellas, Hill's own account of crude hierarchies, casual murders, and collaboration with the Feds (as a member of the Witness Protection Program) was adapted for the screen by Martin Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi--and is now seen as a contemporary classic. The film drew rave reviews everywhere upon its theatrical release in 1990, and was nominated for Oscars in both the Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay categories.
This book also offers an introduction by David Thompson, the noted film critic and co-editor of Scorsese on Scorsese.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic Script.......2002-11-04
Sure, if you're not into the film "Goodfellas" that much or if you don't care for screenplays, then chances are that this would be rather worthless to you. Might as well find something else to buy, because this isn't going to do anything for you.
But, if you DO love the film and would like to read the screenplay, then this is just the thing for you. Written by Martin Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi, "Goodfellas" is an amazing script that sucks you in right away.
Henry Hill has always wanted to be gangster, as he states in the very beginning of the film. This is his story of how he became one and everything he had witnessed and experienced. It's a tragic story of how good things always have to come to an end. It's also about how power and money can grab hold of your life until it's too late to turn back. A tale full of crime, murder, paranoia, and greed, "Goodfellas" is a trip down Mafia Lane that you will never forget. This is Mr. Hill's story.
The script is based on Nicholas Pileggi's novel, "Wise Guys," which is also based on a true story. The dialogue is sharp and very realistic and gives us a window into the lives of people in the Mafia. It is a very quick read, only about 130 pages. That's pretty short, considering that the movie was at least 2 and a half hours long. But, it's just dialogue, which is why it is very easy to read it quickly. I finished it in less than a day.
If you love the film "Goodfellas," and are interested in reading screenplays, then this is the perfect book for you. Here's your chance to relive some of your favorite moments, this time in writing. A very fine screenplay, it is.
Wiseguy.......2001-11-21
Great book. Great detail.A must for anyone who has seen the film. Gives you a 100% more info and detail.
Best Gangster Film Ever Made.......2001-09-09
Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas" is, hands down, the best gangster film ever made. "The Godfather" created the mythical imagery of mob families that was forever buried by this gutty, bloody real life drama. Based upon the true story as told by the film's main character, Henry Hill, "Goodfellas is the best filmed example of the real life glamour and woekmanlike drudgery that goes with being a wiseguy. It is difficult to imagine a show like "The Sopranos," for example, had not "Goodfellas" reinvented the gangster film genre.
Ray Liotta is excellent as Henry, but the movie's real showcases are the performances of Joe Pesci and Robert DiNiro as his partners in crime. Pesci in particular gives a tour de force performance that is downright frightening. Other first rate performances come from Lorraine Bracco as Henry's Jewish wife and Paul Sorvino, whose performance as a real life Godfather could not be more different than Marlon Brando's.
This film is a must see for anyone who enjoys gangster movies. It also has to rank as THE best American movie of the 1990s.
"Like I'm A Clown...I'm Here To Amuse you?".......2001-07-17
Turning dense, non fiction material such as Nick Pileggi's 1985 best seller "Wiseguy," into a cohesive screenplay is no easy task, but Pileggi and the brilliant Martin Scorsese pulled it off beautifully in 1990 with the script for "Goodfellas"
"Goodfellas" remains America's penultimate crime film; the "Godfather" is Hollywood's version of what wiseguys are like; "Goodfellas" depicts them as how they really are.
This Faber paperback edition of the screenplay, with a foreward by David Thompson ("Scorsese on Scorses") reproduces all of the dialouge verbatim (including the scenes that were improvised on the set such as the famous "what's so funnny about me" sequence between Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta).
The book serves as both as written testamint to what great movie making is all about and as a primer for budding screenwriters.
As a bonus, there is a listing of all the music Scorcese used on the soundtrack (no small part of what made the movie a classic),including those selections that were unfortunately deleted from the commercial issue on Atlantic records).
As Joe Pesci's character might say--"this is one great -------book!"
A classic screenplay to a classic film........2000-03-19
Though Nicholas Pileggi's source book, Wise Guy, gave this screenplay both its voice-over and its final conclusion, the screenplay to GoodFellas is an essential addition to any screenplay library. If not for the fact that Pileggi and Martin Scorsese have pulled off the mammoth task of interpreting the detailed-packed, wide-scoped vision of the book into cinema-speak, then for the writing itself. GoodFellas is a screenplay that can be read as entertainment -- fast-paced, crisp, clear, and exciting. The published version of this script is mostly in master-scene form, giving only the most evocative details, beautifully paced. This is one of the crowning entries in Faber and Faber's superb screenplay series, ranking right up there along Paul Schrader's Taxi Driver and Odets/Lehmann's for Sweet Smell of Success. To any upstart screenwriter or serious student of film, this series is invaluable.
Book Description
As a cop Ron Previte was corrupt. As a mobster he was brutal. And in his final role, as a confidential informant to the FBI, Previte was deadly. The Last Gangster is his story -- the story of the last days of the Philadelphia mob, and of the clash of generations that brought it down once and for all.
For thirty-five years Ron Previte roamed the underworld. A six foot-tall, 300-pound capo in the Philadelphia-South Jersey crime family, he ran every mob scam and gambit from drug trafficking and prostitution to the extortion of millions from Atlantic City. By the 1990s, Previte, an old-school workhorse, found himself answering to younger mob bosses like "Skinny Joey" Merlina. Spoiled, cocky, and careless, the young, up-and-coming gangsters were hungry for the media's attention and the public's recognition. Gone were the days of loyalty and discretion.
Convinced that the honor of the "business" was over, Previte became the FBI's secret weapon in an intense and highly personalized war on the Philadelphia mob. Operating with the same guile, wit, and stone-cold bravado that had made him a force in the underworld, and armed with only a wiretap, Previte recorded it all: the murder, the mayhem, and the betrayal. In The Last Gangster, George Anastasia -- the critically acclaimed author of Blood and Honor and The Goodfella Tapes -- tells Previte's story for the first time. Unflinching and enthralling, The Last Gangster is the true story of how the once monolithic, highly organized, powerful, and secretive Cosa Nostra was defeated by its own hand.
Customer Reviews:
Good mob book.......2007-05-07
I love mob books and this one doesn't dissappoint. Must have for the mob book lover.
Boring.......2006-05-22
Previte sounds like a loud mouth braggert to me. He is one of those guys who talks like hes done it all but sounds like a phony. The FBI are not as dumb as Previte says they are. I doubt he recieved all the money he says the government gave him. The other characters in the book are dull, immature. If you want to read about the mob try a book about Chicago or NY.
HILLARIOUS!!.......2006-03-10
First it is known in the LCN circles that former members of law enforcement should not become made members. This is one of the rules but yet Previte slipped in. The whole recollection of Merlino (a former racing jockey) and Ralph Natale are hillarious. Time and time again Previte explains how these two could not get on the same page.
Anastasia himself gets better with time. He is Philadelphia's Jerry Capeci. Despite the fact that in the scheme of things Previte was a high-level in a crime family that pales in comparison under the previous leaders. A good read and likeable subject!
Another great book from George Anastasia.......2005-12-19
Long considered the master among Philadelphia crime reporters, Anastasia delivers another fantastic chapter in the long, sordid decline of the mafia. Ironically, both his writing and reporting seem to get better as the statue of the people he's covering shrinks.
Where Angelo Bruno was once a godfather straight out of central casting, a force to be reckoned with, the Phily mob today is little more than a bunch of guys hanging out on the street corner. Ron Previte, the former cop turned wise guy, is actually a pretty interesting character - a murderous scamp who used his status as a longtime informant to become a capo - but that's about it. The rest of the wiseguys we see here are straight out of the Sopranos. And to be honest, the one real problem I had with the book is that Anastasia reuses a lot of material from his earlier works. How many times can you read about how photogenic Joseph Merlino is or what a nutcase Nicky Scarfo was?
Still, this is a great read and anyone who loves reading about organized crime will get a kick out of this book. Pick it up for Christmas today.
MOBSTER HISTORY...GREAT!!!.......2005-09-24
This was a very informative book about the the "mob" & its supposed ending, however, it skipped around so much from the beginning to the end, the main stream was mixed. The gruesome details were very graphic at times to make you realize this was not just a "fun" group. If you like to follow mobster history, this would be the book for you...Have fun reading!!
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