Wise Guy

This is the best book on the Mafia/organised crime I have read to date. If it was possible, I would give it 5+ stars, as I thought it was that good. If you read no other Mafia/organised crime book, read this one. You won't be disappointed. For those who have seen the film Goodfellas (like I have) and enjoyed the movie (and I haven't met many people who haven't) then this is essential reading as this book gives more detail and also highlights some of the variations that Scorsese has made in the film in comparison to this. I think it makes both the movie and this book even more interesting though. For those that haven't seen the movie, this book describes the activities of how the Lucchese crime family in New York operated between the 50's-80's from the point of view of street level gangster who turns informant, Henry Hill. Henry Hill was unique in that he had access to many levels and areas of organised crime despite not being a 'made man'. From a young age he was involved in hijacking, robbery, gambling, loan sharking, arms dealing, drugs, extortion, the list goes on. He was friends with Paul Vario (a boss within the Lucchese crime family) and his family (in terms of both genetic and in an organised crime sense), as well as his 'mentor' and friend, Jimmy Burke (a gangster who specialised in hijacking and theft) and other crime figures. This book also has commentary from his wife, Karen Hill, adding a different dimension to the story. Everything seems to fit together perfectly in this book. How Henry grows up with the mafia, how he hustles, his different schemes, how he meets the different people who influence his life, Paul Vario, Jimmy Burke, Tommy DeSimone, Karen Hill, his time in prison, drugs, murder, his decision to become an informant. I haven't found another book of this genre that comes close to being as readable and entertaining. This book is from the point of view of a 'street mechanic', someone who knows how everything works and that is what makes it a cut above other books of this genre that are mostly journalistic crime hypotheses or old mafia bosses trying to justify a life of greed and self indulgence as if their crimes are a work of art. My only regret is that it has taken me over 30 years to read this book (it was published in 1985!) but I shall be purchasing Pileggi's book Casino on the strength of this book. It has a helluva lot to live up to!!

Lo compré como regalo, me llegó por desgracia en un sobre sin ningún tipo de empaque, entonces tenía un mini rasguño, aunque era imperceptible. Por lo demás es una muy elegante presentación y a la persona a la que se lo di le encantó. Es una gran edición.

Ordered it as present for my boyfriend who loves good fellas, he also liked the book very much

Diferente de Goodfather, no qual a relação entre os mafiosos é romantizado, aqui a história é outra. Embora na superfície exista este romantismo, não é preciso procurar muito para verificar que os criminosos não possuem nenhum código de honra qdo precisam salvar a própria pele. Uma leitura que prende e vale a pena

It's the type of book where you sit down and think; "I'll read a few pages or a chapter". Next thing, you struggle to know when to call it quits. And hours have passed before you know it.