Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45891 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 336 pages

Customer Reviews

Decent book, better if you're a fan of the Sopranos
On it's own it's just non fictional account of the New Jersey Mafia and most of it is based around one of the latest mob informers of that region, associate Ralphie Gaurino. This alone makes it a decent read for the avid Mafia enthusiast. Though it is not too exciting. What did higher my rating of the book were the relevant Sopranos name-dropping and similarities to the real New Jersey wiseguys. It's quite interesting realising that actual plot lines and characters from the Sopranos were stolen from current Mafia members from NJ. Not many shows would be audacious enough to that.

Overall, it's a good book worth reading, like I said, for the avid Mafia fan and made better if you're a fan of the Sopranos. Don't expect anything too exciting or a 'can't put down book'.

Good book
David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, has said over and over again that there was no inspiration taken from any true cosa nostra family. This book, which is about the Decavalcante family, details the story of the fall of Vincent Palermo, and many other Made Men and asscoiates through Government Informant Ralphie Guarino. Also throughout the book though Smith provides us with the similarities with the TV show The Sopranos and The real made men of New Jersey and the mob hangouts such as Wiggles (Bada Bing) and Saccos (Satriales). Overall a good read especially as there is not a great deal of literature on the New Jersey branch of cosa nostra. Would have got 5* if there was more detail on Vincent Palermo, who Anthony Soprano is supposedly based on.

A must have for a Sopranos Fan, otherwise so so .
Firstly let me apologise if my review sounds like the above reviewer, but he did hit the nail on the head. The book is interesting in that whilst reading you reconise certain scams and characters from The Sopranos. The contrast to real life is audacious. Other than that, the book is your average mafia story about The New Jersey Mafia. Its excellent in that untill book, i didnt now anything about this Familly but unfortunatly It doesnt go into enough detail to make it an excellent read.
To conclude a good book, interesting if your a Sopranos Fan.

It may also be worth noting that a good knowledge of LCN is needed to understand this book, and not just a liking of The Sopranos. Id recomend an easier Introduction to the Mafia, before diving in to this book.