Based on evidence given while going into the witness protection program, this is a gritty view of what it is actually like to be a 'Wise Guy' or Mafia thug. I was amazed & repelled by the book. Unlike the Godfather which made a hero out of such men & touted a loyalty & honor throughout the ranks, this book shows the actual setup. How self-interest rules their lives & how little empathy they have.

I didn't like the book or the subject, but it was well written & worth reading. I just find the idea of people leeching off society the way they do repugnant. ( )

If you're a fan of the Soprano's or interested in the Mob you will really enjoy this book. It's the life story of Henry Hill from his youth and entry into the Mob ( he couldn't actually be a "made man") to his time in the witness protection plan. It's hard to believe all the cons and schemes these mobsters ran. I live close to the Federal Pen at Lewisburg PA. where Henry spent some time and it's hard to believe all of the things he got away with while serving his time. ( )

The paradox of Nicolas Pillegi's "Wiseguy" is that although it remains the quintessential gangster tale of modern times, its subject played a relatively minor role in the day-to-day operation of La Cosa Nostra. Henry Hill did not have the larger-than-life personality of a John Gotti, or the blue-chip worthy resume of a Meyer Lansky. He didn't invent Las Vegas, he wasn't a boss. He didn't even run a crew of his own. Because of his Irish blood, Henry Hill was never able to fully assimilate into the Sicilian subculture. This outsider view is precisely what makes "Wiseguy" so readable, so lacking in the pretense that the stereotypical gangster biography brings to the table. As Pileggi notes in his prologue, Hill goes against the grain of the typical mafioso figure he covered in his accomplished career as a crime reporter. Well-spoken and straightforward, "Wiseguy" breaks down mob mentality into a street level study of the inner machinations of organized crime: where and how the foot-level soldiers, middle management and CEOs operated and interacted with each other. Growing up next to a cab-stand the local mob bosses ran, Hill was given access to the powerful fist that ran the city's rackets, from hijacking to elaborate heists to loansharking - he had it all at his fingertips. And even when it all fell apart, when the party was over and the cold, harsh reality set in that he might have to just become an everyday "shnook," Hill can only glibly muse that when he tries to order spaghetti and marinara now, all he gets is egg noodles and ketchup. ( )

I loved this book.
"WISEGUY" by Nicholas Pilieggi tracks a ganster through his lifetime. It reveals both the good and the bad that come with this kind of lifestyle. Rather than merely saying the ways of the Mafia are good or bad, "WiSEGUY" disclosed all areas of lifestyle and lets the reader decide for themselves whether or not they agree with the "ganster mentality". This book is very fun to read because it is never predictable. The lifestyle it is conveying is one of the most unpredictable and action packed ways of living and is a lot of fun to read about. "WISEGUY" reveals the ups and downs of the life of a gangster in a format that is both fun to read and thought provoking. Thus, it even relates to the subject of search of self because it forces you to think about the influence money can have on people and how it can push people to do extreame things that are often regreted. It forces you to ask yourself how far you would go for money and power and if these things are too influential in your decisions. I loved this book and I give it five stars. ( )

I adored the movie Goodfellas. It was my favorite movie for several years. Yesterday, I picked up Wiseguy to see if I could like it.

In short, I did. I'm glad I saw the movie first, so I could have Ray Liotta's voice doing the narration. I've never been fascinated with the mafia, although I am acquainted with several members. ( )