King of the Godfathers: "Big Joey" Massino and the Fall of the Bonanno Crime Family
by Anthony DeStefano
Pinnacle True Crime
On This Page
Description
The Last Of The Old-World Mob Bosses--And The Ultimate Betrayal For more than twenty years, Joseph "Big Joey" Massino ran what was called the largest criminal network in the U.S., employing over two hundred and fifty made men and untold numbers of associates. The Bonanno family was responsible for over thirty murders, even killing a dozen of its own members to enforce discipline and settle scores. He would be brought down by Salvatore "Good Looking Sal" Vitale, the underboss who was not only show more Massino's closest and most trusted friend, but also his brother-in-law. In the end, facing the death penalty and the prospect of leaving his family penniless, Massino started talking to the FBI--the first Mafia Godfather to break the sacred code of omerta, and the end of a centuries-old tradition. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Anthony DeStefano, who interviewed Massino's family and friends as well as law enforcement officials and confidential sources, "King of the Godfathers" is the story of the brutal mob war that made Massino head of the Bonanno family and the most powerful gangster in America. "The best and last word on the subject." --Jerry Capeci, Gangland News.com and bestselling co-author of "Murder Machine" With 16 Pages of Revealing Photos Anthony Destefano was part of the team of New York "Newsday" reporters who won the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the August 1991 subway crash in Manhattan. He covers organized crime for "Newsday" and was the lead reporter on several major criminal trials, including that of subway gunman Bernhard Goetz. He lives in New Jersey. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
I found this hard going to begin with but don't get me wrong I found it interesting as it went on it was just a style of writing I was not used to.
It is written by reporter Anthony M DeStefano who interviewed Massino's family and friends as well as law enforcement officials.
It tells of the history of the Mafia and how Joseph Massino and his other members continued there business and ultimately ratted each other out.
I was interested in this as watching The Wire at the moment about gangsters in New York and was interested in the wire taps etc that were talked about in this book. How the police/FBI go after the criminals.
I would recommend reading this but stick with it.
It is written by reporter Anthony M DeStefano who interviewed Massino's family and friends as well as law enforcement officials.
It tells of the history of the Mafia and how Joseph Massino and his other members continued there business and ultimately ratted each other out.
I was interested in this as watching The Wire at the moment about gangsters in New York and was interested in the wire taps etc that were talked about in this book. How the police/FBI go after the criminals.
I would recommend reading this but stick with it.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
5 Works 158 Members
Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- King of the Godfathers: "Big Joey" Massino and the Fall of the Bonanno Crime Family
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 364.1092 — Social sciences Social problems and social services Criminology Criminal offenses
- LCC
- HV6452 .N7 .D47 — Social sciences Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology Crimes and offenses
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 117
- Popularity
- 276,986
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.59)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 6
- ASINs
- 3
