Mafia Prince: Inside America's Most Violent Crime Family and the Bloody Fall of La Cosa Nostra

By Phil Leonetti

Book Overview

A first-person account of the violent downfall of the traditional American Mafia in the final heyday of the 1980s.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0762454318
• ISBN13: 9780762454310
• Release Date: April 2014
• Publisher: Running Press Adult
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Top notch account of the Philadelphia Mafia

Mafia Prince is a compelling account on the rise of Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo in the Philadelphia/Atlantic City La Cosa Nostra in the 1970s and 1980s. Mafia Prince blends Phil "Crazy Phil" Leonetti's firsthand account of Nicky Scarfo's unlikely ascension to the head of the Bruno Crime Family, with important background and narrative context from Burnstein and Graziano that helps paint an insightful look at how Phil was drawn into a violent life from a young age. Groomed for a life of crime since his preteen years, Leonetti eventually becomes disillusioned with Scarfo’s seemingly unlimited thirst for violence and obsession with murder. Phil “goes bad”, co-operating with the government in the face of a length prison sentence from a RICO conviction. Phil makes no excuses for his violent and murderous past and writes plainly that he had little qualms about following the rules of La Cosa Nostra, until Nicky orders the murders of their oldest companions. Mafia Prince is an easy read and essential piece for mafia history buffs. A thorough account of not only the Philadelphia mob, but also the history of the revitalization of Atlantic City, fueled by the passage of legalized gaming in 1970s. Mafia Prince draws a direct line showing how Scarfo got his hooks in the casino unions, driving his eventual rise to the head of the Philadelphia mob. (Along with some clever politicking by Scarfo with the Commission, drawing on relationships formed from a prior stint in prison)

Excellent book!!!!!

Being that Leonetti was a rat, almost skipped reading this book. Hate putting money in the pockets of those who live that life and then flip on their friends. But, glad I didn't. One of the best Mafia books I have ever read. Most informative books on the Philadelphia/Atlantic City Mafia out there, especially post Bruno. Great read.