Street Soldier: My Life as an Enforcer for Whitey Bulger and the Boston Irish Mob

by Edward J. MacKenzie Jr. and Phyllis Karas

Book Overview

For decades the FBI let James "Whitey" Bulger get away with murder, an almost unbelievable story that entered a new chapter when Bulger was arrested in California and put on trial. During the 1980s,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1586420631
• ISBN13: 9781586420635
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Steerforth Press
• Length: 241 Pages
• Weight: 2.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

From across the ocean

Reading Edward MacKenzie's Street Soldier has brought back a lot of memories from another place and another time. Ed's memoir has a universal, transcendent quality about it, it's a raw and insightful narrative about that ugly part of big city life that those who live behind the fences don't see or are too squeamish even to admit it exists. The story could have been about a lot of people I personally knew in Tbilisi, Georgia and Moscow, Russia. Ten thousands miles removed from Boston, entire generations of young kids grew into relentless killing machines brought into the system by the strictest recruiting mechanism with its initiation rites and sacred codes of honor. And like Edward MacKenzie, the mean streets have always been the testing ground. Many like Ed started as vicious street brawlers, then were noticed by the "the men of honor" and later inducted into the system. Their progress within the hierarchy was accomplished according to merit assessment and the decision-makers were our domestic Dons. Reading Ed's book is like reading a familiar story in which only the setting and the names are different. Ed also makes many interesting observations dealing with fear, self confidence, and the ability to stand up for oneself. Now, if I ever were to write my own version of the story on the other side of the Atlantic, I'd like to invite Edward MacKenzie as my co-author.

The Truth

I've met Eddie on 4 or 5 occasions, and I have had long talks with him. I know some of the R.I. people he talks about. I've read the book. Everything Eddie says in this book is the truth as he saw it and lived it. I wish all of you could look into his eyes as he tells his story and see the pain of his youth, the disgust of Whitey's sexual tastes, and the true love he has for his 5 daughters. This book is real, it deals with a part of life that most of us will never see. It does not make Eddie a hero it makes him a man that found the only door open to him to survive. Read it!! It's hard, it's raw, it's true. If you start it in an evening plan on not going to sleep until it done---you can't put it down. If he has a book signing anywhere near you go see him, talk to him, you'll never forget it!!!!!

Could not put this book down!

I have read several books on both the Italian and Irish mobs. I would rate this book as one of the better ones because of it's rare, insider perspective. It is a story of survival on the streets of Boston and how one's environment while growing up contributes to the person we become. Eddie Mac is not vague in his descriptions of Whitey Bulger's gang activity and the stories told had me turning the pages faster and faster! I would also recommend Black Mass and All Souls for those interested in the Irish Mob in Boston.

The Real Deal

After reading Black Mass by Dick Lahr & Gerad O'Niel, I thought I knew it all about the FBI and the Boston Irish Mob AKA Whitey Bulger. After reading Edward Mackenzie's book Street Soldier, I realized the stark difference between someone who was on the inside (Mackenzie) and someone who was on the outside (Lehr & O'Niel) Mackenzie's book Street Soldier, shows us how(as Mackenzie's states)how one is turned from being prey to being predator! I couldn't stop turning the page, this book makes one feel like they are walking in Mackenzie's footsteps as he brings you chapter after chapter or horifying experiances! I read the book three weeks ago, and as I'm driving along in my safe suburban neiborhood, I cringe to think of what's going on in the inner city. Great read! I give this book 5 stars! Krystal MD.

My heart raced the whole time!!!

This book offers a raw insight to the days when Whitey Bulger and his Irish mob ruled the streets of Southie. It was written by one of Whitey's former legbreakers, Eddie Mac who does not hold back on detail when telling his story - faint of heart be warned! This book is a must-read for those who enjoy reading true crime/mob books!