Wise Guys: Stories of Mobsters from Jersey to Vegas

Book Overview

Wise Guys takes readers into the heart of Sopranos territory, with a collection featuring the work of best-selling writers from E. L. Doctorow (with an account of mobster Dutch Schultz that includes one of the great execution scenes in the literature of the Mob) to Nicholas Pileggi (on Henry Hill's first prison term, overflowing with good pasta and booze). Other pieces include Jerry Capeci and Gene Mustain reconstruction of the vicious hit on "Big Paulie" Castellano outside of Spark's Steakhouse (which catapulted John Gotti to leadership of the Gambino family), Mario Puzo's riveting account of a don's ascent (a tale of deceit, murder and, above all, cunning), and Norman Lewis on where it all began: the Sicilian Mafia's battle against Mussolini and its return to greater strength than ever.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 156025498X
• ISBN13: 9781560254980
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 364 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Every bit as good as "Mob"! Great summer reading.

There are fifteen selections in this book, the only fiction piece being the scene from Godfather II in which Vito Corleone rises to power. There are a couple selections from more scholarly works on the rise and workings of organized crime in Italy and America, a couple of "I was there" memoirs and some great reporting on recent figures like John Gotti. But also some very interesting work on a town in Ohio where the town fathers are hand in glove with OC, an interesting piece on NYC Chinatown tongs and on the Bulger brothers of Massachusetts - one a state senate leader, the other a mobster - particularly relevant now (July 2003) because they are back in the news with the wanted mobster gone missing. Every selection is interesting and closed-ended enough that you can enjoy it. Six are stand-alone articles. If you enjoyed "Mob" you'll enjoy this, and vice versa. Great light summertime reading.