King of the Godfathers: Big Joey Massino and the Fall of the Bonanno Crime Family

by Anthony M. Destefano and Anthony M. DeStefano

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786018933
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Pinnacle
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.7" x 1.0" x 4.1"

Customer Reviews

Great Mob Expose

i liked the way this book gave alot of info about the wives of mob figures.I've always wondered what the wives knew about their husband's activities and how they rationalized it. The wives are a convenient way to hide and transfer the assets of mobsters and they should bear some(or alot) of the guilt.The one DA in the book was putting pressure on mobster wives and this was a tactic I was unaware of and have wondered why mobsters' wives were considered,"untouchable".After all who is too often pressuring the mobster to bring in more money? Joe Massino or "Joe Wagons"(nicknamed for his sandwich and coffee truck business) is represented in this book as one of the "Last Dons".Because law enforcement techniques (but mainly "legalized" gambling) are making the "family" less profitable and more dangerous, more and more mobsters are turning "states evidence".This book tells the tale of how law enforcement is breaking the comraderie of mobsters who previously took a "blood oath" to be faithful to the mob.Behind the facade of the "ham sandwuch guru",the story of Massino, is one filled with scams and murder.Apparently there's not much money in ham sandwiches,but it does get a person out into the working world to promote their scams.This book will keep you glued.Lots of gruesome photos which initially shock,but then as you read the history of the poor unfortunate you feel alot less sympathetic.(Just the mob's way of cleaning it's own house)!Well researched and highly readable

A Suberb and "Must" Read!

King Of The Gordfathers is an extremely well written book! I found it very deep and informative, so much so that I wondered how Anthony DeStefano got the 'members of the family' to reveal all of the inside stories. This book opens up the silence that was for so many years repressed and only speculated about. Mr. DeStefano also shows the work of the FBI and law enforcement agencies in finally putting pieces together that brought down one of the last of the 'old world' families. A big plus are the crystal clear photo section and an epilogue on 'Where They Are Now' King Of The Godfathers is a very detailed book that one needs to take the time to think about as you read through its chapters. Being of Sicilan heritage, I was very impressed, enlightened and educated, let alone a bit surprised! This book also shows why Mr.DeStefano won a Pulitzer Prize in 1991. You will not be disappointed in reading!

The Definitive Bonanno Crime Family Book

Mr. DeStefano's latest book is the defining work on the Bonanno Crime Family! This book expounds on Mr. DeStefano's meticulous & compelling coverage of the Massino trial, incorporating Joe Massino's early years and rise to power, along with a concise history of the Mafia's major figures. His years as a respected journalist, have given Mr. DeStefano the ability to lay out the facts with total objectivity, while writing about what is often the basest of human behavior. Deftly, he also weaves in passages which give us insight into the emotional toll paid by those who are inadvertently affected by such a lifestyle. This riveting book gives readers entree into a secret society which continues to fascinate and affirms why Mr. DeStefano is one of the finest reporters on the beat today. I look forward to seeing the next organized crime book by this superb writer and mob aficionado! PS I wonder if a previous reviewer has confused this terrific book with another with a similar name, by a different author?

An Excellent Resource on La Casa Nostra!

Joseph Massino and others known to be involved in New York and New Jersey's Mafia families. This book is the real truth behind organized families (mostly Italian Catholic) just as in the Godfather movies and Sopranos television series. For those fans of the Sopranos who can't get enough of organized crime families will be shocked to read about the carnage in this book. I had run out of space writing all the names of those murdered or died in the blank pages of the book. I live in New Jersey and most of those names ring a familiar bell especially the Pizza Connection murders that was publicized all over television during the 1980s on the local news. Before he ran for President, Rudy Giuliani was going after the New York City crime families and of course, Leona Helmsley, for tax evasion. Giuliani himself an Italian Catholic New Yorker is barely mentioned in this book but he was partly responsible for the downfall of the families. Granted, this book is not for the squeamish. It's graphic and the pictures show the depravity and seriousness of the murders committed by Sammy the Bull Gravano and Joseph Massino. The pictures also show a close-knit family oriented activities like weddings and celebrations. Behind those photos lurks the darkness and evil, the organized crime families' downfall was brought upon by their pride, their several errors, and mistakes that often destroy businesses. Greed and pride are two big causes of the downfall. This book is about Joseph Massinio probably the last of the godfathers who survived only to go to prison with his family heartbroken and distraught over the family's betrayal. The book also has an index of those who survived and what has become of them. I think an index would have been a good idea. The book is well-written and researched but I wished an index and a family tree explaining the roles of the godfathers, associates, and others involved in organized crimes would have been useful too but it's a great book.

There Is No Trust Within The Mob

Joe Massino used the name of the Massino family instead of the Bonanno family because he felt Joe Bonanno sold out the mob by writing a tell-tale book that spilled family secrets. The Massino family suffered the embarrassment of being infiltrated by Joseph Pistone (Donnie Brasco). Massino's paranoia led him to mark for assassination those who had knowledge of the hits he had orchestrated throughout the years. The book centers around three captains that Massino had marked for assassination, and whose deaths among others, led to a trial in which he was sentenced to prison for life. The old mafia rules of not singing to the authorities apparently doesn't hold today as several members told what they knew regarding Massino's role in order to seek a lighter sentence. A virtual treasure trove of information was provided to the authorities as the dominoes began to fall. Massino, himself, fell in line with the other informants in order to avoid a death sentence. The book includes some nasty photos of mob hits in addition to some cartoonish photos of mobsters with bulging bellies who attended too many meetings where pasta was a staple. The book includes a number of mob hits in addition to a significant section devoted to the trial of Joseph Massino. The book clearly illustrates loyalty within the mob is in the past tense. Massino certainly knew that as he dispatched anyone who knew about his sordid past. The author did a fine job with the book, and fans of crime books will enjoy it.