Rating: 
Summary: RAT
Review: This is a story that was told by a man who was a sell out just to save his own skin. He told the FBI anything and everything that they wanted to hear. This book tells the tale of mafia life from a person on the inside, but who is to say that the information that is being given is the truth. The book reads well and seems interesting and exciting for those who do not know what mob life is really like. The book is filled with false facts and incorrect information. It seems odd to me that people are supporting a man that has admitted to nineteen murders.
Rating: 
Summary: GRAVANO IS NO RAT
Review: I WORK AT A BOOKSTORE AND I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR GOOD NON-FICTION BOOKS, PARTICULARLY MAFIA-RELATED BOOK AND I HAVE READ AND RECOMEND SUCH BOOKS AS "GOTTI" BY JERRY CAPECCI AND "GOOMBATA" BY JOHN CUMMINGS, BUT AS SOON AS THIS BOOK ARRIVED IN MY STORE I KNEW I HAD TO READ IT BECAUSE IT TOLD THE STORY FROM THE SIDE THAT NOBODY WANTED OR EXPECTED TO HEAR FROM. THE WAY THE BOOK IS WRITTEN KEPT ME TURNING THE PAGES NON-STOP. I ADMIRE SAMMY GRAVANO FOR WHAT HE DID KNOWING WHAT THE CONSECUENCES OF HIS ACTIONS WERE .PETER MAAS WAS VERY PRIVILEGED TO WORK WITH SUCH HONEST MAN AS MR. GRAVANO.
Rating:
Summary: Peter and Sammy write the best Mafia book ever!
Review: This novel is the most explosive journey into the mind of a Mafia soldier since "Donnie Brasco".
It starts off pretty slow when Sammy talks about his childhood. When he begins to talk about John Gotti and finally his membership in the Colombo family, things start to speed up REAL fast.
The detail of Sammy's first kill was far too powerful. Then, he starts talking about whacking people as if it is nothing. You can notice by the way he speaks throughout the book how quickly he changed.
But nothing can beat the part of when he enters the Gambino Crime Family. He explains his connections with John Gotti and Paul Castellano so vividly, you think you know the two of them!
Then the wire taps start to appear in the novel. They capture the most stunning conversations betwen Mafia soldiers ever recorded.
When things start to fall apart in the family, Sammy hides somewhere in Florida (that's where I live so this part was very exciting). I won't tell you how it ends after that becuase the rest is breathtaking.
This book is certaintly worth the read. Sammy Gravano tells all in this one. For Peter Mass this is his best since "Serpico". Books like these make you wonder why there isn't a 14 mark on the book scale.
Rating: 
Summary: Sammy's the ultimate disgruntled employee!
Review: I read Sammy's story at the same time as I was studying downsizing. It seems like to me that Sammy
is the ultimate disgruntled employee. He bought
into the company (La Cosa Nostra) hook line and sinker, buying its credo, its plans, and its rules, only to find it meant nothing. Although he's a con, a certain sincerity rings through the tail. You sense that Sammy has a strong sense of right and wrong (however misguided it may be) and that he realized that being in the mob didn't excuse doing the right thing (within the framework of La Cosa Nostra). FBI agents quoted in the story seem
to back up the fact that Sammy believed in La Cosa
Nostra. Only when that belief didn't match the reality did he turn. The early parts of this book are slow going and confusing. There are too many similar names tossed
about. Maas could have provided some clarity by stepping in and giving brief biographies of the people
he is describing. Also, Sammy never says he wasn't involved with murders, but you sense that his actual involvement in some of the hits was greater
than he let on. Still, it's a fascinating and
recommended read. Try Gangland as well for the FBI's
version of this story.
Rating:
Summary: Where Is Sammy?
Review: This is a scary and intriguing story that is almost hard tobelieve. I feel sorry for Sammy's childhood and something tells methat had he been able to achieve success in school, he wouldn't have chosen this life. Sammy was faithful and protective of his family as a gangster. It would be interesting to see what he is doing today.
Rating:
Summary: This is fascinating reading.
Review: Sammy's story is sometimes humorous, sometimes frightening, but guaranteed to keep you riveted to your chair. His is an insider's view of the underground culture of La Cosa Nostra, however, more interesting than other books regarding the Mafia, because he was so close to more than one of the so-called 'Godfathers.' Mr. Gravano came from a loving, intact home, not particularly poor, so the usual excuses for criminal behavior do not apply. There is an endearing quality to this story, for Sammy blames no one for his behavior other than himself. Amply warned by his hard-working, honest, kind father to stay away from 'those people,' he, unfortunately, becomes mesmerised by the lifestyle of the gangsters in his neighborhood. This story is particularly timely, as one of the characters in this book, Chin Gigante, has been on trial in NY, and Sammy was a government witness. Sammy's father exhorted him as a young man to "do the right thing." I believe he has finally heeded his father's advise. Sammy shows great courage in telling us his tale which has an authentic tone to it. I wish Sammy well and hope he experiences an element of peace for the rest of a very long, happy life.
Rating:
Summary: Not Your Friends Sammy
Review: The subject of the Mafia has alwaysfascinated me until I sawGoodfellas, then the fascination turned to fear, Underbossjustconfirmed those fears again. Iwill let the subject alone for good'now but one thing, I alwaysthought the definition of a rat wassomeone who tells on their friends,as a made member Sammy supplied theCosa Nostra with millions of dollars a year, he carried theirorders out to the letter and theytalked about him behind his backthat is not somthing a friend would do. Also,while Sammy was runningaround whacking people for the bosses he was taking good care of 'his personal family. Unlike me,my father split when I was fiveyears old and never looked back his kids could always know thattheir dad loved them and would bethere to take care of them. My father never murdered anyone thatI know of, but the hurt of his rejection has lasted me a lifetime.Murderer or not, at least Sammy'skids had their father for howeverlong they did.
Rating:
Summary: A realistic view of life in the Mafia.
Review: Another excellent book by Peter Maas. If you liked "KillerSpy" , you will love this story. Peter Maas tells the inside story.It is obvious that Maas does his research when he writes a book. The book is factual and gives a real view of the brutal Mafia Life.
Rating:
Summary: "I may be a Wiseguy, but I'm a GOOD Wiseguy!"
Review: It was pretty obvious where Gravano was taking thereader when, in the early chapters, he talked about his 7th grade mathteacher. What a great guy he was, how he nearly got him back into school, etc. Gravano is just a misunderstood kid who didn't get the guidance he needed to avoid a life of crime. While this book provides a startlingly realistic view into the character and lifestyle of the 1970-80's wiseguy (a la "Goodfellas"), the self-serving presentation wears thin. He details the numerous acts of violence and murder in dispassionate detail, adding at the end of a few that he was ashamed or sick about doing it. Apart from this stylistic flaw, the book is a good, solid read. "Fans" of La Cosa Nostra will probably pick up many interesting tidbits (i.e. "friend of ours" vs "friend of mine"). And, Gravano's perspective is long enough that he provides a useful framework for those who are interested in the general history of organized crime during that time period. All in all, dedicated gangster readers must read this. More causal readers will enjoy this book for its candor and wealth of information.
Rating:
Summary: Whacking People, A funny Tale
Review: This is naughty to say - but Sammy's book is a hoot! The mafiais no brainy lot, and their ancient, twisted omerta code, coupled withtheir inherent dumbness makes for some hilarious reading -- of a soldier getting "made" (mafia for important hood) after whacking another thug, showing "respect" to thugs higher up in the hoodlum kingdom, the breakdown of "values" displayed by Gotti (my, they have that problem too!), and resulting in the end of the mob in America as we know and love. Should you doubt that this culture exists, #1 read this book and #2 visit some of those places Sammy tells us of in his book. Particular restaurants in Brooklyn, are interesting - just look for the guy getting "respect" and the gold pinky ring. But don't laugh while looking at his table. I personally know a woman who rents a storefront to a "group of men" for their "club meetings". She NEVER raises their rent!
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