Underboss

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Summary: A really great book.
Review: This true account of the man who went from mafia to FBI to bring down Gotti is a real treat. Grab the book. excelent reading.

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Summary: Is he trying to make excuses
Review: I thought that Gravano was trying to make excuses for his betrayal all through out the book saying that it was his who upload their code and others forced him to turn to the other side. I'm not sayign that this made it a bad book I'm saying that if he was so comfortable with his decison then he wouldn't have needed to continually defend what he did. Althought this was a very good book and I would recommend it even if only for the insight into the Gambinos

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Summary: Good book in general
Review: I generally liked this book. On the strong side, the stories were well writen and well told. We feel like we get to have a look behind the closed doors of the mafia and the pages seem to melt away. The only weakness worth mentionning is the fact that Sammy Gravano sometimes gives us the feeling he's telling the story the way he wants it to be told and not necessarly the way it really happened.I admit that in general you tend to like him, but there are those times when i felt he made himself the hero. You can't fail to notice that he never looks bad, thrue all the murders and lies he always ended up being the good guy. That seems hard to beleive. Never the less, it his a good book to get your hands on, the good sides largely outweigh the weaknesses. (sorry for my english, i'm better in french.)

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Summary: Hard hitting mafia account that should open some naive eyes.
Review: Most of mainstream America has a strange fascination with the mob, but read this book and you'll stop glamourizing it in your mind. Sammy the Bull is a born and raised, dyed in the wool gangster. Extortionist, bully, thief, and murderer, he pulls no punches in describing his rise and fall in the eyes of Cosa Nostra. Gravano is not a man to be admired by any means, but it takes a whole wagonful of guts to defect from the family. There is no glamour or glitz to the way Gravano describes his ascension to the upper reaches of the Gambino crime family, but there is truth. Bottom line is: this is an entertaining, yet disturbing account of life in the Cosa Nostra, and if that's what you enjoy, then read it. Sidenote: Sammy describes a violent Irish gang called the Westies whose signature hits included a bullet through each knee. Check out 'Sleepers' by Lorenzo Carcaterra, and you'll realize in that same time frame, two of Carcaterra's friends were in that gang at that very time. Interesting.

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Summary: Hey Sammy, you got off, now tell us the REAL story!
Review: It's not that I doubt much of what he's telling the readers, it's just that I don't want the "kindler, gentler" Gravano. I understand that he feels remorse for what he has done, but it doesn't make for AS exciting a read when you feel like it is just a big apology or an excuse. Also, I have a hard time buying that he was as good a streetfighter as he claims. Guns--yes, fists--I don't know...

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Summary: Excellent and very informative
Review: Well this book certainly clarified alot of events that took place in my nieghborhood.I grew up in Bensonhurst. I have partied at many of the hang outs mentioned in the book, places like, Docs Bar, The Bus Stop, Tali's Bar, and the Plaza Suite. I never had a clue as to what went on behind the scenes. I new some of the players in the book but never really knew about their mysterious dark sides. This book fills in all the blanks for me.

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Summary: A Captivating Read
Review: While I can't say that I admire Sammy Gravano -- his behavior for most of his life was reprehensible, -- I have to give him credit for calling a spade a spade. In this captivating true life story, Gravano describes his growing up as a tough kid and becoming a "made man" over time, only to go on to becoming "Underboss" of the Gambino Crime Family with John Gotti.Sammy tells his story with a thoroughness that seems to indicate he finally wants to come clean. Certainly turning "state's evidence" against Gotti and many other significant underworld crime figures was a matter of self preservation (likely literally his life), yet Gravano presents himself as a person with a strong degree of loyalty and honor -- despite the horror of "the life" and his part in it. John Gotti certainly doesn't come across very well in this account of how Gotti Became Godfather. Basically, a low-life, who's likely chances of becoming the Boss were slim to none, he kills his way to the top and proves himself to be an egotistical low class bum who actually believe's he's untouchable and attractive to 'his public'. An absolutely disgusting human being who belongs where he is -- in jail for life with no chance for parole. His prodigy has ended up in the same situation and his stupidity was so ridiculously blatant that it bordered on 'the gang that couldn't shoot straight.' May they enjoy their life 'on vacation!'Gravano served time so his helping as state's witness didn't wipe away everything, yet he makes a tremendous sacrifice in going in this direction -- including the loss of his wife and children. In the long run, perhaps there is a thread of hope and redemption in Gravano's decision; hopefully, he's living a decent life totally different than his past.An excellent narrative of the last two decades of New York's Organized Crime Families.Peter Maas does an excellent job of weaving the story together. As a result, it's a fast and fascinating read.Good luck Gravano -- where-ever you are!

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Summary: This is the best and most accurate mafia written to date
Review: This is the most gripping novel that has ever been written about the on your toes lifestyle of the mafia. Read about a man that is the mold of why the mafia was created. This book is hard to put down! Sammy, we love you!!!!

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Summary: excellent, easy-flowing, conversationl-style reading
Review: This book by Peter Moss was not only informitive, but very easy to read. The life of the mob is exposed in the first person by Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, his own deeds in his own words. A MUST READ for all wanting to be "Mafia Experts!"

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Summary: I am not an avid reader and this one held me throughout!
Review: I have read maybe 5 books cover to cover in 10 years and this one gripped me. Excellent writing, easy to read and truly intriguing and exciting. Read it all on a round trip flight to Moscow from Tampa, FL. Excellent way to pass the time.