Underboss

Rating:
Summary: Anthropology of the mob
Review: I usually do not read mass market paperbacks, especially those that purport to be "exposes" of some topic of popular fascination. It is only because The New York Times so highly praised it that I bought and read Peter Maas' Underboss: Sammy the Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia.

Much of the book is not so much Maas' original work as it is a reorganizing of his recorded interviews with Gravano. Not surprisingly, the world which Gravano describes is just like The Godfather (Gravano's favorite movie, and one which he believed accurately described Cosa Nostra,"our thing"). The machismo culture is overwhelming -- the world of the Gambino and all crime families is entirely male, ruled by a skewed view of honor, and brutally violent. Gravano is not a particularly savory character -- and he does not try to be. The account he gives, however, and the closed society he describes is almost anthropological in its insights. Although having lived most of his life in the mob culture, Gravano has enough self-awareness to describe it accurately and point out many of its absurdities. He is enough of a product of that culture, though, that many of its excesses pass to Gravano as normal (Gravano himself confesses to involvement in 20 or so murders, but has no more remorse than if he were describing trips to the mall).

This is not a "great" book, and the writing -- perhaps I should say dictation -- is far from inspiring. It is, however, quite interesting and a quick read.

Rating:
Summary: Great read. Illustrates the contradictions in the life.
Review: So Cosa Nostra is about loyalty, secrecy, following certain rules and hierarchy within a life of crime. Organized crime. Sammy's a guy who tried to follow all the rules while making a lot of money for the family. But the story is full of justifications and contradictions. If Sammy was so rule conscious, why did he go along with Gotti on an unsanctioned hit on a boss. Yes, he explains why, but the rules say you can't whack out a boss with out the approval of the commission. When Gotti broke the rules by becoming a public figure by drawing attention and publicity to himself because he couldn't let down his public, why didn't Sammy take the initiative and whack out Gotti? Gotti certainly called more attention to the mafia than Big Paul ever did. Sammy saw the writing on the wall. He knew that Gotti would bring down the mafia with his insatiable desire for publicity. Why didn't he whack out Gotti before it got out of control. In my opinion, Sammy would have made a great boss. He wasn't selfish, he always shared with his crew and those above him. It was never about the money with Sammy, it was all about making the deal. But then again we're talking about murderers and racketeers, not to mention the endless back-stabbing. Sammy comes accross as an upstanding guy within the mafia, family oriented, well respected, and ambitious. His big mistake was hooking up with Gotti. His bigger mistake was not taking out Gotti before the publicity thing got out of hand. Hell, if Sammy could break the rules by taking out one boss, why not take it a step further and whack Gotti. But then when it was too late, he ratted. Once again he broke the rules he swore to uphold as a made guy. So what does this show us about Sammy's character. He loved the life when it suited him, but as soon as it didn't he turned. Poor Sammy. I really feel sorry for him. Give me a break. He knew what he was getting into, and he got rich. When it was his time to go in, he turned on the boss he helped make. What happened to, "Hey, he's the boss, whatever he says goes." Sorry, Sammy. I just don't have it in myself to admire a murderer and racketeer who didn't have the balls to take one for the family. Especially when that person claims to live by rigid codes, and then proceeds to break them. But the book was an entertaining read. I enjoyed the anecdotes, and I was astonished by the contradictions.

Rating:
Summary: This ranks right up there with "The Company She Keeps"
Review: This book really gives you a look inside the darkness of the underworld. The woman's version of this book is "The Company She Keeps" by Georgia Durante. If you like mob books, both of these are an excelent account of life in that world. They tell it the way it really is.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating reading!
Review: Why read fiction when fact is this fascinating? Incredible!

Rating:
Summary: interesting view into a strange world
Review: a fast read; interesting view into mob life; it's not quite like the movies! worth reading

Rating:
Summary: Underboss a fun romp through Mafia life.
Review: I have to admit. I know nothing about the Mafia and have never been a fan of Gangster novels.

When a friend of mine handed me this novel, I took one look at the cover and figured what the heck, I'll try it out (I had just seen Serpico late one night recently, and on the cover it said Peter Maas...author of Serpico).

This was a good read. At least for me, who knew nothing about Mafia life or anything about Sammy Gravano or any of his associates. While some chapters were dry, it was really interesting to see how the mob did business in New York and across the country.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who has an interest in reading about life in the mafia, or even someone that likes to read biographies.

Rating:
Summary: MAKES SERIAL MURDERER GRAVANO LOOK LIKE A SAINT
Review: Sammy "The Bull" Gravano is no Virgin Mary, but Peter Maas makes him out to be a very honest man. I hope that I have the guts to be like Sammy when the chips are down. Sammy did the right thing. John Gotti was a slimebag that deserved everything he got. Without Gravano, Gotti would be on the streets today. I have read UNDERBOSS 3 times. I love this book.

Rating:
Summary: Great insight of what goes on behind closed doors.
Review: This book is a great book for anybody interested in the Mafia. This book answered some of my unanswered questions.

Rating:
Summary: It was a book that left you to choose a side.
Review: I have always been fascinated by the mafia. I was torn between John Gotti, and Sammy. John broke several of the founding rules, and that lead to the downfall of the Gambino Family. I tried to put myself into their shoes, and when you are looking at life in prison, because somone else screwed up, you have to think Sammy did the right thing to save his neck. I enjoyed the very detailed stories, found in the UNDERBOSS. I think John Gotti had a big mouth, but I don't like a rat. I think if I was in Sammy's shoes I would have done the same thing. I still don't understand why someone in the family could not bribe a juror in that trial like Sammy had twice before. I also like a book called MOBFATHER this is a true story as well.

Rating:
Summary: The Rat Will Fall
Review: Sammy wouldn't dare ever show his face in public, and it's a slap in the face to see his rat nose on the cover of this book all over the place.