Rating: 
Summary: Great Read!!!
Review: Double Cross was an extremely exciting book to read. I could not put it down. Before reading it, my impression of "Mooney" Giancana was that he was a reckless, John Gotti-like loudmouth who craved the spotlight which eventually ended his reign as the Godfather. I am now convinced that Giancana was much smarter, shrewder, and more vicious than Gotti ever was or could possibly be. The book traces the beginnings of "Mooney" Giancana from his childhood. As the first male of immigrant Sicillians in the early 1900's, he was a bad kid from the start. His incredibly abusive father would punish him by allegedly tying him to a tree and whip him senselessly. This upbringing gave him a coldness toward other people, especially women, that few ever could match in Mafia history. The book details murders and other unconscionable acts that Giancana and the Chicago Outfit "accomplished". That being said, I believe that "Double Cross" exaggerates much of Giancana's power, especially within the Chicago Outfit. It is based on the recollections of his younger brother Chuck, who may be a little biased. Many of his stories are based on information given to him during the book's time period by associates of his high powered brother. Although he may be reporting what he was told correctly, mobsters are not exactly the most credible group of people, especially when they know that Chuck's older brother holds their livelihoods in his hands. Many of the other stories are told to him by "Mooney" himself, whose huge ego causes his stories to be taken with a grain of salt. Another aspect that I found difficult to get past was the lack of respect or even acknowledgment of Tony "Joe Batters" Accardo. Although Giancana was the official boss from 1957-1965, anyone who has any interest in the Chicago Outfit knows that Tony Accardo was the real Godfather, who played a major role from the 20's until 1992. Accardo was always consulted when Giancanna made an important move. Accardo, alledgedly called off some contracts that Giancana wanted, due to their reckless nature. However, Double Cross barely mentions Accardo, and when it does, it condescendingly refers to him not being nearly as powerful as "Mooney" Giancana. If that was so true, then how come Accardo lived until 1992 and never spent a day in prison, while Giancana was gunned down in 1975, most likely on orders from Accardo. Given that the authors of the book are Giancana's brother and godson, perhaps they saw Accardo a little differently. Overall, Double Cross is a great read, and answers some questions about historic people and moments during Giancana's lifetime. It also shows how the people who suffered from this overbearing hoodlum were not only his gangland victims, but members of his own family, whom he reigned over and controlled like a puppet master.
Rating: 
Summary: Sensationalist Junk
Review: For the Mob historian there's nothing really new here outside of lotsa pure fiction. If you want the real story of Sam Giancana check out "The Don" by William Brashler, "Mafia Princess" by Sam's daughter Toni, and Bill Roemer's bio of Tony Accardo. But forget the hogwash of "Double-Cross".
Rating: 
Summary: fiction is better than truth
Review: I bought this when it first came out,knowing nothing about the chicago mob except the name Al Capone.Even not knowing about Giancana going in I felt there was plenty of nonsense in this book.St.Valentine's Day Massacre?JFK?RFK?Marylin Monroe?Fidel Castro?CIA?You guessed it,Giancana had a hand in all the deaths and controlled the world from his home in Oak Park,Illinois(where he was murdered,by the way).This book is a sham,written by a brother and nephew of Giancana who never let the truth get in the way of the story they tell.If you want a true picture of Giancana's role in the Castro matter,or anything else about him(he was approached by the CIA but never actually did anything except tell Johnny Roselli to string them along),read William Brashler's excellent The Don or William Roemer's Man Against The Mob,two books that have facts,not drivel.Tony Accardo not powerful enough to override a Giancana decision?Guess who had Giancana murdered by Sam's best friend?Accardo,the real boss of Chicago,that's who(not the shadowy govt killer the authors would have you believe).
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but ultimately, sad
Review: I picked up this book in order to learn more about another perspective on the JFK assassination. The book provided that. But it was also interesting, if only as a presentation of some important history told from a very unique perspective. As to style, I was pleasantly surprised. It reads almost like a novel in some cases. But that probably goes to the validity of things as well. In assessing that aspect, I am reminded of the line from the movie, "Next of Kin", "Joey likes to brag. I wanna hear him brag." There is a lot of that here. As others have pointed out, the book probably exaggerates Giancana's influence over the world at large and some key events, such as the assassinations of the Kennedys and Monroe. But, having said that, it is overall a good and enjoyable read. Addendum 02-Apr-04: Toward the end of this book, the claim is made, in rather dramatic fashion, that Sam Giancana slept with Marilyn Monroe on the last weekend of her life at the Cal-Neva lodge in Lake Tahoe. Somehow, this just didn't "ring true" to me. I have done a bit more research and learned that Marilyn was with Joe Dimaggio that weekend, whom she planned to remarry within the month. I seriously doubt she bedded Giancana while enjoying the weekend getaway with her betrothed. This also goes to the overall veracity of the entertaining account.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but ultimately, sad
Review: I picked up this book in order to learn more about another perspective on the JFK assassination. The book provided that. But it was also interesting, if only as a presentation of some important history told from a very unique perspective. As to style, I was pleasantly surprised. It reads almost like a novel in some cases. But that probably goes to the validity of things as well. In assessing that aspect, I am reminded of the line from the movie, "Next of Kin", "Joey likes to brag. I wanna hear him brag." There is a lot of that here. As others have pointed out, the book probably exaggerates Giancana's influence over the world at large and some key events, such as the assassinations of the Kennedys and Monroe. But, having said that, it is overall a good and enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Good mob book? Look elsewhere!
Review: If you want good information on the Chicago mob, find another book. Chuck Giancana, in honoring his half-brother, comes off as a weak man who had no control of his own life. All he does his praise some abstract concepts of "Mooney" that no one could relate to. We learn nothing (new) of the major events that the mafia supposedly played a role in (JFK, RFK, Monroe, Cuba, etc) except the same tidbits we have heard a thousands times before. Chuck even admits that Sammy G. never told him anything directly.
I really wanted to like this book. I am from Chicago and have more than a passing interest in criminal history. There are just so many books one can read about New York and the five families before one needs some variety. Unfortantely, this book did nothing for me. You can learn more from and A&E, History Channel or TLC special than this bloated tome.
If you want a Sam Giancana biography, look elsewhere. If you want a Chuck Giancana biography(and want to see how much one man can be control by another), buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Is there Anything about Sam's Wedding....
Review: OK So I know this really isn't the best way to go asking questions, but it seems that It's a good start. Is there anything in the book about the marriage of Sam Giancana and Angeline, primarily any photos taken during the wedding? (Moderne Studios). Reason being.. I belive that I might have Angeline's wedding dress...
Rating: 
Summary: Captivating
Review: Reading this interesting book, I found out that politics back in the 60's was corrupt as can be... The double cross by one of the most powerful families in our lifetime...But what dirt people do, comes back twice as hard. I believe in the accuracy of the history in this book, Why? Well look at all the declassified documents about in and around that time, that is just recently coming out. Plus most of the stuff in the book is accurate, just ask Fidel Castro....Mooney was a very powerful man, his one mistake was trusting a Kennedy...This book got stars, politicians and just bout anybody was on the take...Godd reading...
Rating:
Summary: Gripping, disturbing
Review: The brother and nephew of notorious Chicago "outfit" boss, Sam Giancana relate the life story of one of the most power-hungry and powerful mob bosses ever. The authors use a self-consciously flamboyant style to convey the charisma of Giancana and explain the hold that he held on everyone from inner city dwellers to presidents. This style, and Giancana's huge ego, lead one to question whether his boasts of power can really be believed. For example, the book advances the thesis that Giancana used his connections with the CIA to eliminate JFK, RFK, Marilyn Monroe and Lee Harvey Oswald. At the same time, the potrait of Giancana is so detailed and compelling, that we can "suspend disbelief" and at least accept the possibility of his involvement in those deaths. At bottom, this book makes for great reading even if one doubts the accuracy of the subject's account of history.
Rating:
Summary: Depends what you are looking for
Review: This book can be great or can be terrible depending on what the reader is looking for. If you are a mafia historian and are a fact finder I do not recommend this book. It is told from the perspective of Sam Giancanas brother Chuck. Everything Chuck knows comes from his brothers mouth, very few things are ever actually witnessed by Chuck. Given Sam Giancanas huge ego, much of what he tells Chuck may very well be inflated stories to make himself look more powerful than he really was. But thsi is just the skeptic in me talking. If you are looking for a more "mythical" type mafia book for some entertainment value definitely read this. The mere fact that even some of what Chuck tells could be true is enough to satisfy the curious reader. It was enough for me. Maybe the stories aren't true but maybe they are. Its a great story for the journeying mind. It involves scandal and intrigue at the highest levels especially the Kennedy family involvement in the mafia!
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