Wiseguy

Rating:
Summary: Brutally honest and to the point
Review: Wiseguy, which is the basis for the movie Goodfellas, is a well written work. We get to see first-hand the ups and downs of life for a wiseguy. By giving us Henry Hill's life stroy, Pileggi gives us an insite to the mob that was never seen before. A great book.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing and Enchanting Work of Art.
Review: Actually folks I can't say enough good words about this book. It's brilliant and more, It's beautiful. I don't read many books, I've been busy playing video games, I didn't know what I was missing. In a way, after reading this book, I now believe that the early Scorsese's 'Mean Streets' is one of the greatest mob films ever. I used to think it was okay but not as brilliant as other mob films like 'The Godfather' and 'Good Fellas'. In fact I am going to watch 'Goodfellas' in a day or two, I've seen it before, but now it's different. Now I know Henry, Jimmy, Tommy and Paulie. I know the background stories that could not all fit into the film. I will watch people I know. Pileggi is a great storyteller. The book ranks high. Enjoyable all the way through. I've just finished it and I can't get enough of it. I'll probably order 'Casino' next.

Rating:
Summary: A fact-based tale on the rise and fall of a gangster
Review: WISEGUY, later made into the film GOODFELLAS, is a grittily realistic tale based on the true to life story of Henry Hill, the middle-weight gangster who later became a member of the witness protection program after ratting out his friends, Jimmy Burke and Paul Vario.

Rating:
Summary: An unglorified window to mob life
Review: The book paints no romantic illusions of mob life. It paints the picture as I believe it really is. On one hand, the characters achieved wealth and power, yet came to ruin in the end through betrayal and the pressure of law enforcement. This book is a unique learning experience for anyone interested in realistic perspectives. Goodfellas (the movie take off on the Wiseguy) was an outstanding adaptation of the book. This is a must read for biography fans.

Rating:
Summary: Pileggi creates a realistic view of the Mafia
Review: When I read The Godfather I thought it was a great book. But when I read this book, it just blew me away. It was fascinating, detailed, and without a doubt incredibly well written. Henry Hill's story is true, which creates a novel that's intriguing. I crave this book and if your a mafia fanatic you will too.

Rating:
Summary: Better than The Godfather because it is true.
Review: An engrossing inside look at the regular life of a Mafia soldier. The movie, Goodfellas, was true to the book but the book's details, especially about Henry Hill's stay in the federal prison system is eyeopening and unbelieveable. A real page turner; for those who saw the movie and anyone else who picks it up.

Rating:
Summary: Non-Stop Action, Tragedy, and Love
Review: This book formed the basis for the movie "Goodfellows" starring Robert De Niro. If you like the movie, read the book. If you haven't seen the movie, read the book and then run run run to the video store!! A great book for gangster or true crime fanatics everywhere!!

Rating:
Summary: true to life, thrilling portait of a mobster!
Review: WISEGUY is with out a doubt the epitome of an organized crime novel. It ignores all the technicalities all other true-crime books survive by and bases itself on the actual life of a mobster. The street dialogue and bravado is all there, it brings you to another world, the world of a gangster.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting book.
Review: This book gives a very vivid description of the day-to-day life of a low-level mobster. It is filled with interesting information and descriptions of just how much control was demonstrated and put forth by these "families." The brutal reality of their life is incredibly shocking. Also, read this book along with seeing the movie, because at the end the Lufthansa heist falls into the background in the movie and it is much more difficult to understand exactly what is going on with the characters at that point. The book definitely helps to clarify it

Rating:
Summary: Once you start, you cannot put it down.
Review: This is a well-written, fast-paced, detailed study of the life of a low-level hoodlum in NY during the 50's, 60's and 70's that reads like a novel. A true story, the reader will marvel, "How can people live like this!" Included in the story is a description of life in a maximum security prison for Mafia-connected criminals which I found extremely informative. After reading this book, I wonder if I live on the same planet as Henry Hill. I wish Henry and his family well, however I have a difficult time believing he and his wife have given up their life of crime