Sammy the Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia

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.

An excellent character study... At times, harsh, violent, gritty and frightening, and yet somehow at times tender... How can a person do the things Mr. Gravano has done? Loyalty, ambition, restlessness... A man with a job to do, and he did it well... The most interesting aspect is that when he was doing all of these things he was generally seen as a "hero" by both the public and the media! Then when he did the "right" thing by siding with the government, helping to put a stop to some of the injustices being perpetrated, he was labeled a "rat" a "fink" and generally abused by the media and the public... Clearly stating one fact, The American public loves gangsters more than "decent" citizens! The romance of "The Mob" is merely a front, and Mr. Gravano and Mr. Maas, take us inside... Highly recommended reading! Be prepared to have trouble putting this book down

I like how some reviewers call him Sammy the narc. If you have romanticized notion of the mob, if you really think it's like the Godfather, you are in for a surprise. Sammy goes through the daily routine of a mob member. The problems he had as a club owner, the people he killed as a mob hit man. However, I dont' get the impression he is bragging. In any case, it makes for very interesting reading. He talks about the details of how the FBI caught up to him. Why Paul Castellano was killed etc. As for morality, hey, he helpled put Gotti behind bars, anyone who is against that is just a mob groupie. (There must be alot from the reviews...) Further, Peter Maas is the great writer of the New York crime scene. Serpico, in particular was another guy who was hated by his peers. He was a cop too. Just goes to show you, if you are relatively honest, you get in so much more trouble...

I just read the book, "Underboss: Sammy The Bull Gravano's Story Of Life In The Mafia," albeit a decade after it was originally published. I can only imagine the fascinating conversations author, Peter Maas, must have had with Salvatore "Sammy" Gravano in putting together the intriguing piece of work this book turned out to be.

What an interesting man Sammy Gravano is and what a difficult road he took in life. He had wonderful parents, both of whom he obviously loved very much and both of whom loved him, but it seems that there was something inside of him that led him in the direction he went. Maybe he thought there was "glamour" and "power" in being a mobster. But, what "glamour" and "power" is there is giving up your own life to help others gain while you lose?

For a long time, it seems Sammy's very life was in the hands of others (Mafia superiors) whose feelings about him could change on a moment's whim or mood. It must have been like living on a thin, wobbly tightrope strung between skyscrapers without a net - a balancing act. Sammy talks about times he entered meetings with Mafia bosses and members and did not know if he would exit the meetings alive. What kind of life is that? But, it's a game, right? I had the feeling that Sammy thought that the Mafia was a "club" in which the game is played and one's life or death depended on how well one played the game - or luck - or whether or not a person thought you were "loyal" to them. It seems there were strict codes and rules and honor in taking the lives of other people deemed by a person or by people in the "club" to be deserving of death and/or unworthy of the right the exist. Judgments reserved for God were usurped by people who felt it was their right to play God. Sammy carries out the wishes of his bosses because, he says, "it was the life I chose."

I do understand the sense of belonging Sammy felt with his fellow mobsters - the blood oath and the loyalty pacts. A sense of belonging is a human need. But, what about Sammy's children and his family? Who is it that truly grieves for a person when he is gone? It is his children and family - the family that ate "penne and ricotta" all those nights when times were hard and Sammy's family struggled financially -- while his mob bosses lived in opulence.

Having said that, it is evident to me that Sammy is a person with a heart and soul, a flesh and blood human being. There were moments in reading the book that my heart went out to Sammy. There is something very likeable about him. There are moments in which his heart and human vulnerability are evident. There are moments in which his conscience and logic caused him to question certain things. There are moments in which it seems that Sammy feels regret or reservation about carrying out an order.

One of the sickest stories Sammy tells is that of a man who wanted to die with his shoes off...I won't go into details about it because anyone can read it in the book, but I actually lost sleep over this story, it so sickened me. There were many moments that Sammy's choice to carry out the order to take this person's life could have been reversed before the deed was carried out, yet the man was murdered. I literally could not sleep after reading this.

Sammy also tells the story of his good friend who is dying of lung cancer and how his friend said he did not want to die "like a dog." Sammy's friend pled with Sammy to end his life and his suffering. But, Sammy had reservations about taking the life of his friend. Ultimately, Sammy decided to carry out his dying friend's wishes to end his suffering, but God or fate or whatever stepped in and the Sammy's friend died before anything happened. In that moment, Sammy's pain and grief was obvious. But, then, I thought about how other people whose lives were lost at Sammy's hands or at the hands of others in the mafia also had friends and family who felt this same pain and grief over the loss of a loved one whose life was taken. Death has a ripple effect. It is never just the person who has died that suffers. Those who loved and depended on the person also suffer, and sometimes for a lifetime. They will never live in the same way again, including the children in many cases.

Sammy seemed to have a "respect" for "manhood," but I thought his definition of "manhood" flawed. I thought his definition of "manhood" seemed to be based on a narrow scope of tolerance for the rights of other people. It seemed there was "respect" for those whose lives and deaths met the mafia definition of "manhood." But, what is "manhood?" Is it holding a gun on someone or killing someone or causing someone to fear for his life in front of you? Is it really "manhood" if you're always having to try to "prove" your "manhood" or being more loyal to another person than you are to yourself or your family?

Regardless, who knows what it is in all of us that leads us down the paths we go down in life? Each person will answer for himself or herself before God or whatever entity it is that gave us this life. So, I do not sit in judgment of Sammy or anyone for his or her deeds. I think that people are influenced and indoctrinated with the values of the society with which they associate and identify, be it a society of nobility or criminality.

I thought it sad that Sammy wasted so much of his life by essentially signing his rights to his own life away when he became a member of the mafia and that he did not seem to see the futility in such a lifestyle. I have never understood why people do this - sign their lives away to other people - because there are very few outcomes to a mob lifestyle: prison, hiding and isolation, or death. Sammy had so much potential for better things. He could have done anything. He knew business. He knew construction and he was as good, if not better, at it than construction moguls living in wealth and luxury today. He could have been legitimate and lived a very nice life had he chosen to do so. But, he is now in prison for things he did after he was given a second chance - things he did after he gave his testimony that led to the convictions of 37 mobsters.

I am glad Sammy finally began to question himself when the realities of the lifestyle he had been living hit him the hardest. He reportedly wondered out loud about how he could have put the mob above his own family. This is and always was a legitimate and appropriate question. I am glad he asked it of himself and that he apparently came to comprehend and feel the tremendous loss of all he had chosen to sacrifice in order to live "the life [he] chose" to live.

"Underboss" takes its place along with Nicholas Pillegi's "Wiseguy" and Joseph D. Pistone's "Donnie Brasco" as one of the best insider accounts of life in the mafia ever published. Unlike those other two books, however, "Underboss" presents the life from the perspective of a mafia leader, in this case the notorious Sammy "the Bull" Gravano, who was the number two to the reprehensible John Gotti in the Gambino crime family. Sure, Sammy's the rat who brought Gotti down, but to hear him tell the tale, he only did so because Gotti insulted Gravano's notions of "honor among thieves." As a reader, one should keep in mind that this account is solely Sammy's version of events. Nevertheless, as told by the masterful Peter Maas, his is one trully fascinating story indeed.

This book could almost be even better - his no remorse for the victims that he killed during his time in the Mafia.
The way his men stood up for him when Gotti first came into his club and started saying crap about Sammy and they pulled a gun. Which finally woke up Gotti, and he started making nice about Sammy "Sammy's my buddy" - which is kind of funny, they weren't actually hanging out with each other.
I was amazed that the Bull was shocked to learn that Gotti actually picked him to help organize the murder of Big Paul Costellano... since they weren't that good of friends.
Poor Sammy, must have also been the only Mobster to not have a mistress! While his suprior Johnny Boy was having a different blonde woman with him at every different club. Also Sammy only went to one sit down with Gotti and that was it.
(...)

I enjoyed reading the book not just for the entertainment value, but also for the things it taught me about life in the mob. Some of the things I learned are the organization structure, codes of conduct, methods of intimidation, sources of mob income, and the absolute ruthlessness of the lifestyle.

I like reading these kinds of books not because I think this life these people like Sammy Gravano lead was somehow cool or glamorous. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It's a dangerous, deceptive, wicked lifestyle. I enjoy reading mob books like this because I get a look into a different world I am rarely if ever exposed to. And of course this book, being a true story and interview of a former high-level mob underboss made it a very interesting read.

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.

Peter Maas makes little attempt to alter the dialogue and manner of speech of Sammy Gravano. In that sense, the book is good because you really feel like Mr. Gravano is telling the story. However, after about 200 pages of "So me and Frankie went over to Vinnie's, and Fat Tony was there with Louie, and they were talking about Carmine, and then in walks Bobby DiB and Benny, and they told us about Joey, so we had to tell Paul, and blah blah blah, yada yada yada....", I was a bit worn out (and confused). John Gotti gets very little presence until the latter third of the book, and the whole story of Mr. Gravano testifying against Mr. Gotti is told in just a few pages at the very end. So the reader is left with a chronological, detailed description of Mr. Gravano's life in Cosa Nostra. Some of these details are interesting, but the whole thing takes too long and the culmination of Mr. Gravano's career is glossed over in the end. Perhaps you could say the book was too well-done and burned itself out.

Although I consider Gravano no less than a multiple murderer, a con man, a liar, and a thug, I have to admit that he had done good for himself up until two years ago. Indeed, life after his short prison stint for racketeering seemed great, he had left the pressures of mob life behind, and his enemy, John Gotti, was finally sentenced to a life of penal servitude where he would die. But on February 2, 2000, the bubble burst and state authorities in Arizona arrested him for running a state-wide drug ring, which specialized in the designer drug, Ecstacy or 'X'. He later pled guilty, and was sentenced to fifteen years, state/federal charges combined. It has been nearly two years since then, but one can only wonder if he really meant it when he said he didn't want his family involved in a life of crime. His son, Gerard, his daughter and his wife Debra, are also currently cooling their heels in prison. It seems Sammy's word is not as ironclad as one would have believed after reading his book in 1997.
Regarding the book though, it is from the heart and that much is admirable. Peter Maas makes his tough-guy rants legible, and the reader does not generally find the book boring, much less offensive considering the subject is the New York Cosa Nostra. In fact, it is a refreshing view of the man who is currently dieing of throat/neck cancer in a prison hospital in Springfield, Missouri. The Dapper Don, as he was known years ago, was somewhat of an enigma in the underworld. Shunning the darkness and low-key style of traditional mob dons, he opted to smile for the cameras, and invited them in whenever a special occasion prompted it. As a result, and because of his violent and mostly-disliked bad attitude, he ended up in prison after running the family for only four years, and had sustained three trials in between. The reader can sympathize with Gravano, who had to either go down in flames with his boss, tormentor and slavedriver, who had openly accused him of ordering murders on surveillance bugs in the Cirelli appartment, or to roll over and become a government witness. The quiet Frank Locascio had a son in the Gambino family, who he did not want to compromise, nor was he anything short of a mob traditionalist, so he stayed on and got life with John. Gravano was in fact a major earner for the family, and shunned the light, much more Gotti's way of dragging everyone to the Ravenite in front of FBI/OCTF surveillance every week for them to pay homage. I, for one, am glad John Gotti is in prison, and do not feel sorry for neither he nor his family, which consists of four brothers, all criminals and except for Peter and Richard, are imprisoned. Nor his son, who is cooling his heels in jail until 2005. Either way, Gravano was given little choice, much less a simple apology or a show of encouragement by Gotti, so he did what he had to. The fact that he later contradicted all his pledges was almost foreseeable - have you ever taken the word of a criminal?

Underboss is a great book for people interested in knowing more about the cosa nostra. Sammy tells about is childhood days involvement in crime to when he first became connected in the Columbo crime family. And how he brought down his close friend and boss John Gotti in the Gambino family. You learn the their rules and family structure as well. I think is Sammy the Bull was a real man he would serve his time in prison because when he became a member in la cosa nostra he swore to play by the rules, the most important is you don't rat. Sammy does also lie about most things to make himself look good, like when he gave his reason for becoming a rat. I also recommend: Mafia Dynasty by: John H. Davis and Donnie Brasco by: Joe D. Pistone.

This is a fantastic read primarily because of Gravano's rhetorical style and superior editing on the part of Peter Mass. I have re-read it several times myself. It's very fast paced and doesn't get bogged down with the tedious efforts of Law Enforcement in bringing the Gambinos to justice, like so many other books on the subject.

It is however largely fiction, and should be treated as such. Over and over Gravano whines "But, what could I do?" with regard to his many crimes, claiming he had no choice in the matter.. It's a part of Mob life.. he hated it but had no options.. he hated the drugs, hated people getting their children caught up in "the life" blah, blah..

This is completely contradictory to known facts and, while that's a big negative, the rest of the book with his unique viewpoint make it worth your time regardless. Because of this I would still highly recommend it. "Underboss" is one of those books you just can't put down till you've read it in it's entirety.

Ironically enough, Gravano's fudging of the truth in and of itself makes reading a fun and worthwhile mental exercise when you compare "Underboss" with other, similar books. Trying to draw a line between his recollections, published fact and the perceptions of others in the Gambino Crime Family, as related in other books, really tests your critical thinking skills and, in my opinion make "Underboss" a must read for Mob enthusiasts.

Just remember, this thing was written with one persons perspective in mind. No one else is allowed to rebut Mr. Gravano here, these are his perceptions alone.

Fast Fact: In spite of all his whining "What could I do?" over and over to the point of nausea, he left the Witness Protection Program to run an Extacy drug ring with his family in Arizona, was caught, plead guilty and was convicted AFTER this book was published.

If you read it and compare.. you will get double the pleasure from this book.

'Underboss' recounts the day-to-day events in the life of Sammy Gravano, a hardened and cold criminal, and how much his actions affect the lives of those he victimizes and those close to him. From Gravano's childhood to his meteoric rise to mob power, the story is another inside look at the fast paced, cold, and calculating way organized criminals conduct business, yet try to live as normal a life as they can. The story deconstructs the mob glamour and romanticism usually portrayed by Hollywood and is truly a captivating account of Gravano's life in the mafia.

The downside: Gravano does have credibility issues -- he certainly portrays himself as a guy with virtues despite his crimes -- and he has plenty of detractors, like Lynda Milito, who in her book 'Mafia Wife' rejects a lot of what Gravano says.

The truth then, must be, as Gravano learns early on from one of his mentors, "somewhere in the middle," and his story should taken with a grain of salt.

At times Gravano softpedals the gory particulars of his life in crime, but I find him fascinating for his ability to keep a low profile and prosper. Unlike his flashy boss, John Gotti, who loved the limelight, Gravano just went about his business, running his rackets and stockpiling cash. He was loyal to his crime family, but his first concern was always himself so when the government finally had him in a corner, he cut a deal and turned on his wiseguy associates to save his own skin. And later when he was relocated to the Southwest where he was supposed to be on the straight and narrow, he defied the terms of his deal and started dealing drugs. Given his nature, it's hard to take everything he says in this book as gospel truth. Nevertheless, it's an engrossing portrait of a Mafia survivor.

As a former member of the Patriarca Family turned author, I was expecting to hear the inside story of the Gambino family, but instead Gravano turned it into an egocentric melodrama. It was quite obvious that Sammy didn't want to give props to John Gotti. If it wasn't for Gotti, Sammy would have been just another soldier entrenched in the Gambino construction rackets. Sammy seemed to take pleasure talking about his expertise in planning and doing hits. A true sociopath who cannot and should not have been believed as a government witness.

Peter Maas does an excellent job of intertwining Salvatore Gravano's dialogue with his own informative writing. Every chapter is compelling; the story tells like a "Goodfellas" tale from the eyes of a made guy (Henry Hill was never, and could never be made, since his father was Irish).
"The Bull" makes clear his attraction of "The Life" was the honour, living and dying by the codes of Omerta and yet he broke a large number of these very codes. Most were quite understandable, but the major and most interesting defection perhaps is harder to understand. Thus newspapers at the time reported on how sad it was that Sammy had turned rat. Sammy explains the situations leading to his "change of governments" but does not explain specifically, in his own words, why he did this or what was going through his mind at the time. This, I would have liked to have read more about.
Gravano's tales seem mostly believable and are often enforced by Maas explaining the facts. Gravano does not hesitate in passing on his shortcomings, even situations which could be of embarrassment to him. However, I'm sure much of "The Bull's" supposed dialogue has been reworded by Maas to make the story flow in such a compelling manner. This does not make his accounts any less authenticate.
On the whole, a brilliant piece of work my Maas with Salvatore Gravano being infinitely more truthfully than I first expected. This is a truly compelling story of a gangster rising through the ranks of the Gambino Family.
If you enjoyed the Goodfellas movie, you'll love every page of this. Add it to your shopping basket now!

I disagree entirely with many of the comparisons between 'Wiseguy' (an excellent book) and 'Underboss' (which I thought was mediocre). Certainly, the content of the book was worth reading cover to cover but I wish very much that the author (and editors) would have taken a bit more control over the result. The story is chiefly told by Gravano himself and...
- Gravano is by no stretch of the imagination a master storyteller
- Gravano's quotations (90% of the book) are made up of grammar that is so bad, that I ended up reading a large number (half??) of the sentences in the book more than once
- Wiseguy is a fantastic story and Underboss simply is not (though I think it certainly could be with better editing and more author input)
- Gravano, I think, made himself out to be a better guy than he really was. It is hard to back this up because he does admit guilt often enough but somehow manages to maintain some sort of prestige. This is one of the areas where the author could have helped.

its funny to watch mob wives now with karen gravano, because i had read sammys book over a decade ago. so, when she talked about 'daddy', i already knew everything. lol. anyway, this book is GRREEAATT. i could not put it down. i developed a serious crush on the underboss while reading it. alas, we do love the bad boys! pick up a copy. its really engaging!

Finally, an account from the other side of the Gravano/Gotti epic. This book is extremely interesting, and covers one of the most elusive and successful mafia hit men ever. A true tough guy, and during the Gotti rein, the only mobster the boss ever feared. If you know your Mafia history and have read hours of transcript FBI wiretaps, than you know this book is accurate, and a must to complete your collection. The book is also great for being able to give more insight into the Gambino family history. Great book.

I enjoyed reading this but everything "Sammy the Bull" says is said in a way to either boost his ego or make himself look great. He was greedy and selfish and a cold blooded killer. He killed his brother-in-law ferchrissakes! All the family had left to bury was a hand. He kept killing off more and more and taking over their business ventures. He really got off easy in the end but then F'd it all up in an Arizona drug ring.

easy-reading autobiography of a man maybe meant for bigger and better things than the way his life turned out. he conquered dyslexia and was a workaholic, ok so his work was committing murderous crimes but still, he was devoted. but there's unfortunately no honor among thieves so of course no matter how hard he worked he was going to have to fall

Even though the man put the last true Mafioso, John Gotti Sr. in Marion, the second toughest prison now, due to the building of the Super-Max Pen in Colorado, for life without the possibility of a parole hearing. It gives you a perspective on what&why this man turned on his boss for and broke the code of OMERTA! Mobsters now a days are all like "Sammy Bull", they wanna play the tough and rough mobster, but when mister police man comes it's off to the wittness protection program to save one's own life and family, in his case just his own, RAT,RAT,RAT!

I was looking through my local library's book sale when I found a copy of this book. I read a few pages, but decided not to buy the book because it was damaged. I checked a copy out instead. I finished it later that evening. I don't usually enjoy a book enough to read it in one sitting, but this book kept my attention throughout. I can't say it was the best book I've ever read, but I definitely enjoyed it. Its portrayal of Sammy "The Bull" Gravano was a little too positive for my taste, and too little time was spent explaining the rise of John Gotti to power. Regardless, this book is worth reading.

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.

This was an interesting read. Read it for an Orgnized Crime class. There were some funny incidents this "former" mobster was involved in. Peter Maas did this book some justice, by laying the text in layman's term. Easily understood, the life of this Bensonhurst raised Sammy Gravano...Who was the underboss tht turned his back on John Gotti, the underboss who got away with 19 murders and the "former" underboss who just got arrested on drug charges in Arizona..Makes you wonder, will the Government ever stop making deals with the devils?

I thought this book was well done. It certainly gave plenty of background on Gravano. Maybe too much sometimes. I think the author got bogged down with details sometimes and slowed the feel of the chronology. Overall, I thought it was insightful though and a interesting read.

I will not take sides here, while reading the reviews i've noticed that some have referred to Gravano as a rat saving his own skin , and some saw him as a hero well it depends on how you view the matter. As for the book its very interesting, detailed, and reveals the inside story of the Mafia.

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.

Peter Maas helps the Ex-Mafia Underboss to tell his side of the story.And of his life in good detail.The mass murderer truned rat tells it all with no remorse.Of how he got started in the mafia.Why he got his nickname "The Bull".And how he first met the "Dapper Don".

This book makes you feel you are there every step of the way.The thought of Sammy the bull living this life is unbelievable. This is better than all of the fantasy books dealing with the mob, and it is true. A must read for all people interested in the mafia.

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.

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.

Peter Maas helps the Ex-Mafia Underboss to tell his side of the story.And of his life in good detail.The mass murderer truned rat tells it all with no remorse.Of how he got started in the mafia.Why he got his nickname "The Bull".And how he first met the "Dapper Don".

This book makes you feel you are there every step of the way.The thought of Sammy the bull living this life is unbelievable. This is better than all of the fantasy books dealing with the mob, and it is true. A must read for all people interested in the mafia.

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.

If you saw the "Gotti" movie then I recommend that you read this book because it's from Sammy's point of view rather than from Gotti's. Very detailed about how Sammy got to be where he ended up and a good read for fans of the italian mafia.

Fantastic book written by Peter Maas. I think I read this book once a year and it is always a great read.
Peter Maas delievers a story that flows superbly and makes the reader feel like they are there on the streets of NY with Sammy. A must read for anyone.
I am waiting in eager anticipation to see Joe Pesci play the roll of Sammy the Bull in the next best, if not better, mob film since Goodfellas.

This book gives plenty of real good detail on the life and times of being in the streets. Reading this book gives you an interesting understanding of the day to day lives of gangsters. Its very intriguing and you can't wait to get to the next page. I strongly recommend this book even though it is just one persons side of the story.

Interesting and fast-moving account of Sammy Gravano --underboss to John Gotti and later star government witness. This book is great plane reading and is very interesting. Highly recommended because it is short and very fascinating.

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!!!!

I FOUND UNDERBOSS TO BE VERY INTERESTING. SAMMY EXPLAINS LIFE IN THE MOB, AS WELL AS WHAT BROUGHT HIM TO THE DECISION OF TURNING IN HIS BOSS AND HIS "FRIENDS". I HAVE READ "MAFIA DYNASTY" AND "GANGLAND" ALSO AND I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT SOME OF THE EVENTS THAT OCCURED IN THE GAMBINO FAMILY ARE MENTIONED IN ALL THREE BOOKS WITH SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT VERSIONS. THIS BOOK IS QUITE INTERESTING AND I WOULD SUGGEST CHECKING IT OUT.

Very detailed book about life in Cosa Nostra. Sammy is portrayed be some sort of hero, ultimate tough guy,etc. He might be. He was a true gangster who finally got fed up with the way he was treated by the "family" he had dedicated his life to. I am hoping this book will be made into a movie soon. If you like Goodfellas, Casino, and The Godfather....read this book...you will not be disappointed!

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

Perhaps the publisher or Peter Maas was trying to do something new to appeal to the public. By selectively editing interviews this book is written in the prose of Sammy the Bull's slang and jargon, fragmented sentences, non-sequiturs, and poor train of thought. I didn't finish the book. To all others, in my humble opinion it's not worth starting.

If you are an enthusiast on the LSN subject, this is a good book. Sammy tells, in details how he got involved and why he chose to live the life he lived, and why he decided to leave. Definetely recommended.

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!"

AFTER READING THIS BOOK IT SHOWS ALOT ABOUT THE KIND OF MAN SAMMY THE BULL WAS.IT ALSO SHOWS HIS REASONS FOR TESTIFYING AGAINST JOHN GOTTI.ITS A GREAT BOOK AND A MUST READ FOR ALL MOB-ADDICTS OUT THERE.

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.)

Please read Mobdaughter first so it gives you a really good understanding of everything that follows in this book. It is a better understanding of what Sammy does in the later years to protect his family like he always did.

Very detailed book about life in Cosa Nostra. Sammy is portrayed be some sort of hero, ultimate tough guy,etc. He might be. He was a true gangster who finally got fed up with the way he was treated by the "family" he had dedicated his life to. I am hoping this book will be made into a movie soon. If you like Goodfellas, Casino, and The Godfather....read this book...you will not be disappointed!