Wiseguy

This book isn't particularly easy to read- I bought it when I was around 14. However, it was one of the first "difficult" or "adult" books I read, and it really captured my imagination. I like to read it every several years. It's really a classic.

My only comment about this purchase was that the vendor is not very customer oriented. The communication was lacking, as were the shipping options. It took well over a month to receive this paperback. Too long in my opinion. After all, I am in Hawaii, not a third world country! I believe that shipping options should include just that OPTIONS, where my location and the amount of money I pay for shipping are looked at. I know for a FACT that what I paid for shipping to Smokey Mountain Books was NOT what they paid to get my order to me. More options need to be available to customers and the delivery location needs to be considered. Thank you the store!

C. Wilson

"Wise Guy" is a detailed look into the daily lives of organized crime members, but is written in a monotone style, stripped of all the glitz and glamor found in the Scorsese movie. Still, if you're a fan of the movie, this book is a good supplement to get a better idea of what was going on behind the scenes, and will better serve to explain why certain scenes happened the way they did and the decision making and development of the characters. Among other details, you'll find out why Jimmy Burke (the character portrayed by Robert De Niro) was so disturbed as it describes his childhood and upbringing, more on the routine criminal activity that the movie may have hinted at, but left out, etc.

It's not bad, and I did enjoy it to an extent, but wished that the author could have added a more imaginative dialog to make it more engaging.

Impossible to read this good book without thinking of the movie Goodfellas or without thinking about how much NYC has changed in 35-40 years. On the later point: the story describes the success of truck hijackings often accomplished with the help of corrupt police officers or with the help provided by inside information coming from employers of the trucking firms. Restaurant owners are beaten up, because they hang up <telephone> on Henry Hill, a mobster and subject of the book played by Ray Liotta in the movie. In fact women and men are beaten up often: girlfriends, truck drivers, neighbors, etc. As the son of a NYC police captain who had a largely undefeated amateur boxing record, what is somewhat amazing is that Hill and the others never went after someone who could fight, since these guys were not "tough" but instead preyed on the weak. All in all, an enjoyable book that brings back memories of a darker time in NYC. I bought 'Casino' by Pileggi along with Wiseguys, and will read that book next.

Maybe I am just fascinated by Italian Gangster Life, Maybe because it all goes down in the neighborhood in which I now live. I know many of the locations mentioned. If you liked the movie try the book. They are very compatible.

All the details and recognizable references to events and persons that made headlines made this read more of a history lesson than it was meant to be, I think. Well written and formatted in such a way that the reader gets a high sense of participation in the story. Well done.

I have always loved the movie GoodFellas and thought to myself why havent I read the book that it is based on? Well I was not disappointed and after reading the book the movie actaully became more interesting. Definitely recommend this book.