Book Description
The Final Chapter in the FBI's Greatest Mafia Sting—with Shocking Declassified Details from the Donnie Brasco Operation and a Timeline of the Fall of the Mafia. When FBI Special Agent Joe Pistone began what was supposed to be a six-month operation infiltrating New York's Bonanno crime family in 1975, he had no idea what was about to happen. Posing as jewel thief "Donnie Brasco," Pistone would spend the next six years undercover in the Family, witnessing—and sometimes participating in—the Mafia's gruesome activities while gathering enough evidence to send over 200 gangsters to jail. Pistone told his story in the 1988 book Donnie Brasco—a New York Times bestseller and later a feature film starring Johnny Depp and Al Pacino. But because of pending trials at the time of publication, many details of the alleged crimes were omitted. Now, in Donnie Brasco: Unfinished Business, Pistone for the first time reveals with great detail the horrific deeds of wiseguys Tony Mirra, Lefty Ruggiero, Sonny Black, and the rest of the cold-blooded Bonanno crew. He puts the operation into historical perspective, detailing the timeline of Mafia trials from 1981 through 2005 that crippled the New York City crime family. He also recounts his experiences after the operation, his time on the Hollywood set with Pacino and Depp, and other undercover operations through present day.
A tense, thrilling account of the greatest infiltration ever by a federal agent into the most brutal gang of killers in the world, Donnie Brasco: Unfinished Business is the final chapter in the story of a real American hero.
Customer Reviews:
Fuggedaboutit!.......2007-09-06
I missed the first book, so this is tying up ends I didn't know were still loose. Even if you didn't read the author's original book, this sequel is still full of enough fun Mafia tales to keep you entertained. I saw the movie so long ago, I can't recall it now. But this made me want to take a second look. If you like true crime and La Cosa Nostra inside looks, then this is for you.
A well-delivered conclusion to the Donnie Brasco operation.......2007-07-24
Pistone delivers a strong follow-up to his original book on the Donnie Brasco operation. Of course, there is a good deal of overlap from the original book, but with the conclusion of the mafia cases stemming from the operation, Pistone has been freed to deliver new information on his deep undercover operation as Donnie Brasco. Pistone also covers his life after the FBI, including the time he worked for a supervisor at the Bureau who almost jeopardized the prosecution of the Donnie Brasco defendants.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about organized crime, the FBI and/or Donnie Brasco. This is not a comprehensive examination of the mafia, and as Pistone says there are many things he cannot and will not disclose regarding his days as Donnie Brasco. Nevertheless, this book serves as an excellent account of the Brasco operation and the takedown of the mafia as it existed prior to the 1990s.
A Clash of Two Enforcement Cultures.......2007-07-18
An easy introduction by Charles Brandt, who wrote "I HEARD YOU PAINT HOUSES", wets the taste for Pistone's eye-opening chronicle of his risky undercover assignment. Fascinating descriptions (and photos) of key mobsters and related events during six years of deep undercover work are as colorful as some of its startling aftermath.
Pistone's candid account of working relationships with key mob figures and ordinary street thugs is very engaging. It extends beyond dangerous criminals to his encounters with respectable luminaries. Among such figures are well-heeled lawyers, Hollywood actors and former Governor Cuomo. The reader also learns enough about an "enemy" within the F.B.I. to resent the unidentified bureaucrat.
Readers will absorb knowledge of the crucial R.I.C.O. law gradually. For some of the key criminals, the very threat of this law resulted in their premature obituary or hundred-year prison sentence. For others, it facilitated witness relocation.
Those interested in Mafia culture and its underlying authority to enforce rules and mores in quasi-governmental fashion should be immensely delightened by DONNIE BRASCO: UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Eye Opening.......2007-07-08
This book includes a lot of interesting details that could not be included with the first Donnie Brasco book. The author had several close calls and only his quick wit and ability to stay cool under fire kept in alive with mobsters who kill simply on the account of the wrong body language.
The reader will have a better understanding of how the mafia operated under a centralized hierarchy called The Commission. It was the Commission, comprised of the leaders of the five major mafia families, that sanctioned violence and imposed a rigid discipline to prevent any young upstarts from trying to unseat older, established leaders. Bucking this Commission could get one "whacked". Numerous mob wars and civil wars within families broke out after all of the Commission members were convicted under RICO.
Although the Sicilian Mafia is a shell of its former self, the Donnie Brasco operation forced the mob to change its rules to better weed out informers and undercover agents.
I finished the book wondering if this operation really accomplished anything. It didn't eradicate organized crime by other ethnic groups. The power vacuum is being filled by even more ruthless organized crime gangs like the Jamaicans, Colombians, Asians and Jews from Russia and the Ukraine.
RICK SHAQ GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "IF YOU LOVED DONNIE BRASCO THE MOVIE, THEN YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!" "FUHGETABOUTIT!".......2007-06-14
Before, I share my review with you; I want to make sure that all of you who watched, and loved the movie, "Donnie Brasco", realize it was a true story! The author of this book, Joe Pistone, is/was Donnie Brasco. To keep from confusing some of the readers, who have trouble juggling two balls simultaneously, I will refer to Joe as Donnie, and Donnie as Donnie, in this review. HOO! HA! If you movie lovers (Who knew Donnie was real.) wondered what ever happened to good old Donnie? This book is your answer in spades! As a student of criminal psychology/serial killers/Mafia, subject reader; Donnie's latest book, illuminates his activities before, during, and after, the famous movie. Since, I have read so many non-fiction books, of this genre, (See previous and future Shaq reviews!) I know that, what he details on these pages, is true and accurate, no matter how unbelievable. If you really get in to his character, as you read this book, it is more inspiring, than any movie could possibly be. This man is a hero. Not only is he a hero, but he is a very unique creation. Let me give you an example. You're growing up and a friend of yours, becomes a heart surgeon. Personally, you can't see how your friend doesn't feint, when he cuts a person open, and holds a patient's life in his hands. And your friend the Doctor, is standing there, holding a living, pulsing, heart, in his hands, like it's an everyday occurrence. Well, now think of Donnie in a similar light. He went undercover within the Mafia, where every single "minute"! Every single "minute!" Not just everyday! Where one, miniscule, slip up, meant his life. This isn't like watching a TV movie. There is documented evidence, that just "disrespecting" a "made" man, got you two bullets behind the ear. Not maybe! Not later! But "BOOM"! Right now! Donnie had to go to many meetings, with "made" men, where he had to accept the fact, that he might very well, be on the way to his death, with no questions asked! And with that knowledge, he still had to attend that meeting, and act normal. I couldn't even keep my composure, waiting for my Dad to come home from work, when I had a bad report card. I might have been anticipating being punished, but I knew I wasn't getting two behind the ear! There are tons of facts here, about Donnie's work (I almost said adventures.) that have never been made public till now. That's because of all the open criminal cases, that Donnie was the linchpin in. The massive, disabling, of the Mafia machine, in its heyday, could not have been done without Donnie. Also instrumental in the legal victories, was none-other, than Prosecutor Rudy Giuliani. A lot of people don't realize, that Donnie was undercover, for SIX YEARS! SIX FREAKING YEARS! (The longest undercover stint in FBI history!) Can you imagine, that 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for six years, one mistake by Donnie, and he would have been dead. And I guarantee you, it would not have been a pleasant death! The pictures included in this book of Mafia chieftains, and murdered "made" men, add to the power of this book. I found myself going back and forth, from what I was reading, to the pictures, as certain characters, came in and out of the story. The only small negative in the book, was the constant description, of the criminal ranks, and family affiliations, of all the players. Boss's, capo's, lieutenant's, "made" men, soldiers, friends, etc. It was more complex, after a awhile, than the organizational chart, and reporting lines, of General Motors. If you're into true crime and criminal psychology, then your studies, and library, cannot be complete, without this book. And last, but not least: "Remember, you're not watching a Soprano's episode, this was real life, and I don't know how Donnie made it!" Joe Pistone, you're a hero, I tip my hat to you! "L'Chaim!"
Average customer rating:
- graet book
- Joe Pistone was one street-smart dude!
- great read
- A Hero's Book
- Great read
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Donnie Brasco
Joseph D. Pistone
Manufacturer: Signet
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ASIN: 0451192575 |
Amazon.com
In Donnie Brasco, FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone tells the story of working so deep undercover in the Mafia that the truth of his identity became blurry even for him. For six years, Pistone posed as jewel thief Donnie Brasco in order to pull off one of the most audacious sting operations ever. Because any small detail could blow his cover, Pistone adjusted his personality and habits to earn the trust of Mafia soldiers, connected guys, captains, and godfathers. He was so successful that many FBI surveillance teams assumed that he was yet another Mafia guy. This memoir paints a vivid portrait of the underworld of wise guys by revealing their code of honor, their treacherous dealings, their relationships with their wives and mistresses, and their lavish money habits. The suspense in Pistone's story builds as he unfurls his experience of life on the edge of good and evil and on the verge of death.
Customer Reviews:
graet book.......2007-08-23
like it much better that movie- so much more insight- get it if you are interested in this topic!
Joe Pistone was one street-smart dude!.......2007-08-21
Gripping story of Joe Pistone posing undercover as Donnie Brasco for 6 years (!) to infiltrate the mob. As I read the story, I couldn't help but keep thinking how brave and street-smart this guy is. One slip and he's a dead man! Pistone thoroughly covered all his bases to maintain his fake identity. In the end, after the FBI agents announced to his mob ties that Donnie was actually an undercover agent all this time, they doubted it could be possible, and told the agents their was no way Donnnie was working undercover. That's how good this guy was!
great read.......2007-01-07
I'd put money that you've already seen the movie. What you wanna know is if the book is any good/better/different, right? I'd say different. For example in the book "Donnie" is much older, perhaps over forty - his kids are in high school, whereas as I recall Jonny Depp's Donnie was late twenties/early thirties perhaps, with pre-school-ish kids....Maybe that's not a big deal. A bigger difference is much of the tension in the book comes from one of Donnie's early connections and sparring partners, Tony, who feuds with Lefty over "control" of Donnie - this is a very important strand in Donnie's rise in the Mafia, and as I recall wasn't in the movie at all. Bottom line is there is far more in the book than the bare bones story told in the film, and it's a well told tale. Forgettaboutit, just buy it....
A Hero's Book.......2006-03-28
Agent Pistone is a hero. His willingness to go deep undercover for years to clean house on organized crime is amazing. I wouldn't have done it and salute his willingness to put this mission ahead of his own life.
Joe Pistone got and grew a unique assignment for the FBI. Starting with car theft rings, he was able to penetrate and become a made member of an organized crime family. As his association and the opportunity for deeper penetration grew, he had to live more and more of his life with the mob. This entailed no dinners at home, missed children's birthdays, weeks without seeing his family and the stress of always being in character for long, long periods of time.
Through this book, the reader gets a day-to-day view of the mob. Often bored as only guys with too much time on their hands and nothing to talk about except cars and girls can be, his existence is enlivened by the sudden forays to steal and kill (he was able to avoid involvement in any murders, helped save many and avoided direct involvement in theft). Playing on the greed of Mafioso and the seeming ability of Donnie to connect them with money making scams in Florida, the mob lets Donnie in and eventually become an insider. Along the way, the reader gets to see mob guys at work, at play (particularly eating and spending money until they were broke), scheming against other made family members, and living the life with all the swagger and pride having "made" the mob gives these hoods.
Pistone was incredibly successful. His wires and testimony lead to the arrest, conviction and deaths (through mob killing of some of those who had vouched him up the organization) of many mobsters. This is a fascinating story.
Great read.......2006-02-26
This was an amazing book. It provided a great look into the life of one of the greatest FBI agents to ever live. I would highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in the field of federal law enforcement or if they just want to enjoy a suspense-filled book.
Customer Reviews:
Cheesy in many aspects, dull story, poorly written.......2003-07-09
It seems as though Joseph D. Pistone wishes to make himself the next James Bond by writing multiple novels all based on himself. Much like James Bond, some of these stories are great (My Life Undercover), and others, such as Deep Cover, are sloppy and dull. The setting in Deep Cover is in the Florida Everglades, and all of the native Floridians are, for lack of a better word, hicks: a complete 180 from the smart criminals he dealt with when infiltrating the mafia. It is unfair to expect it to be as good as the first book, but I still held Deep Cover to very high standards and was more than a little disappointed in the outcome. In my mind, Deep Cover is Die Another Day while My Life Undercover is Goldfinger.
Curious.......2001-05-18
I enjoyed Deep Cover. I am curious about two references to a person named Danny in this book. I hope to see more stories featuring Donnie Brasco, Joe Pistone's alter ego from his days in the FBI. I am wondering if we will ever see the character Mike Galterio featured in any future novels.
Average story.......2000-10-16
I didn't care for the love story in this book at all. The story and ending seemed like typical Hollywood.
Outline for Undercover Life.......2000-05-24
This is a well written account of what it is like to be an undercover agent. The author doesn't waste alot of time on characterizations or background, he just keeps the excitement in the present and gives you enough detail so you can actually "learn" something about this dark and risky lifestyle. The dialogue between the agents is quick, clean, and intelligent. Donnie's dialogue and interactions with the various residents of the Florida Everglades emphasizes his quick wit and humor. But, how did he spend so much time in a waist deep swamp and not get bitten by anything larger than a mosquito?
An excellent story with a suprise ending.......1999-06-06
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and exciting. The ending also was very unexpected and not real drawn out like in some other books. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a good F.B.I. agent story.
Customer Reviews:
great book and buy.......2004-04-25
the book was a well written book by pistone, and the prodct sold by wasmickey was just as described in perfect condition.i highly recommend buying from this person. also i recieved he item in a matter of 3 days.
Good story about the Russian mob.......2004-01-18
I don't come across too many books about the Russian Mafia, so of course I had to read this one. This was the first Donnie Brasco novel I've read, and I enjoyed it.In a nutshell: The Russian mob is operating an illegal casino in some backwoodsy, swampy Louisiana hick town, and Donnie goes undercover to help shut it down. Along the way he tangles with the local Italian mafia and a female FBI agent who wants to beat him to the punch. The story moves quickly with a lot of suspense, and the ending is pretty explosive.My only complaints were: 1-The book doesn't really delve into the character of the Russian mafia hit man who's after Donnie. This character seemed pretty major at the gitgo of the story, but he pretty much fades away as the story progresses, so much so that i didn't recognize his name when it popped up again near the end. The fact that Donnie thought he saw this hit man but wasn't sure is only more tantalizing. 2-It would have been nice to see the reactions of the Russian mafia goons Donnie worked for -- Mitki and Rat -- when they discovered that Donnie was actually an undercover agent, but they're offed before they can learn the news (sorry for the spoiler!)I recommend this book as a first-time read if you're new to the Donnie Brasco series
Donnie's at it again........2002-05-14
If you are a fan of Joe Pistone's writing you'll love his latest novel.Follow Donnie to New Orleans to battle the Italian and Russian mobs.His writing and story really give you a sense of the danger,excitement,and lonliness that an undercover agent experiences.Can't wait for the next adventure!
Book Description
For fans of The Sopranos, the ultimate mob drama from the FBI agent-turned-writer who "would make Carl Hiaasen proud."(Publishers Weekly)
Posing as "Donnie Brasco," former FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone infiltrated the mob and brought it down. Now, he brings his experience to a series of novels that takes readers deep inside a covert FBI operation.
In Mobbed Up, Donnie Brasco takes on both the Russian and Italian mobs. But this time it's not his life on the line...it's his daughter's.
Praise for Donnie Brasco:
"Thoroughly absorbing."--Newsday
"Chilling...not since Nicholas Pileggi's Wiseguy has the day-to-day life of the Mafia been so entertainingly captured."--Buffalo News
"Courageous and extraordinary."--New York Times Book Review
Customer Reviews:
In response to "Credibility?".......2000-08-17
This book and the other book about him being in florida are fictional, the books say that. The book by him that is true is Donnie Brasco : My Undercover Life in the Mafia: A True Story by FBI Agent . If you are looking for a true story read that one. For good entertain ment read this one...
In response to "Credibility?".......2000-08-17
This book and the other book about him being in florida are fictional, the books say that. The book by him that is true is Donni Brasco, my life in the mob, by an fbi agent. If you are looking for a true story read that one. For good entertain ment read this one...
Joe Pistone is a wonderful writer.......2000-06-25
I absolutely found this book to be very Fascinating and Intriguing. I had never read a book by Joe Pistone before but when the series Falcone came out, I just had to read one of his books. I loved the series and found myself loving this book as well. I could not put it down. I felt the pain of donnie barns/brasco throughout the whole book. I wanted a little more suspense but i guess you only get that in the movies. But i would highly recommend this book and have given my book out already for someone to read and they love it too.
Credibility?.......2000-06-07
It is difficult to believe that the author's writings in any way attest to actual FBI experience, or that his knowledge exhibits any kind of an in-depth appreciation of either Italian or Russian organized crime.His scenarios about either, in this book, are both weak and naive. It is just not believable, for example, that the hero, Donnie Brasco, has a daughter held hostage by the Italian Mafia in order to encourage him to find out about the doings of a Russian mafia group. The plot is extremely amateurish. The expressions used are exceptionally hackneyed and quite purile. This novel has no redeaming quality in that the author strives to create an honest or true reflection about any walk of life.
Great Story, Overactive Writing.......2000-06-05
I have not read the two previous Donnie Brasco novels. "Mobbed Up" takes care of this for the reader- the author explains the situation fully. In fact, as I finish this novel, that seems to be the order of the day - over explanation. I quote:
"A tall, muscular man with dark hair, he squinted his keen blue eyes against the light mist and jockeyed his propane-powered Clark forklift out of the hangar and across the wet concrete apron toward the gaping cargo doors of the Logan Air Express plane that had landed that morning at LaGuardia Airport after a flight from Canada."
This effusive style of writing permeates the book. If you can get past it, or if you enjoy it, you'll enjoy the book.
Average customer rating:
- Donnie Brasco- or My Mafia Life in the Bush of Ghosts
- An amazing man with an amazing family
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Donnie Brasco
Manufacturer: DH Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
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ASIN: 0886464196 |
Customer Reviews:
Donnie Brasco- or My Mafia Life in the Bush of Ghosts.......2000-03-21
Donnie Brasco is a fine book because Joe Pistone conveys what it's like to be the pioneer of something extremely dangerous and unknown in isolation. What is amazing is comparing the modern day FBI survellence techniques, with their tremendous technical and personnel support, and the stripped down solo flight of Joe Pistone. It would be like being an astronaut on the moon during the 1960's with a lunar module that was powered with a computer like your PC and the Space shuttle today. The book is accurate about how Joe Pistone never lost his personality and character even though he had to act like a mobster. In truth, Joe Pistone loved his family and was especially kind to endangered teenagers.
An amazing man with an amazing family.......1998-04-16
Joe Pistone was the first FBI Agent to ever infiltrate the Mafia. Reading this book can put the fear of god in you knowing how much he scarified. The reward he claims for all of his efforts can not be assessed at any street value. Likewise, the amount of time lost away from his family can never be assessed. As a childhood friend of his daughters, I can remember the grueling process of reacquainting himself back within his family. However, his book covers the life within the FBI before he and his family went into the witness relocation program and just touches upon the family issues of just not being there. The arduous and suspenseful stories he recounts of "getting in" with the bad guys proved that I could not put this book down.
Average customer rating:
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Donnie Brasco
Joseph D Pistone
Manufacturer: Hodder & Stoughton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0340922656 |
Average customer rating:
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Donnie Brasco
Woodley Pistone
Manufacturer: Ediciones B
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 8440673779 |
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