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twrafferty's review
4.0
A cracking read - wiseguys, semi-wiseguys, bums and cops all fight for Donnie Brasco's attention as he goes deep undercover to infiltrate the Mafia. he touches on the strains this put on his own family, but there is great detail in the growing sense of family as he is welcomed closer into the body of the Cosa Nostra. Throughout, he battles against the police bureaucracy that limits what he can do, get funds, take part in, report on - but he triumphs in the end, and is rewarded with life under Witness Protection.
If you enjoyed the Sopranos, or Goodfellas, you'll enjoy this detailed look at life for frontline gangsters.
If you enjoyed the Sopranos, or Goodfellas, you'll enjoy this detailed look at life for frontline gangsters.
mike1's review
2.0
I've got half way through the book and even though the first quarter of the book is good the rest was lacking my interest and because of that I put it down.This book could probably be half the size it is and I don't want to waste my time reading another 200 pages.I started getting bored when Joseph D Pistone were constantly talking about Lefty.I saw the movie before I read the book and I think the movie is better where as the book just drags on.
slavicsongbird's review
4.0
A very informative book and all props to the author for everything he's achieved. There was way too much money talk in it for me though, and I do realise it was necessary if we wanted to get the complete picture or as much of it as he was able to provide. He deserves more than 5 stars for his work and determination but all the money discussions went on quite a bit so they get 3 stars. Altogether though…
devonadelle's review
3.0
I read this book as some insight into what the real mafia is like and I definitely got a better picture. The thing is, though it is a real-life account, things got dull for me. Where I was expecting a high-action book (because that’s the generalized picture of the mafia), what I got was long spaces of time with just talk and absolutely no action.
The book was fairly well-written; it was one of those where the author’s diction came through but fanciful descriptions were few and far between. Not one of the best books I’ve ever read, but I was at least able to get through it.
The book was fairly well-written; it was one of those where the author’s diction came through but fanciful descriptions were few and far between. Not one of the best books I’ve ever read, but I was at least able to get through it.
jakewritesbooks's review
4.0
This is a good gateway book for the Mafia curious because you learn a lot of entry level stuff as to the day-to-day life. I knew most of it so it was tedious, as were many of Pistone's stories. I also was kinda disappointed the book didn't focus more on mob life in Williamsburg. But still, it is a very good book, an essential one to understanding what was then the biggest mob bust in history, and how it was done in an unlikely way. Also, the relationship between Donnie (Joe) and Sonny was tragic. I almost felt bad for the Capo. It's been over a decade since I saw the movie but I thought it portrayed him as being closer to Lefty. Here, he's much closer to Sonny and it's sad. Though that whole life is sad and this book will show you why.
novelesque_life's review
3.0
3 STARS
"Posing as jewel thief "Donnie Brasco," FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone carried out the most audacious sting operation ever, working undercover for six years to infiltrate the flamboyant community of mafia soldiers, "connected guys," captains, and godfathers. Now his unforgettable eyewitness account brings to pulsating life the entire world of wiseguys—their code of honor and their treachery, their wives, girlfriends and whores, their lavish spending and dirty dealings." (From Amazon)
It is a great autobiography of a straight arrow FBI agent who goes undercover into a mob family and finds himself sympathetic to the underworld. Pistone is away from his family most of the time and is Lefty's partner skating on the line of crime.
"Posing as jewel thief "Donnie Brasco," FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone carried out the most audacious sting operation ever, working undercover for six years to infiltrate the flamboyant community of mafia soldiers, "connected guys," captains, and godfathers. Now his unforgettable eyewitness account brings to pulsating life the entire world of wiseguys—their code of honor and their treachery, their wives, girlfriends and whores, their lavish spending and dirty dealings." (From Amazon)
It is a great autobiography of a straight arrow FBI agent who goes undercover into a mob family and finds himself sympathetic to the underworld. Pistone is away from his family most of the time and is Lefty's partner skating on the line of crime.