Boss of Bosses: The FBI and Paul Castellano [Mass Market Paperback]

Joseph F. O'Brien (Author), Andris Kurins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1992

Paul Castellano headed New York's immensely powerful Gambino crime family for more than ten years. On December 16, 1985, he was gunned down in a spectacular shooting on Manhattan's fashionable East Side.

At the time of his death, Paul Castellano was under indictment. So were most of the major Mafia figures in New York. Why? Because in 1983 the FBI had hidden a microphone in the kitchen of Castellano's Staten Island mansion. The 600 hours of recorndings led to eight criminal trials. And this book.

Agents Joe O'Brien and Andris Kurins planted that mike. They listened to the voices. Now they bring you the most revealing look inside the Mafia ever ... in the Mafia's own words.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1981 Paul Castellano, head of New York City's Gambino crime family, was at the height of his power. At age 66 he controlled an empire that dictated to much of the construction and meat businesses, had a major say in the operation of two supermarket chains and was involved in such standard mob enterprises as prostitution, loan sharking, etc. Then FBI agents O'Brien and Kurins set out to stop him. Planting a listening device in Castellano's Staten Island home, they were able to secure enough information to send many of the area's top mafiosi to prison. Castellano, however, was fatally shot, gangland style, on a Manhattan street in 1985, while he was being tried for conspiracy to commit murder and for operating a stolen car ring. Exemplary sleuths, competent writers, the authors recreate a tense, lively tale redolent of high living and lawlessness, full of shrewd observations that break the code of crime-speak, to which these long-suffering snoops were subjected during their electronic surveillance of the mob. First serial to New York magazine; film rights to Warner Brothers.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Castellano, boss of the Gambino crime family, was gunned down on a Manhattan street in 1985. FBI agents O'Brien and Kurins previously had planted a listening device in Castellano's home. Unlike such flamboyant mafioso as John Gotti, Castellano was quiet and circumspect, and the tapes provide somewhat less than expected about Mafia activities--they are most revealing about Castellano's affair with his maid. Despite their assignment, the authors respected Castellano, and Kurins actually was a favorable character witness for mobster Joseph Armone at his trial. They "have taken pains not to preach," and, however one views this approach, they largely succeed in telling an entertaining story that should prove popular. For crime collections.
- Gregor A. Preston, Univ. of California Lib., Davis
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Island Books (May 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440212294
• ISBN-13: 978-0440212294
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Specific Groups > Criminals
  • #19 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Crime & Criminals > Criminology
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Americas > United States > State & Local

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a word - Excellent!, August 24, 2001

By 

Art Vandelay (Merrick, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boss of Bosses: The FBI and Paul Castellano (Mass Market Paperback)

This is just simply a very, very good book on the mafia. Page after page is interesting as well as entertaining. The chapters are short (generally 5 - 6 pages long) so it makes for a quick read. And of course, the story is just so fascinating. To hear the intimate and un-edited conversations of a real life Godfather and his henchmen is purely amazing. If you like to read books on the mafia, this book is a must.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, April 3, 2007

By 

John (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boss of Bosses: The FBI and Paul Castellano (Mass Market Paperback)

The authors are the ones who actually got past the Dobermans, broke into the Castellano mansion, planted the bug, and then listened to it for all those months! Gloria, the maid and mistress who lived with Paul Castellano for his final ten years, also provided the authors with many insights. It just doesn't get any more authoritative than this.

The authors also *very* briefly summarize points of Mafia history (such as Donnie Brasco) along the way. Most of the chapters are only a few pages, which makes it convenient to stop and resume.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ... has this been one of my best book's read..., July 1, 2001

By 

Bucky's parent (Southeast USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boss of Bosses: The FBI and Paul Castellano (Mass Market Paperback)

Thanx to these two FBI agents, I have a pretty good idea now on how this agency works. I approve of the tactics used when it comes to bring to justice this organizations of crime. Joe and Kurins sure knows how to get your attention. Their book, based on a real story is addictive. What in the world were they doing chasing people instead of writing. If they worked like they write, they gotta be the best the FBI had to offer. They must keep writing. Not only was their book an encyclopedia on how the FBI does their work, but also on the sacrifice an agent has to put and go through to get their work done. Thanks to these 2 pro-writters, for sharing with the world what it takes to be the best in your class. KEEP WRITING GUYS, PLEASE...