Customer Reviews

Boss of Bosses: The FBI and Paul Castellano

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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...

Not only is this a great book, it accurately details the history of the mob and shows how John Gotti eventually rose to power. Paul Castellano led an incredible life and you won't be able to put this book down. Those FBI guys went into great detail about the countless hours they spent gathering evidence and the supreme achievment of planting a bug in Castellano's kitchen. A great psychological triumph deducing that Castellano being the recluse he was, spent alot of time in his kitchen holding his meetings there. The brutal goings on of the underworld are exposed and you realize how cheap life can be in organized crime. A must read for anyone interested in the state of organized crime before John Gotti.

I felt that Boss of Bosses was a great Mafia book. If you enjoy The Godfather then you'll love Boss of Bosses. I think my favorite part of the book was when the FBI had to plant a bug in Castallano's house. The tricky part was that Paul never left his house. One thing that was nice knowing, was that the authors were the actual detectives assinged to the case. This means it's true to life, no embelishing! One slow part in the book was the hours of tapes that were meaningless to the story that the FBI explianed. This is what kept me from giving the book five stars. I love hearing about mafia and this book was great for that. I knew I wasn't getting rumors I was getting the real scoop on things. I think everyone should read Boss of Bosses by Andris Kurins and Joseph O'Brien.

i read a lot of books on crime,mafia & various illegal activities. my best book was mr nice a autobiography of howard marks life. not anymore,boss of bosses is totally mind blowing from start to finish. it gives a full account of Mr Paul's life from start to tragic end. i give full credit to the authors.go out & buy it now, you will thank me later

Boss of Bosses was not a book I would have normally chosen to read for pleasure. I was assigned to read this book through school and I was pleasantly surprised. As all books that have to establish a timeline do, this book started out really slow. By the time I reached midpoint, I was deeply engrossed in the reading. If you are into non-fiction law enforcement books, this is a highly recommeded read. If your not, it is still a decent book to sit down with.

In "Boss of Bosses" the authors tell the vivid story of Paul Castellano's rise to the top of the Gambino crime family, and his sudden fall at the hands of John Gotti.

There were several points in the portrayal of Castellano's life where I sympathized with him. Here was a man who had worked hard to move up through the ranks, avoided any serious conflict with the authorities and who wished to 'rest on his laurels.' Castellano became a victim of isolation. It was not the velvet slippers or the silk pajamas, but what they represented that lead to his demise. His need to be perceived as a reputable business man, an executive, leads him to alienate those from whom support and counsel was critical. It could also be said that Castellano simply said too much to too many others. Time and again, his own words came back to haunt him and further the cause of his enemies. He seemed to lose sight of the 'business' he was in, decreeing rules from 'on high' and philandering with his Columbian mistress.

The law enforcement agents involved in the surveillance of Castellano clearly developed an affinity for him, blurring the lines between 'good and 'evil.' After all, they listened not only to meetings with other organized crime figures, but personal exchanges as well. At the conclusion of their investigation, agents knew Castellano not only as the Gambino family boss, but as a husband, father and an often cordial, cooperative man, ailing from the same human conditions anyone at his age may be battling.

In the end, the FBI's investigation seemed to me to serve as a catalyst in Castellano's murder and to install a more problematic figure in John Gotti.

"Boss of Bosses" is, in my opinion, a solid and accurate account of the decline of Paul Castellano and a must read for any one seriously interested in the Mafia and the FBI's ongoing effort to rid a nation of organized crime.

I found this book, very interesting. At the end you felt compassion for the enemy...How often does that happen in society today. Paul Castellano more a business man then a gangster...His weakness was a women. It was hard to put this book down, I read it everywere. I enjoyed the way it flowed, never missing a beat. I take from this book a lerning experience. You should read this book if you are interested in the Mafia, crime, or just plain other people. Read it, today.

Excellent information about the greatest Capo de tutti Capi, Paul Castellano. After you read this book, you'll understand what LSN was until the death of their greatest Capo. Definitely recommended.