In the early 1960's a bloody civil war broke out between the two powerful Irish Mob families in the Somerville Massachusetts neighborhood known as Winter Hill. Over sixty men were murdered, including the leader of the Winter Hill Gang, James "Buddy" McLean. The leadership of one of the most influential non-Italian crime organizations in the United States was inherited by his childhood friend, Howard T. "Howie" Winter. In CITIZEN SOMERVILLE the events during his tenure offer a true picture of an era in Boston's pre-Whitey Bulger history when the streets were protected by a close-knit group of Irish-Italian "businessmen." The son of one of Winter's closest friends, BOBBY MARTINI has laid his own history bare to depict a life of survival in the rough streets of Somerville, stopping just short of entering the Mob life. The death of Martini's two brothers as well as the murders and suicides of scores of others reveal the darker personal side of a small New England town. CITIZEN SOMERVILLE slices a layer deeper than a crime memoir by allowing a usually ostracized faction to speak - the women. After decades of silence, three strong and very different females lift the Mob veil and voice their own struggle to survive in Somerville's criminal circle. Often painfully poignant and yet frequently hilarious, CITIZEN SOMERVILLE is a microscopic view of a generation struggling to walk the moral tightrope between societal decency and the loyalty of criminality. THE BOSTON HERALD'S Laura Raposa writes..."Stories of Howie Winter and his lieutenants are legendary in Boston, but 'Citizen Somerville' brings them back to life with a bonus: the stories behind the stories. The underworld dramas in the Boston burg have made headlines for decades, but we've never heard from the supporting cast, namely the women and children. Their tales make for an eye-opening, fascinating read."
Citizen Somerville
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Underworld dramas in Boston have made headlines for decades but we've never heard from the supporting cast, the women and children. In Citizen Somerville their tales make for an eye-opening, fascinating read. Laura Raposa --The Boston Herald
An instant classic by a true insider, it will have you turning pages late into the night. Dripping with authenticity, and the rough-and-tumble characters within are alternately harrowing and hilarious. A great read! --Writer/Director Bobby Farrelly
A truly magnificent work. A gripping account of the Winter Hill Gang and other remarkable events that occurred in and around Boston over decades. One of the best books I've read in a long time. Get it! --Ed Begley, Jr.
An instant classic by a true insider, it will have you turning pages late into the night. Dripping with authenticity, and the rough-and-tumble characters within are alternately harrowing and hilarious. A great read! --Writer/Director Bobby Farrelly
A truly magnificent work. A gripping account of the Winter Hill Gang and other remarkable events that occurred in and around Boston over decades. One of the best books I've read in a long time. Get it! --Ed Begley, Jr.
About the Author
BOBBY MARTINI is a former cop, a one-time amateur boxer, a Teamster for films and television, stuntman and lifelong resident of Somerville. He's been intimately linked to Howie Winter and the Winter Hill Gang since childhood. ELAYNE KERATSIS is a film producer and life-long scribe living the "reel" gypsy life of traveling the world, shooting film, writing, and anticipating what will come next. She is a Massachusetts native.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By Wally Cole
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
You know when the feeling you get caught up in a newspaper or magazine article that you know is based on fact, but then drift off into another place where it becomes too fantastic to be true? That's the feeling I got reading Citizen Somerville. But guess what? It's all true, and it's a damn good read. Bobby Martini and Elayne Keratisis have transported us into another world, not just another underworld,either, but a world filled with demons and devils, angels and horrors, heros and saints. Real stuff, here. Gritty, but shot full of the raw emotion lurking in any city in any town USA. But this town is special. It's got secrets.
Get this book, set yourself up in a nice chair with a good light and be prepared to stay there transfixed until you hit the last page.
Get this book, set yourself up in a nice chair with a good light and be prepared to stay there transfixed until you hit the last page.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I laughed and I cried, it was so refreshing to find a truthful version of the calamity that visited this burg in the '60s thru present day. The character development was poignant, real people that jump off the pages 'right in your face'. I was reminded so much of how fragile life is. I particularly enjoyed the proof positive of how nonsensical and brutal the male/female ego is....a fact that still permeates our modern day psyche whether it be bar fights, gay bashing, bullying. etc., etc. It flows easily and is a quick read. I even catch myself reading excerpts to those unaware of both these fine authors' work. BRAVO.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Jane Yorke
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a resident of Somerville and a history fanatic, it seemed a no-brainer to buy this book. I'm glad I did. I couldn't put it down. The writing moves and the tale, told from first-hand accounts, including that of the elusive Howie Winter, is absolutely priceless. Thanks to the authors for telling a human story, which was sometimes harsh, sometimes funny, always honest, and surprisingly sad. I personally found this book fascinating because the world I occupy as a "citizen Somerville" is very different from the world described here, where the after effects of the Irish Wars still resonate for some of my neighbors. The read served as a reminder of the many layers of human experience where two people may inhabit the same time and space and whether by fate or choice have two very different lives and that, of course, is not confined to Somerville. A highly recommended read for historians, true crime fans, those who enjoy biographies and memoirs and frankly, any one who enjoys a good read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great stories from the inside!
Wonderful book that I couldn't put down. From an insiders view, the hook really captures the nuances of the Winter Hill Gang and the players. Read more
Published 22 days ago by ttalbot22@yahoo.com
3.0 out of 5 stars
Citizen Somerville
The book was interesting, (I am from the area that the book was written about) I am not sure how someone not from the area would enjoy it......
Published 2 months ago by theresa garaffo
4.0 out of 5 stars
A GOOD READ
BOUGHT THIS FOR MY FRIEND WHO GREW UP WITH THE GANG IN SOMERVILLE. HE LIKED IT AND RELATED TO THE CHARACTERS AND STORY.
Published 2 months ago by ROSE MARIE GIANFERANTE
5.0 out of 5 stars
I highly recommend this book if you want an insiders perspective......
To a time when parts of a Boston neighborhood known as Winter Hill and some of the Boston Irish Business men who lived there gained a rep as wild as the one the west once held. Mr. Read more
Published 3 months ago by KP
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for Somer-villens
If you like the old history of Somerville and such you will dig this book.
I live in the area featured in the book so there's the local interest thing
Definately worth a... Read more
I live in the area featured in the book so there's the local interest thing
Definately worth a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by sjbran
4.0 out of 5 stars
Citizen Somerville
Actually, because of the stormy weather and holidays, I haven't had time to read it. Really looking forward to having the time to do so.
Published 5 months ago by Vera Gropper
4.0 out of 5 stars
good read
Being from the city of Somerville, and growing up during the "wars" I was not effected at all at the time. Maybe I lived in a better area. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Sandra Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent history of Somerville
Grew up in Somerville. Had no idea of the reality around me. I enjoyed the familiarity of places mentioned in the book.
Published 6 months ago by ellenv
5.0 out of 5 stars
the bandits review
By Bobby Martini, Elayne Keratsis: Citizen Somerville: Growing up with the Winter Hill Gang
I read the book, know most of the people mentioned (the ones I didn't know... Read more
I read the book, know most of the people mentioned (the ones I didn't know... Read more
Published 7 months ago by bostonbandit
2.0 out of 5 stars
a rehash of old stories
I found this book to be nothing more than a retelling of the same stories published in at least 1/2 dozen of other books, in some instances by more talented authors.
Published 7 months ago by arthur winchell
