Customer Reviews

The Company She Keeps

5 star:		(240)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

To think that I was actually tracking down another mob book, Mafia Marriage, also written by the wife of a Mafioso, to discover a far more courageous and gripping read in The Company She Keeps by Georgia Durante. Not just a great mob book, but an autobiography of enduring pathos and "endless nightmares": the small town, covergirl; the Mafia friendships, romances and the murders; the marriages of love, abuse, and betrayal; the stalking of a manic and the FBI (you'll have to read to get her code name); the fugitive family and the bonds that broke and then mended; the get-away driver turned Hollywood stunt driver

The lighthearted and inconsequential image of mobster Sammy G being thrown from a horse into the water stands in my mind... Also, the irony of mobster Joey T showing up unannounced to Georgia's wedding asking a favor: For money! These remind me of how close to the inside Georgia was...hanging out with choleric mobsters who are also portrayed with almost filial-like protection and caring.

This serendipitous read made me think of my daughter and the effects that ones `company' can have. And despite the despair and at times baseness of man, the ramifications of 'the company you keep' and the real life courage shown in this book makes this opportune for teen reading as well.

So, sit back, get some coffee, and have plenty of hours ahead when you start this heart-wrenching read. Don't do as I did, and start the book in the evening. Even though Georgia has left her `mob' life about half way through the book, you don't get any intermission. Thanks Georgia.

WOW! I couldn't put this book down. I found the insight into the workings of organized crime to be fascinating. But, the REAL story is the long and treacherous road that Georgia Durante has walked during her life. For her to survive, both physically and emotionally, is a testament to her strength, resiliancy, and determination. At times, I had difficulty seeing the words on the pages through my tears as she described her pain. At others, I felt her joy as she described one of life's small pleasures she was able to grasp during her ordeal. No one should have to endure what she went through. After reading this book, I have new insight into the life of abused women, how they are controlled and why they keep going back. I had the pleasure of hearing and meeting Georgia on her recent book tour. What a lovely lady, inside and out. I applaud her efforts to give back to those who need help in escaping from abusive relationships. She still has a road to be traveled. This should be a must-read book for anyone involved in a relationship. May God's grace be with you, Georgia. Some day we'll know why.

Ever hear someone's story and say - hey you should write a book? Georgia Durante's therapeutic journal has become a life lesson for us all. This first time author masterfully weaves her strange but true tale into a fast paced page turning journey.

In The Company She Keeps a virgin teen-age model becomes one of the most photographed women in America as she poses for a major film manufacturer. But what happens next is anything but a Kodak moment. Georgia hangs with the local Mafia and becomes their favorite get-a-way driver. Who would suspect her? She marries into the Mob and has a family of outlaw in-laws. Years of unspeakable abuse and paralyzing fear follow. She escapes to California - fleeing the CIA, the FBI, the Mob and most of all - her past. Afraid to model and be discovered, Georgia began to cultivate her other talent - driving. Today she is one of Hollywood's top stunt drivers.

Georgia Durante's total recall dialogue puts us in the room and at the table where murders were planned and futures were determined. She was there for it all - the threats, the violence, the trust and the deceit. Her descriptive flashbacks are disturbingly real and any woman who has suffered abuse will immediaely connect to her marriage to the Prince of Darkness.

The road from Wheel Woman for the Mob to Stunt Driver to the Stars has been one full of treacherous turns, wrong way signs and countless speed bumps. But Georgia is a street-smart survivor - eager to share her story.

The Company She Keeps is an intelligent, inspirational movie of the week adventure where there really isn't an ending - just a new beginning every day.

The title was intriguing, but the words inside were revealing. Not many can put their heart and soul on the line for everyone to read. Georgia Durante did just that. The book tells of Georgia's life and adventures within the mob. It also takes you through her struggles from outside forces to the ones within herself. She shows an inner strength to survive and has come out on top. The circumstances and events that unfolded in this book certainly don't fit everyone, but it does give hope and inspiration to women everywhere. As I reflected back on my own life I found many similarities, although not so exciting, I was also fighting for my life at one time. I was lucky and smart enough to get out in time. It only takes one step to turn that corner. Thank you Georgia for reminding me of what I can be. This is a must read.

A Company She Keeps is a great read! Especially for those of us who love fast-paced books with a purpose. Georgia Durante's book gives you an insider's look at mafia life and what it really takes to make it big in life: tough times, learning from it, and hard work. Durante's life story portrayed in The Company She Keeps is a great, enduring tale of life's ups and downs- men, surviving in the business world, and keeping your family together- and how she managed to get through it all. I especially recommend this book to us "daring" women and those who love adventure. You won't be able to put it down!

I must break from the norm because I thought the book was a decent read, but only if you know what you were buying. I guess it will be unpopular to be disrespectful to someone who was abused, but this book is misleading.

I thought I bought a book on mafia life. It felt like 3\4 of the book was about a model who was an abused woman choosing one bad man after another (whether friend or lover) seemingly unaware, apparently until her 40's, of the bad choices she had made. The book literally spent the majority of time detailing her abusive marriage that she repeatedly returned to. That is not a mafia book, that is a book about an abused wife and her life trying to escape from it. She happened to know, and be married to, people in the mafia and those stories are occasionally focused on. That said, I felt like I was reading 3 books as it jumped from abused wife to friend of mafia types to successful, brilliant businesswomen. Now, if her children, who were innocent and apparently messed up because of who their mother is, wrote a book then that would be an interesting read about what they were put through because of her choices.

Again, it's a good book and a good read, unless your expecting a mafia book, then you will be disappointed like me when you reach the end.

So I am on the beach reading about the life and struggles of Georgia Durante, when suddenly I am hit with another amazing story of her life. This is the best book I have ever read. To see how one can struggle and succeed all in the same book, is absolutely a gift that she has. She never gives up. I can hardly wait til her next book. For those people interested in escaping life, pick up this book. You will be glad you did and also glad that you are alive and well. Congrats Georgia.

I was determined to finish this book just to count the number of times Georgia Durante mentioned how beautiful she was. It was a million plus. You get the drift. This little lady couldn't get over herself. Her poor daughter Toni took the brunt of her mother's bad, bad choices and paid the price. There was claptrap galore, from her inane, juvenile musings to the stupefying way she portrayed herself as a hapless victim. And the verbatim dialog? How could anyone possibly remember exact conversations from three decades ago? Come on!!

Georgia Durante should just have named her book, "All About Me". At least it would have been an honest if not vacuous biography by just another celebretard who managed to sleep her way to the top of the heap.

Georgia Durante may not have had the best company but she certainly had some interesting, intense company during her lifetime! I applaud Georgia for having the courage to tell it like it is. There is nothing romantic about abuse. As you read the book you feel as if you are in the room watching. You can see the characters and feel Georgia's fear and pain.

I admire strength, honesty, guts and stamina. Georgia has it all and then some! Treat yourself to a GREAT book and hopefully we'll see it on the big screen one day! It should be!!

INTRIGUE, EXCITEMENT, CHILLING, EMOTIONAL, EXPLOSIVE, IMPULSIVE!

Georgia Durante touches the heart and soul of many woman who have suffered abuse and betrayal by the hands of those who professed love for them. Her honesty and self awareness is a testimony to those who are lost in the abyss of denial and condemnation against ones own soul. Ms. Durante is an example of not only how one can survive but actually thrive after a life of overwhelming obstacles. I would highly recommend "The Company She Keeps" to any woman who has ever gone through a
life defining moment.