The explosive story of the Mafia's most notorious hit man, Donald "Tony the Greek" Frankos. The "last person anyone thought would rat", Frankos has turned state's evidence on his 45 years in organized crime, prompting murderer John Gotti to offer $300,000 for Frankos's head. Here is the chillingly fascinating story, expertly told and documented by the authors. (Thunder's Mouth Press)
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Donald Frankos, aka "Tony the Greek," was a contract killer for the Mafia and at various times was also a pimp, drug dealer, burglar and loanshark. His story forms the basis of the most significant true crime book in memory, for Frankos gives details here of such events as the 1957 shooting of Albert Anastasia, the Lord High Executioner of Murder, Incorporated, and the 1972 robbery of the Hotel Pierre in Manhattan, which may have netted as much as $25 million. Most intriguing are his revelations about the murder of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa in 1975. Frankos claims to have been on the hit team and to have dismembered the corpse with a chainsaw and a meat cleaver. Hoffa's body parts in plastic bags were purportedly buried in cement at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. A man whose only regret is that he became "a rat," Frankos is at his most vivid in recalling the horror of prison life. Hoffman ( Unholy Matrimony ) and the late Headley, a Las Vegas private eye, have told the story effectively, but why Frankos is not credited as one of the authors is a puzzlement. Photos not seen by PW. 125,000 first printing; $125,000 ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Donald "Tony the Greek" Frankos says he killed Jimmy Hoffa and knows where the body is buried. Now in prison, he casually confesses to scores of murders, although only a few are detailed here. His story is told as a first-person narrative, a style that tends to encourage the reader's empathy. Frankos does not deserve it, but his tale is nonetheless chilling and revealing. Hoffman and private investigator Headley say they verified Frankos's allegations, the most startling being that he bribed prison officials to grant him illegal "furloughs" and used the time to carry out "hits." Essential reading for organized crime buffs, and there may be a wider appeal with the recent release of the movie Hoffa. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/92.
- Gregor A. Preston, Univ. of California Lib., Davis
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Gregor A. Preston, Univ. of California Lib., Davis
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not a Bad Story,
By
This review is from: Contract Killer: The Explosive Story of the Mafia's Most Notorious Hitman Donald "Tony the Greek" Frankos (Hardcover)
This book is about the life of a confessed mob hit man. Some times books like this make me question if the author is not adding a little to make sure the buzz is there it sell the book. If this guy really did the damage he claims and for the reasons stated then why did not one of his "family" friends not put a hit out on him? And while we are talking, how many people have claimed to have been part of the Hoffa killing? So many they evidently needed to pick Hoffa up in a school bus to fit all the killers in. Don't get me wrong; this is a very entertaining book, with just an armload of tabloid type details about the mafia and a lot of interesting stuff on the government and the witness protection program. The book is a very interesting jump into the world of the Mafia and you will remember of lot of the story for a good while after you have finished it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A chilling account of life in organized crime,
This review is from: Contract Killer: The Explosive Story of the Mafia's Most Notorious Hitman Donald "Tony the Greek" Frankos (Hardcover)
A great, honest, no-holds-barred account from a man with extreme courage and conviction to come forth and tell this incredible story. Not only are the characters fascinating, but we are also exposed to high levels of government corruption and how the system really works. I think "The Greek" speaks from the heart and has given us a most amazing account of organized crime and our criminal justice system.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best of a few mob books ever written,
By Laughing Wolf "The Laughing Wolf" (Hell's Kitchen, NYC) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Contract Killer: The Explosive Story of the Mafia's Most Notorious Hitman Donald "Tony the Greek" Frankos (Hardcover)
Of the hundreds of mob books ever written, this one does stand out. Are the stories true? I don't know but they do sound plausible. It's told in first person by Frankos and he mentions a lot of "the names." He tells stories of mobsters written in other books, that will make you want to go back and re-read them just to see how they fare.
If you can find it, get it, it's a great read. Start your "mob book" collection with Contract Killer.
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