Customer Reviews

Double Deal: The Inside Story of Murder, Unbridled Corruption, and the Cop Who Was a Mobster

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I approached this book with some degree of trepidation. I had read Mr. Giancana's previous book "Double Cross" and had not been particularly impressed. That Mooney Giancana was a powerful mob boss is beyond dispute. However, I'm always mistrustful when authors of these mob books portray their protagonists as omniscient entities whose influence is infinite and extends into every corner of the globe. Giancana's brother and nephew have the Chicago Mob Chieftan claiming responsibility for everything from the death of Marilyn Monroe to the JFK election/assassination. Such omnipotence in anybody strikes me as highly improbable and unrealistic. It should be borne in mind by these authors that "The Godfather" is as much a myth about the underworld as "Gone With The Wind" is a myth about the Old South. Thankfully, in this book, the same mistake is not made. Corbitt is allowed to speak in his own voice and his tale is told in a straightforward, convincing manner. No embellishment is needed to horrify the reader. It's all there- the pervasive corruption, the alternately charming and chilling Mafia characters, and the cold-blooded violence and brutality. Corbitt knew many mob characters throughout his ignominious career but he doesn't claim a greater intimacy or influence with them than seems realistic. This is not an uplifting tale about the human condition and it's difficult to delineate who is more contemptible- the callous, bloodthirsty mobsters or the craven politicians and officials who take their money and facilitate their ability to corrupt and kill. Corbitt and his associates won't generate much sympathy or compassion. Indeed, his story is likely to sicken those who still believe in the inherent integrity of our Governmental system. Still, in a "True Crime" field where much that is published reads more like fantasy than fact, the book that Giancana and Corbitt have authored seems a notable exception to that depressing rule.

This was a great read. I live right in Chicago, near Oak Park, so this was especially of interest to me. Iam not sure if its all true or not, but if it is, it makes a lot of sense. This book offers lots of explanations, i.e. Marilyn Monroe, Kennedy assasination,etc. and once you read them, they really make you think.

As a life long resident of the SW side of Chicago I was able to corroborate many of the accounts Mr. Corbitt gives in Double Deal. Many of the "baby boomers" who were "in the Know" from my area stated that Mr. Corbitt was a very influential gangster associate on the SW side. The man was heavy and dangerous. He killed people,but many were in the line of duty. He also made it very clear in the book that he wasn't an angel.The man gives some very accurate accounts of his life and experiences

I could not put the book down. Being origianlly from Chicago I do not doubt the authenticity of the book. It is amazing that we have not heard more about this book from the major media. The book reveals the dark side of todays politicians and public sevants. Is the major media afraid to take on sitting politicians and important government officials? I give the author credit for being so brave to write this book as I am sure his life is in danger right now. Has anyone asked Mayor Daley and the Justice Department about this book?? Some investigative reported should run with this.

Carl J. Abbate
Milton, Florida

A great read and one of the few books that I couldn't put down. I read it in two sittings and fans of the genre will be both amazed and spellbound by the imagry and details of a life that reads like a modern Ishmael in a sea of certian peril where the waters run deep and deeper.
One should always be careful of what they wish for, as Corbitt might have said in any number of ways here; there is a price to pay for alliances, but you've got to admire a guy who has found his way through the maze of unregistered power and lived, so far, to tell the tale.

AS A BIG FAN OF MR GIANCANA THE (AUTHOR) I FIND IT AMAZING THAT HE IS ABLE TO FIND THIES PEOPLE TO WRITE ABOUT. THIS STORY WAS ONE THAT KEPT YOU TRUNING THE PAGES AND NOT WANTING IT TO END.THIS WAS AS GOOD OR BETTER THEN GOODFELLOWS AND CORBITT MUCH MORE INTRESTING THEN HENRY HILL THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE CHICAGO CREW AND MOSSAD AND OTHER HISTORIC FIGURES MAKES ME THINK THAT IF GIANCANA AND CORBITT ARE NOT BEING SUED THEM MUCH OF THIS MUST BE TRUE.MAKES YOU THINK? GREAT READ!

Nicholas Pileggi wrote the books that became the basis for the big budget mafia movies "Casino" and "Goodfellas". Pileggi wrote with an insider slant, and revealed the character and rationale for the men who ran scams, extortion and terror on the unsuspecting and not so unsuspecting. The real horror of the people portrayed, was the lack of compassion. These men could laugh as they tortured others. As others were in horrible pain, these men were amused.

The pace of this book, written by former Willow Springs police chief Michael Corbitt, rivals the frenetic, break neck speed of these movies. The theme is somewhat the same, and the characters are as well. Tony Spillotro, portrayed by Joe Pesci in "Casino" is a real presence in this book. But it is the author's story, and what a wild ride it was.

Corbitt was a gas station owner who did some favors for Sam Giancana. Giancana took away the gas station, but delivered a job opportunity in the form of a police job on the Summit police force. Corbitt believed this was a low paying, dead end job. He quickly learned the opportunity for graft was almost limitless. His boss was one of the most corrupt men ever seen, yet was often feted by prominent politicians and judges. Paradoxically, almost the only crime in the township was that perpetrated by the police force. Even criminals were afraid to operate here.

Corbitt tells of many high profile criminals, and the influence they had, not only in the upper echelons of our political system, but in other countries, like Panama and Iran. Corbitt comes off as a man with a conscience, but is far from a choirboy. He is obviously a very tough individual, yet does not ask for sympathy or absolution. He is at the center of some of the most audacious business movement of the 20th century.

His story, and his understanding of the ramifications of what he witnessed, is riveting.

My Dad was the chief engineer at Stateville Penitentiary in Illinois. This book was a good read and fairly accurate by accounts of things I heard from him as a youth.

I found this book very interesting and easy to read. Personally, the writing style was fine with me. Corbitt makes a statement in the front of the book that everything he says is the truth. He also says someone will probably get whacked over it. But who? At the end you find out that virtually every person he refers to in the book is now dead. Who is left to get whacked and who can corroborate this incredible story? If all he says is true, it's one hell of story. That's a big "IF", however. My guess is that the truth is somewhere in the middle of what Mike Corbitt actually claims it to be. I also suspect Corbitt has many more dirty little secrets he hasn't yet told.

. . .you may wish to spend some time with this book.

The book tells the story of a small-time hood who, due to friends, and not really to any talent of his own, becomes a moderately significant figure in Chicagoland organized crime in the 60's, 70's, and 80's.

Believe me, the main character (and co-author) Michael Corbitt is not really a likeable or sympathetic character. What I found most interesting about the book was the willingness of law enforcement -- on all levels, including the prosecutors who eventually brought him in -- to behave in ways quite similar to those "mobsters" they are trying to control.

There are truly no real "good guys" in this book.

As I said, if you like this genre, the book is worth reading. If the genre doesn't interest you, "The Godfather" is a much better story!