The FBI's longtime organized crime-stopper recounts the career of Tony "The Ant" Spilotro, who rose from hit man to the Chicago mob's boss in Las Vegas, until he was gunned down in 1986 before his trial. 25,000 first printing.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Roemer's knowledge of the Chicago and Vegas Mafia is encyclopedic; he not only knows where, but also how and by whose aegis the bodies were buried. An FBI agent for 30 years, Roemer ( War of the Godfathers ) spent much of his carer in Chicago but, because the Cosa Nostra there controlled Las Vegas as well, he became a specialist on both cities. His special target was Tony "The Ant" Spilotro, a vicious hit man who was sent to Nevada in 1971 because previous "representatives" had proved too unreliable and too eager to call attention to themselves. Howard Hughes's purchase of several casinos and the FBI's unrelenting warfare on the mob cut the gangsters' income from gambling. The Ant always managed to stay out of prison, but a new Mafia regime had him killed in 1986. Roemer leaves no doubt that he considers mob members evil people and ends his book with a warning about Americans' growing enthusiasm for gambling. Photos.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Retired FBI agent Roemer (Roemer, Man Against the Mob, Donald I. Fine, 1989) uses his insider's fund of information and experience to tell the story of the diminutive Tony "The Ant" Spilotro, a Chicago hit man who became the controller of mob activities in Las Vegas before he was rubbed out. Spilotro's rise up the Mafia ladder, facilitated by his natural love of violence, is the main theme of the book, but it is embedded in a web of anecdotes about contemporary mob figures, such as "Mad Sam" Destatano, whose love of torture is graphically described; Frank Cullotta, Tony's top man in the Hole in the Wall Gang; Joey Aiuppe, boss of the Chicago Outfit; and a counterbalancing roster of shining cops and FBI agents. Roemer has an easygoing, informal style, sometimes self-congratulatory, sometimes self-denigrating. He seldom gets beneath the surface of the personalities he describes, but the barroom-like chatter will be diverting for those not already sated with mob stories. For popular true crime collections.
Ben Harrison, East Orange P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Ben Harrison, East Orange P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Enforcer: Spilotro,
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This review is from: The Enforcer: Spilotro--The Chicago Mob's Man Over Las Vegas (Hardcover)
I was looking for a good summary of mob connections between Las Vegas and other cities. The book does a pretty good job of summarizing Tony Spilotro's life and the activity of the Chicago and Milwaukee mobs in Las Vegas, but there is too much Bill Roemer in the book. It reads like a war story told over drinks in a tavern.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Exclamation points aplenty!,
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This review is from: The Enforcer: Spilotro--The Chicago Mob's Man Over Las Vegas (Hardcover)
This book is all about the author, Roemer. His writing style is completely in first-person and Spilotro is only brought up about every 3rd chapter. All he does is list the names of his FBI buddies, who all were "the best FBI guys there ever were." He also uses exclamation points very graciously. At one point in the book, he mentions how one person whispered something, and he ended the quote with an exclamation point. Wow. Roemer, you're an FBI agent, not a writer. Let me whisper something to you: "You suck!"
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Enforcer: Roemer--Special Agent--who cares anyhow?,
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This review is from: The Enforcer: Spilotro--The Chicago Mob's Man Over Las Vegas (Hardcover)
If you're going to read this book for information on Tony Spilotro, don't waste your time or money. If however, you are interested in hearing about the career of William Roemer Jr, then this is your book. In 355 pages, maybe about, 60-65 have any real information about Tony. The title is confusing, The Enforcer, is that in reference to Roemer's career? This book is primarily about what Roemer did in his years as an IFB agent and how he was the first to do this and the first to do that, and because of what he did this and that happened. There is lots of information explaining why some of his cases failed, all due to corrupt judges of course, not due to any mistake on his part or the FBI's. Also, there is a lot of stuff about his career after the FBI and all that he achieved then. Also, lots to read on just about anybody but Tony Spilotro. Let's not forgot to mention the inaccuracies--such as Meyer Lansky being called The Prime Minister of the Underworld and that Lanksy was a member of Murder Incorporated. Huh? First time I have ever, in my pretty extensive readings on the mob/mafia/outfit/LCN, heard these things. I believe he is thinking of Frank Costello and Albert Anastasia, respectively. This book is a "toot my own horn loudly" read. Not something that I would've chosen, if I hadn't been duped by the title and reference to Tony Spilotro. I really wish I had waited for Frank Cullotta's book. I recently heard an interview with him on The Vegas Tourist--WOW. I cannot wait to read his book! At least I'll get some real information about Tony Spilitro instead of this trite self-aggrandizement. Roemer should stick to what he does best, congratulating himself on a job well done and leave true crime writing to real writers. In closing, I would say, don't waste your time or money on this book!
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