Customer Reviews

Mob Lawyer: Including the Inside Account of Who Killed Jimmy Hoffa and JFK

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was overwhelmed by the reviews, both positive and negative. The book only reveals some of the highlights of my
father's career. It captures the essence of what really transpired between Hoffa, Trafficante, and Marcello. He was in an unusual position to be able to represent all three of these men at once. According to my father, it was "tantamount to being counsel for General Motors." The book explores the uneasiness of trying to represent your clients zealously, yet ethically. In the end, though, he crossed the line of objectivity: Your never socialize with your clients, he would warn. When he was fighting Bobby Kennedy ("The General") in court, all too often he would refer to it as: "Their enemies became my enemies." The book reveals the inter-workings of a truly brilliant criminal defense attorney. It also shows how insightful these mafia chieftains were to the american public being exposed to drugs, particularly cocaine. This is later demostrated in John Gotti's interactions with the mob. I am very proud of him and I think he would be very proud of me, although I concentrate my practice in family law, where the clients are less difficult.

A Straight-Forward and seemingly reliable Mob-insider's account by one of the LCN's top lawyers. Ragano is no name dropper, nor is he full of it. He was a top Lawyer for both Hoffa and Santo Trafficante from the late 50s through the 80s.

The books explores the life of Tampa lawyer Ragano and his close relationship to Santo Trafficante. This is one of the few, if not only books, that examines the life of this shadowy, but important mobster who by his own and others' admission, was involved in planned or real assassinations of Castro and JFK.

Ragano's account of his dealings with Hoffa and Trafficante and his association with a who's-who of Organized Crime personalities- Carlos Marcello, Luchesse, Gooodfellow's mobsters Henry Hill and Jimmy Burke, Sinatra, Alan Dorfman (who milked the Central States Pesnion fund for all it was worth) and others -- is told without nonsenes and in a fully credible way.

Ragano is not a conspiracy nut, nor does he come across as one who makes up stories. Neither was Trafficante. So that is why when Ragano reveals what was told him by Trafficante about Hoffa's and JFK's murders, accounts which jive with other and most prevelant thoughts about those killings, I think he can be taken at his word. Clearly, it should come as no suprise that the Mafia was involved in those murders. And while not much is added to details of JFK's assassination, the death of Hoffa is clearly related, including the names of the triggermen and who ordered the hit.

Unlike some mob-insider accounts I have read, where the subject's integrity is of little worth and the story sometimes hard to swallow, 'Mob Lawyer' is both profound, soul searching and entertaining.

I read the book years ago and in my opinion the most compelling "insider" account of mafia mores...It is true that most true crime mafia tales are written by or with the help of mob members, hence the dubious veracity of some facts.(I was reminded of this book, as I just finished For the sins of my Father, written poignantly by Al Demeo, the son of a murderous mobster. We get to see another avenue in this certain world of horror.)
Mob Lawyer provides this same kind of insight, as Ragano was invited in to the mob world for a function, but he was not involved in the criminal activities.Extremely insightful.

a fascinating book---- details you have never read before but you know it's all true
I read each page with excitement. this was a mysterious part of American history but Ragano tells it like it was. i felt much more informed about Hoffa, Kennedy and the mob after reading this book

This is an important title if one can believe organized crime figures. Did the Mafia plan Casto's murder? Or, did it BS the federal government? There's some pretty good arguments for Castro wanting to get even with Kennedy and the Bay of Pigs fiasco. And, with Kennedy's initial statements that he would free Cuba. Highly recommended for Mafia fans as well as JFK assassination students.

A outstanding naration of Frank Ragano's life and career, and of the nature of one Santo Trafficante Jr..A perfect example of getting too comfy with the wrong crowd. A tale about how connections can give you incredible power or crush and reduce you to nothing. I couldn't put this book down. This book will have you rooting for an underdog lawyer at first. By the middle of the book you'll seriously question his morals and judgement. But by the end of the book you'll began to understand how vulnerable we all are to power . Hell, being honest I probably would've fallen into Santo's trap as well. He seemed honorable. But Frank Ragano, being Sicilian, should have known better. Cuba, Bay of Pigs, JFK, and Hoffa........need I say more?

I realize this book has received strictly five star reviews. The front of the dust jacket states "Including the Inside Account of Who Killed Jimmy Hoffa and JFK." That, alone, is something to grab the attention of a potential reader.

Regarding the murder of President Kennedy author Frank Ragano states that Hoffa asked him when he was going to be seeing Santo Trafficante of Florida and Carlos Marcello of New Orleans. Ragano said he was to be seeing both of them very soon to which Hoffa told him to pass on the word that President Kennedy must be eliminated. Ragano did as Hoffa requested, and later realized he may have unwittingly involved himself in Kennedy's assassination. We aren't told anything about the role of Lee Harvey Oswald or Jack Ruby in this assassination.

Regarding the murder of James Hoffa we are told that nearing the end of his life Santo Trafficante told author Frank Ragano that Sal and Gabe Briguglio were primarily responsible for the murder of Hoffa. Santo Trafficante said Tommy Andretta put a gun to the head of Chuckie O'Brien and told him to be quiet while Sal and Gabe Briguglio dispatched Hoffa by hitting him over the head with a gun and then choking him to death with a rope after he was knocked out. Maybe so and maybe not. I have read two other books, each with their own version of the murder of Hoffa, and wonder why this carries any more weight than the other two. Frank Sheeran has his own version in "I Heard You Paint Houses" stating he shot Hoffa. The front page states "The Last Ride of Jimmy Hoffa." Another book entitled "Contract Killer" states that Donald Frankos murdered Hoffa. The dust jacket states "Hoffa Murder Solved." Each of these three books has its own version of the Hoffa murder. Why should we believe one over the other?

I found the book to be okay. Mobsters are treated with the utmost respect when entering restaurants or nightclubs and receiving the best tables to sit at while the riff faff wait in line or are told there is no room. The life of a mobster may appear to be glamorous, but read their last chapter. It is not a life one would be envious about living.

This is one of the very best books I have ever read about the mob. Since I live in the Tampa area, it was totally fascinating since I know the geography.

Raab does a great job in putting the information together to make an interesting read. My only concern is that Ragano has a selective memory because we get a lot of "not my fault" from him.