The Last Godfather (Hardcover)

by Anthony DeStefano (Author)
Key Phrases: doo doo, other crime families, crime family members, Joseph Massino, New York, Joseph Bonanno (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For more than twenty years, Joseph "Big Joey" Massino ran what was called the largest criminal network in the U.S., employing over two hundred and fifty made men and untold numbers of associates. The Bonanno family was responsible for over thirty murders, even killing a dozen of its own members to enforce discipline and settle scores. He would be brought down by Salvatore "Good Looking Sal" Vitale, the underboss who was not only Massino's closest and most trusted friend, but also his brother-in-law. In the end, facing the death penalty and the prospect of leaving his family penniless, Massino started talking to the FBI - the first Mafia Godfather to break the sacred code of omerta, and the end of a centuries-old tradition. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: Citadel; illustrated edition edition (September 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806527358
• ISBN-13: 978-0806527352
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #802,373 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great read, September 13, 2006

By	read4information - See all my reviews

Great read, goes into many areas that have up in till now been unknown. Gives insight to Massino's family life, his Crime life and how he got where he did.
This book gives you a feel for all the players, the FBI, the US Attorneys,the defense lawyers. It goes into the history of the crime families, how they started and how the Bonnono's were looked down on and how Joseph put them back into power. Good background in his crew and the men that ratted him out. Lots of facts, author met with Massio's family and also gets information from a unknown source. Anyone interested in true crime stories or Mob stories will love this book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There Is No Trust Within The Mob, December 26, 2006

By	C. W. Emblom "Bill Emblom" (Ishpeming, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Joe Massino used the name of the Massino family instead of the Bonanno family because he felt Joe Bonanno sold out the mob by writing a tell-tale book that spilled family secrets. The Massino family suffered the embarrassment of being infiltrated by Joseph Pistone (Donnie Brasco). Massino's paranoia led him to mark for assassination those who had knowledge of the hits he had orchestrated throughout the years. The book centers around three captains that Massino had marked for assassination, and whose deaths among others, led to a trial in which he was sentenced to prison for life. The old mafia rules of not singing to the authorities apparently doesn't hold today as several members told what they knew regarding Massino's role in order to seek a lighter sentence. A virtual treasure trove of information was provided to the authorities as the dominoes began to fall. Massino, himself, fell in line with the other informants in order to avoid a death sentence. The book includes some nasty photos of mob hits in addition to some cartoonish photos of mobsters with bulging bellies who attended too many meetings where pasta was a staple. The book includes a number of mob hits in addition to a significant section devoted to the trial of Joseph Massino. The book clearly illustrates loyalty within the mob is in the past tense. Massino certainly knew that as he dispatched anyone who knew about his sordid past. The author did a fine job with the book, and fans of crime books will enjoy it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read If You're A Mafia Head, June 18, 2007

By	The Boss (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews

I'm a huge mafia head and I know almost everything about New York's mafia scene. This book opened up a few new things to me ESPECIALLY about the murders of Sonny Black. This book is a touches with the intro the La Cosa Nostra, How the Bonanno crime famlily got started, How the murder of Carmine Galante went down, Who actually murdered Sonny Black & ends with Why Big joe became a rat. Towards the end the book does dry out, but it's still worth the buy.