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Michael Levin
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Joaquin "Jack" Garcia
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Making Jack Falcone: An Undercover FBI Agent Takes Down a Mafia Family Paperback – September 29, 2009

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 546 ratings
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"Petey Chops wasn't kicking up. And if he didn't start soon, he was going to get whacked." So begins Making Jack Falcone, the extraordinary true story of an undercover FBI agent's years-long investigation of the Gambinos, which resulted in a string of arrests that crippled the organized crime family.

But long before Joaquin "Jack" Garcia found himself wearing a wire with some of the Mafia's top capos, he was one of the FBI's unlikeliest recruits. A Cuban-born American, Jack graduated from Quantico standing six-foot-four and weighing 300 pounds -- not your typical G-man. Jack's stature soon proved an asset as the FBI looked to place agents undercover with drug smugglers, counterfeiters, and even killers. Jack became one of the few FBI agents dedicated solely to undercover work.

Using a series of carefully created aliases, Jack insinuated himself in the criminal world, from the Badlands of Philadelphia, where he was a gregarious money launderer, to the streets of Miami, where an undercover Garcia moved stolen and illicit goods and brought down dirty cops. Jack jumped at the opportunity to infiltrate the shadowy world of La Cosa Nostra, but how would the Cuban-American convince wiseguys that he was one of their own, a Sicilian capable of "earning his button" -- getting made in the Mafia? For the first time, the FBI created a special "mob school" for Jack, teaching him how to eat, talk, and think like a wiseguy. And it wasn't long before the freshly minted Jack Falcone found himself under the wing of one of the Gambinos' old school capos, Greg DePalma. DePalma, who cared for an ailing John Gotti in prison, introduced Falcone to his world of shakedowns, beatings, and envelopes of cash, never suspecting that one of his trusted crew members was a federal agent.

A page-turning account of the struggle between law enforcement and organized crime that will rank with such classic stories as Donnie Brasco, Serpico, and Wiseguy, Making Jack Falcone is an unforgettable trip into America's underworld through the eyes of a highly decorated FBI veteran.
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  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Pocket Star Books
  4. Publication date
    September 29, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    4.19 x 1 x 6.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9781439149911
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1439149911
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
546 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book readable, entertaining, and a true page-turner. They also describe it as factual, interesting, and an in-depth account of the inner workings of the mafia and the FBI. Readers describe the story as amazing and great.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityInsightStory qualityNarrative quality
78 customers mention "Readability"69 positive9 negative

Customers find the book well-written, entertaining, and a true page-turner. They describe it as exciting and rewarding.

"Good and interesting read. It’s amazing how things work and how complex and complicated they can get, especially when the government gets involved." Read more

"This was a great book, very interesting and an in depth account of what this courageous undercover FBI agent experienced while infiltrating and..." Read more

"This was a pretty good book and a quick read. The problem with it is that it contains a very small amount of mafia information...." Read more

"...He is a true hero and a one-in-a-million tough guy. The book is entertaining enough not to bore those more intelligent folk, but a little shallow at..." Read more

26 customers mention "Insight"23 positive3 negative

Customers find the book factual, interesting, and well-written. They say it provides insights into both the undercover work of the FBI and the Mafia. Readers also mention the author is knowledgeable at his chosen craft.

"This was a great book, very interesting and an in depth account of what this courageous undercover FBI agent experienced while infiltrating and..." Read more

"...It is very interesting and entertaining,non-stop/no dull moments.True story,well written-Joaquin:hats off to you brother" Read more

"...A true professional and very knowledgeable at his chosen craft...." Read more

"...league as "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi, it was an interesting true tale of mob infiltration...." Read more

23 customers mention "Story quality"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the story amazing, great, and interesting. They also say it's about a guy who risked his life for the good guys.

"...It is a compelling story with suspense and danger at every turn...." Read more

"...There are many interesting stories about the agent's FBI operations, and many anecdotes about the innerworkings of the FBI...." Read more

"Courage and wits while working undercover. A great story from a great agent and public servant...." Read more

"...Like I said, this is a great story. Just not told very well" Read more

6 customers mention "Narrative quality"0 positive6 negative

Customers find the narrative quality of the book lacking. They say it's not a compelling drama and lacks depth or intensity. Readers also mention the book is hard to keep their interest and finish.

"...enough not to bore those more intelligent folk, but a little shallow at times - I wished he would go more in-depth about his other undercover cases...." Read more

"...or sense of how this came about (given the lack of a story), it doesn't make any sense...." Read more

"...In any event, this book lacks any of the depth or intensity of the memoirs of fellow agent Joe Pistone, who spent years infiltrating the Colombo..." Read more

"Reading this book is not like reading a book at all...its more like sitting down to dinner with Jack Garcia and listening to his facinating life..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Brian Hawkinson
5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful memoir of an undercover FBI agent...
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2010
Verified Purchase
I'm a huge fan of mafia biographies and histories. Recently I've been reading memoirs/biographies of the undercover agents who have been infiltrating the mafia. Making Jack Falcone is an excellent undercover book, on par with Donnie Brasco.

It is hard to believe that a Cuban born FBI agent could infiltrate the Gambinos so thoroughly. Joaquin not only did this but he also took part in numerous other undercover operations before and during his undercover infiltration of the Gambino Crime Family. This in itself is unbelievable because of the sheer number of people he was able to gain incriminating evidence on that ultimately put many people behind bars. Making Jack Falcone focuses, for the most part on his role in the Gambinos, but it is also a bio of his life outside of the Gambinos. His undercover work against terrorists, drug dealers and bad cops are just a few examples.

Although at times the writing lacked a certain flare, and at times I wished that there could have been more meat to what we were reading (for example, he would oftentimes tell us how something happened in a general sense, but we weren't given a clear picture on the details that could have painted a better, more clear picture), I am very pleased with the insight into the life of an undercover agent and what they have to go through on a daily basis in order to maintain their cover.

Not a lot of meat in regards to the history of the Gambino Crime Family and La Cosa Nostra in general, but a definite recommend for those looking for a memoir about an undercover FBI agent so instrumental in the dismantling of the Gambinos in the early to mid 2000s. A definite recommend.

5 stars.
4 people found this helpful
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Mark
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
Good and interesting read. It’s amazing how things work and how complex and complicated they can get, especially when the government gets involved.
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Angela M. Outhouse
5.0 out of 5 stars highly recommend ... great read, intriguing
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2014
Verified Purchase
This was a great book, very interesting and an in depth account of what this courageous undercover FBI agent experienced while infiltrating and ultimately taking down 32 members of organized crime. After reading some of the criticisms regarding how well is wasn't written, I appreciated the down to earth way the story was recounted, making me feel like he was speaking to a friend over a cup of coffee. This wasn't a script, it all actually happened, and I don't think these people truly grasp the danger of at any moment being discovered and potentially executed, because that is what these people do. This wasnt Hollywood, this is real life. Although this book did a great job of describing how heart pumping and anxiety provoking some of the situations Jack Falcome experienced were, I'm sure it was just a small sampling of what he experienced. I couldn't even imagine the stress it must have caused since there were many times he could have been exposed. I loved the Mob School part and can now really appreciate the time and effort it took to prepare for this undercover role, and the sacrifice and 24/7 commitment it took to execute the infiltration...
5 people found this helpful
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Reynold I. Selvaggio
5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved the Book
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2010
Verified Purchase
I happen to know Joaquin "Jack" Garcia personally and I loved his book. I have had the honor and pleasure to be his friend for over 30 years and the only thing better than reading his book would have been to be in his presence as he tells his story. He tells his story with such truth and humor that I literally could not stop reading his book. I laughed out loud throughout his book and I am not a laugh out loud person. But Jack was also telling the serious story of how he successfully infiltrated the mob. It is a compelling story with suspense and danger at every turn.

Jack has a charm and wit that are incredible and when he enters a room, he immediately becomes the center of attention. His strong, fun personality comes through in his book. I have always said that Jack is a one man entertainment machine. He is like a stand-up comedian who never takes a break. It is impossible to have a bad day if you have been with Jack for any part of the day. I have always admired Jack for his ability to make people feel happy around him and that is what made him an incredibly great undercover agent and allowed him to write such a fantastic book.

I would like to emphasize how much I loved this book and I would not say it if it weren't true. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Jack has walked the walk and always did so with honor and conviction. I only hope that they make a movie out of Jack's book and if they do, I will be the first one in line to buy a ticket.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Debashish Roy
5.0 out of 5 stars Daring Jack
Reviewed in India on February 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is definitely one of the best books I've ever read. Some pictures would have been great, but nevertheless, a good one. Hats off to FBI and it's tireless efforts to control organized crime in USA.
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N. Eagling
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2013
Verified Purchase
A book I could not put down, well written and keeps your interest a cross between Donnie Brasco and Goodfellas. Fast service by seller, arrived in perfect condition at a very good price.
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Bristol Dan
5.0 out of 5 stars Legend of a book, if you like Donnie Brasco you will love this
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2010
Verified Purchase
Great book and written with a lot of passion. Couldnt put it down and read it in two days in the end.

Would recommend to everyone, great author and what a story.
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Aiden Blackburn
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2014
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