Way Of The Wiseguy

This is one of my favorite books, but not because I am a "fan" of the mafia. I've seen maybe two or three of the famous films, and maybe 2 whole episodes of the Sopranos.No, I like this book because its resemblance to a work of anthropology. Though Pistone is clear that he doesn't condone the mafia's activities (he infiltrated the culture to try to bring it down), he also gives an excellent, objective account of the American Mafia AS A CULTURE. He writes in the Introduction "Wiseguys exist in a bizarre parallel universe, a world where avarice and violence and corruption are the norm....Wiseguys resemble us in many ways, but make no mistake: they might as well be from another planet, so alien and abnormal are their thoughts and habits."

I love books, but I'm 100% certain that everyone at Amazon hates them. My 1 star isn't for the book--I just got it and haven't even started it yet--it's for this being literally every book I've bought from Amazon arriving damaged. I bought this book new, and it arrived with the entire upper right corner damaged. Amazon is probably the worst thing to ever happen to the publishing industry, or at least to the book-buying public. I've actually asked my wife to forbid me from ever buying another book from Amazon just so I don't have to deal with this again.

I enjoyed the first two books on Donnie Branco but this one didn't really add anything to what we already didn't know from the first two. Wise guys are anything but wise. They are merely thugs leading a very boring existence. Get up around nine o'clock, go to the social club to play cards, and discuss the latest heist they are planning. Maybe go home for a spell and then out on the town at night. Repeat the same routine over and over again. Their life will usually end in an early grave or, if they are lucky, in a prison cell. Thugs acting tough with their limited vocabulary punctuated with profanities. The book contains a CD of conversations between Donnie Brasco and Lefty Ruggiero in which Lefty demonstrates his ignorance of the English language.

A very readable, entertaining and informative book. The author seems a little full of himself at times, but I guess that's just part of the wiseguy persona he adopted during his years undercover. Hard to shake that, I would think. I daresay he's entitled.

I am truly satisfied with my order, thank you!

Nice supplement to the Donnie Brasco book or movie. Easy and enjoyable read but not much of a standalone book.

I liked the movie and book Donnie Branco. You need to read that book before way of the wiseguy.

Without a doubt, the best way to learn about what the government refers to as organized crime (next to being a member yourself) is to read about it by someone who was there and did that. FBI agent Joe Pistone's credentials are impeccible. Having lived and worked with wiseguys for six years, he's the only FBI agent in history ever to penetrate this organization to the extent he did. Incredibly,he was only a few months away from becoming a full-fledged member of the mob - a made guy. If you are a soccer mom offended at realistic language and the ways of the street, forget about it: go watch your soap operas while wolfing down a tub of candy-coated popcorn. On the other hand, if you want to know what makes wise guys tick; what, why and how they think, this book is a must. This book is highly informative, entertaining and hard to put down.

The book is really a short piece of anecdotes about the La Cosa Nostra. And JDP also really expresses his true nature as to be verbalizing about his true opinions with use of frequent profanity! He explains about the behavior and mind sets of these vicious, sadistic and barbaric heartless crooks. And the contrast of their behavior in their work compared to family life. He talks about how they live, daily routines, inner workings of crime and mentality. He really made this book short whereas he could have elaborated on the relationships of individuals like Sonny Black and Mirra. There is no talk about the legal court proceedings here as with the second book which made it much longer. If he could reedit the first book to include this work and some of the relevant from 'unfinished business `might be more of a comprehensive read'. But its good.

I bought this as I loved the Donnie Brasco film/book, it was SO disappointing, states the obvious from what you already can workout yourself if you're an avid wise guy film watcher! Reads like the author just wanted an audience to brag about how great he is, they're pretty big pages with few words, not much content, can't believe they got away with charging £16.99 for a new copy!! I'm glad I only paid 1p and whatever for packaging but even that isn't worth it, rubbish!!

Nothing much that i didnt already know. A lot of wasted pages that feels like it could of been bulked up a lot.

good

Birthday present for my father and went down well

brilliant

Arrived without the CD. That's alright. Arrived ahead of time. It was a quick but interesting read.

Its like reading the movie with more details. Very interesting.