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46th out of 51 books
—
45 voters
To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia
The true story of fearless Irish-American racketeer Danny Green who takes on the mob in the 1970s. The end result is the fall of several Mafia families and the defection of high-ranking mobsters. Author Rick Porrello is a veteran cop who wrote about his mob roots in "The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia". To Kill the Irishman has been optioned for a major motion pictur
...moreHardcover, 223 pages
Published
October 1st 1998
by Next Hat Press
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An interesting book which delves into the dark underworld of crime in 1970's Cleveland, Ohio. I was impressed with the level of detail that Porrello explored in this book about his subject, but my critique of it is that is read like an outline. It was incredibly formulaic in its story and followed a very generalized sequence.
So from a difficulty standpoint, it's quite easy to read; perhaps the most challenging concept was that I could have had more understanding of the inter-relationships betwee...more
So from a difficulty standpoint, it's quite easy to read; perhaps the most challenging concept was that I could have had more understanding of the inter-relationships betwee...more
Apr 08, 2012
Rick
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Katie, Christina, Dave, and anyone else who has cleveland connections
Shelves:
history
I was living in Cleveland at the time Danny Greene's ascendency in the world of organized crime. I frequently heard rumors that gangsters were active in Murray Hill (Little Italy). It turns out those rumors were true. And the Mafia didn't like Danny Greene.
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This book illustrates the collapse of the mafia in northeast Ohio during the late 70's; and in many ways explains why my father took the family to Wyoming in 1978 as Northeast Ohio was nothing but a volcano in constant eruption.The Author Mr. Rick Porello writes what i believe is an unbiased view, and factual accounts on the History of the Mafia in Northeast Ohio..I also recommend reading Porello's other book "corn, blood, sugar history of the Cleveland mafia"..Anyone who follows the history Of...more
A well-written, well-documented account of the rise and ultimate fall of Danny Greene (as well as most of his adversaries). But surprisingly brief—especially when read as an eBook.
Just past the 60% point, the main story ends; then comes several pages of source material, followed by a series of very brief vignettes about other related individuals. Overall, rather disappointing, for this reason only.
TJ English's Paddy Whacked includes a fantastic chapter on Danny Greene and the Cleveland mob wars...more
Just past the 60% point, the main story ends; then comes several pages of source material, followed by a series of very brief vignettes about other related individuals. Overall, rather disappointing, for this reason only.
TJ English's Paddy Whacked includes a fantastic chapter on Danny Greene and the Cleveland mob wars...more
Well written, well researched I loved this book. I've always had a fascination with the mafia but I knew nothing about the Cleveland mafia or the fact that perhaps it still exists though nothing like it was in its heyday. It was very striking that Danny Greene had his hand in a few bombings and in money making schemes but he couldn't be touched because he was an F.B.I. informat which makes me wonder how much more he would have gotten away with had he not been killed.
I was very interested in this book after I read his other book about the Cleveland Mafia. It was a good read and interesting to hear about the Cleveland underground. However, the book was a bit shallow at points where the relationships between the members was passed over for the action. There were a lot of names thrown out in the book and at times it was difficult to figure out/remember what everyone's role was and how it related to Danny Greene.
The Italian mobsters have nothing on this Irish megalomaniac. Like all villains he died as he lived. Some looked him as a colorful Irish hero. In reality he was a thug like all gangsters irrepectve of ethnicity. He certainly, by his demise made a lot of careers both in the Clevelad PD and Cleveland FBI.
Sep 08, 2011
Megan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
biography
This book is full of interesting facts and a very compelling story. However, it is not well written and even more poorly edited. It is packed with grammar and spelling mistakes that make it difficult for me to focus on the writing. Things like "Unitied States" or "the guy left town because he is a loaner" really take away from an author's point in my opinion. Too bad.
In depth story of Danny Greene, the Irish American that brought down the Cleveland Mafia. Lots of names, lots of familiar places. Makes me miss Little Italy in Cleveland. Very interesting. I had no idea that Cleveland was bomb city usa in the early 70s, all due to Danny Greene.
Born and raise in Cleveland and personally familiar with some of the people in the book, I found this a fascinating read. The writing is decent, but not great; the storyline, however, is gripping. The film could have been much better.
I'm currently living in the Cleveland and thought this would be a great history of the mafia in this area. There was a lot of research done here and it shows. The writing was very simple anyone could read and follow along. A good book all in all.
The book was not well written overall. It is non-fiction, but it seems the author tried to write it as a novel and failed. He ends up spitting out too many names and facts and not explaining the story deeply enough. Despite this, I enjoyed learning a bit about the history of the Cleveland mafia.
Fascinating and frightening at the same time to read about Cleveland's mafia figures. Most of the book covers the time period in the 70's when I was in high school and college. Porello does a nice job of bring depth to Danny Greene.
Oct 28, 2008
Julie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Nick and Meghan
Shelves:
true-crime
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
it was interesting to me since I grew up in the Cleveland area. overall it was good, but a little slow.
I was living in NE Ohio when this story took place though oblivious to mob activity. True story of Danny Greene written by Cleveland police chief Rick Porrello. Greene rose to some sort of power in the Cleveland dock workers union, and in crime. He died comparatively young in a car bombing, and the investigation into his death led to the arrests of Mafiosi all over the country. Greene was one of those rather appealing criminals, a self-romanticizing Celtic warrior with spots of gold in his letha...more
It was an ok read.... I think it would have been better as a short story
Aug 15, 2012
Nancy
added it
loved it! reading this book brought me back to my childhood
A look at the inner workings of the mafia and some of the key figures. Also the battle with Danny Greene and his gang.
Really interesting for a clevelander. Kind of hard to follow at times. Helps if you've seen the movie.
After seeing the movie I knew there was more to the story.
BC 7
nice info on the Cleveland mob.
Excellent book about Cleveland's Mafia history! All the cities in the book are very familiar to me since I grew up in the area. I had no idea that Cleveland had the 'honor' of being the car bomb capital in the late 70's. Easy to read.
Awesome book. I saw the movie on opening day and they kind of make Danny Green out to be a hero. Only in reading the book and getting to know the mob connections do you start to realize he was really just another thug. Still a fascinating story. I still can't help being somewhat in awe of his life, even if it was mostly that of a criminal.
About an average read. My biggest gripe was that I picked this book up looking for the story of Danny Greene as the main character. As the vowel at the end of this author's name should indicate, the story was more focused on the mafiosi to whom Danny Greene was a thorn in their side. An interesting read nonetheless.
Written by a former policeman with an easy writing style. This is a good book that chronicles the downfall of the Cleveland Mafia. I am a little disappointed that Porello seems to glorify Danny Greene and demean the Italians. Both factions were violent criminals.
Book was fascinating. I had never read a nonfiction book but wanted to read this since it took place in the area I grew up. I held my attention and continues discussion even after finishing the book. I am so glad I read it ... will definitely see the movie.
I always remembered Cleveland in the 70s being rather lawless and I guess now I know why. If you are interested in the mafia or the downfall of the mafia, this is a must read. If you are from Cleveland, also a must read. Otherwise, still pretty good.
Well, it was no "Goodfellas". Decent book and growing up as a northern Ohio boy, I remember much of the tale. Think I prefer the newspaper stories.
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Rick Porrello is a Greater Cleveland police officer with Mafia roots. He is also the author of The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia. Porrello began writing his first book during research into the murders of his grandfather and three uncles who were mob leaders killed in Prohibition-era, bootleg violence. The book quickly became a regional favorite. Porrello is an accomplished jazz musician and...more
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