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23rd out of 212 books
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205 voters
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Donnie Brasco
"Donnie Brasco" is Pistone's unforgettable account of how he became part of the mysterious underworld that is the Mafia--the first and only account by a law enforcement agent--and it is amazing and intriguing as the flamboyant, deadly world it portrays. Includes an update in which Pistone comments on new development in the Mafia.
Mass Market Paperbound, 416 pages
Published
February 1st 1997
by Signet Book
(first published January 3rd 1988)
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I first ran into this book when an excerpt of it was inserted in "The Mammoth Book of the Mafia". At that time I read it as just a short peek into the life of the wiseguys, but when I bought my Kindle, I downloaded a sample of it and then bought the book.
Joe Pistone, an FBI agent, didn't really aim for six years in the Mafia, far from it. He started a six-month undercover stint into the stolen trucks business, trying to get a crack into the organized racket. What happened was...more
Joe Pistone, an FBI agent, didn't really aim for six years in the Mafia, far from it. He started a six-month undercover stint into the stolen trucks business, trying to get a crack into the organized racket. What happened was...more
I read this book because I have something of a fascination with the mafia and, more specifically, with American law enforcement's efforts to break it up. The story of Joe Pistone, the FBI agent who went undercover as Donnie Brasco, is as good a tale of any on that front. The book itself was imperfect: it reads as though Pistone is talking into a tape recorder, so the writing isn't exactly elegant, and his story, particularly in the beginning, has the feel of law enforcement, this happened, the...more
I know this book is a watershed in the history of Mob literature, and that Pistone's investigatory efforts were a breaking point for the Mob. But this book of his just leaves me dozing. I don't know what it is; maybe he's just a boring guy. Everyone blathers on about how great this book is, but I don't get it. It was made into a far worse movie, incidentally. One of the things the book does have going for it is that Pistone explains at great length what undercover agents can and can't do. Sawing...more
What can I say? This book was everything you would expect: interesting, yet not particularly well-written. I am curious to see the movie (which I always liked) again and compare; I think that some of the major players in the book were condensed for film purposes and I can't decide which I found more likeable- the real ones or the characters based on them. Either way, an interesting look at FBI undercover work and the mafia, of course.
This is an incredible insider's view on the amount of dedication, intelligence, savvy and courage that it takes to pull off such a huge undercover operation. Really compelling stuff. Also, I happened upon the movie right after I finished this book, and I realized how horrible the adaptation was. Or, rather, how brilliant this book is.
I read this some years after seeing the excellent movie adaptation of Pistone's tale. The book is a fascinating insight into JDP's undercover life and how he became so immersed that the boundaries blurred. It's not very often that a bio keeps me rivetted, but this one did. An excellent book and an excellent movie.
What a fantastic true story. Joseph D Pistone spent so much of his life undercover in the mafia and he got results. I loved reading about the close calls, and how easily he got the mafia to trust him. I mean, they said they loved him like a brother.
He really is an extraordinary guy, who did an amazing job.
Also, the cover has Johnny Depp on it. Beautiful.
He really is an extraordinary guy, who did an amazing job.
Also, the cover has Johnny Depp on it. Beautiful.
This is one of the few books that lives up to its hype. Pistone revealed his story of the Mafia while working undercover for several years. He does not make wide assumptions or provide background to which he had no direct evidence. His story is largely factual and focused on the gangsters.
Book about how an undercover FBI agent infiltrated the mob, later made into a movie. Interesting to say the least, the story could write itself because Pistone is not himself a very good writer. It’s basically a very good recollection of the change of events of his time in the mob, including some mob subtleties which I hadn’t realized. It should be a good recollection because he’s got the conversations on tape, and some are included in the audio book though I didn’t really like that part. In...more
This isn't really my thing. The writing is quite poor and repetitive, which may be based on its real event sources. It does give some insight into how organized crime really works.
On a side note, it is amazing how much information on the current mafia exists on wikipedia.
On a side note, it is amazing how much information on the current mafia exists on wikipedia.
One of my favorite books. It read like a movie and being a fan of Mafia history, this was informative. I often recommend this to students who are trying to get into reading, but hate reading big novels. They like the story line. The movie butchered the book.
i liked this read, but i actually enjoyed the movie more, it seemed that everywhere they changed the story it made it more exciting, which is a little more important than authenticity to me. also i'm glad i saw the movie first because i could put a face to almost every name as well, which helped keep track of the storyline.
About his life as an undercover FBI agent who infiltrates the Mafia in NY. Very good, had to skim a little as it got repetitive in some parts. Ending came too quickly.
A cracking read - wiseguys, semi-wiseguys, bums and cops all fight for Donnie Brasco's attention as he goes deep undercover to infiltrate the Mafia. he touches on the strains this put on his own family, but there is great detail in the growing sense of family as he is welcomed closer into the body of the Cosa Nostra. Throughout, he battles against the police bureaucracy that limits what he can do, get funds, take part in, report on - but he triumphs in the end, and is rewarded with life under Wi...more
I don't remember if I left a review for this already. Or not. It's one of my favs EVER! I love this Johnny Depp cover! 5 stars, dammit!
Like the movie? You have to read the book. It was scarier and deeper than the movie. Way cool book. A must read for true crime readers.
This book had my nerves dangling on a thread. I kept wondering what was going to happen next. It is absolutely fantastic and I think everyone should read it.
Awful writing, even though he had a ghostwriter. I skipped the last half and got the movie from Netflix instead!
As a fan of gangster movies, I found this book amazing. If you want an insight into the world of the Mafia, read this book. Beware though, it will shatter many illusions people have from watching too many movies, it definitely did for me! This book reveals that Mafia members are largely a group of thieves who are only interested in making money, ripping each other off and killing people with wild abandon. I simply could not believe that an undercover operative would sacrifice six years of his li...more
I couldn't put it down! Based on a true story about being deep undercover in the mafia.
Classic undercover cop story. He almost forgets where he came for he got in so deep.
Absolutely startling. Pistone got some monster cojones.
A cop goes undercover in the mob. Very exciting story.
Great book and the movie is faithful to the book as well.
I started reading this books some time ago after seeing the movie. It describes Joe Pistone's life as FBI undercover agent, Donnie Brasco. Now I want to see the movie again to compare the two stories. The book was pretty good but some of the conversations were hard to follow. They also got a little boring. It was interesting to see in the update at the end that Pistone thought many of his mob "conversations were mind-numbing."
In general this was a good book about real Ameri...more
In general this was a good book about real Ameri...more
This was a great look at the underbelly of crime. I would read it again if for nothing but the photos of mafia men at work and play.
Enthralling!! Just amazing!!
so good. so is the movie
one cool a** book, dude, and it's true? whoa... that dude had balls of steal.
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