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53rd out of 314 books
—
437 voters
Underboss: Sammy the Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia
by
Peter Maas
Sammy the Bull Gravano is the highest-ranking member of the Mafia in America ever to defeat. In telling Gravano's story, Peter Maas brings us as never before into the innermost sanctums of the Cosa Nostra as if we were there ourselves-- a secret underworld of power, lust, greed, betrayal, and deception, with the specter of violent death always waiting in the wings.
Paperback, 308 pages
Published
January 27th 1999
by Harper Perennial
(first published April 28th 1997)
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Sammy Gravano is a member of the Cosa Nostra, which is the Mafia. Underboss tells many stories of him growing up, becoming a member of the Gambino family, and what it is like being in the mob. These stories include what Sammy was like growing up Bensonhurst, meeting his wife, and raising his two children. Other stories told would be about Sammy and his friends in the mob, and some of the things he was ordered to do.
The types of books that I usually read are “young adult” that I personally can r...more
The types of books that I usually read are “young adult” that I personally can r...more
While many people might not have enjoyed Sammy's story, I definitely did. You must pick this book up and remember it is Sammy's account of what happened and how it happened. Of course there will be some bias and changing of the facts, in order to make himself look different/better. I'm sure if you were to ask someone else how it all happened, they'd give you an entirely different account of it all.
With that being said, this book was very interesting. I was captivated and couldn't stop reading i...more
With that being said, this book was very interesting. I was captivated and couldn't stop reading i...more
Again, I didn't really intend to read this book. I found it on the bookshelf of my wife's childhood home and somehow got sucked into it. For the literary connoisseur, true-crime fan, or memoirist, I would have to advise: run, run away from this book. It's mortifyingly bad.
There is one demographic to whom I would recommend it: psychology students. You'll learn more about the ego and sublimation and narcissism from this book than any overpriced textbook can teach you. It's filled with lines like...more
There is one demographic to whom I would recommend it: psychology students. You'll learn more about the ego and sublimation and narcissism from this book than any overpriced textbook can teach you. It's filled with lines like...more
i have "personal experience" with sammy the bull! this is rather INCREDIBLE; but it is the truth -- i was on the grand jury that indicted sammy the bull in arizona about eight years ago. i was never supposed to tell that fact; it was supposed to remain confidential information; the Court told me that; but it was so long ago now, that i don't think it really matters if i spill those beans. besides, how many people are going to find this out about me because of this goodreads review? maybe only on...more
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"I don't think I'm Robin Hood. I think I'm a gangster. I think I'm somebody with a very, very limited education, and I fought and kicked and punched and did the best I could to get ahead. I dealt with the reality that someday I will probably be killed or go to fucking jail, and I lived with that reality all my life. That's the life I chose. That's the road I took." ---Sammy "the Bull" Gravano
Although I am intrigued by the Mafia ("Goodfellas" is my favorite movie, after all), I am by no means an...more
Although I am intrigued by the Mafia ("Goodfellas" is my favorite movie, after all), I am by no means an...more
I've read a lot of mafia books and always felt that Gravano was a snitch and a traitor. Reading this book has shown me the "glory" of the mafia is all an illusion. Omerta is a joke and there is very little loyalty, its about greed, selfishness and excess. I no longer blame Sammy for what he did by cooperating and do not view him as a "rat" anymore. I'm surprised to learn how inflated and exaggerated John Gotti was; a gluttonous degenerate gambler, wow! I feel bad for Gravanos family and I am sad...more
This is a very detailed book on Cosa Nostra in the Gotti age (and a bit earlier). It was hard to put down. I am not a Gotti fan, I'm glad he's dead. Sure, Gravano broke the rule of omerta... but if anyone were in his position (as described in the novel), being set up by Gotti to take the fall...I'm sure they wouldn't just sit there with their thumb up their ass accepting their fate.
I liked this book a lot, it gave a lot of insight. But you know, Gravano was caught later on dealing drugs so... th...more
I liked this book a lot, it gave a lot of insight. But you know, Gravano was caught later on dealing drugs so... th...more
A very interesting accounting into the inner workings of Cosa Nostra. I found myself re-reading some paragraphs in order to comprehend the disception and twists and turns of many of the plots and keeping characters straight. The warped sense of honor amongst thieves is most revealing of the self preservation and greed so prevalent in organized crime. It is well worth reading just to become more informed on Cosa Nostra which at one time had a real hold on labor unions, construction trades, the ga...more
An interesting story of a vile human being. As it is largely based on Gravano's recollections, I am inherently mistrustful as to its veracity. For someone who is best known for admitting to 23 gangland murders, only a handful are mentioned in the book at any detail. They also glanced over the usual misery witnesses endure with WITSEC. Of course, Gravano got free plastic surgery and then set up a drug ring in Arizona; so it was probably best not to discuss that. A lot was missing from the book.
Jeez, what an evil bastard this guy is. Murdered several of his friends, a bunch of strangers and even his brother in law just because somebody told him to. Claims it was to honor his oath to the Cosa Nostra. Seems he had a change of heart when it came time for him to face life in prison. Worked out okay though because it got John Gotti and a bunch of other bad guys out of circulation. I wouldn't put much faith in the veracity of his story but it is still a fascinating read.
One of the best books about the mafia during the 70's and 80's that I've ever read. The book tells the story of Sammy The Bull Gravano and much of it is first person narrative. Author Peter Maas provides the historical context, explains who the players are, details the efforts of law enforcement and shapes the story into a powerhouse book. Many of the stories told here seem incredible. Murder after murder after murder is committed in the name of Cosa Nostra. Gravano explains exactly how the mafi...more
this was the first book that started a series of my unquenchable love for the mafia.im a sucker for all things mob..the men lifestyle and money...so intriguing. i read this book a long time ago when i became sick. it was the only book around the house that was not jesus related. jesus & a mafia book...go figure! anyway this book kept my mind occupied throughout my whole ordeal..it felt like watching a really really awesome mob movie. highly recommended
Ignorance can co-exist with a keen intellect and innate business savvy. Combine those traits with hubris and a predilection for savage brutality, and you have the explosive personality of Sammy Gravano. In a world characterized by fear as a constant, he instilled it and inspired it. And no threat from Sammy was ever made idly. Not for the faint of heart, this book is highly recommended for the morbidly curious.
Considering Sammy's name has been dropped in EVERY single Mafia book I have ever read, I felt like I owed it to myself (and to him) to read HIS version of events.
What can I say? It corroborates certain versions of events I'd known about. Sammy seems like a stand up guy but not someone to cross. Old school Cosa Nostra. John Gotti came off like a complete dick wad, then again, EVERY ONE knows that Gotti had no idea what a 'secret society' meant. He'd have been far happier as an actor or politician...more
What can I say? It corroborates certain versions of events I'd known about. Sammy seems like a stand up guy but not someone to cross. Old school Cosa Nostra. John Gotti came off like a complete dick wad, then again, EVERY ONE knows that Gotti had no idea what a 'secret society' meant. He'd have been far happier as an actor or politician...more
I enjoyed this book; hard to follow at times, but truly engrossing and hard to put down. Truth is definitely stranger than fiction when it comes to the mafia life and this book portrays it like a Godfather movie------hard to believe this really happened but it goes to show you how little you really know about the world and how things really are/were.
Jan 13, 2012
Pmrii
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Sep 13, 2009
ʍous ƃuıʞ
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anybody interested in organized crime.
Sammy the Bull should be punished for turning states evidence.... but the book makes for a really insightful look into the old school organized crime families....
Unfortunately things work differently today... but it makes you really appreciate hatered for snitches.
Good book - insight into Gotti's world by his second in command. Ironic that this multi-murderer was given a second chance in life through the witness protection program and ended up busted in the midst of an ecstasy ring in Phoenix after this book was published.
I've read this book two times and have found it quite interesting. I'm fascinated by all forms of True Crime. Gravano has quite a story to tell and yet, as it is with most of the True Crime books I have read, I am left imagining if these underworld figures actually lived a "Straight" life if they might not have been on the covers of Forbes.
It takes a lot of work to be a criminal and is such a shame they didn't bring that work ethic into the legitimate world.
It takes a lot of work to be a criminal and is such a shame they didn't bring that work ethic into the legitimate world.
This is an entertaining, if not exactly unbiased, account of the life of a fairly dangerous criminal. You do get the feeling that the principal character slants things pretty much in his favor, but it's still entertaining if you like this sort of thing.
The life story of the highest ranking mobster ever to testify for the government. I find it ironic, that when someone else commits a murder it just makes this guy sick, but his murders all sound like justifiable homicide. Seriously evil people.
Another good mafia story. Organized crime intrigues me. This was a great first hand account of what its like to be "on the inside". If you like mafia reads...this one will do ya just fine!!
One of the best nonfiction books I have ever read. Besides, I remember the day Sammy taking down Castellano in manhattan. I was two parked cars in front of Castellano's car when he was shot dead.
Can't believe I waited this long to read this book. Real life Mob through one of the biggest players in Mob history. This book gives very detailed info on everything from scams, to murders, to egos, and loyalty/unloyalty.
Not the nicest guy on the block. He is quite full of himself, shrugging off the couple of dozen murders he committed, acting put off by the deeds of his mob pals. Fun stuff.
So far this book has been interesting, kind of like a real life Sopranos - Sometimes I wonder if the show's producers read books like this to help get ideas for their characters.
An excellent story recounting Mr. Gravano's life as a Brooklyn gangster. While certainly written from his prospective, the insight into the events is worthwhile.
If you are a fan of anything mafia related, this is a must read. This is the story of Sammy Gravano and how he rose from a simple street thug into the second highest ranking member of the Gambino crime family. At times gruesome, and at other times shocking, the personal accounts and stories are incredible glimpses into the clandestine life of the Mafia.
i loved the book .. i think this is the best book about the mafia .. they should make a movie based on in it
I will never forget watching you carry the umbrella Over John Gotti's head, UNDERBOSS was the perfect name.....
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Peter Maas was an American crime journalist and biographer.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
More about Peter Maas...
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Feb 04, 2010 12:22am