Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob

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Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob

3.81 of 5 stars 3.81 · rating details · 1,528 ratings · 148 reviews

John Connoly and James "Whitey" Bulger grew up together on the streets of South Boston. Decades later, in the mid 1970's, they would meet again. By then, Connolly was a major figure in the FBI's Boston office and Whitey had become godfather of the Irish Mob. What happened next -- a dirty deal to being down the Italian mob in exchange for protection for Bulger -- would spir...more

Paperback, 424 pages

Published May 22nd 2001 by Harper Perennial (first published May 1st 2000)

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Jan 31, 2012 Sean Allen rated it 5 of 5 stars

The book I read is Black Mass “The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob.” This is a very fascinating book and makes you wonder what the FBI is doing behind our backs with mobs and gangsters. This book is mostly about Whitey Bulger and his contacts with Agent John Connolly of the FBI. But they also throw in some stories about the winter hill gang which Whitey was in. A little brief info on whitey is after being one of the FBI’s top wanted list he fled Massachusetts....more The book I read is Black Mass “The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob.” This is a very fascinating book and makes you wonder what the FBI is doing behind our backs with mobs and gangsters. This book is mostly about Whitey Bulger and his contacts with Agent John Connolly of the FBI. But they also throw in some stories about the winter hill gang which Whitey was in. A little brief info on whitey is after being one of the FBI’s top wanted list he fled Massachusetts. Most people thought he was hiding in Europe but it turns out he was in California. Whitey Bulger was found recently in California by the FBI. But there are many people that say the FBI had in hiding all along. These are there tales and they are all true.
This book is about how our police force and our FBI are corrupted and they are the people that are supposed to defend us from these bad people. This book tells us about Agent Connolly of the FBI and his associations with Whitey Bulger and the winter hill gang. How he got information from whitey and how he gave information back to him. Also we find out a little of Whiteys life as a kid and his rising up to being the boss. Some facts about his life are he had 2 brothers and 3 sisters who all sleep in 2 bedrooms. In the book we find out more about his brother’s who are James and Billy Bulger. A key fact about James is he had to have his arm amputated. Some facts on Billy however are pretty impressive, he ran for public office, and then later went into the senate. Whitey though is much different than his brothers he never finished high school he, was always in jail, and then he became a janitor. Going the Shamrock gang and by 1975 he had already killed 16 men.
There are many highlights in this book it seems like every chapter there is a new thing to learn. One thing is they would talk about Stevie Flemmi and his connections with the Italia mafia. Yes flemmi was working for Whitey but he was also in the mafia. He would get information from the mafia and if it had to do with the winter hill gang he would tell Whitey and he would make sure it didn’t happen. Then also with that information Whitey would tell it to Agent Connolly who would also make sure it didn’t happen. This is how they took down the mafia because Connolly could put the mafia behind bars. Another highlight would be Connolly would divert suspicions about Bulger and his gang just has Agent Rico had done before him. So you can see Bulger always had someone one in the police force helping him while he was in the gangs. Also another highlight would be the race horse scandal Ciulla was in with racing sights in the east coast region. But he mostly did it from New Jersey to New England.
This book is a historical non-fiction because it’s about the history of Whitey Bulger and what he did in the 1975 to about 1990’s and these are all true stories not made up. Also because both of the writers worked for the Boston Globe which is a big news paper in the Boston area. To find and construct this information they would use news articles they wrote and interviews they were in about this subject. They would also other writer’s articles because they might have something that the Boston Globe didn’t write about.
The author’s aren’t that biased because they are just telling us facts about what they did. But if I had to say they are more biased towards telling us that the FBI is corrupted. We can kind of see this because they don’t tell us really what the FBI was trying to do about them. But they do give us a story on how the FBI was trying to bug key rooms and cars of the winter hill gang members. But that’s about it they don’t exactly give us specifics other than that. I think the author’s were trying to tell us just because they are suppose to protect us that doesn’t mean they actually do because the FBI shouldn’t be helping mobsters and gangster’s. They want you to understand that in this time period this is what went on. And now more and more things are coming out about these guys. For example people would do anything to make more money and cops would just turn their backs on these people just to not get hurt. We still see this now and that’s the problem they are trying to get to.
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Jan 30, 2012 Michaela rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The Black Mass by Dick Lehr is a story of an alliance between the FBI and the Irish Mob. This novel recounts the alliance itself, the relationships between Mob bosses and FBI agents, and also with the Italian Mafia. Dick Lehr tells the story with exceptional details and first hand accounts of some of the most famous mobsters of all time.
The novel is focuses on the two main figures of the alliance; former corrupt FBI agent John Connolly and James "Whitey" Bulger. The two grew up just doors down...more The Black Mass by Dick Lehr is a story of an alliance between the FBI and the Irish Mob. This novel recounts the alliance itself, the relationships between Mob bosses and FBI agents, and also with the Italian Mafia. Dick Lehr tells the story with exceptional details and first hand accounts of some of the most famous mobsters of all time.
The novel is focuses on the two main figures of the alliance; former corrupt FBI agent John Connolly and James "Whitey" Bulger. The two grew up just doors down from eachother in the Old Harbor Housing Projects in South Boston (more famously known as "Southie"). In the beginning of the novel, Connolly recalls one of the first interactions that he had ever had with Bulger. It was when he was younger, and he and his friends were at a store. They all wanted ice cream, but had no way to pay for them. Then the tough,already infamous, 16 year old Whitey Bulger walked in. Even at such a young age, he was known around the projects as the toughest guy that you will ever meet. Whitey walked over the kids, staring at him in awe. He picked John Connolly up, sat him on the counter, and bought him some ice cream. Little did Connolly know, that same guy who bought him ice cream all those years ago, would be the same guy that Connolly would be tracking down his whole FBI career, and later make an unholy alliance that would end it as well.
Whitey Bulger is probably the most famous mobster of all time. He was born on September 3, 1929. He had ties with the Winter Hill Gang, he worked with other mobsters such as Steve Flemmi, Frank Salemme, and his hit-man Johnny Martorano. During his lifetime, he was always known as a fierce enforcer. He had a stone cold stare that would cut deep into anybody's soul. His nickname came from his blonde, almost white hair. Although known as the toughest man alive, he did have one soft spot; it was only for his mother. He loved with his beloved mother right up until the day she died, even while he was conducting business.
Along with the relationship/alliance that Whitey had with John Connolly, the book also shared stories of his relationship with mobsters of different organizations. Other mob bosses included Gennaro Angiulo. Gerry Anguilo was a memeber of "La Cosa Nostra" that operated out of the North End in Boston. The way that the Irish and Italians felt about eachother were not good feelings. They both hated one another, and always had to be the ones with the most power, to be on top. This battle continued all the years that they were competing.
The alliance between Whitey and John Connolly grew from one being that Bulger would inform Connolly of activity surrounding other mobsters, to one that Connolly was protecting Bulger. Connolly was protecting Bulger and covering up his tracks so that Bulger would never be convicted, and basically never be found. Had been protecting them from prosecution by feeding Bulger information about possible attempts to catch them. The FBI eventually caught wind of this. Connolly was later convicted with racketeering and obstruction of justice. In 2008, he was moved to a Massachusetts prison and is currently serving the remainder of his sentence for second degree murder. Connolly went from being one of the best FBI agents, to a man that is going to basically rot in prison for the rest of life.
Overall, I found this book extremely interesting. This is probably the most interesting Mob book that I have read so far. I found it crazy how John Connolly would risk his whole career just to protect someone from his old neighborhood. He ruined his whole life, and is now paying for it. Whitey Bulger has always fascinated me. This one man controlled so much and caused so much fear in everyone he encountered. The thing that amazed me most was he got away with all the murders, and conning for all those years. I think the question is everyone's mind was "Will Whitey ever be caught?" The day when I heard that he was caught, I couldn't believe it. To this day, I think the reason he gave up without a fight is because he is sick. Before he dies, the only thing I want to hear is what his voice sounds like. I need to put a voice to his face. I just want to hear him speak, and tell his side of this very famous story.
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Jan 25, 2012 Anthony Luongo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Black Mass by Dick Lehr is about the relationship between the FBI and Whitey Bulger. The story opens in 1975 with a meeting near Wollaston Beach in Quincy. Two men from the old neighborhood, “Southie,” meet in darkness, neither one wanting to be seen with the other. Two men who had gone in completely different directions, coming together to see what each had to offer. John Connolly, a young, ambitious FBI agent in the Organized Crime Squad, who wanted to make his name taking down the Mafia and...more

Black Mass by Dick Lehr is about the relationship between the FBI and Whitey Bulger. The story opens in 1975 with a meeting near Wollaston Beach in Quincy. Two men from the old neighborhood, “Southie,” meet in darkness, neither one wanting to be seen with the other. Two men who had gone in completely different directions, coming together to see what each had to offer. John Connolly, a young, ambitious FBI agent in the Organized Crime Squad, who wanted to make his name taking down the Mafia and James Whitey Bulger, a gangster who wanted to both stay out of jail and stay ahead of the Boston Mafia, the dangerous competition. John Connelly’s proposition was simple, stating, “You should think about using your friends in law enforcement.”

Soon enough, Whitey brought his friend Steven “the Rifleman” Flemmi in on his secret. Flemmi had ties to and therefore information on the Boston Cosa Nostra family led by Gennaro Angiulo. Flemmi had some experience in this secret sharing arrangement as he had been a “source” back in the 60’s and he had the benefit of being tipped off when the authorities were investigating him for murder and bombing charges. He disappeared for awhile and eventually the charges were dropped. Meanwhile, disputes over vending machines, and gambling operations were on the rise between Angiulo’s people and Howie Winter’s crew. This arrangement would benefit Whitey and his gang as the FBI would be focused on taking Angiulo and his men down while Whitey and his men would remain under the radar and begin to gain control.

While John Connolly took the position that the FBI only knew of criminal activity such as gambling and loan sharking, fixing races at the track was also a Whitey specialty. Anthony “Fat Tony” Ciulla was one of the fixers. But when one of the jockeys started talking, Fat Tony took the fall. In jail, he decided to deal and it soon became apparent he was going to give up info on Whitey. The FBI could not be running informants who were simultaneously targets of a major FBI case”. John Morris, the supervisor of the Organized Crime Squad stepped into assist. The Bulger and Flemmi files were temporarily closed. This began the start of creative record keeping on the part of the FBI and eventually, although “Ciulla had actually buried them, apparently in his Grand Jury testimony,” Bulger and Flemmi were dropped from the indictments.

I thought this was a very interesting story. It explained to me everything about the relationship between The FBI and Whitey Bulger. I also learned more about "Southie" and the business that goes on there. Whitey Bulger was a ruthless man that could get away with almost all the crimes that he committed because the FBI let him. It is very gang related and factual. I would recommend this book.(less)

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Oct 10, 2011 Doug rated it 3 of 5 stars

Black Mass lays out, in eminently readable and often shocking detail, the incredible story of how Bulger and Steve Flemmi co-opted the Boston FBI, using their role as informants against the Mafia to eliminate their rivals and evade other local and federal law enforcement agencies. They even "tipped off" the Feds to crimes they committed (or ordered), casting suspicion on players they would like out of play. I read the first chapter thinking Black Mass must be a glamorized and highly speculative...more Black Mass lays out, in eminently readable and often shocking detail, the incredible story of how Bulger and Steve Flemmi co-opted the Boston FBI, using their role as informants against the Mafia to eliminate their rivals and evade other local and federal law enforcement agencies. They even "tipped off" the Feds to crimes they committed (or ordered), casting suspicion on players they would like out of play. I read the first chapter thinking Black Mass must be a glamorized and highly speculative account -- and then I reviewed Lehr and O'Neill's copious and rigorous notes on their sources, and revised my opinion. (This was a two-bookmark book for me: one for the body of the text, one for the endnotes.) In fact, Lehr and O'Neill, career journalists both, are studiously careful to avoid speculation (or any possible grounds for libel). They stop short, for instance, of suggesting that Bulger and Flemmi's "handler" at the FBI, John Connolly, or his boss John Morris, might literally be described as gangsters with deep cover as FBI agents. Lehr and O'Neill point out Connolly's boyhood in Bulger's turf, and the amazingly paltry quantity of established bribes to Morris, and leave the reader the option to make inferences. (Morris allegedly sold himself out for roughly 7 grand and some wine, which even in 80's dollars seems awfully cheap.) Lehr and O'Neill are likewise cautious in how they characterize Whitey Bulger's relationship with his brother, former President of the Massachusetts Senate, William Bulger. But they do ensure that I will never look at the State Street building quite the same way again.

I did form some reservations as I read the book. First, the extent to which Connolly and Morris are demonized tends to largely exonerate others in the FBI. Second, many events presented as fact in the book are primarily sourced by sworn testimony from professional criminals -- individuals for whom lying effectively is an essential skill. (Lehr and O'Neill are careful to note when testimony disagrees, in fact, but almost always portray one version as authoritative in the main text. Finally, Lehr and O'Neill's role in shaping the story clearly renders them very much non-impartial: their own reportage helped focus public opinion and create pressure to prosecute Bulger and to examine his relationship with the FBI. So I'm not inclined to accept absolutely everything at face value; their are clearly agendas at work. But the preponderance of evidence that it's all mostly true seems overwhelming.(less)

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Aug 09, 2011 Grace rated it 3 of 5 stars

When I was in my early teens I had an unhealthy obsession with the mafia. I read every single book Mario Puzo wrote, The Way of the Wiseguy, Joey Pistone's Donnie Brasco among other mafia books. Reading Black Mass was like returning to an old friend, but I'm a no longer a pre-teen. I now know that besides just protecting their family, the people in the mafia actually killed some people who were not bad guys. See, as a kid I figured that they just killed each other, and since they were bad guys,...more

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Sep 30, 2012 Kevin Symmons rated it 4 of 5 stars

Not the type of books I usually enjoy but this one held my attention throughout. Having lived in the Greater Boston Area throughout the Whitey Bulger era I found this frighteningly refreshing, Especially since my wife's extended family were South Boston residents. I was glad to read the hideous Bulger "Robin Hood" myth debunked. This degenerate was a low-life, homicidal, sociopath who used violence, terror, and extortion to extract revenge and build a terrifying criminal empire. He did his best...more

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Aug 05, 2009 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: true-crime, boston

Written by two Boston Globe reporters who covered the story for many years, the book details infamous mobster Whitey Bulger's decades-long deal with the FBI that allowed him to effectively rule Boston's underworld unchallenged.

It's one of the those stories that's so crazy you can't believe it actually happened. Super ambitious and morally compromised FBI agents make a deal with up-and-coming Irish mobsters to exchange information about the Italian mob in exchange for immunity from prosecution. T...more

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Mar 23, 2013 Shawn Jaquiss rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This title was an excellent examination of the FBI's corrupt relationship with two mob bosses in Boston from the late 60's through the early 90's. I gave it three stars for the lack of a table of characters as, particularly towards the end, there were so many names involved in the policing, prosecution or criminal activities that it was difficult to keep all of the players straight. I finally gave up and just pushed through to the end. It is a very well researched, well written book and I do rec...more

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Jul 30, 2011 Sam Norton added it

What does it say about me that the part that made me the angriest was when Whitey and Flemmi extort the Rakes' business right out from under them? To me, that was so much worse than anything else they did, even the murders. But the Rakes were totally innocent in the matter, and eventually Mr. Rakes is found guilty of perjury because he was too threatened by Bulger and Flemmi to testify against them. And I can't really blame them. This book made me about as angry as I've been in a long time while...more

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Nov 06, 2011 Lee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mob-books, spy-crime-terrorism

This book details the story of how the Boston FBI office was corrupted by Irish mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger. it detail how Bulger became a confidential informant of the FBI and managed to corrupt them, specifically agent John Connolly. it details the extraordinary lengths that Connolly and other in the office went to over the years to protect Bulger and his cohort Steve Flemmi. An excellent read. This book did not cover the subsequent trial and conviction of Connolly, at the end of the book i...more

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Aug 20, 2011 Brian rated it 4 of 5 stars

The myth of James J. "Whitey" Bulger is infamous in Boston, and "Black Mass" delves into the whole truth of his criminal history and accomplices, both criminal and law enforcement. While the story is well-known in Beantown, the details of the depths of FBI corruption and complicity with Bulger can still be surprising when laid out in black and white. And even though the book was first published in 2000, it remains relevant with the recent capture of Bulger. The book does suffer from some identit...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars

For any reader looking for a dramatic, engrossing true crime story, this one is fantastic. It is well organized, well written, and because of Whitey's recent capture, well timed! (well: the book has been edited since his capture; it originally came out well before.)

I won't say much except that the Bulger/Flemmi alliance with the Boston FBI is a story that should have been made up. How a relationship this corrupt could have happened, and happened for so long, is just gross/despicable/infuriating/...more

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Feb 11, 2011 CC rated it 2 of 5 stars

Written by Boston Globe reporters, Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neal, Black Mass is the true story of how members of Boston's Irish mob used their relationship with their childhood pal and newly annointed FBI agent, John Connolly, to become informants against their competition, the Italian mob. All the while, they continue with their own crime, corruption, and murder without reprimand, until a defense attorney, named Cardinale, exposes the decades long travesty.

All this has the potential to be explos...more

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Oct 13, 2008 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars

Corruption...murder...extortion...racketeering... and those were the crimes committed by the FBI in this book! James "Whitey" Bulger, one of the FBI's most prominent informants in the Boston office who gets the protection he needs from the FBI, while unbeknownst to the entire crime syndicate in Boston he's dropping the dime on them, Italians and Irish alike...no loyalty from Whitey, but yet he demanded loyalty from his people. Seems like the FBI (Forever Bothering Italians) is more focused on br...more

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Mar 26, 2008 Nancy Oakes rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Nancy by: history channel

Shelves: nonfiction

The scene is Boston, starting in the 1970s. The FBI has made it a top priority to clamp down on organized crime (in this case, the Mafia, populated by the Italians of North Boston). John Connolly, a very young FBI agent, is called to the Boston office to work in the Organized Crime unit. The idea was that if he could find someone to rat out the Italians, the FBI's job would be made much easier. Connolly begins to cultivate James (Whitey) Bulger, a former acquaintance from Connolly's old neighbor...more The scene is Boston, starting in the 1970s. The FBI has made it a top priority to clamp down on organized crime (in this case, the Mafia, populated by the Italians of North Boston). John Connolly, a very young FBI agent, is called to the Boston office to work in the Organized Crime unit. The idea was that if he could find someone to rat out the Italians, the FBI's job would be made much easier. Connolly begins to cultivate James (Whitey) Bulger, a former acquaintance from Connolly's old neighborhood in South Boston. Bulger was a career criminal, beginning his future occupation as a young boy, and he and one of his associates, Steve Flemmi, had ties to the Italian mob in Boston. Whitey was also part of a gang in Southie. He became an informant for the FBI, and in return, he was given protection by the FBI. His information was very helpful and did help to put away some of the Mafia guys, but in the meantime, he also gave info on anyone in South Boston that he considered might be standing in his own way as he rose up through the ranks of the criminal underworld.

The authors, Lehr and O'Neill, used a variety of first-hand sources to not only write this book, but to break the entire story in the Boston Globe. What they examine here is basically the true cost of the information provided by Bulger. While he's giving them good information, he's also being allowed to literally get away with murder.

I won't go further into this book, but I picked it up the other night and could hardly put it down once I started. I guarantee you that if you have an interest in organized crime, this is a no-miss story. I would like to say that I was appalled by the sheer abuse of power from members of an institution created to protect the American public, but frankly, it's getting harder and harder to be surprised any more.

Very well written and very taut; I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in organized crime, the FBI, in the so-called Irish Mob in the United States or in true crime in general.(less)

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Mar 23, 2013 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellent read written by current BU professor Dick Lehr (former Boston Globe writer) and Gerard O'Neill, Boston Globe writer. Unbelievable what took place in Boston from the early 60's through 1995 and how corrupt the Boston FBI office was. Takes you up to Whitey Bulger fleeing from prosecution after being tipped off by the Boston FBI.

Can't wait to read the next book, Whitey: the life of the most notorious mob boss, by Lehr and O'Neill out now. Continues from Bulger's capture.

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Jun 21, 2012 Coralie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ever since I read "All Souls" by Michael McDonald, I've been interested in Whitey Bulger and the Irish Mafia. Crazy, crazy stuff. It always amazes me that this was happening in the same state I live in, while I was growing up. No wonder Boston always seemed like such a dangerous place. It was! It's especially dangerous when law enforcement is just as corrupt as the criminals. Makes Northfield look a whole lot more appealling (and the Upper Valley)

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Aug 18, 2011 Endre Barath rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I received this book as a present from one of my clients, had it on the shelf for 10 years....now with Whitey Bulger captured I had to finally read it. It reads like a Fast, Action, Fiction...a total page turner. Ironically it is not fiction rather reality.

I hope that the authors will do a follow up... now that Whitey is Back in Boston,MA for the missing 17 years he has been on the Run. Ironically he lived less than 5 miles from us in Santa Monica.

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Aug 17, 2011 Matt Cunningham rated it 4 of 5 stars

A great and timely book, especially with the recent capture of Whitey Bulger. Unfortunately the edition I have is pretty dated, it has no updates on what happened to the FBI agents and Bulger's eventual conviction. But we know how THAT turned out now anyway! This reads like "Murder Machine" by Capeci: it's hard to believe this stuff actually happened but it's all cited right at the end of the book.

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Aug 31, 2011 Pat Devane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good primer on Whitey Bulger, recently captured by the FBI after 16 years on the lam. Bit thick at times, especially as the books nears the climax as it delves into some legal minutiae that could have been summarized more. It is good at being what it is: a true crime book by two newspaper reporters who provide all the facts and some colorful background along the way.

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Aug 16, 2011 Andrea manchester rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was my first Non Fiction book and I really found it very interesting. A friend recommended the book after I express my interest in the whole FBI and gangster affair when I saw it on the history channel and then later when the news came out that Bulger was caught. I felt it was an easy read and very compelling. I would recommend this book to anyone.

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Feb 13, 2013 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Heather by: Michael Flynn

Shelves: adult

This wasn't perfect, but I really liked it. The story itself is just completely fascinating. A few times, I had difficulty following it and felt like it wasn't going in chronological order, but I then realized that there were just so many details and so many facets to the overall story that they sometimes had to backtrack and start over from a different angle. My favorite part was the end, when the whole thing started to be uncovered.

I would love to read even more on this topic - I think it's i...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Jacky Mac rated it 5 of 5 stars

Being from Boston, Whitey Bulgar has always been a 'local legend' and I have read several books about him and his life of crime. This book was the most articulate and detailed. It included shocking facts about corruption and misguided loyalty. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes crime or non-fiction books.

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Jul 02, 2011 Kristen rated it 3 of 5 stars

A good account of the facts surrounding the Whitey Bulger saga. This book, written by Globe reporters particularly focuses on the FBI corruption side of things. I am still looking for the sociological/psychological side of the story starting from when the Bulgers were children, or even starting with their parents. Glad he was finally caught!

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Apr 07, 2013 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

All I have to say is wow! This book is about Boston mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger and details from families and the FBI. I'm from the Boston area so I enjoyed the details describing all the areas where 'business' was conducted and the descriptions from the activities of the underworld.

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Oct 10, 2008 Chaz rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Chaz by: jeff s

This is a very well researched and organized historical work on the corruption of the FBI and the Whitey Bulger/riflemen Flemmi gang. For those of us who live in the Boston area, and often hear in the news about the FBI's "most wanted" it clearly elucidates the brilliance and ruthlessness of Whitey.
At this point in time, with the financial market collapse, bureaucratic mobsters, and the slayings of civilians lives and pensions-- I can't deal with the negativity. My mind keeps wandering to such...more

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Mar 27, 2008 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: true crime readers, nonfiction readers

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 14, 2012 Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PEOPLE RUNNING FOR OFFICE

Recommended to Ann by: friend

Having watched the Boston news as all this was going down, I found the book facinating. There are parralls to the Penn State scandal in that loyalty and family clouded judgement. I was amazed at all the people involved in this. It makes you wonder if you can trust anyone.

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Aug 26, 2008 Nicole rated it 3 of 5 stars

Anyone growing up in the Boston area would find this book about Whitey Bulger and his FBI connections interesting. At first I didn't think Connelly and Morris (FBI agents) were so bad - afterall, they were catching "the other" bad guys - the Italian mafia. My opinions changed after Bulger took the restaurant away from that couple wanting to fulfill their dream. The crimes got increasingly worse and the FBI continued to protect them. And, what's up with Bulger being invited to parties at their ho...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Ashley rated it 4 of 5 stars

compelling. i enjoy these kind of books - mysterious, but historical, even if there are probably multiple sides to the story. coincidentally read this just before whitey's capture and it is even more pertinent living near his old stomping grounds. worth a read.

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