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The Last Longshoreman: A Chilling Tale of Crime and Corruption on the Boston Waterfront
Anthony “Tony” Costa grew up admiring his Uncle Dom—a made member of the New England mafia— so when Dom asks him to collect gambling debts from around the neighborhood, Tony is happy to help. Even after his uncle gets thrown in jail, he does his nephew a good turn from behind bars, getting him a job as a longshoreman on the Boston waterfront. The year is 1958, and Tony is only eighteen. His new job quickly teaches him what it will take to survive on the docks. Tony and his violent new friend Butchie Shea soon carve out a life for themselves on the pier. But when Butchie convinces him to take desperate, brutal action against an adversary, Tony realizes just how badly his criminal lifestyle has tainted him. He vows to go straight and focus on his wife and family—but old habits die hard, and the opportunity of a lifetime yanks Tony back in. The job could lead to big rewards, but Tony might not see just how risky it is until it’s too late.
311 pages, Paperback
Published October 12, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 3, 2017
It may be too late before Tony realizes how dicey things are becoming. His pal Butchie, taunts him to go after a rival. Tony had vowed to give up his old ways and devote himself to his loved ones, but he finds himself tempted back into a risky business. He stems from a criminal blood line, and at the tender age of eighteen, he learned to live in survival mode on the Boston docks. Tony is a raw character riddled with iniquity, however I couldn’t help but want the best for him. Author, Marc Zappulla’s, descriptive writing paints a brilliant word picture of the Boston, waterfront, longshoreman lifestyle, on the docks. Captivating, exciting and wrapped up in a reminiscence of the mobster existence of the past, don’t miss out on this thrilling, fast paced read. Even through the chaos of the holiday season, I read this book within a couple days; that’s how good it is.
December 23, 2016
Had a blast reading this page turner! A motley cast of characters revolves around the life of a Boston longshoremen, Tony Costa. A man who wants to do the right thing-but can't help being drawn into a world of crime and corruption on the waterfront. A well-crafted tale that is suspenseful, devious and enthralling. If you like Dennis Lehane novels...you will love this book. Highly recommended!
January 13, 2017
This is an excellent story that follows a man Anthony “Tony” Costa, from 1958 working on the docks in Boston to after his retirement. You met Butchie Shea also at the beginning and he becomes a big part of Tony’s life on and off the docks. The author takes you back in time through Tony’s childhood and how his uncle Dom who is a made member of the Mafia. The journey the author takes you feels like you are actually following a real person that is what makes this a very good book. The cast of characters are people that at least for me are believable, his uncle Dom reminded me of an old uncle of mine from New York. You get see Tony married and have two children with his wife Marie, and the struggles they have. There is one scene where Marie is cooking they get an argument and she throws a potato at him, that is something at least for me is believable, for an Italian women potato, rolling pin, whatever is close glad she didn’t pick up the knife or the story might have ended. Needless to say these men get into messes and because of those Tony is forced to something he does not want to do but needs to protect his family. This book will keep you going and you won’t want to put it down. A very good book with excellent characters. A must read. My wife got me this book from the author so thank you very much. I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
August 25, 2017
Wow
What a page-turner! This is a fascinating look at an entire sub-culture that has definitely been overlooked, the longshoreman. Add the suspense of the heist, and the thrill of wondering how far Tony could go before he got caught... Tony is such a relatable character, a family man with a strong. You can't help but feel for him--at the same time wanting to knock some sense into him. I'm excited to but this for a few family members I know would love it.
What a page-turner! This is a fascinating look at an entire sub-culture that has definitely been overlooked, the longshoreman. Add the suspense of the heist, and the thrill of wondering how far Tony could go before he got caught... Tony is such a relatable character, a family man with a strong. You can't help but feel for him--at the same time wanting to knock some sense into him. I'm excited to but this for a few family members I know would love it.
April 16, 2023
Good Read !
The Last Longshoreman is a great story about a rough occupation from the
1950’s through the Boston Waterfront . I had a few friends that were longshoremen in the Baltimore Port and it brought back a lot of stories about
their reminders of working on the docks. A very rough and tumble time for sure,
but it took a special type of person to work on the docks and provide a good living for the families of the men who kept commerce going from their toiling.
The Last Longshoreman is a great story about a rough occupation from the
1950’s through the Boston Waterfront . I had a few friends that were longshoremen in the Baltimore Port and it brought back a lot of stories about
their reminders of working on the docks. A very rough and tumble time for sure,
but it took a special type of person to work on the docks and provide a good living for the families of the men who kept commerce going from their toiling.
January 11, 2021
Great story
This was a great story. Growing up in much of that era, being Italian and a 43 year union member I can relate to many of the stories. Wether the ones I grew up hearing about or the ones in this book being true makes no difference. It was a sign of the times and this book was exciting to read.
This was a great story. Growing up in much of that era, being Italian and a 43 year union member I can relate to many of the stories. Wether the ones I grew up hearing about or the ones in this book being true makes no difference. It was a sign of the times and this book was exciting to read.
June 8, 2022
bull crap.
This piece of fiction that’s billed as nonfiction is not nay poorly written, it’s a lie. My family were longshoremen and I recognize bullshit when I read it. Shame on Goodreads for pushing this crap.
This piece of fiction that’s billed as nonfiction is not nay poorly written, it’s a lie. My family were longshoremen and I recognize bullshit when I read it. Shame on Goodreads for pushing this crap.
September 15, 2017
Good beach read
Interesting read ,reminds me of the early Rocky films and easy to visualise.
Not sure if the events are true or fiction but still a pleasant easy book.
Interesting read ,reminds me of the early Rocky films and easy to visualise.
Not sure if the events are true or fiction but still a pleasant easy book.
July 26, 2018
Great read
The good old days come alive. Thanks for the recommendation to read this Shawn Nadeau. Would love to see more from this author.
The good old days come alive. Thanks for the recommendation to read this Shawn Nadeau. Would love to see more from this author.
July 26, 2021
I guess you could call this a currentlyreading. The book is well written and well thought out with strong characters and a fantastic story line.
January 12, 2017
This was a real page-turner! I couldn't wait to finish it, even though I didn't want it to end!
The characters were well-developed and I grew to really care about Tony and what happened to him.
For those of you who grew up in this the Boston area as I did, I appreciated all of the historical references the author made. And if you didn't grow up around Boston, the author did a great job explaining the history. I love how he captured the reality of Boston during that time period!
The Last Longshoreman: A Chilling Tale of Crime and Corruption on the Boston Waterfront
The characters were well-developed and I grew to really care about Tony and what happened to him.
For those of you who grew up in this the Boston area as I did, I appreciated all of the historical references the author made. And if you didn't grow up around Boston, the author did a great job explaining the history. I love how he captured the reality of Boston during that time period!
The Last Longshoreman: A Chilling Tale of Crime and Corruption on the Boston Waterfront
December 3, 2016
Interesting
Interesting story. Some slow points. Felt the author was telling the story from a personal perspective. Characters were very realistic.
Interesting story. Some slow points. Felt the author was telling the story from a personal perspective. Characters were very realistic.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews