What do you think?
Rate this book
The Constant Outsider: Memoirs of a South Boston Mechanic
Growing up in Dorchester presented real challenges, but once he took over the family's auto repair shop in South Boston, life became intense. Mob-enforcers, drug dealers, and killers became his friends and clients. In "Southie," each minute was unpredictable. Tom walked a fine line between good and evil just to co-exist and fit in. Cheating death became the rule during a life truly lived on the edge.
Tom explains, "Within feet of the office at my shop, a man was shot several times while at the pumps, a boy was beaten unconscious, then kicked in the face, a black man was brutally attacked by a gang of raging youths wielding hockey sticks, and Whitey Bulger threatened me with a gun. Farther down E. Third Street Whitey was killing people and burying them in a cellar. One morning, I confronted another would-be killer at the gas pumps. He later returned and shot my friend eleven times. On the lighter side, as a gesture of good will, a local drug dealer often tossed joints to us from his car as he drove by." There was never a dull moment in Southie during the 1970's & 80's. The storyline is tempered by amazing humor, a lovable character, and his surprising survival in this true, contemporary story.
Tom lived directly across the street from South Boston High during the violence caused by "Forced Busing." Also, as the owner of a gas station in the heart of "Southie," he experience the violence associated with the gasoline shortages of the 1970's. Tom's efforts to fit-in within these various environments got him into dangerous, near fatal situations far too often. You're invited along on a wild ride, back to a truly surreal era. Your adrenaline will flow as you read about near riots, gang wars, and a community overtaken by murder and drugs. Experience what it was like to live and work in "Southie" during the heyday of Whitey Bulger's gang, and the unbridled illegal activities that struck a predominantly Irish, working class neighborhood. The author himself had a dangerous encounter with Whitey and lived to tell about it. How did he survive, and what did he learn from his experiences? Read this remarkable memoir and find out. You won't be disappointed!
* While the accounts are true, names have been changed to protect both the innocent and the guilty.
Tom explains, "Within feet of the office at my shop, a man was shot several times while at the pumps, a boy was beaten unconscious, then kicked in the face, a black man was brutally attacked by a gang of raging youths wielding hockey sticks, and Whitey Bulger threatened me with a gun. Farther down E. Third Street Whitey was killing people and burying them in a cellar. One morning, I confronted another would-be killer at the gas pumps. He later returned and shot my friend eleven times. On the lighter side, as a gesture of good will, a local drug dealer often tossed joints to us from his car as he drove by." There was never a dull moment in Southie during the 1970's & 80's. The storyline is tempered by amazing humor, a lovable character, and his surprising survival in this true, contemporary story.
Tom lived directly across the street from South Boston High during the violence caused by "Forced Busing." Also, as the owner of a gas station in the heart of "Southie," he experience the violence associated with the gasoline shortages of the 1970's. Tom's efforts to fit-in within these various environments got him into dangerous, near fatal situations far too often. You're invited along on a wild ride, back to a truly surreal era. Your adrenaline will flow as you read about near riots, gang wars, and a community overtaken by murder and drugs. Experience what it was like to live and work in "Southie" during the heyday of Whitey Bulger's gang, and the unbridled illegal activities that struck a predominantly Irish, working class neighborhood. The author himself had a dangerous encounter with Whitey and lived to tell about it. How did he survive, and what did he learn from his experiences? Read this remarkable memoir and find out. You won't be disappointed!
* While the accounts are true, names have been changed to protect both the innocent and the guilty.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2008
5 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Thomas M. Cirignano
8 books4 followersHave you ever wondered what South Boston was like back in the 1960s-80s? Thomas Cirignano experienced it all, including the era of Mob Boss, James "Whitey" Bulger and the violent results of court-ordered "Forced Busing" of students. Born in Dorchester, Tom moved to South Boston as a young man and took over his father's auto repair business and gas station. His decades running that shop in the heart of "Southie" would be described as surreal by most standards. Through pure luck, Tom survived numerous life threatening situations. There were also many wonderful friendships formed and plenty of good times as well. This was a history-rich period that was never boring.
Tom authored three books. His most recent is simply titled "Memoirs of a South Boston Mechanic". Published in June of 2022, it is a new and updated version of his original 2009 autobiography, titled, "The Constant Outsider: Memoirs of a South Boston Mechanic".
The 2022 version contains more photos, more descriptive writing, and updates covering the 13 year time span since the original memoir was written. But both of his autobiographies give readers a chilling, yet inspiring look at what went on in South Boston not that long ago. It was the era of "Whitey" Bulger's " reign of terror," as Tom calls it.
Tom also authored a fictional adaptation of his memoirs, titled, "67 Cents: Creation of a South Boston Killer". In "67 Cents" Tom answers a question which had lurked in the back of his mind for years. "How might my life have evolved had I given in to the temptation of easy money and prestige, and taken the alternate path to crime and violence which truly was offered and available to me?" Within "67 Cents", the fictional character, "Nick", says "Yes" to each and every offer that was made to the author in real life by both the Irish and Italian Mobs. Those offers of easy money through criminal involvement were significant, including an offer to kill a man for Tom. After Nick says "yes" to such things, there is no turning back. "67 Cents: Creation of a South Boston Killer" is a gritty story with violence and very strong adult language. The author does not recommend "67 Cents" for younger or sensitive readers. Alternately, "Memoirs of a South Boston Mechanic" was written to be enjoyed by all age groups of readers.
Thomas Cirignano has been a contributing writer to newspapers and magazines, and he served as an advisory member on The New Bedford Standard-Times Editorial Board. He was elected to serve on The Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee, and appointed to various other town committees and commissions.
Tom is a certified scuba diver, ultra-light aircraft pilot, motorcycle enthusiast, and loves boating. Unfortunately, a previous spinal fracture, Scoliosis, and multiple surgeries have now limited his ability to enjoy most of those activities.
For further information, visit www.TheConstantOutsider.Wordpress,com.
His books are available on Amazon and most other retailers.
Tom authored three books. His most recent is simply titled "Memoirs of a South Boston Mechanic". Published in June of 2022, it is a new and updated version of his original 2009 autobiography, titled, "The Constant Outsider: Memoirs of a South Boston Mechanic".
The 2022 version contains more photos, more descriptive writing, and updates covering the 13 year time span since the original memoir was written. But both of his autobiographies give readers a chilling, yet inspiring look at what went on in South Boston not that long ago. It was the era of "Whitey" Bulger's " reign of terror," as Tom calls it.
Tom also authored a fictional adaptation of his memoirs, titled, "67 Cents: Creation of a South Boston Killer". In "67 Cents" Tom answers a question which had lurked in the back of his mind for years. "How might my life have evolved had I given in to the temptation of easy money and prestige, and taken the alternate path to crime and violence which truly was offered and available to me?" Within "67 Cents", the fictional character, "Nick", says "Yes" to each and every offer that was made to the author in real life by both the Irish and Italian Mobs. Those offers of easy money through criminal involvement were significant, including an offer to kill a man for Tom. After Nick says "yes" to such things, there is no turning back. "67 Cents: Creation of a South Boston Killer" is a gritty story with violence and very strong adult language. The author does not recommend "67 Cents" for younger or sensitive readers. Alternately, "Memoirs of a South Boston Mechanic" was written to be enjoyed by all age groups of readers.
Thomas Cirignano has been a contributing writer to newspapers and magazines, and he served as an advisory member on The New Bedford Standard-Times Editorial Board. He was elected to serve on The Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee, and appointed to various other town committees and commissions.
Tom is a certified scuba diver, ultra-light aircraft pilot, motorcycle enthusiast, and loves boating. Unfortunately, a previous spinal fracture, Scoliosis, and multiple surgeries have now limited his ability to enjoy most of those activities.
For further information, visit www.TheConstantOutsider.Wordpress,com.
His books are available on Amazon and most other retailers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 10, 2012
The writer occasionally gets lost in a reverie of remembrance... but then don't we all? It is an effortless read for the most part skims along the timeline of the author's life in a tough part of Boston. It is an interesting take on an easy going attitude in a complicated place.
Read
July 31, 2011didnt read it yet. Have to buy it soon
September 1, 2012
Tom Cirignano has captured the experience of life growing up in the urban environment of Dorchester & South Boston and points beyond. Tom's writings take the characters from the movie "Stand By Me" and realistically place them in the neighborhoods of Boston through his own experiences. Having grown up with Tom in the same neighborhood, the same schools, teachers, local hoods, and the foundation for adulthood, Tom nails the situations that got us to where and who we are today. With all due respect to Mark Wahlberg, another OFD (originally from Dorchester) character, Tom gives us a look into his and our life on those streets. For me, the book is a fun and frightening recollection of the things we did, and usually got away with, during our earlier years. Those times were the catalyst for our life's journey, as Tom did to Colorado, Florida and back again. Some of us went as far away as Alaska, by choice and not due to the survival instinct.
The expressions of violence and the gunplay are all real. Each of us carry those reminders from the innocence and joys of our youth to the thickness of the teflon we wear today.
Great job Tom. This is an excellent reading and a true account of the times, the places, and the urban legends of our home town.....in my humble opinion.
The expressions of violence and the gunplay are all real. Each of us carry those reminders from the innocence and joys of our youth to the thickness of the teflon we wear today.
Great job Tom. This is an excellent reading and a true account of the times, the places, and the urban legends of our home town.....in my humble opinion.
September 16, 2014
A bit dry just could get into the story
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews