Wiseguy

A superb book on the life of Henry Hill. Nicholas Pileggi has done a commendable work covering major aspects of Henry Hill's mobster life right since he started out as a rookie till he entered the Federal Witness Protection Program. The way the syndicate used to carry out their various activities is chilling and crazy.The book goes on to tell us how the mafiosi use to function back in the 50s and 60s and the kind of deals and scheming techniques they used to make money and build influence.The ups and downs of Henry Hill's life has been beautifully written and it shows that you are never safe or protected when you live a life of crime.The movie Goodfellas is based on this book and Ray Liotta plays Henry Hill and Robert Dinero plays the ruthless James Burke.A must read for those who are intrigued by the criminal world.The infamous Lufthansa Heist is explained well and in detail.Don't hesitate to buy this book as it will keep you on the edge throughout.

Good

This is the best book on the Mafia/organised crime I have read to date. If it was possible, I would give it 5+ stars, as I thought it was that good. If you read no other Mafia/organised crime book, read this one. You won't be disappointed.For those who have seen the film Goodfellas (like I have) and enjoyed the movie (and I haven't met many people who haven't) then this is essential reading as this book gives more detail and also highlights some of the variations that Scorsese has made in the film in comparison to this. I think it makes both the movie and this book even more interesting though.For those that haven't seen the movie, this book describes the activities of how the Lucchese crime family in New York operated between the 50's-80's from the point of view of street level gangster who turns informant, Henry Hill. Henry Hill was unique in that he had access to many levels and areas of organised crime despite not being a 'made man'. From a young age he was involved in hijacking, robbery, gambling, loan sharking, arms dealing, drugs, extortion, the list goes on. He was friends with Paul Vario (a boss within the Lucchese crime family) and his family (in terms of both genetic and in an organised crime sense), as well as his 'mentor' and friend, Jimmy Burke (a gangster who specialised in hijacking and theft) and other crime figures. This book also has commentary from his wife, Karen Hill, adding a different dimension to the story.Everything seems to fit together perfectly in this book. How Henry grows up with the mafia, how he hustles, his different schemes, how he meets the different people who influence his life, Paul Vario, Jimmy Burke, Tommy DeSimone, Karen Hill, his time in prison, drugs, murder, his decision to become an informant. I haven't found another book of this genre that comes close to being as readable and entertaining.This book is from the point of view of a 'street mechanic', someone who knows how everything works and that is what makes it a cut above other books of this genre that are mostly journalistic crime hypotheses or old mafia bosses trying to justify a life of greed and self indulgence as if their crimes are a work of art.My only regret is that it has taken me over 30 years to read this book (it was published in 1985!) but I shall be purchasing Pileggi's book Casino on the strength of this book. It has a helluva lot to live up to!!

Great narration from Pileggi and forward by Scorcese. There are a few bits in the book missing from the film and a few dramatisations in the film that were a little different to the book. Throughout reading the book, you can't help remembering the related bits in the film, and how accurate and even word-for-word some bits are. It's not a long read and I think its brevity is a good thing. Thoroughly enjoyable and insightful. The only issue and the reason for a missing star is the price of the book vs the quality of the paper and cover. The cover fells like a manila envelope.

Thoroughly entertaining book.Telling the story of one man’s life of crime.It relates the story of an almost parallel life in organised crime against a backdrop of normal life.The pages just turn themselves and it’s really hard to put this book down as the story just flows from year to year through late 1960’s and 70’s.Brilliant.

Scorcese used this as a basis for Goodfellas and he followed a brilliant account. Hill and his wifes quoted remarks and comments really brings it all alive and Scorcese was sharp and talented enough to make it real on screen. It is far superior as a book to Casino by the same author because the accounts by the first hand storiesare so much more observant and sharp. Casino needed a real filmmaker to bring to life...here the script was already totally absorbing

Bought this as a gift for someone so cannot comment on the content, but the quality of the book was good and it was delivered in good shape.