Mafia Prince: Inside America's Most Violent Crime Family and the Bloody Fall of La Cosa Nostra

I enjoyed this book very much for two main reasons: First, Phil Leonetti comes across as real in his story, not trying to make bs claims about he was in on so many important mob events or claiming that he knows so much about them when he wasn't there, unlike some self-serving mob stories I've read; second, the book fills in some gaps and provides useful knowledge of the history of the Philly mob from the 1980 hit on Angelo Bruno through the rise of Joey Merlino. A highly recommended read.

Former high-ranking wiseguy "Crazy Phil" Leonetti tells it real and gritty in this treacherous, violent memoir chronicling one of the most notorious reigns in the history of Cosa Nostra - the Scarfo era of the South Philly/Atlantic City-based Bruno Crime Family, circa 1970s-80s. Superbly written and brutally honest, Mr. Leonetti recounts growing up in AC's Ducktown district and gradually mutating into the ambitious protege of his homicidal maniac uncle, Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo, going a long with his murderous schemes as they both climb the ladder of the Mafia ranks and leaving behind a trail of dead bodies along the way. When Nicky is named boss of the Family in the early 1980s, his paranoia and psychotic tendencies go overdrive, betrayal becomes routine - leaving his once-loyal nephew questioning the violent life he chose.As mentioned, Mr. Leonetti's story is told so well (a long with with authors Scott Burnstein and Christopher Graziano) that this one is hard to put down. There is absolutely no glamour here. The treacherous and dangerous world of the LCN Families is shown warts and all. The bombings (like the infamous slaying of Phil "Chicken Man" Testa in March 1981), shootings (Philly Mob Wars, a judge is even gunned down in a popular restaurant), and Mr. Scarfo's over-the-top brutality isn't pretty. This isn't make-believe and these guys meant business.Yet there's some light at the end of this dark tunnel...when you get to the third act, Mr. Leonetti's story becomes inspirational and admirable. I won't reveal anything but all I'll say is every now and then there's people who can do a complete 360 and turn their lives around for the better. Sincere people deserve a second chance. Best of luck to Philip and five easy stars for the best gangster book I've read in years.

Good book easy to read.

This book was an excellent read. The Author (ghost writer) for Phillip Leonetti, is right on point with describing what this Underboss of the Philadelphia mafia went through during his life in the shadow of his Uncle, Philly Mafia boss Nicky Scarfo. It was detailed but not overly descriptive. It was easy to follow and gave the reader a way to understand the life in “La Cosa Nostra” of Philadelphia. It also explains how Phila-NJ mob operations tied in with the five families of New York City and briefly what was going on 100 miles north of Philadelphia.

This book is right on the money. I was in law enforcement when the mob was being taken over by the people described in this book and it is right on the money, great read. At the time I was submitting information to the Pennsylvania Crime Commission as part of an ongoing investigation between Atlantic City and Philadelphia Organized Crime associates.

Though they don't get the publicity of the guys in New York or Chicago, Philly has its own expert named George Anastasia, who has written the most informative books on the Philly Mob that have or could be written. When I saw this book on the purchase list, I originally passed it up because Anastasia's name wasn't on the list, as the author, but then came back when I became intrigued by Phil Leonetti's story. Here's a CW who actually was better-and who actually WAS rehabilitated-than Salvatore Gravano. And he was telling a story I've wanted to read more than almost any other in OC history? Sign me up!First, the cons: There are none. There, that's over.As a mob scholar who has read something like 80% of the OC books ever written, (probably too high a number, but this is a subject I'm well versed in) I read Leonetti's book-written in his own words-intensively, looking for either self-congratulatory praise (see Underboss, by Gravano and Maas, or Gaspipe by Carlo) or half-assed justification for what he did. Leonetti freely admitted that he was wrong, which took me aback, because this is not something you'll see in mob biographies very often. Leonetti also takes us inside of the mind of the most evil man in the history of the Philly Organization, Nicky Scarfo, and it was a very unsettling experience. You never lose sight of the fact that Leonetti is a bad guy because Leonetti himself doesn't let you.He rarely makes the "I'm sorry I did this" excuse, because that reeks of phoniness, and PL doesn't seem like a phony guy. One of the only times he ever does is the killing of Salvie Testa. When PL talks about Testa, the pain he still feels comes off the page. The killing of Testa is one of the most unreadable paragraphs in organized crime books because the raw emotion is in every letter.His co-authors also do an incredible job of allowing Leonetti space to tell his story while they fill in the gaps. Burnstein and Graziano come off as very expressive and well versed in what I call the "Philadelphia Story." All in all, if you want my opinion-and maybe you don't, but trust me-this is a very, very good book. Most of what Leonetti talks about he's testified to in court. These are backed up by the federal government. If you're going through the reviews and asking "should I read this book?" I give you three words: Nicky Scarfo Unfiltered. Read the book. You won't be sorry.

Great book, but i feel like there was so much more info Leonetti could have given.

Excellent read, down to earth grass roots insight to major crime families.Greed and Power their biggest down falls.Philip Leonetti was bang on when he wished his uncle to live to 120

If you are interested in the mob there is no reason not to get this book. The book contains an authentic account of the Philadelphia mob that deals with the last days of Angelo Bruno's rule and the awful and bloody reign of Nicky Scarfo. The book is exciting and compelling and un-put-downable. Written by the former the underboss of the Philly Mob, you can be assured you are getting the real deal here. I will definitely read it again.I highly recommend this book.

Dieses Buch hat jemand geschrieben, der selber gemordet hat und der aufgrund seiner Verwandschaft zum Boss der Mafia in Philadelphia Zugang zu höchsten Mafia-Kreisen hatte. Er beschreibt das Buch als einen Weg der langsamen Entfremdung, er zweifelt immer mehr, ist immer genervter vom Morden aus Prinzip und der Gier, die diese Maschine antreibt. Er macht dann am Ende einen Deal mit der Staatsanwaltschaft und sagt gegen die eigene Mafia aus. Weil er ganz oben in dieser Welt verkehrte, ist er für die US-amerikanische Regierung seine Straferleichterung wert.

Loved it well written , the prince is an interesting person. Looks as if a bad guy can learn to be like any body...

I have a fascination with the mob, this book delivers all the information in an easy to read style. The words jump off the page as Philip Leonetti tells his story.I hope this is turned into a film, it's that good.