Brutal: The Untold Story of My Life Inside Whitey Bulger's Irish Mob

In a scene from his book, "While the music lasts - my life in Politics" Billy Bulger recalls a conversation he had with his father before entering politics. His father cautioned that he probably never escape the association with his brother Jimmy Bulger - then serving time for a string of bank robberies.Kevin Weeks book is an insider's account on life with Jimmy Bulger. The book describes the techniques used by Jimmy Bulger to create and administer a criminal empire. It shows how Bulger used murder and corruption of high ranking officials to amass millions.The book shows a great deal of similarity between the Bulger brothers. Both Jimmy and Billy are bookish, shrewd with great attention to small details. Jimmy Bulger seems to act with a greater sense of purpose than your standard mobster. Weeks recalls that Jimmy Bulger would often help "the little people of South Boston" with money or acts of kindness. Jimmy Bulger attempts to keep heroin out of Southie tells burglars to move out to wealthier neighborhoods in Newton and Wellesley.We also get the impression that Jimmy Bulger attempted to "insulate" his brother Billy from his life of crime. But, in the end Billy Bulger attended many many meetings with his brother Jimmy and cohort Stephen Flemmi. I will never understand the morality of Billy Bulger and family. A devoted church going Catholic, Billy Bulger apparently had no qualms about spending time among a group of men that committed at least 30 murders. How can someone as smart as Billy Bulger possibly claim ignorance of all these crimes?Kevin Week's book is the ultimate condemnation of the Bulger family and the people of South Boston that kept electing Billy Bulger. The book validates the worst fears of many people of Massachusetts during the years that Bill Bulger rose to power in the Massachusetts Legislature and Senate.For me the saddest part of the story is that I actually think Billy Bulger contributed many solid years of public service to the state of Massachusetts, but I won't overlook the blood on his hands. Since I don't think we will hear from Jimmy Bulger, Kevin Weeks has likely written the last word on this generation of Bulgers - lets hope the next generation of Bulgers can do better.

Am not judging here at all. Pro or con. That's not what my 5 star rating is about. I knew what I (as a reader) was getting myself into by merely taking a look at the cover prior to purchasing the book. Brutal? Yes, it is. What else could you expect with a title like that? All I know is that I couldn't put it down once I started reading.RE: the "reviewer" who referred to it as "brutally disgusting." Hey, pal, what did you expect? Bambi? Homer Smith, as played by Poitier, from Lillies of the Field? (One of my favorite portrayals of a decent human being by a fine actor in a nice little picture, by the way.) Not that there's anything the matter with toons like Bambi or people like Homer, just depends what you happen to be into at the moment, etc.This is a story about criminals and crime, guys who took shortcuts to get their hands on as much money as they could, no matter what––sort of like bankers, credit card corporations & nations, only they know & get loopholes and do it "legally."

Living in Boston during the 70s, I was familiar with some of the places Kevin mentions in the book. Somehow back then, the Irish and Italian mafias were just a part of life in the city. Now, after reading Kevin's narrative I am shocked and appalled by the deaths that they were responsible for. The thought that these killing were so calculated and bloody and that after committing these awful acts, they just went home and had dinner with their families or visited their girlfriends, makes me realize these men definitely were psychopaths. The book is very well written and Kevin's honestly makes it a very good portrayal of Jimmy Bulger, Stevie Flemmi and others. I am writing a book myself about that time and this book has been very helpful in my research. These men were brutal. The title fits the book well.

Brutal: The Untold Story of My Life Inside Whitey Bulger's Irish Mob This is not an easy book to read but with all the news about the capture of Whitey Bulger, I wanted to read it. And I learned more about this horrific criminal in this book than in any other "Whitey" book out there. And I have read them all. I just finished WHERE'S WHITEY by the same author. That one is fiction but seems so real it is hard to believe everything in that book didn't happen. Makes you wonder. I couldn't put either of these books down once I started reading them. Two great fascinating books that anyone interested in crime in general and Whitey Bulger in particular should read.

I got this book because i watched the movie black mass and wanted to learn a bit more, i dont regret it one bit, a very good read!

Although the Bulger scenario was concluded after this book was written, Weeks is too unflinching a character to not consider this book the “true” story of Southie and what went on there. If you want to understand Bulger and Flemmi, Connolly and what the FBI did, this is the book to read

I like Kevin Weeks down to earth style how it was,how someone could be drawn into the life of crime by circumstances . Great read !

I've always found books on the Mafia interesting, if occasionally gruesome reading. Having watched 'Black Mass' Movie, James 'Whitey' Bulger warranted further investigation. This book is (ghost) written by Kevin Weeks, a long time enforcer for Bulger. This level of insight allows for a compelling read and gives some idea of the brutal world these men inhabited. This is one of the best mob books that I've read. The book ends with Bulger on the run- his subsequent capture and brutal killing in prison brings his story to an almost inevitable end

Read the book in 2 days. Could not put it down. Highly recommended.

A good read, straight forward but has the feel of a newspaper column.