Mafia Prince
Inside America's Most Violent Crime Family and the Bloody Fall of La Cosa Nostra
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5.0 • 10 Ratings
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- £6.49
Publisher Description
MONEY, MURDER, AND MACHIAVELLIAN MAYHEM . . . CONTAINS A NEW EPILOGUE
Mafia Prince is the first person account of one of the most brutal eras in Mafia history -- "Little Nicky" Scarfo's reign as boss of the Philadelphia family in the 1980s -- written by Scarfo's underboss and nephew, "Crazy Phil" Leonetti.
The youngest-ever underboss at the age of 33, Leonetti was at the crux of the violent breakup of the traditional American Mafia in the 1980s when he infiltrated Atlantic City after gambling was legalized, and later turned state's evidence against his own. His testimony led directly to the convictions of dozens of high-ranking men including John Gotti, Vincent Gigante, and the downfall of his own uncle, Nick Scarfo -- sparking the beginning of the end of La Cosa Nostra (the insiders' term for the Mafia, translated as "This Thing of Ours").
Customer Reviews
Brilliant book, loved it *****
…
Mafia Prince
I saw this book from an Instagram account. What made me interested is I’d seen an old television series from the 80’s on YouTube about the mafia. Particularly, Philadelphia and the violence around the mafia around that time.
In this series Angelo Bruno was considered a gentle boss, more for settling disputes without brutal violence. But events in the family triggered by treachery by individuals signalled a ruthless death for Bruno. A picture of him shot to death was a harrowing image.
The series was called something like Murder Inc. on British tv. It’s a fascinating look at the mafia at that time in the late 1970’s to the early 1980’s. This was also a significant time for the Philadelphia mob.
Nicky Scarfo was shown in the series appearing in court and what appealed to me is how he’d never say anything without his lawyer. Even his name, he’d ask his lawyer if he should say his own name. These mafia fellas couldn’t trust anyone and they felt they needed to be on the ball even giving their own name in court.
Remembering Scarfo and a few other names like Salvie Testa who was considered a true mafia soldier in the Philly mob and whose story featured in that series. This book was both fascinating and intriguing to me and to anyone who reads this book. I’d say watch that series. It gives you an idea of what the book is about and a feel of the time with Atlantic City having a renaissance and how the mafia controlled it.
Highly recommend it.