The Life We Chose
William “Big Billy” D'Elia and the Last Secrets of America's Most Powerful Mafia Family
-
-
4.5 • 75 Ratings
-
-
- $1.99
Publisher Description
“The Life We Chose—an unforgettable story. A really great read.” —Nicholas Pileggi, author of Wiseguy and Casino and screenwriter of Goodfellas
From Matt Birkbeck—investigative journalist and executive producer of Netflix’s #1 movie Girl in the Picture—a revelatory father/surrogate son story that takes readers deep inside the inner workings of the mob through the eyes of William “Big Billy” D’Elia, the right-hand man to legendary mafia kingpin Russell Bufalino, who ran organized crime in the US for more than fifty years.
William “Big Billy” D’Elia is Mafia royalty.
The “adopted” son of legendary organized crime boss Russell Bufalino, for decades D’Elia had unequaled access to the man the FBI and US Justice Department considered one of the leading organized crime figures in the United States. But the government had no real idea as to the breadth of Bufalino’s power and influence—or that it was Bufalino, from his bucolic home base in Pittston, Pennsylvania, who reigned over the five families in New York and other organized crime families throughout the country.
For nearly thirty years, D’Elia was at Bufalino’s side, and “Russ’s son” was a witness and participant to major historical events that have stymied law enforcement, perplexed journalists, and produced false and wild narratives in books and movies—not the least of which being the infamous disappearance of union boss Jimmy Hoffa. In addition, their reach was illustrated by their relationships with Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Michael Jackson, Suge Knight, and many other celebrities and personalities.
D’Elia became the de facto leader of the Bufalino family upon Russell Bufalino’s imprisonment in 1979, and he officially took control upon Bufalino’s death in 1994 until his arrest in 2006, when he was charged with money laundering and the attempted murder of a witness. He pled guilty to money laundering and witness tampering and was released from federal prison in 2012.
Candid and unapologetic, D’Elia is finally ready to reveal the real story behind the myths and in so doing paints a complicated, compelling, and stunning portrait of crime, power, money, and finally, family.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Journalist Birkbeck (The Quiet Don) paints a fascinating portrait of William "Big Billy" D'Elia, who succeeded Russell Bufalino as head of the Bufalino family in 1990 and ran its operations until his arrest in 2006. Born in 1946, D'Elia was a gangly teenager when he first met Bufalino in a northeastern Pennsylvania pool hall and went to work as his driver and errand boy. Coming from an emotionally distant family, D'Elia soaked up Bufalino's respect: "When I first stepped into that luncheonette, I was like a million other kids trying to figure out their way ahead. But now, after being with Russell, all I knew was I wanted to be with him," he tells Birkbeck. Soon, the childless Bufalino was calling him "son." He bought D'Elia expensive clothes, taught him to shoot a gun, and introduced him to A-listers including Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, and Michael Jackson. When Bufalino died, D'Elia took over the family, and oversaw its criminal operations in Pennsylvania and New York. Through extensive interviews with D'Elia, Birkbeck succeeds in illuminating the emotional dynamics at play in this mafia mentorship. Godfather fans will be rapt.
Customer Reviews
Outstanding
One of the best books that I have ever read about the daily workings and influence of the mob in its heyday.
Outstanding
I’ve read just about everything you can read on this topic, and this book tied the disparate mafia elements in the nation closer together than anything else. It was truly organized, and this book was a great read.
Loved it..
Just a tremendous read. I’m from this area depicted and know many of the people in this book. Just wonderful to remember the old days..