King of the Godfathers: Joseph Massino and the Fall of the Bonanno Crime Family

Joseph Massino and others known to be involved in New York and New Jersey's Mafia families. This book is the real truth behind organized families (mostly Italian Catholic) just as in the Godfather movies and Sopranos television series. For those fans of the Sopranos who can't get enough of organized crime families will be shocked to read about the carnage in this book. I had run out of space writing all the names of those murdered or died in the blank pages of the book. I live in New Jersey and most of those names ring a familiar bell especially the Pizza Connection murders that was publicized all over television during the 1980s on the local news. Before he ran for President, Rudy Giuliani was going after the New York City crime families and of course, Leona Helmsley, for tax evasion. Giuliani himself an Italian Catholic New Yorker is barely mentioned in this book but he was partly responsible for the downfall of the families. Granted, this book is not for the squeamish. It's graphic and the pictures show the depravity and seriousness of the murders committed by Sammy the Bull Gravano and Joseph Massino. The pictures also show a close-knit family oriented activities like weddings and celebrations. Behind those photos lurks the darkness and evil, the organized crime families' downfall was brought upon by their pride, their several errors, and mistakes that often destroy businesses. Greed and pride are two big causes of the downfall. This book is about Joseph Massinio probably the last of the godfathers who survived only to go to prison with his family heartbroken and distraught over the family's betrayal. The book also has an index of those who survived and what has become of them. I think an index would have been a good idea. The book is well-written and researched but I wished an index and a family tree explaining the roles of the godfathers, associates, and others involved in organized crimes would have been useful too but it's a great book.

I think the book is sloppily written. It jumps around, is hard to follow and has grammatical errors as well as typos. Where was the editor??

The title exaggerates the prominence of this man. Kind of elevates him, giving him more stature and status than it is warranted. Yes, he probably was the last of the godfathers for everyone knows the "cosa nostra" started disintegrating during the reign of the flashy John Gotti, with his expensive suits and his incredibly big mouth, blabbering away any chance he could. Also the fact that more cooperating witnesses have come about as a result of the good offensive work by part of the government against organized crime.
The book primarily is like a recollection of all instances leading to the final indictments against the Bonano family, which by the way had already been disgraced for a prior Don revealing the secrets of the organization and the lifestyle. In the past that would have not happen for the code of silence was as important as anything. The new mafia took care of changing all that, becoming increasingly more fidgety at the idea of doing time for their crimes, they all resorted for the witness protection programs, which by the way, must be booming these days.
Massino was in the end another rat that did not go down honorably and disappointed even his close family when he decided to spill the beans. Actually is kind of funny how many before and after decided on the same thing. All the way to the Valachi papers, the act of betrayal was the exception not the norm. Today is the norm and not the exception. To call this guy the King of the Godfathers is probably a gimmick to sell books but in reality, besides making lots of money, this guy comes across as an illiterate, violent thug right around the lines of killing without a conscience. The mafia is known for killing anyone they suspect or anyone they basically desire. Among them life expectancy is a thing of delicate webs that can be shattered anytime. The funny thing is they all know it but the money makes it worth the risk.
There have been better Godfathers to emulate than this one. Perhaps a better title would have been "The Last Godfather". Even though by reading this book it did not appear he was really a full fledged godfather. The book deals with the pursuit, capture, trial and indictments of the latest version of tough guys. No longer what they use to be, never the less they managed to keep on tracking even in the 21st century.
The book is well researched and for that all the credit goes to the writer, but being more a chronological series of events rather than a deep biography of Massino. With this book the chapter is closed and the books of this genre can be put to rest. The best of the best is behind now and even in modern times the mentality of the mafia is the same: make money and kill along the way any one that needs (prove or unproven) to be killed. Gruesome crimes but more and more often not even being careful to make the bodies disappear to never be found again. According to the book most of the unlucky that got wasted were eventually found.
I rate it 3 stars not to disrespect the author, which like I have mentioned did a stellar job gathering all the bits and pieces, but in the end it did not have the absorption power of Good Fellas to name one. The final days of the Bonannos concentrating in Joseph Massino, that cut a deal with the government after profiting for years and years with the growing power he enjoyed. At times described like a different kind of Don only to dissipate all doubts when one reads about his modus operandi. 3 Stars for the entertainment value!

i liked the way this book gave alot of info about the wives of mob figures.I've always wondered what the wives knew about their husband's activities and how they rationalized it. The wives are a convenient way to hide and transfer the assets of mobsters and they should bear some(or alot) of the guilt.The one DA in the book was putting pressure on mobster wives and this was a tactic I was unaware of and have wondered why mobsters' wives were considered,"untouchable".After all who is too often pressuring the mobster to bring in more money?
Joe Massino or "Joe Wagons"(nicknamed for his sandwich and coffee truck business) is represented in this book as one of the "Last Dons".Because law enforcement techniques (but mainly "legalized" gambling) are making the "family" less profitable and more dangerous, more and more mobsters are turning "states evidence".This book tells the tale of how law enforcement is breaking the comraderie of mobsters who previously took a "blood oath" to be faithful to the mob.Behind the facade of the "ham sandwuch guru",the story of Massino, is one filled with scams and murder.Apparently there's not much money in ham sandwiches,but it does get a person out into the working world to promote their scams.This book will keep you glued.Lots of gruesome photos which initially shock,but then as you read the history of the poor unfortunate you feel alot less sympathetic.(Just the mob's way of cleaning it's own house)!Well researched and highly readable

Procrastination got to me, I had to read this entire book in 2 days for an exam while answering 100 review questions. At first the pacing starts off slow, but when you get past it, you won't be able to put the book down. This is one of the few books I have rid from start to finish in two sittings, due to sleep, that I actually enjoyed!!!

King Of The Gordfathers is an extremely well written book! I found it very deep and informative, so much so that I wondered how Anthony DeStefano got the 'members of the family' to reveal all of the inside stories. This book opens up the silence that was for so many years repressed and only speculated about. Mr. DeStefano also shows the work of the FBI and law enforcement agencies in finally putting pieces together that brought down one of the last of the 'old world' families. A big plus are the crystal clear photo section and an epilogue on 'Where They Are Now' King Of The Godfathers is a very detailed book that one needs to take the time to think about as you read through its chapters. Being of Sicilan heritage, I was very impressed, enlightened and educated, let alone a bit surprised! This book also shows why Mr.DeStefano won a Pulitzer Prize in 1991. You will not be disappointed in reading!

It is a pretty interesting book. I had to read it for a class but ended up not minding it.

this is an inside story of the Bonnano family which absolutely lived up to my expectations and tells many existing and some new facts about the Bonnano family this book is hard to put down and I really enjoyed reading it. So do I recommend it? AbsoyouknowwhatIwannasaylutely

I am an avid reader of all kinds of mob books and this one is one of the better ones.

Well written and fast paced,this book gets right inside the Bonano family and the intricate workings of one of New york's five families.It also reveals various links to the other families and is simply a "helluva" book.