The Westies: Inside the Hell's Kitchen Irish Mob

Rating:
Summary: The Westies
Review: After reading The Westies it is obvious that T.J. English is a very talented writer. I loved this book. This read as more of a fiction book than a true story, which is difficult to do with a true story such as this. Unlike most true stories, The Westies was not just the words of people around the events, or involved in the events, but of the author. Obviously all of the events told to him could not be true, and the dialogue had to be made up (for the most part), but he writes as if he were there which makes it much more smooth.

It is an interesting story, hard to put down. So hard, in fact, that I only put it down three times (once at the end of each of Part I and Part II, and the end of the book). Anyone interested in organized crime, or anyone looking for a good action story should check it out.

Rating:
Summary: Great 70's - 80's True Gangster Saga
Review: T. J. English did a great job of packing 20 years or so of the escapades of a bunch of West Side psychopaths into this book, and bringing it all to a head with their 1987-88 RICO trial. Throw in just enough Hell's Kitchen background from the late 1800's to the 1960's to give one a sense of place, a smattering of contemporary Italian mob activity for perspective, a broad brush sweep of what was happening on the law enforcement side of the Westies' activities, numerous gangster "war" stories, a chapter or two from the criminal lawyers' point of view, even a street map of landmarks from the book, and you've got a mighty fine true-crime read. Sure, some of the stories may be somewhat exaggerated - or even complete fiction - since apparently the lion's share of the book is based on Mickey Featherstone's recollection and testimony, but English doesn't shy away from letting the reader know about Featherstone's proclivity for telling tall tales and his sometimes tenuous touch with reality. It appears that the author took care to research and corroborate what he could. English tells a good story himself, and the tales he recounts have a realistic feel. The only way to improve the paperback version of this book would be to pack in more photos (there are about 20). But I'm not complaining. Read it and enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Gripping
Review: T.J. English has a way about his books. Like BORN TO KILL, about a Vietnamese street gang making a name amongst NYC Chinatown gangs, English always finds a subjec to tell his story through, making his books, like THE WESTIES read better than a Newsweek article (not necessarily written in a poetic way, but the story structure is awesome). Though his subject is almost always a turncoat, so to speak, he still maintains a feel of currency to his book. Here, in the Westies, despite the almost predictable ending, the book flows beautifully, if brutal in the process. The Westies, not a real name of this Irish Mob, were an interesting sidebar to the mob scene in the 70s, and part of 80s. Unlike their Italian counterparts, they featured a less-organized, but more violent approach to their ways. And this is where English always shines, displaying violence as well as anyone. The violence comes off as so real, that you can't discount it. This is not watching a movie. Speaking of which, the movie "State of Grace" is loosely based on this story, but the movie should be ignored at all costs. And if for some reason that is your introduction to reading this book, then let English erase your visual memory with one that is more vivid. An absolute must for true crime fans, and even for those who don't count themselves as one.

Rating:
Summary: Gruesome Read
Review: There's not a lot more to say that other reviewers haven't already said, except that while reading this book, it would be wise to remember that most of the information comes from Featherstone himself - and so, the book largely portrays this vicious killer and mob rat as a victim who had little choice in his actions.

Rating:
Summary: A facinating and frightening book about the Irish Mob
Review: This is one of the most fascinating book I ever read about OC! Even if I have heard a lot about The Westies before, I must say that this book totally changed my view about what this Irish mob actually was about! First of all, the story of The Westies have more in common with stories about regularly street gangs, than it has to do with LCN - these Irish guys were just a crazy bunch that was violent, frightening, brutally and corrupt!

The book has been well researched, and it is obvious that TJ English knows a lot about The Westies. He have also been able to write the book in a way that it is easy to the reader to follow the story - and that must have been quite challenging for the author because of the nature of the story!

One thing that the reader should keep in mind is that much of the story is based upon Mickey Featherstone's version of what happened. My guess is that if Jimmy Coonan would have any saying about what actually happened, his version would be quite the opposite to what is told in this book!

Anyway, this is a great book - and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in OC!

Regards,

/Alex

Rating:
Summary: Good Real Life Mob Book
Review: Those who get a little too wrapped up in "The Sopranos" should read books like "The Westies" every now and then just to remind them of what havoc real life organized crime can inflict. The book chronicles the rise and fall of the Irish gang of the same name that was every bit as bloodthirsty as John Gotti's more famous crew. The gang occupied New York City's since regentrified Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. Mystery author Lawrence Block effectively used the Westies lore in creating the character Mickey Ballou in the Matthew Scudder private detective series. The fictional Ballou could be Jimmy Coonan or Mickey Featherstone, the real life chieftans of the gang, who were known for dismembering victims and dumping their bodies in the East River.

"The Westies" is a brutally violent story and one that makes good reading for anyone who likes real life organized crime stories. The prose and the reporting are a cut above average for this type of book.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome Book
Review: Those who get a little too wrapped up in "The Sopranos" should read books like "The Westies" every now and then just to remind them of what havoc real life organized crime can inflict. The book chronicles the rise and fall of the Irish gang of the same name that was every bit as bloodthirsty as John Gotti's more famous crew. The gang occupied New York City's since regentrified Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. Mystery author Lawrence Block effectively used the Westies lore in creating the character Mickey Ballou in the Matthew Scudder private detective series. The fictional Ballou could be Jimmy Coonan or Mickey Featherstone, the real life chieftans of the gang, who were known for dismembering victims and dumping their bodies in the East River.

"The Westies" is a brutally violent story and one that makes good reading for anyone who likes real life organized crime stories. The prose and the reporting are a cut above average for this type of book.

Rating:
Summary: Good but "Irish Gangs And Stick-Fighting" better.
Review: Though it may be hard to believe, there is so much more to the Hell's Kitchen and Irish Mob story. It would be easier if someone would write a book explaining Hell's Kitchen from the 1800's to now, but that would be quite a long book to write and research.

Basically, this is the PG version of Hell's Kitchen. But it is a great book.