Rating: 
Summary: Best Mob Book Since The Valachi Papers
Review: As a New York journalist, I had a passing acquaintance with the sinister reputation of the DeMeo Crew of Canarsie. Once I started Murder Machine, I couldn't put it down. It literally cost me sleep, both because I stayed up late reading and because I stayed up later cringing at this true story of uncontrolled murder and unimaginable butchery. This story is told in an absorbing narrative. The characters are introduced and fleshed out with layers of extraordinary detail, the result of insightful reporting. The Soporanos is a nice fairy tale, but this is the mob as it lives and breathes in real life. Read it and be afraid, very afraid. If you only can read one book about the mob in America, read this one.
Rating: 
Summary: The saddest and most horrifying thing I have ever read.
Review: Like many others I have what I suppose is a morbid fascination with the Mob. Over the years I have read a great many books on the Mob and consider myself not easily shocked, inured as we are to violence in modern society. This story however, deeply saddened and disturbed me. The main character, Roy DeMeo, is the foulest, most pathetic creature it has ever been my misfortune to learn of, and the rest of his crew are not far behind. The sadistic cruelties that this fat bully unleashed on so many people, many of whom were not even gangsters but ordinary gentle people, is just beyond belief. It truly frightens me that I live in a World where such horrors are unneccessarily inflicted on poor innocent people, whose only crime was to stumble into the path of these monsters. I'm not kidding when I say that I sometimes wake at night with some horrific image in my mind of what these losers used to get up to. I cant even begin to imagine the scale of Human misery and grief that this group of 'people' have inflicted upon so many of the poor victims loved ones. (I use the word people reluctantly because I'm running out of adjectives to describe them) This book has made me reconsider my interest in reading about the Mob. I dont believe in burying my head in the sand but I also dont think reading such appalling tales as this are any good for the Human spirit. As many other readers have stated, at least it does help dispel the myth of Mafia men as being men of 'honour', as so commonly portrayed in such ridiculous films as 'The Godfather'. On the contrary, this book shows them for what they truly are, totally bereft of all compassion and higher Human qualities, dominated instead by base instincts such as greed, revenge, cruelty etc. I agree with one of the other reviewers that everyone should be made to read this book so they will understand the Mob for what it really is. My only complaint about the book is that there is far too much attention paid to the life of one Dominick Montiglio, largely because he is the source of information for the book, but he had no real involvement in the gangs activities. My second complaint is that books like this dont do anything to ease the pain and grief of the victims families, quite the opposite in fact. Bad enough that you have to live with the horror of the murder of a loved one, but to then know that years later it is described in graphic, gory detail for all the World to read, I cant imagine what that must be like. But then reporters are not known for their sensitivity to Human suffering, only their eagerness to publish a juicy story. I personally think that out of respect for the victims families, this book should not have been published.
Rating:
Summary: Great Reading
Review: This is a fantastic book. It gives great detail into how growing up in an environment has a direct impact of your future...this book was a nonstop page turner!
Rating:
Summary: Cosa Nostra at its worst
Review: I would not call "Murder Machine" reading entertainment; rather, it is horrific. The true story of Roy DeMeo and his crew of miscreants is almost unbelievable in its repugnance. Capeci & Mustain left no sordid stone unturned. I rate this book a 5 because of its importance as a book that does not glorify the mob, its members nor its vagaries.
Rating:
Summary: Murder Machine
Review: They should make this a movie. It would be better than the Godfather & Goodfellas. I knew people who knew Anthony Gaggi. He was a real man. This story is well known throughout Brooklyn. Dominick Montiglio is a liar though. He never served in Vietnam. I see this book still all over the bookstores. Where is the movie ?
Rating: 
Summary: Good book, but should be considered fiction
Review: Dominick Montiglio, who was a major source for information for this book, claims to have been a Green Beret in the United States Army, but was not. He told the authors numerous stories of combat valor, but made them up. Montiglio claims to have entered the Army at age 18, went through jump school, Ranger School, and Green Beret training...a two year sequence making him at least 20 by the time he got to Vietnam. But, he also described himself as returning for his third tour at the age of 20...how is that possible? However, it was still a good read, and it is probably somewhat based in truth, but should be considered fiction. If Montiglio would lie about being a Green Beret, how does anyone know if he told the truth about anything else? He totally fabricated at least this part of the story. Two thumbs down to the authors, and their poor research. Read "Stolen Valor" by B.G. Burkett (available from Amazon.com), for the story behind Montiglio's claims...pg 424-430.
Rating:
Summary: You like to read about the mob?
Review: This book will do the trick! The authors didn't leave anything out - only the pictures were a disappointment (8 pgs). Since two Penthouse Pets were associated with the gang, I'd have liked to have seen a "sanitized" photo of them. Although, through the web, I've found pictures of one of them.Sensational book if you dig reading about true deeds from the NY Wiseguys. This crew did it all.
Rating:
Summary: How can it have happened?
Review: I am amazed by the brutality of the DeMao crew that the authors have presented in such a matter-of-fact manner. I live in England and my work takes me through many middle eastern countries that the Americans avoid however, I would rather walk through Beirut, Baghdad or Tripoli any day (or night) rather than through those parts of New York where the scum known as "Goodfellows" reside. What I fail to understand is how the American justice system can be so amateurish when dealing with these people - after all, they are not rocket scientists. Most of the "made men" have less intelligence than a worm. The authors are to be congratulated - a great read - you can keep the Godfather - give me real life.
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Most Frightening Stories You'll Ever Read
Review: I used to live 3 blocks away from a bar called the Gemini Lounge in the Flatlands section of Brooklyn. Little did I know that scenes of such ghastly brutality were taking place there such as body dismemberment, drug and child pornography dealing, etc. If truth is stranger then fiction, then real life horror stories are far worse then any fiction authors imagination. Roy DeMeo - one of the most brutal, (who had a "relationship" with the equally revolting Irish mobsters called the "Westies") conscienceless killers you will ever meet (hopefully only in print)- assembled a group of cretins from the Flatlands/Canarsie neighborhoods he frequented that is so frightening in that we know we must have passed such "ordinary" looking people many times on the street not having a clue as to their deadly business. It frightens me that a simple argument over a parking spot, or being the proverbial innocent bystander - can lead to such quick, brutal death. On a personal note, I once briefly met one of DeMeo's crew a thug named Joey Testa who is a major player in the book, and I am not surprosed to have read about him being a sadistic killer. This is really a book that is hard to put down and a perfect antidote (along with "Wiseguys" called "Goodfellas"in the movie) to those like Puzo who glamorize the mob. This book is a good companion book to T.J. English' book "The Westies" and you will recognize many of the hoods in both books.
Rating:
Summary: Not great story-telling
Review: Obviously, the story of the Demeo crew is a fascinating one, but I didn't feel the authors gave any insights beyond what you might get from newspaper journalism. There's no great insights on human nature or society. Read "In Cold Blood" by Capote or "The Executioner's Song" by Mailer. Even "The Westies," a true-life mob book by T.J. English, is far superior to this. These are great books written as if they were fictional novels (great characterization, large themes, wonderfully crafted stories) -- "Murder Machine" is merely adequate journalism.
|
