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The Good Guys
In a novel that draws on their own amazing insider stories, former FBI undercover agent Pistone (aka Donnie Brasco) and Mafia boss Bonnano unleash a wild, all-too-true tale of a war raging on the street of New York.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
21 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Bill Bonanno
6 books5 followersSalvatore Vincent "Bill" Bonanno was an American mobster who served as consigliere of the Bonanno crime family, and son of crime boss Joseph Bonanno. Later in life, he became a writer and produced films for television about his family
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 26, 2024
David Fisher advises Bill Bonnano and Joe Pistone in this mob-based thriller with great real-life parallels. When a Russian Lit professor goes missing, the local mob learns that this could be more dangerous than it looks on the surface. The Russians are more troubling than many local mobsters, due to their ruthless nature. All the while, the FBI has been trailing the local ‘family’ and trip upon this missing professor news, wondering if this mob plan might be a new and job-catapulting discovery. As everyone is looking for the professor, both sides try to make a dent in the missing person case while trying to stay alive. Bonnano and Pistone work well crafting this story, alongside David Fisher’s consultation.
New York City’s Columbia University is home to many scholars and prides itself on it. When one of its Russian Literature professors goes missing, many wonder what’s happened. While things begin running through the typical channels, local mobsters, Little Eddie LaRocca and Bobby San Filippo, also find themselves panicked about the missing professor. They know that this professor is not simply an academic, but someone who could seriously help those who need assistance in the world of the Russian language. This could mean that the Russian angle might tie into the Russian mob, a rival family that has been trying to inch their way onto the turf of the local ‘family’.
While they work, the mob cannot help but raise a red flag or two, as they are being tapped by the local unit of the FBI. Bugged rooms and phones provide the fodder needed to help build a case against the mobsters and provide the Feds what they need to build a case. Special Agent Laura Russo has always wanted to nail them, but never made enough connections to lock things up. However, this news of the missing professor might be just what she needs to secure a promotion. Special Agent Russo learns the depth to this mob-fight and just how dangerous things could get.
Working every angle, both the mob and the Feds seek to locate the professor and learn what he might mean for the Russians. Seeking to protect NYC in general and the turf fought over specifically, both teams try to find the professor and discover what the next step in the Russian plan might be. Things will soon unravel for LaRocca and San Flilippo if they cannot provide intel, while Special Agent Russo seeks to gather them all up in a sting operation. What will happen next is only the beginning in this headache-creating situation. Bonnano and Pistone deliver a strong piece and use the wonders of the David Fisher mindset to shape a great story.
I love a good thriller, providing that there is a great story and strong progression throughout. Bill Bonnano—former head of the Bonnano Crime Family—works alongside Joe Pistone—a former FBI undercover agent—to create this great story, while seeking the insight of popular author David Fisher to shape the fine points. Fisher has made an impact on me with a recent novel, but I wanted to see how he could assist the collaboration to deliver a winning story. The authors develop a solid narrative and provide key points to keep the story moving along. There are many great aspects that help make this book an easy and entertaining read. Great characters, likely influenced by the authors’ own experiences, help deliver a strong angle to the story and leave things perfectly paced for the action and development of the core ideas. Plot points are not overly subtle, but they do work well and have left me eager to follow along. While many will wonder how truthful mob stories can be, Bossano and Pistone deliver a great piece, having leaned on David Fisher to provide readers with an entertaining piece.
Kudos, Messrs. Bonnano, Pistone, and Fisher, for this story that had me intrigued from start to finish.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
New York City’s Columbia University is home to many scholars and prides itself on it. When one of its Russian Literature professors goes missing, many wonder what’s happened. While things begin running through the typical channels, local mobsters, Little Eddie LaRocca and Bobby San Filippo, also find themselves panicked about the missing professor. They know that this professor is not simply an academic, but someone who could seriously help those who need assistance in the world of the Russian language. This could mean that the Russian angle might tie into the Russian mob, a rival family that has been trying to inch their way onto the turf of the local ‘family’.
While they work, the mob cannot help but raise a red flag or two, as they are being tapped by the local unit of the FBI. Bugged rooms and phones provide the fodder needed to help build a case against the mobsters and provide the Feds what they need to build a case. Special Agent Laura Russo has always wanted to nail them, but never made enough connections to lock things up. However, this news of the missing professor might be just what she needs to secure a promotion. Special Agent Russo learns the depth to this mob-fight and just how dangerous things could get.
Working every angle, both the mob and the Feds seek to locate the professor and learn what he might mean for the Russians. Seeking to protect NYC in general and the turf fought over specifically, both teams try to find the professor and discover what the next step in the Russian plan might be. Things will soon unravel for LaRocca and San Flilippo if they cannot provide intel, while Special Agent Russo seeks to gather them all up in a sting operation. What will happen next is only the beginning in this headache-creating situation. Bonnano and Pistone deliver a strong piece and use the wonders of the David Fisher mindset to shape a great story.
I love a good thriller, providing that there is a great story and strong progression throughout. Bill Bonnano—former head of the Bonnano Crime Family—works alongside Joe Pistone—a former FBI undercover agent—to create this great story, while seeking the insight of popular author David Fisher to shape the fine points. Fisher has made an impact on me with a recent novel, but I wanted to see how he could assist the collaboration to deliver a winning story. The authors develop a solid narrative and provide key points to keep the story moving along. There are many great aspects that help make this book an easy and entertaining read. Great characters, likely influenced by the authors’ own experiences, help deliver a strong angle to the story and leave things perfectly paced for the action and development of the core ideas. Plot points are not overly subtle, but they do work well and have left me eager to follow along. While many will wonder how truthful mob stories can be, Bossano and Pistone deliver a great piece, having leaned on David Fisher to provide readers with an entertaining piece.
Kudos, Messrs. Bonnano, Pistone, and Fisher, for this story that had me intrigued from start to finish.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
October 31, 2018
I picked this book because not only do I like Mafia stories, but it is also co-authored by Joe Pistons whom I know to be Donnie Branco. It did not disappoint. I liked the way the chapters alternated between the FBI’s point of view and the Mafia’s. I had to laugh at the authors’ photo on the dust jacket-Pistone looks like a made guy and Bonnanno looks like a kindly retired law enforcement official.
November 10, 2017
This was a free book so I thought I’d give it a try and just wasn’t my cup of tea. Found my mind wandering to other places while trying to read it, took me days to read, and just found it plain boring. Usually books even ones I struggle to like will climax at the end, but this one didn’t do that instead of speeding to the end this one seemed to get there slower than a snail. If you like books about mafia go for it if not I don’t recommend this at all.
January 6, 2025
Pretty entertaining book that rotates perspectives of a mob mystery from the eyes of two FBI agents and a Mafia crime family.
The beginning was extremely interesting, but once the book turned into the detailing of a smaller perspective of a Mafia scam and the FBIs investigation of said scam, it got more boring. I was hoping for a larger account of taking down the mob.
The beginning was extremely interesting, but once the book turned into the detailing of a smaller perspective of a Mafia scam and the FBIs investigation of said scam, it got more boring. I was hoping for a larger account of taking down the mob.
July 16, 2017
wow , i never read a book that give me nightmare but this one did.
something happen at page about 393, that shock me wen to bed , and in my dream something happen like in that book and i tried to save the man but could not .
the mob and the FBI,
something happen at page about 393, that shock me wen to bed , and in my dream something happen like in that book and i tried to save the man but could not .
the mob and the FBI,
June 15, 2019
Nice fiction. The chapters alternate between the criminals and the feds which keeps the narrative exciting throughout. The additional perspectives of Bill Bonanno and Joe Pistone are a nice bonus.
March 29, 2020
There were some pretty funny lines through out the book.
November 5, 2024
Some interesting insights. Bloody and often violent and not for cozy lovers.
March 9, 2025
A little slow but very graphic
An enjoyable read. A picture of the typical
Mafia life style . A good way to spend a leisurely evening.
An enjoyable read. A picture of the typical
Mafia life style . A good way to spend a leisurely evening.
November 6, 2021
Absolutely loved it. Read out like an extended episode of The Sopranos.
March 12, 2009
It was a very well written book. Bill Bonanno, and Joe Pistone know there stuff about the Mob, and FBI to produce the book as well as they did. I wouldnt doubt it at all that some of it was probably real or maybe did happen in the past, but we will never know. I liked how each chapter was the FBI's Story, and the mobs story. It was good have it all explaind in the next chapter. Good book id recommend it to any one who likes the Mafia, and or FBI stories.
January 25, 2009
The story was nothing special--could make a good Hollywood vanilla movie. But the cool part was that the major contributors to the story--Bill Bonanno, a former organized crime boss, and Joe Pistone, former FBI agent Donnie Brasco--really knew their stuff. This lends all the details of the book an air of "maybe this really happened." The cultural insights into the mob and the FBI are what makes this book worth the time to read it (or in my case, listen to it).
October 1, 2014
I thought the way this story was told was perfect. The FBI for a chapter and the alternate chapter was from the Mafia perspective. The story was very believable and came together nicely. I thought the characters were lively and well formed. The only criticism I have is the cheesy dialogue at times. Besides that, it was great and well worth the read.
November 16, 2009
Very interesting as the book is a collaboration of an ex-FBI agent and an ex-mob boss. The story was good, if somewhat predictable. Unfortunately I listened to, rather than read the book. The authors read the book and Joe Pistone, reading the FBI chapters left a lot to be desired.
October 20, 2014
Two acknowledged experts in their respective fields collaborate on a novel resulting in a very interesting read. I have to respect the insider information they present in the book and I really enjoyed it.
July 10, 2007
FUGAZI!!!
January 27, 2008
Soft story, interesting inside stuff.
September 7, 2008
On the CD, the book is not well read. I enjoyed the plot, and guess the book is better.
June 18, 2010
It took me forever to get through the audiobook. I found the characters pretty flat and the story generally anticlimactic.
December 29, 2010
Great story on the mob. The back and forth between the FBI's perspective and the Mob's perspective was great. If you like this kind of book, this is great.
October 25, 2012
I thought this book was well written and very entertaining. I loved how the chapters went back and forth between the mafia and the FBI. I'm glad I picked it up and read it.
January 16, 2013
A little raw and edgy in places but the perspective changes with every other chapter. One chapter mob characters, next FBI and so on. The story is gripping but not for the faint of heart.
August 4, 2013
Liked the back and forth chapter perspectives. Easy read
January 15, 2016
Outstanding. Told from 2 sides -- both sides equally well informed.
May 1, 2016
Well written. Two sides of the same story, but not directly experienced by either party. Very interesting read. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in true crime and the mafia.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews