Goombata: The Improbable Rise and Fall of John Gotti and His Gang

by John Cummings, Ernest Volkman

A cocky kid from the streets of East New York, he rose to become one of the most feared men in the nation. Establishing a power base through brilliant politicking and blood-chilling ruthlessness, at 45 he took control of America's richest, most powerful crime family following the gangland-style execution of his predecessor. Though the target of almost contionous FBI and police surveillance, he has spent little time in prison . . . and has never been convicted of racketeering, drug-trafficking or murder. Prize-winning journalists John Cummings and Ernest Volkman's shocking true account of the brutal and meteoric rise of John "Johhny Boy" Gotti from Brooklyn "bone-breaker" to lord of the Gambino Family -- a riveting exploration into the the bloody machinery of La Cosa Nostra operating on the dark side of the American dream.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Nonfiction, History

308 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Lee Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book if you like true crime.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Average book on Gotti and the Gambino’s at best. Written before he went to jail so there are so incorrect facts and assumptions mentioned that would come out in later trials and books written by members of his crew.

[Charlie West · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book were you don’t get the same trash about how Gotti ruined the Mafia. The FBI started that vernacular because they couldn’t catch him plus, Giuliani had already wiped out the commission. Or the story from that rat Sammy the bulk Gravano who’s been proven hundred percent liar. God he didn’t ask to be put on the cover of time this book tells the truth. Far better than the Gotti book written by Capeci and Mustaine. History is written by the Victor, so we’re gonna have to hear the trash that the FBI feeds us for the rest of our life, but John Gotti was Cosa Nostra till the end doesn’t fear any man because he tells the truth only cowards lie.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an avid reader of American Mafia true crime books. I'll admit it, I am fascinated by the mafia - its members, its bosses, the way it alters the American economy. This book provides a good background about the brutal rise of John Gotti and the way he surrounded himself with his buddies, which ultimately helped lead to his downfall. Good solid book about life in the mafia.

[Walt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volkman has been taken to task for his poor research in his later books. However, there are few complaints about his treatment of Gotti. Next to Jerry Capeci's Mob Star, this is one of the best books available on Gotti.

[Stacy Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out slow. When I got to the middle it started to get interesting up until the end then when it finished a lot was left unexplained. Could have been better written check it out for yourself though.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was about John Gotti and his crew of gangsters. Gotti was a well known member of the New York Mafia, and a complete character. I was hoping to enjoy this book, but I did not. I found it tedious. I had a really hard time forcing myself to finish it, and was glad to have it behind me.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's no such thing as the mafia. Gotti was a plumber.

[Rosie Regan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insight to a criminal way of life.

[Roger Singh]

I read some more of this book today, lots of history on Sicily and its people. Did you know that Italian immigrants were recruited from Southern Italy to be strike breakers in NYC.

[Frank Pentimone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhhhhh! Pretty good read about the Dapper Don