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The Brothers Bulger: How They Terrorized and Corrupted Boston for a Quarter Century
The riveting New York Times bestseller by award-winning columnist Howie Carr--now with a stunning new afterword detailing Whitey Bulger's capture.
For years their familiar story was of two siblings who took different paths out of South William "Billy" Bulger, former president of the Massachusetts State Senate; and his brother James "Whitey" Bulger, a vicious criminal who became the FBI's second most-wanted man after Osama Bin Laden. While Billy cavorted with the state's blue bloods to become a powerful political force, Whitey blazed a murderous trail to the top rung of organized crime. Now, in this compelling narrative, Carr uncovers a sinister world of FBI turncoats, alliances between various branches of organized crime, St. Patrick's Day shenanigans, political infighting, and the complex relationship between two brothers who were at one time kings.
As the film Black Mass , starring Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger, hits theaters, take a deeper dive into the story of the Bulgers, and their fifty-year reign over Boston with Howie Carr's The Brother's Bulger .
For years their familiar story was of two siblings who took different paths out of South William "Billy" Bulger, former president of the Massachusetts State Senate; and his brother James "Whitey" Bulger, a vicious criminal who became the FBI's second most-wanted man after Osama Bin Laden. While Billy cavorted with the state's blue bloods to become a powerful political force, Whitey blazed a murderous trail to the top rung of organized crime. Now, in this compelling narrative, Carr uncovers a sinister world of FBI turncoats, alliances between various branches of organized crime, St. Patrick's Day shenanigans, political infighting, and the complex relationship between two brothers who were at one time kings.
As the film Black Mass , starring Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger, hits theaters, take a deeper dive into the story of the Bulgers, and their fifty-year reign over Boston with Howie Carr's The Brother's Bulger .
464 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
168 people are currently reading
1200 people want to read
About the author
Howie Carr
17 books44 followersHowie Carr is a columnist for the Boston Herald and hosts a radio talk show syndicated throughout New England. He is the New York Times bestselling author of the true crime biographies The Brothers Bulger and Hitman, and author of the crime novel Hard Knocks. In 1985, Carr won a National Magazine Award, and in 2008 he was elected to the National Radio Hall of Fame. He lives in suburban Boston with his wife and their three daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
January 4, 2009
Herald columnist Howie Carr's utter disdain for the Bulgers and Boston townie politics is evident on every page of this lightly dramatized true crime book.
As someone who lived in the neighborhoods described here, I loved all of the local detail. The prose is journalistic and Carr takes liberties with the public record to recreate conversations, events, (and some particularly gruesome violent episodes.) At times, the chip on the author's shoulder rubbed me the wrong way (multiple potshots at a former Globe columnist, however slimy he may have behaved, seemed especially inappropriate.) I was also turned off by passages that collapse Whitey's rumored homosexual experiences into his alleged rapes and pedophilia. Homophobia is apparently one of the few shameful legacies that Carr is not willing to tackle here.
Although I would have preferred a more balanced take on the wink-and-a-handshake governance of my city's past, The Brothers Bulger provides a incredibly dense, compelling portrait of a many-faceted web of crime, politics, racism, and violence that beset Boston for the greater part of the 70s and 80s.
As someone who lived in the neighborhoods described here, I loved all of the local detail. The prose is journalistic and Carr takes liberties with the public record to recreate conversations, events, (and some particularly gruesome violent episodes.) At times, the chip on the author's shoulder rubbed me the wrong way (multiple potshots at a former Globe columnist, however slimy he may have behaved, seemed especially inappropriate.) I was also turned off by passages that collapse Whitey's rumored homosexual experiences into his alleged rapes and pedophilia. Homophobia is apparently one of the few shameful legacies that Carr is not willing to tackle here.
Although I would have preferred a more balanced take on the wink-and-a-handshake governance of my city's past, The Brothers Bulger provides a incredibly dense, compelling portrait of a many-faceted web of crime, politics, racism, and violence that beset Boston for the greater part of the 70s and 80s.
February 2, 2025
Easy to read and very illuminating for a young adult who grew up around Boston in the decades following the Bulgers’ heyday. Tales of Whitey were often told like folklore in Massachusetts, but I never knew the extent of his brother Billy’s deceit and corruption until I read this book.
February 23, 2015
This is a fascinating and frightening story of corruption and terror. Billy Bulger, President of the Massachusetts State Senate and his gangster brother, Whitey, manage to poison and corrupt Boston's FBI office. Agents on the take look the other way as a crime wave wreaks havoc on the neighborhood of South Boston. Dozens of murders are ignored by authorities.
It's an incredible story but Howie Carr is not the man for this job.
Throughout this book he takes shots at people who have nothing do to with the story he is telling. He creates awkward segues in order to do so. It's as if he just can't stop himself. What does that say about his objectivity? His agenda is obvious, his anger palpable. I agree that the Bulger brothers were a disaster for the city of Boston. But the author exercises no control, no professionalism. How does it bolster his thesis when he tells us that a certain politician was "the 400 pound Speaker," or that John Kerry has a lantern-jaw, that one of Whitey's girlfriends had varicose veins or that Billy, over and over again, was the "Corrupt Midget?" We get it-- Billy is short. But I wonder who is smaller, Billy or Howie?
Baseless assertions are made that are hard to believe. Example: In the '88 Presidential campaign Billy Bulger suggests to workers for George H. W. Bush (down 17 points in polls) that a tour of polluted Boston Harbor would serve the candidate well. I remember it. It was a good idea from Bush's perspective. It was a black eye for Gov. Dukakis. But Carr suggests that it was a catalyst that resulted in a 30 point swing in the polls that assured Bush's victory; an incredible stretch. What's more, President Bush was so grateful to Billy that his Justice Dept. protected brother Whitey for the duration of his administration; an even greater stretch. Worse, Carr does not elaborate. He just leaves it there. No sources are cited. We're supposed to take his word for it. This is one example of many.
I have an idea. Prove your assertions. Be a journalist.
It's an incredible story but Howie Carr is not the man for this job.
Throughout this book he takes shots at people who have nothing do to with the story he is telling. He creates awkward segues in order to do so. It's as if he just can't stop himself. What does that say about his objectivity? His agenda is obvious, his anger palpable. I agree that the Bulger brothers were a disaster for the city of Boston. But the author exercises no control, no professionalism. How does it bolster his thesis when he tells us that a certain politician was "the 400 pound Speaker," or that John Kerry has a lantern-jaw, that one of Whitey's girlfriends had varicose veins or that Billy, over and over again, was the "Corrupt Midget?" We get it-- Billy is short. But I wonder who is smaller, Billy or Howie?
Baseless assertions are made that are hard to believe. Example: In the '88 Presidential campaign Billy Bulger suggests to workers for George H. W. Bush (down 17 points in polls) that a tour of polluted Boston Harbor would serve the candidate well. I remember it. It was a good idea from Bush's perspective. It was a black eye for Gov. Dukakis. But Carr suggests that it was a catalyst that resulted in a 30 point swing in the polls that assured Bush's victory; an incredible stretch. What's more, President Bush was so grateful to Billy that his Justice Dept. protected brother Whitey for the duration of his administration; an even greater stretch. Worse, Carr does not elaborate. He just leaves it there. No sources are cited. We're supposed to take his word for it. This is one example of many.
I have an idea. Prove your assertions. Be a journalist.
Read
June 13, 2008Wow...this book is insane. If you like Howie Carr this book reads just like his dialogue on air. It is rich in the history of Southie, the politics of Massachusetts, and the inside truth behind the Bulger brothers. I was at Umass when Billy was the President, and I met him at an awards dinner for the All-American Athletes. He seemed like a typical politician, rather dry much like the dinner they served. I love this read...it reminds me of driving around Boston with my dad listening to Howie and making fun of the currupt and Beatiful people!
April 22, 2023
I bought the book because I was interested in learning more about the famous mobster from Boston Whitey Bulger. I learned some interesting things about Whitey like the fact that early in his life it is believed he supported himself by turning tricks as a gay prostitute. Whitey spent years as an FBI informant as well which seems to be insane with his criminal activity. I'm not sure how the FBI could work with someone doing what he was doing.
Make no mistake Whitey was a horrible human being. Absolutely ruthless in his rise to power. I tend to think incorrectly that many of the mobs victims are other bad people themselves but this book certainly shows that is not true. One of the worst moments for me is when Whitey and one of his top associates murder a poor girl simply because his fellow mobster wants to break up with her and she knows to much. They kill her and then cut off her head and fingers to make identifying the body difficult.
I enjoyed reading about Whitey but I actually found two other people in the book more interesting. Whitey was a run of the mill ruthless scumbag. No grey just black. But his brother Bill Bulger was more complicated. He somehow had a very successful career in politics despite his association with his evil brother. The book makes a pretty convincing case for me that best case scenario Billy protected Whitey or chose to look the other way and worst case Billy was pretty corrupt himself even if he wasn't as violent.
The other character that could justify his own book in my opinion was the corrupt FBI agent John Connolly. Connolly initially recruited Bulger as an informant and worked as his handler. Over time he seemed to switch sides and would tip off Bulger so he could avoid being arrested himself. How a guy goes from joining the FBI with what I assume were good intentions could eventually flip and work with Bulger is hard to understand. Connelly eventually was found out and sent to prison for racketeering and obstruction of justice.
All in all a good book although I would have liked a little more on Connelly.
Make no mistake Whitey was a horrible human being. Absolutely ruthless in his rise to power. I tend to think incorrectly that many of the mobs victims are other bad people themselves but this book certainly shows that is not true. One of the worst moments for me is when Whitey and one of his top associates murder a poor girl simply because his fellow mobster wants to break up with her and she knows to much. They kill her and then cut off her head and fingers to make identifying the body difficult.
I enjoyed reading about Whitey but I actually found two other people in the book more interesting. Whitey was a run of the mill ruthless scumbag. No grey just black. But his brother Bill Bulger was more complicated. He somehow had a very successful career in politics despite his association with his evil brother. The book makes a pretty convincing case for me that best case scenario Billy protected Whitey or chose to look the other way and worst case Billy was pretty corrupt himself even if he wasn't as violent.
The other character that could justify his own book in my opinion was the corrupt FBI agent John Connolly. Connolly initially recruited Bulger as an informant and worked as his handler. Over time he seemed to switch sides and would tip off Bulger so he could avoid being arrested himself. How a guy goes from joining the FBI with what I assume were good intentions could eventually flip and work with Bulger is hard to understand. Connelly eventually was found out and sent to prison for racketeering and obstruction of justice.
All in all a good book although I would have liked a little more on Connelly.
November 13, 2018
3.5. An updated edition would be very interesting in light of “Whitey’s” eventual capture and recent, gruesome end in prison.
Could have used one of those family trees one finds in fantasy books to keep all the hacks/ gangsters/ law enforcement/ etc straight as well as a little more background for those not as familiar as the author with Boston and its history/ characters.
As I recently told a friend, oh man, ~these~ are not the Irish Americans I want to be associated with. 🤦🏻♀️
A reminder that the wheels of justice grind slow but fine. And that crime is never really glamorous or romantic or victimless.
Could have used one of those family trees one finds in fantasy books to keep all the hacks/ gangsters/ law enforcement/ etc straight as well as a little more background for those not as familiar as the author with Boston and its history/ characters.
As I recently told a friend, oh man, ~these~ are not the Irish Americans I want to be associated with. 🤦🏻♀️
A reminder that the wheels of justice grind slow but fine. And that crime is never really glamorous or romantic or victimless.
July 29, 2013
Great read about the regime of Billy and Whitey Bulger in Boston. This book throws up so much dirt about the politics of the city and the FBI, that I had to take a shower after reading it.
August 26, 2019
Carr is a good story-teller. I enjoy reading his works on the Bulger Gang. Something about his writing makes the story of corruption at the FBI and the decline of organized crime in Boston more accessible than the plethora of other books written about Bulger. Even though Carr admits that much of the material comes from the original Black Mass by Lehr and O'Neill, Carr manages to add enough material for this book to stand out. That is not to say this book is without its problems. Foremost is Carr's bizarre fixation on Billy Bulger. Carr's stinging sarcasm and open hostility towards Bulger means that the book is heavily biased - and that is saying something for a book on Bulger. When viewed from this angle, it appears that Carr reverts more towards sensationalism than documented fact. The result is that his book becomes more like a trashy tabloid than non-fiction.
I have read a lot about Whitey Bulger. I can make up my own mind what a sleazy guy he was. I cannot say the same for his brother. Carr certainly tries to portray him as just as rotten as Whitey; but it is difficult for the reader to accept when considering Carr's acerbic prose. The sarcasm and insults bound nearly every page. In some places I actually felt sympathy for the man! Was he really that much worse than his peers of the era? Were the scandals of Billy Bulger worse than or comparable to the Big Dig scandal? Judging from Carr's book, I have the impression of a career politician who knew how to seize power, hold on to power, and how to use power - for good or bad.
By focusing half of the book on Billy Bulger, Carr makes his book on Whitey stand out. Let's accept the fact that a book on Whitey will sell across the country. A book about a local politician will sell locally. It is an interesting ploy; and Carr does a great job at sensationalizing Billy Bulger's career. Everything that Billy Bulger ever said or did is presented to the reader in the worst possible way. I still do not understand some of the scandals Carr described - and I read the book twice. I know enough that Bulger was not charged with anything. Being related to Whitey does not necessarily make someone evil.
Carr then tries to connect Billy and Whitey beyond a sibling relationship. He tries to insinuate that the two helped one another climb their career leaders. I had a hard time pinpointing this in the book; but it really comes down to the central argument is that Billy Bulger was responsible for John Connolly becoming an FBI agent; and then instructing Connolly to protect his brother. That argument is the basis for the book and the reason for bringing Billy into such prominence in the book. This is based on the testimony of hitman, John Martorano who claims Whitey once told him that his brother had instructed Connolly to keep Whitey out of trouble.
That argument adds an entire new dimension to the Whitey Bulger Saga. I do not believe that Connolly or Morris ever indicated that Billy Bulger was responsible for the corruption of the Boston FBI or Whitey's criminal rampage. However, it is a valid argument. It also does a good job in explaining why the Boston FBI latched onto two petty criminals (Whitey and Steve Flemmi) and catapulted them to the pinnacle of organized crime in Boston.
However, Carr has significant problems in his story. One he bogs the reader down in irrelevancy. For example, he had at least painfully long chapters on Billy Bulger's St. Patrick's Day Breakfasts. The only possible purpose is to show Billy's slow downfall. It is irrelevant. Second, he slips into more seedy tabloid journalism. He repeats every rumor and portrays it as fact. He does not cite his sources well, so readers do always not know where the claims originate. I caught onto this near the end of the book when he was describing Whitey's flight and how corrupt FBI agents and friends of Agent Connolly were panicking on how to protect themselves. What other agents? I have read enough books to discern that only Connolly, Morris, and Rico were actively corrupted. By casually indicated that the entire office was paid by Whitey and actively protecting him seems to border on libel. A second reading found more instances. Carr enjoys repeating the claims that Whitey was a gay prostitute in his early years and that was how he first met Agent Rico. The insidious claim being that an FBI agent was investigating homosexuals or worse, seeking companionship with homosexuals in gay districts. Then he goes on to talk about Whitey and Flemmi raping high school girls at a seedy gym - afterwards paying off their families. Carr actually cites a memoir by a Boston hoodlum, whose avowed purpose was to embarrass Whitey and Flemmi. It got to the point that when I saw Carr citing something I immediately became suspicious....
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I appreciate the sideshow into corrupt politics. I enjoy the fresh take on Whitey. Carr has excellent skills. He shows how two petty, but violent, criminals rose to the top of the underworld and stayed there with the help of the FBI. Carr's description of the collapse of both the Winter Hill Gang and the Mafia was brought about in an effort to place two uninspiring thugs at the top. That story alone makes the book worthwhile. The problem is the distaste and hatred Carr displays towards the subject. Nearly every other book on Whitey shows a more detached unemotional story. Carr writes with obvious emotion and that leads him to rumor and hearsay.
I have read a lot about Whitey Bulger. I can make up my own mind what a sleazy guy he was. I cannot say the same for his brother. Carr certainly tries to portray him as just as rotten as Whitey; but it is difficult for the reader to accept when considering Carr's acerbic prose. The sarcasm and insults bound nearly every page. In some places I actually felt sympathy for the man! Was he really that much worse than his peers of the era? Were the scandals of Billy Bulger worse than or comparable to the Big Dig scandal? Judging from Carr's book, I have the impression of a career politician who knew how to seize power, hold on to power, and how to use power - for good or bad.
By focusing half of the book on Billy Bulger, Carr makes his book on Whitey stand out. Let's accept the fact that a book on Whitey will sell across the country. A book about a local politician will sell locally. It is an interesting ploy; and Carr does a great job at sensationalizing Billy Bulger's career. Everything that Billy Bulger ever said or did is presented to the reader in the worst possible way. I still do not understand some of the scandals Carr described - and I read the book twice. I know enough that Bulger was not charged with anything. Being related to Whitey does not necessarily make someone evil.
Carr then tries to connect Billy and Whitey beyond a sibling relationship. He tries to insinuate that the two helped one another climb their career leaders. I had a hard time pinpointing this in the book; but it really comes down to the central argument is that Billy Bulger was responsible for John Connolly becoming an FBI agent; and then instructing Connolly to protect his brother. That argument is the basis for the book and the reason for bringing Billy into such prominence in the book. This is based on the testimony of hitman, John Martorano who claims Whitey once told him that his brother had instructed Connolly to keep Whitey out of trouble.
That argument adds an entire new dimension to the Whitey Bulger Saga. I do not believe that Connolly or Morris ever indicated that Billy Bulger was responsible for the corruption of the Boston FBI or Whitey's criminal rampage. However, it is a valid argument. It also does a good job in explaining why the Boston FBI latched onto two petty criminals (Whitey and Steve Flemmi) and catapulted them to the pinnacle of organized crime in Boston.
However, Carr has significant problems in his story. One he bogs the reader down in irrelevancy. For example, he had at least painfully long chapters on Billy Bulger's St. Patrick's Day Breakfasts. The only possible purpose is to show Billy's slow downfall. It is irrelevant. Second, he slips into more seedy tabloid journalism. He repeats every rumor and portrays it as fact. He does not cite his sources well, so readers do always not know where the claims originate. I caught onto this near the end of the book when he was describing Whitey's flight and how corrupt FBI agents and friends of Agent Connolly were panicking on how to protect themselves. What other agents? I have read enough books to discern that only Connolly, Morris, and Rico were actively corrupted. By casually indicated that the entire office was paid by Whitey and actively protecting him seems to border on libel. A second reading found more instances. Carr enjoys repeating the claims that Whitey was a gay prostitute in his early years and that was how he first met Agent Rico. The insidious claim being that an FBI agent was investigating homosexuals or worse, seeking companionship with homosexuals in gay districts. Then he goes on to talk about Whitey and Flemmi raping high school girls at a seedy gym - afterwards paying off their families. Carr actually cites a memoir by a Boston hoodlum, whose avowed purpose was to embarrass Whitey and Flemmi. It got to the point that when I saw Carr citing something I immediately became suspicious....
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I appreciate the sideshow into corrupt politics. I enjoy the fresh take on Whitey. Carr has excellent skills. He shows how two petty, but violent, criminals rose to the top of the underworld and stayed there with the help of the FBI. Carr's description of the collapse of both the Winter Hill Gang and the Mafia was brought about in an effort to place two uninspiring thugs at the top. That story alone makes the book worthwhile. The problem is the distaste and hatred Carr displays towards the subject. Nearly every other book on Whitey shows a more detached unemotional story. Carr writes with obvious emotion and that leads him to rumor and hearsay.
August 8, 2019
This book provides a clearer picture of Bulger brothers and organized crime than Black Mass. This goes into more of Billy Bulger's involvement. Billy had an eighteen-year tenure as President of the Massachusetts Senate. He then became president of the University of Massachusetts. He brother Jimmy (AKA Whitey) was a career criminal. Jimmy would be seen outside voting stations holding a sign for his brother. The book claims that Billy told the corrupt FBI agent John Connolly to take care of his brother. So the triangle of Boston organized crime, head of the MA senate and FBI makes for a very interesting mix. Billy was fired from his position as Umass president. Whitey and Connolly both went away for murder.
August 30, 2009
Very poorly written, but fascinating true story nonetheless. Tells the story of two of Boston's most infamous figures, and is good background for anyone wanting to know the details of organized crime in Boston in the 60s through the 90s. I'm not a big true crime genre guy, but fans of such work will love this. Howie Carr, aside from his transparent (and probably justified) loathing of the subjects of the book, shows more of his bias in the implication that everything in Boston was simpler and more peaceful prior to busing, rather than acknowledging that regardless of color the bad guys were always bad. If you don't live in Boston, or never have, a lot of the localisms and references will be lost on you. Overall, reads like an extended newspaper report with some soap opera details dashed in.
July 12, 2007
I couldn't bring myself to listen to the last 3 hours of this book. The book was like a very very long, tedious timeline of events. I was looking for true crime, and although it was definitely true crime, it was true boring crime. However, and I'm not being sarcastic, if you like the way history textbooks read, then I think you'll find this one enjoyable.
My scale (since the speed of my listening is directly proportional to how well I like the book):
1 - couldn't get through it
2 - actually got through it but it took months
3 - listened to it fairly consistently on the train (took a couple of months)
4 - felt compelled to listen while on vacation (and/or took about a month)
5 - listened every chance I got (two weeks or less)
My scale (since the speed of my listening is directly proportional to how well I like the book):
1 - couldn't get through it
2 - actually got through it but it took months
3 - listened to it fairly consistently on the train (took a couple of months)
4 - felt compelled to listen while on vacation (and/or took about a month)
5 - listened every chance I got (two weeks or less)
May 23, 2017
It's almost impossible to write a boring book about the fascinating, if deplorable, Bulger boys - but Howie Carr has done it. He assembled a bunch of clippings from the Boston Globe and other defunct newspapers including the Boston Herald-American. He threw the clippings into a word blender and out came 429 insipid pages of old newspaper stories. Evidence of the 1940s style of writing is further enhanced by his use of Boston comic Fred Allen's book title, Treadmill to Oblivion. Slogging through Carr's book is like being on a treadmill to apathy.
September 18, 2019
wow, the corruption in the Boston office of the FBI was appalling.
The graft and corruption within the Massachusetts State government was equally appalling.
I am reading the book and saying to myself how is this possible. FBI involved and supporting criminals killing criminals. Massachusetts State government taking 200 million dollar construction projects and turning them into 450 million dollar black holes. People's families are all on the state payroll in $100, 000 + jobs with pensions. Boston and Massachusetts politics are a cesspool like Chicago
The graft and corruption within the Massachusetts State government was equally appalling.
I am reading the book and saying to myself how is this possible. FBI involved and supporting criminals killing criminals. Massachusetts State government taking 200 million dollar construction projects and turning them into 450 million dollar black holes. People's families are all on the state payroll in $100, 000 + jobs with pensions. Boston and Massachusetts politics are a cesspool like Chicago
January 18, 2015
This book discussed the corruption and crime that took place behind closed doors on Boston's "south side" for over 20 years. More specifically, it discussed the relationship between Whitey Bulger, a notorious mob boss, and his brother Billy, the president of the Massachusetts senate.
July 14, 2016
This was a great companion book to "Black Mass" and adds a whole other level to the infamous Whitey Bulger legend.
November 27, 2016
Well written and interesting historical account of Boston's most notorious gangster, and the neighborhood that had a love/hate relationship with him.
March 22, 2020
This is a very thorough work of non-fiction, and definitely spells out all the information needed involving the Bulger brothers and their organized crime in Boston. However, it was often too focused on the political and cultural background of the neighborhoods of Boston, and did not focus on the actual organized crime that took place. I am from Boston and even I found most of the history given was just unnecessary and assumptive.
Whitey Bulger's criminal life is enough for an entire book. His brother's clear involvement in it should also be discussed. However, I believe it was simply far too much involved in the history behind Boston and Carr's disdain rather than the topic of the Bulger brothers; it was too obvious that Carr was biased in his writing, and it shows in the novel. Reading this book is informative and interesting, but it is clear that this is not just an account of their life of organized crime.
Whitey Bulger's criminal life is enough for an entire book. His brother's clear involvement in it should also be discussed. However, I believe it was simply far too much involved in the history behind Boston and Carr's disdain rather than the topic of the Bulger brothers; it was too obvious that Carr was biased in his writing, and it shows in the novel. Reading this book is informative and interesting, but it is clear that this is not just an account of their life of organized crime.
January 17, 2019
Best True Crime I have read in a long time. I did not intend on borrowing this from the local library, but it proved to be a great filler while my reserved books were in transit.
There is so much focus on Whitey Bulger that his brother William (Bill) is overlooked. He shows to be equally underhanded and brutal in his own way. This book sheds light on famous politicians they associated with decades ago. It really taints the positive images portrayed elsewhere.
After reading this, I will probably skip Black Mass. Unless it is on streaming and there's not much else to watch. This book is so much more interesting.
There is so much focus on Whitey Bulger that his brother William (Bill) is overlooked. He shows to be equally underhanded and brutal in his own way. This book sheds light on famous politicians they associated with decades ago. It really taints the positive images portrayed elsewhere.
After reading this, I will probably skip Black Mass. Unless it is on streaming and there's not much else to watch. This book is so much more interesting.
March 30, 2021
An easy read about the gangsters of Boston in the 80's and 90's. Many know about the story of "Whitey" Bulger but many do not know the intricate details of his life and his leadership in gangs. His brother seems to be the opposite as he was the president of a university and Senate for some time but that was not the case. Howie Carr writes in a matter of fact manner with very little opinions. He tells it like it is and I think his readers are thankful. Many times I looked for more information. I know I will have to watch Black Mass again as it is a similar story written by a competing journalist.
May 4, 2021
I’ve read 6 other whitey bulger books so I am a really good judge. I’ve read another howie card book “hitman” and the only thing I liked about that book was Johnny martorano has his own words in a 1/4 of it. This writer does not do his due diligence during research. I’ve find many big errors and very important ones. I can understand if you get what someone ate for lunch wrong but he gets actions wrong, he even has gotten several murders wrong. I hate that more than anything. As an avid reader and amateur writer I know how important it is to get facts right. There are so many other books I would recommend than by this lazy writer.
March 24, 2022
This is a really good book. The author, a Boston Herald columnist, tells the story in a very readable and understandable way. It's almost funny how he, from the anti-establishment Boston Herald, skewers the upper crust Boston Globe, and The New Yorker for their whitewashing of the Bulger brothers. One slightly irksome thing is that, as a book, it is obviously frozen as of the time of publication, which was before Whitey Bulger's arrest in California, and it does have a postscript giving the facts about that. It would have been nice if they'd done a second update through Whitey's death. I'm sure there's a story there; maybe they'll do one.
October 17, 2024
The Brothers Bulger: How they terrorized and corrupted Boston for a quarter century- by Howie Carr
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Better put your seatbelt on for this wild ride.... The Criminals, The FBI, The Politicians; this true story gives an in depth look 👀 at the true underworld of Boston from the 60’s to the early 2000’s with a whole cast of characters that central casting in Hollywood couldn’t replicate. Whitey Bulger, Billy Bulger, Zip Connolly, Gennaro Angiulo and an endless list of hack politicians set the background for this tale of never ending corruption. Anyone interested in true crime or are from New England should read this book !
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-Logan
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#reading #read #howiecarr #boston #politics #fbi #corruption #bookstagram #books #howiecarrshow #massachusetts
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Better put your seatbelt on for this wild ride.... The Criminals, The FBI, The Politicians; this true story gives an in depth look 👀 at the true underworld of Boston from the 60’s to the early 2000’s with a whole cast of characters that central casting in Hollywood couldn’t replicate. Whitey Bulger, Billy Bulger, Zip Connolly, Gennaro Angiulo and an endless list of hack politicians set the background for this tale of never ending corruption. Anyone interested in true crime or are from New England should read this book !
.
.
-Logan
.
.
#reading #read #howiecarr #boston #politics #fbi #corruption #bookstagram #books #howiecarrshow #massachusetts
February 22, 2018
Wow. This book served to lower my opinion and expectation of both our political system and our national law enforcement, which I did not think could be lower. Very well written, and hard to put down, Carr shows what it takes to be a real news man, and you can see why he made Whitey's Hit Parade. It is disturbing and shameful that many of the folks involved are walking the streets today, and getting tax payer funded pensions. Check it out, you only disappointment will be in your fellow human.
July 10, 2025
This book covers a great deal of interesting history, so I enjoyed it. However, the author, as a long-time journalist, seemed to be intent on typing as many pages of "copy" as fast as possible. Stylistic concerns never crossed his mind, as far as I could tell. Still, the book is not poetry or literature -- it is a focused review of the fairly recent history of crime and politics in Massachusetts, so I did not allow the style (or lack of style) to bother me too much.
November 14, 2025
A lot of this book tells of events that have occurred in and around my neighborhood, along my commute to work, and simply many other familiar places within the city. Those were the primary reasons for me to grab this book from the library. A lot of these names are familiar to me seeing how I remember them being named in the Sunday paper while growing up in the 80's and 90's here in MA. The "spoils system"...........yup still happening in our government .
July 22, 2025
Loved learning about Whitey Bulger and organized crime in Boston. It’s so easy to sensationalize some of these characters when you only know a little bit, but reading the details really shows how horrible the things they did were.
Didn’t care as much for the sections on government and political relations.
Didn’t care as much for the sections on government and political relations.
September 2, 2025
both the departed and howie carr love to drop the n word and have it give no relevance to the story whatsoever. howie carr kissing trump's ass talking about "homosexuals" for a fourth of the book wasn't relevant except for exposing what a loser he is, but i enjoyed the boston details and his commentary on exposing corruption in the bpd + fbi.
March 5, 2019
Interesting look at a criminal who has always been viewed more affectionately than necessary (Whitey) and his equally corrupt politician brother. Really interesting and at times unintentionally funny.
August 10, 2022
Reading this is very timely. This book is about the Bulgers, but the backstory is the collusion between the FBI and the Democratic Party in Massachusetts consolidating their power and kickbacks from organized crime.
September 19, 2025
I have read some of the Whitey books but this one explains that Billy Bulger
Is far from honorable.
With all the bribes and payoffs he took and political machinations he is the Corrupt Midget and should have been locked up as well
Is far from honorable.
With all the bribes and payoffs he took and political machinations he is the Corrupt Midget and should have been locked up as well
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