To Drop a Dime

by Paul Hoffman, Ira Pecznick

A confessed Mafia hit man describes the New Jersey Campisi family's reckless and violent criminal doings and his own defiance of the code in working for their undoing

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1977

About the author

See also other authors with similar names.

Reviews

[Ron Van Blarcom]

I had searched for this book for 3+ years.Not only am I interested in crime books I grew up in the area near where it took place.I finally found one in paperback form and could not wait to read it.
What a great book --now I think I will sell it so someone else can enjoy it.
Ron

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting read! Is it the most well-written book in the world? No. Did I have problems with the way some of the matters were discussed? Yes, but it was also a different time, so I'll give it some leniency.

As a New Jersey Girl raised in an Italian household, I've always been fascinated with the New Jersey mob. I've watched The Sopranos, my grandfather played a mobster in a well-known movie, and my family members have mob stories that occasionally get passed around at gatherings. But! I have never really gotten a chance to really see/hear/read about mob activities in places I know or have been to.

It was so crazy reading about how a mobster had headquarters in Mountainside or that Linden was a hotbed of activity. Every time Elizabeth or any of the adjoining towns were mentioned, I think about family members or friends or acquaintances who live there. In a couple of the chapters, they talk about the Pathmark that used to be in Rahway, right down the street from the Rahway State Prison, and I think about the fact that I always go to the DMV that's right there.

Obviously, I wasn't around when the mob was active, and I'm sure living with all that crime wasn't great, but nevertheless, it's interesting to read about. Especially if you're from the area. Highly recommend for all my Jersey girls who are curious but be warned because the book certainly isn't shy about describing some things that might make you a bit uncomfortable.

[Lisa Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

[spudmcqueen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I was expecting more? It's an interesting real life look into the mob, although the Campisis were just a glorified crew. Pecznick also wasn't really a "hitman" imo just a Russian guy that hung out with Italian mobsters and did work for them, which sometimes included killing which he almost always had help with. The rackets, the robberies, the murder, the car chases, basically all the action was what was really interesting in this, though you could easily get that from watching Goodfellas or The Sopranos tbh. After about a hundred pages or so it just becomes "bad people doing bad things" again and again. Pretty anti-climatic ending, which I kind of expected. Anyways, read this if you're REALLY into mafia stuff, otherwise don't waste your time.

[Stephen J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having known some of the individuals featured in this book, I may be somewhat biased. However, I would still recommend it to ANY person interested in organized crime…I guarantee that if you do somehow manage to track it down and read it, you won’t look at pink tuxedos the same way.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting☠️💥🔫

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting story about a NJ mafia hit man who flipped State's witness in exchange for his freedom after a murder conviction. Book outlines his early life, his introduction into the mob, detail by detail of the numerous criminal acts he commits with fellow family members up until his ultimate final conviction. Could not put it down. But good luck finding the book. A limited print from 1976 (about 600 copies)....sells on eBay from anywhere from $600-$1200. But if you can find a copy, give it a read.

[Walt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique look at organized crime. The way Hoffman describes the Campisi outfit, they were a disorganized gang of thugs instead of the usual prototype hoodlum. Part of it is that the antihero was an outsider and did not apparently take advantage of the gang's more stable sources of income, forcing him into a daring world of robbery and senseless violence.

[Rich Bouselli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best mafia read I've ever experienced. It's raw truth and confessions that "Ira" brings to light are just brutal. I couldn't put this book down.

[sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my fathers book I can't wait to read it