Accardo: The Genuine Godfather

by William F. Roemer Jr.

"A STORY THAT NO OTHER AUTHOR COULD HAVE PUT
TOGETHER . . . Roemer [is] America's most decorated FBI agent."
--Chicago Tribune
For forty years Tony Accardo was America's most dangerous criminal. He cut his teeth on the Chicago mob wars of Capone and Elliot Ness. He got his nickname "Joe Batters" for killing two men with a baseball bat. As the bodies piled up, Capone's youngest capo murdered and schemed his way to the top.
William Roemer was the first FBI agent to face Tony "The Big Tuna" Accardo. Now, Roemer tells the story that only he could the deals, the hits, the double-crosses, and the power plays that reached from the Windy City to Hollywood and to New York. Drawing on secret wiretaps and inside information, ACCARDO chronicles bloodshed and mayhem for more than six decades--as Roemer duels against the most powerful don of them all. . . .
"Roemer brings the reality of organized crime home to us."
--Boston Herald
"A big, sprawled out account that serves as anecdotal history of organized crime."
--Kirkus Reviews

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Biography, Nonfiction, History

448 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again Bill Roemer spends half the book talking about himself and his fellow workers at the FBI. Still a really good book.

[Batman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some nice stories, interesting facts. Told from the perspective of the Hoover FBI. Lots of talk, very little in the way of results. The author takes far too much credit for far too little action. But not a bad read.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In depth look at Tony Accardo's rise to eventual head of the Chicago Outfit. The author is an FBI agent who spent 20+ years trying, unsuccessfully, to put him away. In the process, he came to have respect for the man in many ways, even though he knew he was a killer. His respect came from the fact that Tony was always a faithful and devoted husband, that he kept the Outfit out of the drug trade, that he was a man of his word, and that he "legitimized" much of the Outfit's business (investing in Las Vegas, specifically). Interesting that this man headed the Outfit for longer than anyone else, including Capone or Giancana, and yet, he is virtually unknown outside of Chicago. That was the way he wanted it. "Keep your head down" was one of his favorite sayings, and the fact that flamboyant, ego-maniac Giancana couldn't do that eventually led to his demise. Anyone who lived in the Chicago area between 1940 and 1990 will recognize many of the names of the mobsters in this book and certainly is familiar with "The Man" himself: "Big Tuna", "Joe Batters", Tony Accardo.

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only book written about one of the most successful godfathers in history. Roemer was a hard-as-nails FBI agent who hated his opponents; but developed respect, and maybe admiration, for Accardo.

[Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

During a recent visit to Chicago, I wanted to read something about the Windy City. So, I ordered a copy of William Roemer, Jr.’s Accardo - The Genuine Godfather from Amazon.

Having read the book, I have mixed feelings. Roemer was an FBI agent in Chicago for many years. He knew Accardo and had some grudging admiration for the man. In Roemer’s opinion, Accardo was by far the best boss the Chicago “Outfit” ever had.

Accardo’s story is a good one. Rising from humble origins as the dropout son of Sicilian immigrants, he was a gangster from the Chicago mob’s Capone years to the early 1990s. And he always managed to stay ahead of the police. Accardo loved to say that he had never spent one night in jail.

But Roemer’s book suffers due to poor presentation. Too often, he allows the story to veer off on tangents. For instance, Roemer constantly editorializes about the people involved in Accardo’s story. Even worse, Roemer spends pages citing verbatim quotes from dry government documents.

So, I’m glad that I read this one but I can’t give it more than a lukewarm recommendation.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of good information, and a knowledgeable author. It felt like a huge brain dump of Chicago mob facts; could have used a professional editor. Although the subject was addressed throughout the book, it did not feel like an autobiography.

[EDM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very interesting.

[Steven Scaffardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any man that is nicknamed Joe Batters because he beat two men to death with a baseball bat is probably not the sort of man you want to mess with. Add to the fact that he got his monicker from Al Capone – the most notorious Mafioso of them all – only adds fuel to fire that this is one vicious gangster.

And who else better to tell his story than the one man who tried for years – yet never succeeded – to bring Tony Accardo to justice than former FBI Agent William F. Roemer, Jr. Whilst the likes of Capone and John Gotti will inevitably go down in American folklore as the two most well-known gangsters of the 20th Century, it was men like Accardo who achieved the highest status within their criminal underworld circles as one of the most powerful Mafia bosses in the history of the American Mafia.

Click here to read the rest of this review:
http://stevenscaffardi.blogspot.co.uk...

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand based on forums, articles, and associated discussions Bill Roemer is not exactly the most popular author or even man. That kinda comes through in this work.

If Bill is anything He is consistent in his constant agrandizing of his role in the Chicago organized crime landscape. Clearly He was involved but making himself a major player, as he tends to do in almost all his books, gets old.

This is not a terrible book and does do a reasonable job painting the period and the life of "Joe Batters". If you are a Chicago mob, true crime, or a fan of the post capone eras, I would consider powering through the mountain of Bullsh-t Roemer deals out and get through this book. While his personal actions and importance is exagerated, most of the book is informative.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, this is a difficult read because the author is an F.B.I. agent. Though, is a detailed account on one of the least heard of and most powerful mafia bosses to ever live. A man who ruled in front of and behind the scenes of the Chicago outfit for decades without a major scrape from the law. Anthony Accardo started as Al Capone's driver/bodyguard and was an influential figure within the Chicago mafia into the 1980's. A little-known, yet fascinating character in the mythology of the mob.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books i've ever had the pleasure to read.Maybe even the best.The book brings you into a sometimes violent world.With a true life GodFather with absolute power.Who once was a bodyguard for Al Capone and went up in the ranks.Who believed in his on brand honor and respect.And who was lucky enough to never stay in jail over night.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like to learn about Chicago organized crime while at the same time be enraged by the self-aggrandizing style of a bad author, this is the book for you.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accardo was an interesting character, and little talked about today.

[Frank Palardy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roemer was an FBI agent who went after Accardo.

[Tom Nolan]

paperback 4x6 and hardback

[Joseph and Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative read.