Roemer: Man Against the Mob

by William F. Roemer Jr.

In the Fifties, he was an agent for J. Edgar Hoover's "Top Hoodlum Program." He masterminded the first electronic surveillance of a Mafia headquarters. Sam Giancana put a $100,000 contract on his life. Now, Bill Roemer, the FBI crime expert who's had more face-to-face confrontations with mobsters than anyone in law enforcement history, tells his electrifying life story. From his key role in the lives of John and Robert Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, Phyllis McGuire, and Marilyn Monroe, to the run ins with Anthony "Tony Batters" Accardo, Murray "The Camel" Humphreys and Jackie Cerone that made him the nemesis of the Chicago mob, here is a chillingly authentic account that ranks as one of the finest chronicles in true crime.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a tough lawman, the title could be named "Roemer: Bully against the mob." He took great joy in provoking the hoodlums and admitted that the FBI conducted illegal surveillance of hoodlums.

The book is well-written and fascinating. It almost reads like a suspense thriller in some places. In sum, while the hero is difficult to support, the book is an enjoyable read.

[Patrick Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read most of Roemer's books and have enjoyed them. Roemer was an FBI agent in Chicago for decades. As a Chicago history buff who knows the city pretty well, what I really appreciate about his books is that he puts in the actual addresses where events occurred. You can google earth/map them. It makes the material more real. For example, either in this book or in his Spilotro book, he details the first time he encountered Spilotro, who tailed Roemer after Roemer left the YMCA. He details the route they took, the forest preserve where the ended up, etc. It's interesting to use today's technology to follow such historic events in google maps. I've done that a lot with Roemer's books, and his layouts are quite accurate!

[Annette · Rating 1 out of 5]

True fiction. This guy was so full of himself. The suggestion that 10 % of this mess is remotely based in fact is doubtful. I think this guy saw one to many movies. Not to mention he admits to repeatedly violating the law. Nor does he offer any “proof” about personal claims or interactions with many of the people he claims to have met.

[Mickey Bits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been published in 1989, this book may be a little dated (and out of date). Nevertheless, it's a must-read for any aficionado of the true crime and organized crime genre. I doubt there is another person more well versed in the esoteric world of LCN other than the hoods themselves.

Roemer mixes anecdotes from work with tidbits from his own life including some of his own foibles and peccadillos. I often had to remind myself just how long of a period this book covers. I think he became an agent sometime in the late 1950s and "retired" in the 80s. His work against organized crime continued even into his dotage, if you can call it that.

It's funny how one finds books to read... I recently re-read Pileggi's Casino, which turned me on to "The Enforcer," Roemer's tome on Tony "The Ant" Spilotro - which in turn led me to this book. I suggest you read them in reverser order: Man Against the Mob and then The Enforcer. Casino would be a good interlude between the two.

Granted, perhaps Roemer doesn't have the same gift for lyrical prose of Pileggi but it's authentic. It's as if you're having lunch with Bill and he's recounting his exploits. Read his books and THEN check out the tell-all confessionals on YouTube by the likes of Cullotta and others of his ilk.

[Chuckles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story, it was dated even when I read it in the early 2000s as the retired FBI agents author was even then elderly, but still worth the read for learning a lot of about the Chicago "Outfit".

The author is a bit of a braggart however, really proud of his accomplishment which he shares in detail. That said, he is self-aware enough to recognize it, and even pointed out a few times where got ahead of himself embarrassment.

[Bill Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autographed copy from author. Inside looks at the early days of the FBI versus the Mafia I found very intriguing. For instance, there came to be an agreement between law enforcement officers and Mafiosi that FBI and Mafia family members were off limits to the various "activities" in which each side engaged. It was "just business."