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Blood Oath
George Fresolone's transformation from aspiring underboss to disillusioned government agent who infiltrated the mafia is the saga of a man who stopped believing in the mob way of life and wanted to get out--and take down those around him. 25,000 first printing.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 25, 2012
This is an excellent overview of the Mafia in Northern New Jersey 1970s-1980s. Unlike many mob books, the author(s) does not expand far beyond what is known to Fresolone, namely the Philadelphia-based crew in the region. It gives the book more authority.
But there are some problems. For example, in the epilogue, he tells the reader that during the war between Stanfa and Merlino, he called up his friends in Philadelphia. Are the readers expected to believe he kept communication with other mafiosi years after becoming an informant? Another problem is the basic storyline that he was the only honorable mafioso in Northern Jersey after his mentor. The guy served minimal prison time for petty offenses. He was busted on petty charges (again) and became an informer. Other wiseguys would have (and appeared to have) given him a wide birth. The results of his cooperation, minor pleas and sentences reinforce his minor role in the underworld.
But there are some problems. For example, in the epilogue, he tells the reader that during the war between Stanfa and Merlino, he called up his friends in Philadelphia. Are the readers expected to believe he kept communication with other mafiosi years after becoming an informant? Another problem is the basic storyline that he was the only honorable mafioso in Northern Jersey after his mentor. The guy served minimal prison time for petty offenses. He was busted on petty charges (again) and became an informer. Other wiseguys would have (and appeared to have) given him a wide birth. The results of his cooperation, minor pleas and sentences reinforce his minor role in the underworld.
November 20, 2025
4.8 stars
the book was well written, the author does a good job of writing everything in a detailed, yet easy to understand way. i was on the edge of my seat reading this book. the pacing was phenomenal, the way this story was told was entertaining af and i found myself getting truly invested in everyone involved.
my only issue is some of the misinformation present in this book- namely that chucky merlino was assassinated under nicky scarfo's orders. honestly though, i can deal with it. you have to take the accounts of mobsters with a grain of salt because they're bound to smudge the truth to make themselves look better, and considering his role wasn't that big in the scarfo family i can see why he was mistaken.
the book was well written, the author does a good job of writing everything in a detailed, yet easy to understand way. i was on the edge of my seat reading this book. the pacing was phenomenal, the way this story was told was entertaining af and i found myself getting truly invested in everyone involved.
my only issue is some of the misinformation present in this book- namely that chucky merlino was assassinated under nicky scarfo's orders. honestly though, i can deal with it. you have to take the accounts of mobsters with a grain of salt because they're bound to smudge the truth to make themselves look better, and considering his role wasn't that big in the scarfo family i can see why he was mistaken.
December 4, 2023
Fresolone gives us the ins and outs of the Bruno-Scarfo family. Dude had major balls turning informant to the police and wearing a wire capturing some of the most infamous wise guys on tape. An exciting inside look into organized crime and how law enforcement operates to take them down.
Note: names were a bit hard to follow so I often had to backtrack to the cast of characters. However, it was exciting, fast paced and some scenarios will leave you sweating bullets.
Note: names were a bit hard to follow so I often had to backtrack to the cast of characters. However, it was exciting, fast paced and some scenarios will leave you sweating bullets.
February 13, 2022
My mom went to east side high school and Patty specks usto hung out at her mom and stepfather house and my mom hung out with Patty specks son Frankie so it was an amazing book to read so interesting
August 8, 2011
I liked the detail and knowledge in this book, but it couldn't hold my interest for very long. Some of the names got to be too much to keep track of.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews