Blood and Honor: Inside the Scarfo Mob, the Mafia's Most Violent Family, Updated and Expanded

by George Anastasia

Here is the critically acclaimed inside story, now in an expanded edition, about the rise and fall of Philadelphia's notorious Scarfo organization. Blunt and unsparing, it is a first-hand account of murder, money, and corruption told by wiseguy-turned-witness Nick Caramandi, whose testimony put Nicky Scarfo and many of his associates behind bars for the rest of their lives. A prime target for hit men to this day, Caramandi continues to survive only through the government's Witness Protection Program. In this updated edition of Blood and Honor, author George Anastasia picks up the story where he left off, filling us in on the fates of all the characters--major and minor--in recent years.

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

368 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1991

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anastasia is known as being a great writer on the inner workings of the Mafia, and he scored big in this 1990 book written based on interviews with Nick "The Crow" Caramandi, which really is the story of the rise and fall of the violent Scarfo family branch of La Costa Nostra, based in South Philly, Atlantic City NJ, and somewhat in Newark NJ. Caramandi told his story of being a street hustler and scammer, pulling off all sorts of jobs to hoodwink people out of money by playing on their greed. He eventually works his way up in the Bruno family mafia, until boss Angelo "The Gentle Don" Bruno is murdered. The previous low-key racketeering operation had been based around loan sharking, extortion, gambling, and the very occassional murder, when "Little Nicky" Scarfo rises to the top spot in the chaos of the murder of the long time boss, quickly turns the South Philly based operation to much grander and wilder schemes with murder being elevated to the go-to tool of the mafia, rather than the last resort.

Most of the book details how Scarfo expands the operations to get into Atlantic City casinos and gets a hold into City Hall through direct control of a councilman to siphon off development dollars, and even into South Florida as Scarfo moves back and forth. Scarfo deals with any dissent or possible rivals by declaring war and having them all killed or driven out of Philly, to the point where The Crow has to keep his wits about him to stay alive and keep on Scarfo's good side. While Bruno had kept the mafia closed off with few new initiations, Scarfo vastly expanded the ranks of South Philly "made" guys, and instead of keeping a low profile like Bruno, Scarfo really plays up his mafia celebrity status as they expand to just about all parts of the criminal underworld, even dabling directly in drug dealing for the first time. Eventually, as Caramandi illustrates, Scarfo turns on just about everybody in bouts of paranoia. Six members of the Scarfo family flip and become cooperating witnesses and the terror Scarfo had employed backfires badly and nearly destroys the South Philly mafia. While it continues today as a shadow of its former self as most members turned on each other, this is a fascinating glimpse into a world that passed when Scarfo tried to fly it into the sun.

Good fast read, especially if you like mob books, true crime books, or philly specific books. Though I had a hard time at points keeping all the names straight, since there's quite a few of them, and many end up dead by the end, and the survivors in jail.

[Mark Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent telling of the story of the downfall of the Scarfo Family of Philadelphia. The book follows Nick Caramandi from his beginnings in crime to becoming a made-man in the Mafia of Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Caramandi was instrumental in the takedown of the Scarfo family and is now in the Witness protection program. The book gives tremendous insight into the inner workings of a Mafia family. One of the better books in this genre. The downfall of Nicky Scarfo also led directly to successful prosecutions of other Mafioso, John Gotti among them.

[Michael Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being from South Jersey right over the bridges from Philly these are stories and people that have been familiar through the news and stories since I can remember. George Anastasia does a great job of detailing the inner workings of the Philly Mob from Bruno to Scarfo. The bloody and brutal way of life that gets glamorized in movies is not the depiction this book gives. The hustles day to day from long cons to short cons everything was motivated on money and respect. This is a great book if you’re interested in a down and dirty from the streets view of The Philly Mob!

[Michael Baggetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

""I would say that this Mafia book written about,Nicodemo, "Little Nicky" Scarfo,was one of the best that I have read! This mob boss whose hair-triggered temper and love for violence has not been matched since the days when Al Capone ruled Chicago! A must read for lovers of this genre of writing!

[Troy Sonnenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of the downfall of the Scarfo Family of Philadelphia. The book follows Nick Caramandi from his beginnings in crime to becoming a made-man in the Mafia of Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Caramandi was instrumental in the takedown of the Scarfo family and is now in the Witness protection program. The book gives tremendous insight into the inner workings of a Mafia family. One of the better books in this genre. The downfall of Nicky Scarfo also led directly to successful prosecutions of other Mafioso, John Gotti among them.

George Anastasia does a great job of detailing the inner workings of the Philly Mob from Bruno to Scarfo. The bloody and brutal way of life that gets glamorized in movies is not the depiction this book gives. The hustles day to day from long cons to short cons everything was motivated on money and respect. This is a great book if you’re interested in a down and dirty from the streets view of The Philly Mob. Since all the information comes from a true made member of the Philadelphia mob it's all very detailed and very accurate. There are definitely times when the story drags on, I think the book could have been shortened about 100 pages, but overall it is very full of action. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in learning more about the mob life.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really in depth look into the mafia life. Since all the information comes from a true made member of the Philadelphia mob it's all very detailed and very accurate. There are definitely times when the story drags on, I think the book could have been shortened about 100 pages, but overall it is very full of action. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in learning more about the mob life.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Philly Mob Book

This is a well written book. It is really a perspective of the Philly mob from the viewpoint of former mafioso Nick Caramandi. I’m sure other former members would offer different views, but, I imagine Caramandi has talked much more than the others. The electronic version I had was missing some quotes and the publisher should review. Regardless, the content of the book makes it a good read. I really recommend it to anyone from or familiar with South Philly.

[Dom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great account of the Philadelphia family and it’s members. One of the best mob books I’ve read but might be a little bias since I lived in Philly and traveled a lot to Atlantic City. Books like this leave you fascinated that places you’ve been and streets you’ve walked are the same as these individuals that live life like a movie. Anastasia is one of the best and look forward to reading the rest of his books.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good lord almighty! What a wild read. Having lived in and around Philadelphia my entire lie, I am surprised that I did not know more about the Bruno/Scarfo mob outside of news reports on the big names and references in popular Bruce Springsteen songs. This was a really interesting account of the rise and extreme fall of one of the most powerful crime families in America.

[Noah Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a really interesting insight into a sect of the mob that really took a full dive away from the classic mentality of the old school and seeing how quickly that gets you in prison. I didn’t know much about Philly but I can definitely say Nicky Scarfo is one of the biggest psychopaths I’ve ever read about.

[Phil Anastasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the best

I've probably read just about every mob book out there. George is the best in the business. He's been doing it so long and has yet to lose his touch with the underworld.

[Patrick Wikstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purported to be an inside story of the Philadelphia Mob, particularly the notorious Nicky Scarfo gang. Wiseguy-turned-witness Nick Caramandi spills his guts in this easy to listen to audible book. 11 hrs went by quite enjoyably. Might get boring if you’re not a fan of mob activity books. 3½***

[Brigid Mc · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Michael R. Lastowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

I lived in Philadelphia during the reign of Nicky Scarfo. This book tells the story with insight and an abundance of background.

[Christopher McDevitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Anastasia's reporting. It carries a very authentic feel.

[Davey · Rating 4 out of 5]

NF - Philly mob history from Angelo Bruno to present

[Tanner Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book especially if you’ve read mafia prince. It was getting the other side of the coin to the Philadelphia mob.

[Cheryl A · Rating 5 out of 5]

George signed my book. Brought my book to a family picnic. A great guy.

[julia robbins smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved learning about my neighborhood and my neighbors

[Fiona Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 but rounding up to 5

[Paul Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Will read it again in the future.

[Michael Cawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written history of the Philadelphia Mafia during the violent Scarfo regime

[gerard2e · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decent book. Not ground breaking or particularly engrossing or revealing but a decent recanting of merlino and natale’s time at the helm. Especially if as me you were fairly ignorant of the facts.

Worth a read if you are into the mob and went down the rabbit hole of the philly mob.

[John McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jimmy Breslin knocked it out of the park when he wrote that Blood and Honor was the best book ever written on the Mafia.

Little Nicky Scarfo killed Angelo Bruno for one reason: to take over and become boss of the Philadelphia Mafia operating out of South Philadelphia. In the 6 or 7 years that he reigned, there were more murders and more Mafia informanants than anywhere else.

What began in violence ended in violence, and even though Scarfo himself received multiple consecutive life sentences which virtually guarantee that he will die in prison, his 17 year old son attempted suicide and went into a coma for years because he couldn't take the abuse he received at school from classmates who made fun of him and harassed him once his father's violent acts and mob connections hit the papers.

This is another Anastasia revelation about the Mafia that makes it and its made members out to be exactly what they are: socially maladjusted men who murder to achieve their ends, motivated only by greed while espousing loyalty and love of family, both virtues that get put into play when greed and revenge become motivators.

[Joe Romaninsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Rate!

Extremely well researched. A compelling narrative that kept me turning pages well into several nights. Highly recommended, this gritty story told from the stand-
point of one of the major figures in the Scarfo mob. Caramandi's rise from a lone wolf street hustlers and con man to the upper echelon of the organization, as
big money producer and hit man, and eventual turncoat whose testimony was
key in the convictions of Scarfo and a large number of. mobsters, politicians, and
Union officials, is a story not to be missed by readers interested in crime history.

[Tim Schiraldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the truest representations of La Cosa Nostra in the 1980's. The Scarfo family in south Philly was one of the most violent, underhanded, and greedy Mafia clans ever. This is the story told by a turncoat who was right at the top, next to Don Scarfo, before breaking Omerta', or code of silence. This is an honest look at the Mob, not a glorifying fairy tale of gangster heros. It shows them as they were... and are. Nobody shines as bright a light on the subject as George Anastasia. Another winner, sir!

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this book. I wasn't totally knowledgeable about the inner sanctum of the Philly faction of Cosa Nostra. And I read a lot about the mafia, drug cartels, and other organized crime groups. So let me summarize this book by just saying a few words. If you liked the book Murder Machine by Gene Mustain, & Jerry Capeci. Your gonna like Blood and Honor. The nonstop action in this book is a highly riveting portrayal of mob life in South Philly. Highly recommended.

[Rho · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in 1991 - in 2015 it is still a great read. George Anastasia weaves a spell-binding tale. All the more spellbinding because every word of it is true. This book is a "must" read for anyone who wants to understand organized crime and not just the Philadelphia mob. The author has a new book " Gotti's Rules: The Story of John Alite, Junior Gotti, and the Demise of the American Mafia" which was published in January - NEXT on my list.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books tells about the Philly mob during the 80’s from the murder of the Gentle Don Angelo Bruno to the rise of Nicky Scarfo who believes business was better served with a gun. It is mainly told from the point of view of Nicky The Crow Carrumundi who was a member of the Philly mob to turn states evidence. It tells of the vicious in fighting amongst the Philly mob as they battle over control and money. An OK read.

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of books on the Scarfo Mob of Philadelphia. This is one of the best books covering that era. Anastasia is an excellent author and does not the present the self-aggrandizement of many people who interacted with the Scarfo Mob and then turned on their former friends and associates.