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Gotti's Rules: The Story of John Alite, Junior Gotti, and the Demise of the American Mafia
From New York Times bestselling author and “one of the most respected crime reporters in the country”, comes the inside story of the John Gotti and Gambino families, told through the unique vantage point of notorious mob hit-man John Alite, a close associate of Junior Gotti, who later testified against him.
Anastasia’s new book is a very rare glimpse into the Gotti family, from an insider’s perspective through the figure of John Alite, who was Gotti Jr.’s friend and protector. Until now, no one has given up the kind of personal details about the Gottis — including the legendary “Gotti Rules” of leadership — that Anastasia has uncovered here, through his exclusive access to and interviews with mob-enforcer-turned-government-witness Alite.
Anastasia’s new book is a very rare glimpse into the Gotti family, from an insider’s perspective through the figure of John Alite, who was Gotti Jr.’s friend and protector. Until now, no one has given up the kind of personal details about the Gottis — including the legendary “Gotti Rules” of leadership — that Anastasia has uncovered here, through his exclusive access to and interviews with mob-enforcer-turned-government-witness Alite.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 27, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 16, 2022
Yall, this book was boring.
I didn't think it was possible to make a Mob book boring but Gotti's Rules did it.
The first problem with this book is that the author basically just let's former Gambino mobster and snitch John Alite just tell his story and he never questions it. I dont think there's anything wrong with using a particular person to tell a story but you have to question him and point out the aspects that make no sense. Instead the author seemed to be enamored with Alite. He's the smartest, coolest, toughest person of all time. Every other mobster is a stupid savage but not John Alite, he's different.
Now I don't doubt that Junior Gotti son of Mob boss John Gotti, is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. That doesn't make John Alite a criminal genius.
My second problem is that this book is barely about John Gotti and his son Junior. In fact I think Victoria Gotti the daughter and sister of the John's Gotti gets more attention. Which is fine if the book was marketed as being about her but it wasn't.
Overall I just didn't care about this book and skimmed the last 30 - 40 pages.
I'm not letting the disappointment that I felt towards this book stop me from reading more Mafia books, because apparently I'm in my Mafia Era.
No rec
I didn't think it was possible to make a Mob book boring but Gotti's Rules did it.
The first problem with this book is that the author basically just let's former Gambino mobster and snitch John Alite just tell his story and he never questions it. I dont think there's anything wrong with using a particular person to tell a story but you have to question him and point out the aspects that make no sense. Instead the author seemed to be enamored with Alite. He's the smartest, coolest, toughest person of all time. Every other mobster is a stupid savage but not John Alite, he's different.
Now I don't doubt that Junior Gotti son of Mob boss John Gotti, is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. That doesn't make John Alite a criminal genius.
My second problem is that this book is barely about John Gotti and his son Junior. In fact I think Victoria Gotti the daughter and sister of the John's Gotti gets more attention. Which is fine if the book was marketed as being about her but it wasn't.
Overall I just didn't care about this book and skimmed the last 30 - 40 pages.
I'm not letting the disappointment that I felt towards this book stop me from reading more Mafia books, because apparently I'm in my Mafia Era.
No rec
November 16, 2015
Nicely written book about inside "The Gotti's" told by ex-enforcer, John Alite, written by the very experienced reporter, with more than thirty years experience, George Anastasia
The beginning starts with Alite inside a Brazil prison, notoriously known as one of the worst prisons to be in. Alite wanted to avoid extradition back to the states, & spent many years on the run in Europe, Cuba & South America, living quite a wonderful life rom the money he made being with the Gotti organization. He then turned witness against, what others say was his best friend, John Gotti Jr., but he denies being best friends. He just wanted into the mob, & his easiest way in was to "babysit" Junior. He'd never been a made man since he's part Albanian, but they liked him because Albanians were known to be even tougher than Italians, as far as mobs. He grew up in nearby neighborhood & became part of "the family"
Although Alite does admit to his wrong doings, killings, beatings ( sometimes innocent people) this book seems to downplay his actions and expands on the actions of the Gotti's. He even described himself once, I believe ( not his words exactly) but as the Saint of the mob. The book makes for interesting reading & to learn & realize that mob activity occurred ( I'm sure it's still around) , but how the inner workings were back in the 80's. It describes how Gotti became the head of the five families & how his rules were to be carried out by others, but not by himself. Great example was--do not talk to press, media, anybody! Yet, Gotti himself was the biggest offender by being on magazine covers, talking to media to personalize him & have the people know who he was. It helped him at times esp. during trials as he was never convicted. That's explained as watching jurors, following them home & "talking" to them.
Great book for those interested in mobs & people in the mob. I believe it's pretty truthful, except where Alite doesn't talk much about his killings & beatings, mainly only what the others did. Alite is now a motivational speaker who volunteers time talking to groups such as juvies, schools, & about anti bullying. He's quite pro-anti bullying, which if these talks helps to make him feel as if he's giving back to society, it's at least a positive direction, & maybe relieves his soul & helps him feel good now, after the things he did while in the mob. For him, looking back, the mob was the easiest fastest way to making money, even though it was illegal & he made quite a lot from it, enough to fund his running from the law for years, living on St Tropez beaches, & other exotic locales
Highly recommend those who like mob stories. This is a true account as told by John Alite, to the author
I won this book in goodreads giveaway. Many thanx to goodreads, the author , Dey St books/Harper Collins division
The beginning starts with Alite inside a Brazil prison, notoriously known as one of the worst prisons to be in. Alite wanted to avoid extradition back to the states, & spent many years on the run in Europe, Cuba & South America, living quite a wonderful life rom the money he made being with the Gotti organization. He then turned witness against, what others say was his best friend, John Gotti Jr., but he denies being best friends. He just wanted into the mob, & his easiest way in was to "babysit" Junior. He'd never been a made man since he's part Albanian, but they liked him because Albanians were known to be even tougher than Italians, as far as mobs. He grew up in nearby neighborhood & became part of "the family"
Although Alite does admit to his wrong doings, killings, beatings ( sometimes innocent people) this book seems to downplay his actions and expands on the actions of the Gotti's. He even described himself once, I believe ( not his words exactly) but as the Saint of the mob. The book makes for interesting reading & to learn & realize that mob activity occurred ( I'm sure it's still around) , but how the inner workings were back in the 80's. It describes how Gotti became the head of the five families & how his rules were to be carried out by others, but not by himself. Great example was--do not talk to press, media, anybody! Yet, Gotti himself was the biggest offender by being on magazine covers, talking to media to personalize him & have the people know who he was. It helped him at times esp. during trials as he was never convicted. That's explained as watching jurors, following them home & "talking" to them.
Great book for those interested in mobs & people in the mob. I believe it's pretty truthful, except where Alite doesn't talk much about his killings & beatings, mainly only what the others did. Alite is now a motivational speaker who volunteers time talking to groups such as juvies, schools, & about anti bullying. He's quite pro-anti bullying, which if these talks helps to make him feel as if he's giving back to society, it's at least a positive direction, & maybe relieves his soul & helps him feel good now, after the things he did while in the mob. For him, looking back, the mob was the easiest fastest way to making money, even though it was illegal & he made quite a lot from it, enough to fund his running from the law for years, living on St Tropez beaches, & other exotic locales
Highly recommend those who like mob stories. This is a true account as told by John Alite, to the author
I won this book in goodreads giveaway. Many thanx to goodreads, the author , Dey St books/Harper Collins division
September 26, 2015
I am always a little cynical when reading first-hand accounts from mobsters-turned informant. The very public he-said - they-said spat between Alite and the Gotti Family only ratchet up the cynicism. However, George Anastasia has written some excellent books, including a very good book based on Tommy DelGiorno, a Philadelphia mobster-turned informant. It is really based on Anastasia's reputation that I would suspend my normal cynicism. Afterall, his journalist credentials means that he needs to verify his facts whenever he can. Unfortunately, he seems to have skipped that part in this book. The result is more of a made-for-tv script than a first-hand account of the mob.
In short, John Alite grew up in a rough neighborhood. Many of his friends were connected to the mob, and he gravitated that way. For some strange reason, all mobsters took an immediate liking to Alite....just none of them brought him into their confidence. That is the first red flag. There are no details (real names, dates, events), it seems vague; yet proves Alite is a likeable and reliable hoodlum. It is just that no one brought him into the mob until he began hanging out with John Gotti Jr., the entitled son of mob boss John Gotti Sr. Once again, Gotti Sr. apparently took an immediate liking to Alite....although no other book on Gotti Sr. ever seemed to notice Alite. Alite's closest connection with the Gottis was through two people who are now dead and unable to collaborate....one of them was an informant.
The crux of the book is Alite's adventures with the Mafia prince. Gotti Jr was seemingly a bully without any real aptitude for the mob. He seemingly skated by on his father's reputation. I believe Anastasia's portrayal of the younger Gotti, at least in the 1980s. Maybe he was able to verify some details with his law enforcement connections. There were stories of Gotti Jr hanging out with muscular thugs and bullies - like Alite - did every reader enjoy the solo photos of Alite posing with his muscles? The result of this steroid-enhanced crew was to go around bullying people - armed robberies, drug-dealing, extortion, assault, "unionizing" bouncers and valet parking workers. Of course, this violent lifestyle led to some spectacular violence - perfect to cinema or tv. One time, Alite battled a crew of Colombian hitmen outside of his home. Another time, he and Gotti Jr. tied a phone chord around a guy's neck and dragged him along a highway dangling out of their racing limo. Fantastic!
No matter how tough Alite was, he does not seem to have been embraced into the larger organization. He was no Meyer Lansky, Willie Boy Johnson, or Joe Watts. He was a violent thug. That was his value. Yes, he may have been reliable for thuggery; but he clearly was not involved in more complex forms of organized crime. What seems clear from the book is that Gotti Jr, Ronald Trucchio, and the few other mobsters who knew Alite, matured both emotionally and criminally. Leaving Alite to poop daggers and fight for his life in a corrupt Brazilian prison - a la Jean-Claude Van Damme style.
Overall, I am really disappointed in this book. There are glimpses of truth buried in the self-aggrandizement. Gotti Sr. really did screw up the mob. Gotti Jr. really lacked the respect of other mobsters. However, there appears so little fact-checking or corroborating evidence in this book, that it is really difficult to believe. I still do not know what Gotti and Trucchio were charged with in Florida. Alite (and Anastasia) clearly gloss over Alite's activities in Tampa in favor of humiliating Gotti. As for Gotti's rules, I thought they were kinda mean-spirited. After all, they seem to apply to any workplace environment: protect the boss, do not talk to the media, do not deal drugs, always keep employees waiting to show them who is boss, create demeaning nicknames for employees, etc. They are not applicable just to Gotti or organized crime. Aside from a very brief and vague glimpse at the Gambino Mob after Gotti Sr., this book offers little to readers.
In short, John Alite grew up in a rough neighborhood. Many of his friends were connected to the mob, and he gravitated that way. For some strange reason, all mobsters took an immediate liking to Alite....just none of them brought him into their confidence. That is the first red flag. There are no details (real names, dates, events), it seems vague; yet proves Alite is a likeable and reliable hoodlum. It is just that no one brought him into the mob until he began hanging out with John Gotti Jr., the entitled son of mob boss John Gotti Sr. Once again, Gotti Sr. apparently took an immediate liking to Alite....although no other book on Gotti Sr. ever seemed to notice Alite. Alite's closest connection with the Gottis was through two people who are now dead and unable to collaborate....one of them was an informant.
The crux of the book is Alite's adventures with the Mafia prince. Gotti Jr was seemingly a bully without any real aptitude for the mob. He seemingly skated by on his father's reputation. I believe Anastasia's portrayal of the younger Gotti, at least in the 1980s. Maybe he was able to verify some details with his law enforcement connections. There were stories of Gotti Jr hanging out with muscular thugs and bullies - like Alite - did every reader enjoy the solo photos of Alite posing with his muscles? The result of this steroid-enhanced crew was to go around bullying people - armed robberies, drug-dealing, extortion, assault, "unionizing" bouncers and valet parking workers. Of course, this violent lifestyle led to some spectacular violence - perfect to cinema or tv. One time, Alite battled a crew of Colombian hitmen outside of his home. Another time, he and Gotti Jr. tied a phone chord around a guy's neck and dragged him along a highway dangling out of their racing limo. Fantastic!
No matter how tough Alite was, he does not seem to have been embraced into the larger organization. He was no Meyer Lansky, Willie Boy Johnson, or Joe Watts. He was a violent thug. That was his value. Yes, he may have been reliable for thuggery; but he clearly was not involved in more complex forms of organized crime. What seems clear from the book is that Gotti Jr, Ronald Trucchio, and the few other mobsters who knew Alite, matured both emotionally and criminally. Leaving Alite to poop daggers and fight for his life in a corrupt Brazilian prison - a la Jean-Claude Van Damme style.
Overall, I am really disappointed in this book. There are glimpses of truth buried in the self-aggrandizement. Gotti Sr. really did screw up the mob. Gotti Jr. really lacked the respect of other mobsters. However, there appears so little fact-checking or corroborating evidence in this book, that it is really difficult to believe. I still do not know what Gotti and Trucchio were charged with in Florida. Alite (and Anastasia) clearly gloss over Alite's activities in Tampa in favor of humiliating Gotti. As for Gotti's rules, I thought they were kinda mean-spirited. After all, they seem to apply to any workplace environment: protect the boss, do not talk to the media, do not deal drugs, always keep employees waiting to show them who is boss, create demeaning nicknames for employees, etc. They are not applicable just to Gotti or organized crime. Aside from a very brief and vague glimpse at the Gambino Mob after Gotti Sr., this book offers little to readers.
January 30, 2015
This book is very well researched and goes in depth into both the Gotti Crime Syndicate and that of one "soldier" John Alite. It is amazing to me how much violence Alite alone was responsible for. He dealt drugs, ran prostitutes for a bit. He dabbled in everything illegal. Why? He could.
George Anastasia did a fantastic job in illustrating what a day in the life of the mob would entail. He makes the point repeatedly that there is no code of honor as in The Godfather. There is no loyalty. These people are brutal, selfish, violent and have no remorse. At times, Alite would comes across as almost human. Almost. The fact that he's back on the streets does not encourage me to have faith in our justice system.
Very well researched and written. Highly recommended to anyone who wants an inside look at the American Mafia.
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
George Anastasia did a fantastic job in illustrating what a day in the life of the mob would entail. He makes the point repeatedly that there is no code of honor as in The Godfather. There is no loyalty. These people are brutal, selfish, violent and have no remorse. At times, Alite would comes across as almost human. Almost. The fact that he's back on the streets does not encourage me to have faith in our justice system.
Very well researched and written. Highly recommended to anyone who wants an inside look at the American Mafia.
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
July 19, 2017
Definitely worth the read, good candid account of the "life". Most likely embellished at parts but overall very true to form.
January 4, 2018
The Fall of the Mafia in America
Mr.Anastasia provides an in depth and harrowing tale of murder and mayhem within the ranks of the Gambino crime family in the 1980s and 1990s. It was style over substance, greed and violence over any romantic idea of honor. There is no honor in the life. Treachery and betrayal are around every corner. This isn't the Godfather movies..its real and its gritty and is despicable...
Mr.Anastasia provides an in depth and harrowing tale of murder and mayhem within the ranks of the Gambino crime family in the 1980s and 1990s. It was style over substance, greed and violence over any romantic idea of honor. There is no honor in the life. Treachery and betrayal are around every corner. This isn't the Godfather movies..its real and its gritty and is despicable...
March 14, 2017
I am not into this kind of material. Too unhappy, too true and too horrible to accept as reality for a chunk of people in America today. There really are people like this and I don't like that!
September 26, 2015
Anastasia tells the story of Mr. Alite as if one is sitting with him sipping espresso in a South Jersey diner, for the love of God!! Mr. Alite is presented as highly likeable and I was rooting for him throughout the entire book. He's had a very, very full life and I think he would write a fine book himself. He's a survivor and I trust that he's living a quiet life full of reflection now. He seems like one of the most courageous fellows on the planet.
March 17, 2015
Gotti Jr. bully and pea brain is the best they have .... the mob is dead
Hard to like any of the characters but easily to identify the weakest.
The pecking order in a gang is always clear but they all go down the same.
Hard to like any of the characters but easily to identify the weakest.
The pecking order in a gang is always clear but they all go down the same.
March 22, 2024
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January 2, 2020
Best part was learning how the “Dapper Don” didn’t even know how to dress, he had to pay someone to dress him.
August 14, 2021
Rregullat e Gotit Historia e Xhon Alites & renia e mafies Amerikane- Xhorxh Anastasia
Ky rrefim real pershkruan trekendeshin Xhon Goti- Xhon Alite- Xhunior Goti dhe dhjetra bashkepunues, gangstere, kapo, pjesetare te familjes kriminale Gambino.
Nen zerin e Alites njohim nje bote te erret ku mbizoteron dhuna, droga, mafia, paraja, pushteti, nepotizmi, lakmia.
Alite ishte nje vrases, trafikant droge dhe gangster per vite me rradhe.
U perfshi ne familjen Gambino dhe ne fillimet e tij ishte gati te rrezikonte jeten per ta, por sa me shume qe e njihte Xhon Gotin dhe Xhunior Gotin, aq me pak i besonte, pasi ata ndryshe thoshin, ndryshe benin.
I pyetur se perse arriti deri ne ate pike sa te vriste, te vidhte, se perse ishte aq i dhunshem, ai thote se as vete nuk e kuptonte sesi ndodhi.
Ai e beri ate pune per te fituar para, per te jetuar mire dhe per t’u be nje bashkepunetor sa me i denje ne rrethin e mafies.
Gjithsesi ne kete liber nuk gjykojme Aliten, por historite mizore te krimit te organizuar, te cilat drejtoheshin nga familja Goti.
Shikojme imazhin e mafies amerikane ku koncepte si fisnikeria, nderi, besnikeria, respekti, nuk ekzistonin. Gotet ishin anormale moren drejtimin e nje prej organizatave kriminale me te fuqishme ne Amerike dhe e perdoren per perfitimet e veta derisa e rrenuan ate.
Xhon Goti sipas menyrave dhe “rregullave” tij dinte si te luante lojen, djali i tij, manipulues si dreqi, nuk diti aspak, ishte shume i paafte per te kuptuar jeten e rruges. Kurse Xhon Alite e pse u magjeps pas mafias, u perdor deri ne abuzim prej saj, ne fund bashkepunoi me drejtesine, duke ia arrire keshtu e pse vone te mos neperkembej prej tyre, te mos humbiste anen njerezore te tij.
Nje liber me dhune te tejskajshme, me rregulla te vendosura nga Xhon Goti dhe asnjehere te respektuara prej tij apo djalit te tij.
Nje liber qe sjell nje pasqyrim te vertete dhe shume te frikshem ku mbizoteruese jane vrasjet, viktima te pafundme sepse cdo vrasje “nenkuptonte” dicka sipas Goteve.
Jete njerezish te shkaterruara e shume detaje te tjera.
Ndonese Xhunior Goti se pranoi kurre, Alite flet realitetin, si nje ish gangster qe ia doli te fuse jeten e tij ne binare, pa dhune ne te.
Nje roman goxha interesant dhe jam mese e bindur qe nese dikush deshiron te thellohet dhe te lexoje me shume per mafien, ky eshte libri ideal.
Personalisht, nuk e gjeta shume veten ne te, it is not my type le te themi, po prape kerkoja drejtesine, me dhimbte kur lexoja sesi merrej jeta e njerezve ndonjehere per arsye banale dhe sesa e korruptuar mund te jete bota, ndoshta dhe sot..
3.5🌟
Ky rrefim real pershkruan trekendeshin Xhon Goti- Xhon Alite- Xhunior Goti dhe dhjetra bashkepunues, gangstere, kapo, pjesetare te familjes kriminale Gambino.
Nen zerin e Alites njohim nje bote te erret ku mbizoteron dhuna, droga, mafia, paraja, pushteti, nepotizmi, lakmia.
Alite ishte nje vrases, trafikant droge dhe gangster per vite me rradhe.
U perfshi ne familjen Gambino dhe ne fillimet e tij ishte gati te rrezikonte jeten per ta, por sa me shume qe e njihte Xhon Gotin dhe Xhunior Gotin, aq me pak i besonte, pasi ata ndryshe thoshin, ndryshe benin.
I pyetur se perse arriti deri ne ate pike sa te vriste, te vidhte, se perse ishte aq i dhunshem, ai thote se as vete nuk e kuptonte sesi ndodhi.
Ai e beri ate pune per te fituar para, per te jetuar mire dhe per t’u be nje bashkepunetor sa me i denje ne rrethin e mafies.
Gjithsesi ne kete liber nuk gjykojme Aliten, por historite mizore te krimit te organizuar, te cilat drejtoheshin nga familja Goti.
Shikojme imazhin e mafies amerikane ku koncepte si fisnikeria, nderi, besnikeria, respekti, nuk ekzistonin. Gotet ishin anormale moren drejtimin e nje prej organizatave kriminale me te fuqishme ne Amerike dhe e perdoren per perfitimet e veta derisa e rrenuan ate.
Xhon Goti sipas menyrave dhe “rregullave” tij dinte si te luante lojen, djali i tij, manipulues si dreqi, nuk diti aspak, ishte shume i paafte per te kuptuar jeten e rruges. Kurse Xhon Alite e pse u magjeps pas mafias, u perdor deri ne abuzim prej saj, ne fund bashkepunoi me drejtesine, duke ia arrire keshtu e pse vone te mos neperkembej prej tyre, te mos humbiste anen njerezore te tij.
Nje liber me dhune te tejskajshme, me rregulla te vendosura nga Xhon Goti dhe asnjehere te respektuara prej tij apo djalit te tij.
Nje liber qe sjell nje pasqyrim te vertete dhe shume te frikshem ku mbizoteruese jane vrasjet, viktima te pafundme sepse cdo vrasje “nenkuptonte” dicka sipas Goteve.
Jete njerezish te shkaterruara e shume detaje te tjera.
Ndonese Xhunior Goti se pranoi kurre, Alite flet realitetin, si nje ish gangster qe ia doli te fuse jeten e tij ne binare, pa dhune ne te.
Nje roman goxha interesant dhe jam mese e bindur qe nese dikush deshiron te thellohet dhe te lexoje me shume per mafien, ky eshte libri ideal.
Personalisht, nuk e gjeta shume veten ne te, it is not my type le te themi, po prape kerkoja drejtesine, me dhimbte kur lexoja sesi merrej jeta e njerezve ndonjehere per arsye banale dhe sesa e korruptuar mund te jete bota, ndoshta dhe sot..
3.5🌟
April 18, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “THE DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM NEEDS A NEW NUMBER FOR *RAT-FICTION*
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The third-largest category in my ever growing library is what I call… Organized Crime… Law Enforcement… Serial Killers… Criminal Psychology. The biggest individual segment within the aforementioned group is the Mafia. Before the last twenty-odd-years the view and attraction to this type of book… was clearly the romanticized belief in “Omerta”… the code of silence… along with one of my dear departed Dad’s favorite terms in describing the type of men we wanted to be… and the type of man in any walk of life… that we truly respected… and that honorable-glorified-title… was **A-STAND-UP-GUY! **
Well… at least … (at least publicly)… for the last twenty odd years… that no longer exists. The days of even half-believing the romanticized version that Mario Puzo so ably created in the Godfather… in real life has been flushed so far down the toilet it has probably found a resting place in a cesspool in China. This book told mainly through interviews and testimony of John Alite a multi-convicted… self-proclaimed… killer… leg breaking… drug dealer… and very importantly… admits he lied numerous times… even in court under oath. Alite… became the Gotti’s go to guy for killings and beatings. He dealt drugs on a massive basis… and yet because he wasn’t of true Italian blood… he could never become a “made-man”. Alite signed over his body and soul to the government… and became another in the long line of “King-Rats”. The story is one long dissertation on how Alite dreamt of “this-life”… and of working with the Gotti’s… and then spent three-quarters of the book describing non-stop what worthless… lying… dishonorable… spineless… schmucks they really were.
The problem with this book… and about the last five of this genre that I have read (and as I read this out loud to myself… for my benefit… as well as yours… what I am writing… it will probably be my last for a while)… they are all basically the freakin’ same! Some tough guy “made-man”… or associate… or capo… or family boss… has not only become the very thing every single one of them condemned as the lowest scum on this planet… a rat… but they are trying to benefit from becoming that nauseating freakin’ rat.
Are we supposed to feel sorry for a guy who has dedicated his life to killing and maiming people… a person who got rich spreading illegal drugs all over the country… simply because he keeps telling us that the Gotti’s … (Father-son-brothers-sisters-wife) are all dishonorable scums bags? What did this rat… as well as every other rat… that skittered through the same dark sewers… think they were accomplishing with their lives that made the Gotti’s look so bad in comparison. What could they have possibly seen when they dared to look themselves with somewhat unbiased eyes into life’s mirror of truth… other than a dirty… squinty eyed… stringy mustached… garbage infested… vermin?
I know there are laws that criminals in prison can’t benefit monetarily from their crimes… such as… if Charles Manson sold a painting… any revenue garnered… would go 100% to his victims. After reading at least ten Mafia books in a row with the story either written by… or built around interviews by a Government assisted rat… I feel there should be new laws as to what they can be paid. I also find it incredulous that the Government doesn’t do more to take away the millions of dollars that these rats have squirreled away before they got immunity from the Government… for ratting-out their former “kiss-kiss” honorable family members.
It would be nice if a book was released regarding a “TRUE-STAND-UP-GUY”… rather than another run-of-the-sewer-rat.
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The third-largest category in my ever growing library is what I call… Organized Crime… Law Enforcement… Serial Killers… Criminal Psychology. The biggest individual segment within the aforementioned group is the Mafia. Before the last twenty-odd-years the view and attraction to this type of book… was clearly the romanticized belief in “Omerta”… the code of silence… along with one of my dear departed Dad’s favorite terms in describing the type of men we wanted to be… and the type of man in any walk of life… that we truly respected… and that honorable-glorified-title… was **A-STAND-UP-GUY! **
Well… at least … (at least publicly)… for the last twenty odd years… that no longer exists. The days of even half-believing the romanticized version that Mario Puzo so ably created in the Godfather… in real life has been flushed so far down the toilet it has probably found a resting place in a cesspool in China. This book told mainly through interviews and testimony of John Alite a multi-convicted… self-proclaimed… killer… leg breaking… drug dealer… and very importantly… admits he lied numerous times… even in court under oath. Alite… became the Gotti’s go to guy for killings and beatings. He dealt drugs on a massive basis… and yet because he wasn’t of true Italian blood… he could never become a “made-man”. Alite signed over his body and soul to the government… and became another in the long line of “King-Rats”. The story is one long dissertation on how Alite dreamt of “this-life”… and of working with the Gotti’s… and then spent three-quarters of the book describing non-stop what worthless… lying… dishonorable… spineless… schmucks they really were.
The problem with this book… and about the last five of this genre that I have read (and as I read this out loud to myself… for my benefit… as well as yours… what I am writing… it will probably be my last for a while)… they are all basically the freakin’ same! Some tough guy “made-man”… or associate… or capo… or family boss… has not only become the very thing every single one of them condemned as the lowest scum on this planet… a rat… but they are trying to benefit from becoming that nauseating freakin’ rat.
Are we supposed to feel sorry for a guy who has dedicated his life to killing and maiming people… a person who got rich spreading illegal drugs all over the country… simply because he keeps telling us that the Gotti’s … (Father-son-brothers-sisters-wife) are all dishonorable scums bags? What did this rat… as well as every other rat… that skittered through the same dark sewers… think they were accomplishing with their lives that made the Gotti’s look so bad in comparison. What could they have possibly seen when they dared to look themselves with somewhat unbiased eyes into life’s mirror of truth… other than a dirty… squinty eyed… stringy mustached… garbage infested… vermin?
I know there are laws that criminals in prison can’t benefit monetarily from their crimes… such as… if Charles Manson sold a painting… any revenue garnered… would go 100% to his victims. After reading at least ten Mafia books in a row with the story either written by… or built around interviews by a Government assisted rat… I feel there should be new laws as to what they can be paid. I also find it incredulous that the Government doesn’t do more to take away the millions of dollars that these rats have squirreled away before they got immunity from the Government… for ratting-out their former “kiss-kiss” honorable family members.
It would be nice if a book was released regarding a “TRUE-STAND-UP-GUY”… rather than another run-of-the-sewer-rat.
February 10, 2022
3 stars 🌟 for the entertainment value alone. I can’t take John Alite seriously, I just can’t. He may be a nice bloke yada yada but let’s face it, he was a hired goon, nothing more, nothing less. However, if you don’t know anything about Alite prior to reading this, you may be blown away (no pun intended) by his grandiose tales of how he was technically a made man, how he would chill out with Gotti senior at the club and how he, Alite, called the shots, often instigating hits. Let’s be real here - he wasn’t even a made man: due to his heritage, he never could be. And I’m not buying the stories of how Gotti Sr would casually chat mob business with him, I’m just not.
Overall, Alite comes across as a petulant child throwing his toys out of the pram. His incessant jabs at Victoria Gotti scream one thing loud and clear - she turned him down at some point and he never quite got over it. Furthermore, his claims of being so uncomfortably enmeshed in the Gotti home life completely contradicts his “need” to be involved in the mob life and his reluctance to break away from the Gotti family.
All in all, I think John Alite is a big time mobster - in his own head. And now that I come to think of it, if his book wasn’t titled “Gotti’s Rules”, I don’t think it would have caught as much attention as it did, just saying.
Overall, Alite comes across as a petulant child throwing his toys out of the pram. His incessant jabs at Victoria Gotti scream one thing loud and clear - she turned him down at some point and he never quite got over it. Furthermore, his claims of being so uncomfortably enmeshed in the Gotti home life completely contradicts his “need” to be involved in the mob life and his reluctance to break away from the Gotti family.
All in all, I think John Alite is a big time mobster - in his own head. And now that I come to think of it, if his book wasn’t titled “Gotti’s Rules”, I don’t think it would have caught as much attention as it did, just saying.
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December 9, 2023The book is a biopic of Alites violent and brutally honest reality. It starts of with a bang in the first chapter, and never seems to settles down. Aside from alites own stories and deeds, he constantly reflects and refers to his bestie Junior Gotti, who at that time was his closest business associate. Due to the ‘lack of toughness’ he never seemed to get fond of the Italian-American. Gotti Jr. lived of his family’s reputation, while alite had to work himself up from the ground. The nepotism junior profited from nags on alite throughout the whole book. At no point though does he complain about the advantages he had by running with the renowned Gotti family. The business they made together and their relationship seems to be the anchor of this tale. As well as the values of that world, which seemed to shift from what they initially were at alite’s introduction to the underground.
John Alite is very self-aware and doesn’t deny any of his questionable traits. He stands by everything he’s done in the past and is able to look at the scenarios from a neutral perspective. He’s an Albanian man of pride and honour.
John Alite is very self-aware and doesn’t deny any of his questionable traits. He stands by everything he’s done in the past and is able to look at the scenarios from a neutral perspective. He’s an Albanian man of pride and honour.
July 2, 2018
This book tells the story of the transfer of power from John Gotti Sr. to his son John. The title includes the Demise of the American Mafia. This is mainly due to the fact that under Gotti Sr. things started to unravel for the Gambino crime family. The concept of omerta was long gone and everyone was out for themselves. After Jr took over as the boss of the family it was in shambles. His high profile persona coupled with an abuse of power and not following mafia protocols created problems for he and the family. After senior dies jr. is demoted to capo and declares that he has no more involvement with the mafia. The book deals exclusively with the Gambino family and gives the impression that they had to do a restructuring to get Jr. out of the lead position of power. Whether Gotti Jr is now involved with the family or not is speculation. The book claims he is, Jr. claims he is not.
September 28, 2017
From New York Times bestselling author and “one of the most respected crime reporters in the country”, comes the inside story of the John Gotti and Gambino families, told through the unique vantage point of notorious mob hit-man John Alite, a close associate of Junior Gotti, who later testified against him.
Anastasia’s new book is a very rare glimpse into the Gotti family, from an insider’s perspective through the figure of John Alite, who was Gotti Jr.’s friend and protector. Until now, no one has given up the kind of personal details about the Gottis — including the legendary “Gotti Rules” of leadership — that Anastasia has uncovered here, through his exclusive access to and interviews with mob-enforcer-turned-government-witness Alite.
Anastasia’s new book is a very rare glimpse into the Gotti family, from an insider’s perspective through the figure of John Alite, who was Gotti Jr.’s friend and protector. Until now, no one has given up the kind of personal details about the Gottis — including the legendary “Gotti Rules” of leadership — that Anastasia has uncovered here, through his exclusive access to and interviews with mob-enforcer-turned-government-witness Alite.
September 10, 2019
I thought the book started off from a very weird place. The reason I gave it a 4/5 is because it kind of goes back and fourth, instead of a straightforward chronological order of events. Unlike most books that glorify the Mob, Gotti's Rules on the other hand tells the story of John Alite and his relationship with Gotti Jr - John Gotti's son. Alite goes into detail about a lot of 'contracts' he has done for the Gotti family. This book overall is a fast and exciting read. The way the story is told you can easily visualize what John Alite's actions would have looked like.
January 27, 2021
Quick impressions: The book's description sounds a lot more interesting than what we get with this book. John Alite is another former mobster that decided to save himself and collaborate with the authorities. Like other mafiosi, he thought of himself as a good mafioso. Like others who have followed that path, he mostly got off relatively easy.
Overall, I would say this was OK. If you enjoy reading books about the Mafia, and specifically about John Gotti and his times, this is definitely optional reading.
(Full review on my blog)
Overall, I would say this was OK. If you enjoy reading books about the Mafia, and specifically about John Gotti and his times, this is definitely optional reading.
(Full review on my blog)
July 21, 2022
A useful book if you want to get rid of the myth of the 'noble mafioso' and the codes of honor glorified by some other writers. Most of the people involved in organized dot not even get close to realizing how much pain and misery they cause and how guilty they should feel. I believe 'making a deal' and buy some freedom in exchange for giving the police some of the other criminals may be a mistake sometimes, used in order to close cases.
The book is a good piece of journalism a refrains from exaggerated shouts, which is not always the case in similar stories.
The book is a good piece of journalism a refrains from exaggerated shouts, which is not always the case in similar stories.
August 5, 2018
Seat warmer
If you like a good thriller and love suspense then you must read this book. I promise you will find it hard to put down. After following John Alite throughout the book and taking into account all his crimes, I find myself liking him and believe he would be an interesting person to sit down with and listen to his stories. Would not want to make him mad 😠though.
If you like a good thriller and love suspense then you must read this book. I promise you will find it hard to put down. After following John Alite throughout the book and taking into account all his crimes, I find myself liking him and believe he would be an interesting person to sit down with and listen to his stories. Would not want to make him mad 😠though.
March 21, 2021
I read /Gotti's Rules: The Story of John Alite, Junior Gotti, and the Demise of the American Mafia/, by George Anastasia.
I've been reading all the Mafia books and others that detail Disorganized Crime; this is one of the better stories.
Now I'm going to have to play Black Sabbath's "The Mob Rules".
I've been reading all the Mafia books and others that detail Disorganized Crime; this is one of the better stories.
Now I'm going to have to play Black Sabbath's "The Mob Rules".
June 30, 2021
I’ve watched a few extended interviews with John Alite and I watched the 60 minutes interview with Jr Gotti. I find Alite more credible. He’s no hero but he owns up to what he did. It’s very Sammy The Bull-esque. I hope Alite can make true changes & lead a productive, law-abiding life.
I enjoyed this book, you should read it just for the Brazilian prison knife story alone.
I enjoyed this book, you should read it just for the Brazilian prison knife story alone.
July 1, 2018
A believable account of wasted potential.
Alite seems to be someone who had the potential to be anything he wanted to be, but chose the wrong path. Actions have consequences, even for those who think they are above the law.
Alite seems to be someone who had the potential to be anything he wanted to be, but chose the wrong path. Actions have consequences, even for those who think they are above the law.
March 23, 2019
A street tough successful gangster tells his story, and relationship with other gangsters, particularly the Gotti's. Well written, and interesting. Each of us decides how to live, and that becomes the story of our lives.
April 28, 2019
Horrible writing. Part fairy tale that gives precise descriptions of what was going on through the heads of the actors at the time of some minor fact, blended with the orthodoxy of the society. It seems to be less about facts and more about building up heroes.
February 23, 2021
Not great. There are some good parts, but there's nothing memorable here. If you've read other books on this subject, you've already read this one. These first hand accounts from mob enforcers turned FBI Informants, it's all about them trying to justify their actions for becoming an informant.
May 10, 2023
I have watched so many interviews on podcasts with Alite I came into this knowing 80% of the story. But Anastasia puts it together nicely and whether any or all or some of it is true who knows. I almost don't care it gives insight into the Gotti family and John Jr more than anything. Good read.
December 22, 2023
As always good reads by Anastasia
Easy read, very informative and well written. The story has a basic Alite v. Gotti fight somewhere in the middle to the end. Gotta believe this side might be true(r) in facts.
Easy read, very informative and well written. The story has a basic Alite v. Gotti fight somewhere in the middle to the end. Gotta believe this side might be true(r) in facts.
April 16, 2025
This book is the book that Darkest Hour should have been. Perhaps already telling this tale is why DH was so boring. Now that Alite has been appointed a town councilman in a small NJ town, I have a feeling future editions may end up with a new Epilogue.
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