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Gambino: The Rise: A Novel Based on the True Story
Attempts by the FBI to wiretap him failed, for he never spoke at meetings. The Department of Justice’s endeavors to capture him on video surveillance likewise came up empty, because he rarely left his modest row house at 2230 Ocean Pkwy., in Brooklyn, New York. He was silent and reclusive to a fault. And by the time the public got their first look at him in 1970 (following an arrest on a trumped-up charge that was never prosecuted) he was already the most powerful mafia boss in the country, controlling a crew of 800 mafiosi, who oversaw nearly 50 criminal and legitimate businesses, which netted his crime family over $1 billion in annual revenue.
Yet few even knew his name, let alone his story. Now, for the first time ever, the true story of Carlo Gambino is told in full, gory detail. Gambino: The Rise, A Novel Based on a True Story, unveils the intricate machinations of Gambino’s ascent, from poor, immigrant stowaway, to billionaire boss of America’s most deadly and elite crime family. On this journey, we meet such celebrity hoods as Charlie “Lucky” Luciano, Al “Scarface” Capone, Meyer Lansky, Vito Genovese, and Albert “The Mad Hatter” Anastasia… all of whom became pawns on Gambino’s Machiavellian chess set.
Gambino’s story is a rags to riches tail of the bloodiest kind, which explores the dichotomies of family, wealth, and power within the mafia environment. With its careful scrutiny of mob business and brutality, Gambino: The Rise will undoubtedly draw comparisons to Mario Puzo’s timeless classic, The Godfather. But this is to be expected, especially when Puzo’s fictional crime patriarch, Vito Corleone, was based on none other than Carlo Gambino. Gambino: The Rise is a historical novel for the ages that will leave readers shell-shocked with every flip of the page, until its earth-shattering and climactic end.
- GenresTrue Crime
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2015
153 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 22, 2016
Fascinating Narration of a Violent Subculture
This novel literally hits close to home because Carlo Gambino was a neighbor of mine. I never met the man but his home is around the corner from mine. It is the plainest, least adorned home on the entire block, so much so that one would never take notice of it in passing. This was not accidental because Don Carlo never left anything to chance, and this characteristic comes through loud and clear in this marvelous book. The author illustrated the multidimensional character that this kind/brutal/intelligent/thoughtful/sensitive/cruel/calculating/ brilliant man possessed. For those who like books about the mob, they will not be able to put down this one. I learned many things--not only about Mr. Gambino--but also about other members of the different organized crime "families" that I had not known before.
I am eagerly looking forward to the next book which the author has on tap for sometime in the future.
This novel literally hits close to home because Carlo Gambino was a neighbor of mine. I never met the man but his home is around the corner from mine. It is the plainest, least adorned home on the entire block, so much so that one would never take notice of it in passing. This was not accidental because Don Carlo never left anything to chance, and this characteristic comes through loud and clear in this marvelous book. The author illustrated the multidimensional character that this kind/brutal/intelligent/thoughtful/sensitive/cruel/calculating/ brilliant man possessed. For those who like books about the mob, they will not be able to put down this one. I learned many things--not only about Mr. Gambino--but also about other members of the different organized crime "families" that I had not known before.
I am eagerly looking forward to the next book which the author has on tap for sometime in the future.
July 11, 2018
A good story that takes you from Sicily to New York. You follow the rise of Carlo Gambino first in his home land and then with the rise of Mussolini he needed to leave. Arriving in New York he would need to star over and work he way up once again. Once again in this book like many others the author takes you back with the Giuseppe Morello, who really was the first boss. It then split to Masseria and Maranzano, with even Abe Rothstein for a while where Luciano and Lansky would really learn their business side. He then takes you through the rise or creation of the five families and where Carlo Gambino would fit into all of this. How his money making ideas would hold up and when the FBI began to follow him and even try to record him they could not. Most of the tales in this book I have read in other books, and over the course of years most of the stories are becoming the same so most must be true. The author will lead you up to the day where he becomes leader of his own family and is able to sit at the table as one of the five families. A good story. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
September 19, 2018
This should be made into a movie! It's the story of Carlos Gambino, head of the Gambino family of the La Cosa Nostra. His beginnings, how he came to America, and his rise to become one of the major organized crime figures in America. And of the various "gangsters" he was involved with.
It flows along very well. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
As to those who are trying to diminish the author through the leaving of negative reviews.....it's a novel! It states that right on the front cover! So the author made some mistakes, having people traveling on the interstate instead of a highway. So what? Go with the story, which was the rise of Gambino. Quit being so negative.
I, for one, cannot wait for the next installment of the author's story. I hope it comes out soon!
It flows along very well. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
As to those who are trying to diminish the author through the leaving of negative reviews.....it's a novel! It states that right on the front cover! So the author made some mistakes, having people traveling on the interstate instead of a highway. So what? Go with the story, which was the rise of Gambino. Quit being so negative.
I, for one, cannot wait for the next installment of the author's story. I hope it comes out soon!
July 4, 2018
Entertaining, Interesting And Informative!
I've been an avid reader since my mid-teens but prior to that I virtually never read a book for pleasure. At my mother's urging to pick any subject that interested me to read about, I found a series of biographies to read about a variety of Italian, Jewish and Irish gangsters from the turn of the 20th century through the 1950s, and from that point on I became hooked on reading. To this day, both fiction and non-fiction books about The Mob make me...well, fuhgettaboutit!!!
So, when I received an ebook of Gambino:The Rise (a novel based on the true story) from NetGalley and the publisher to review, I started reading it immediately and, upon finishing it, consider it to be a reading "trifecta." That is, I found it to be entertaining, interesting and informative from beginning to end. Pierre writes in a style that kept me so engrossed that I felt that I was right there with Carlo Gambino during his childhood in Sicily in which became a teenage hitman and a "made" man, during his entering the U.S. illegally and becoming a small time Mafioso in the Masotto-Castellano gang in Brooklyn, NY, during his associations with many Mafioso whose names will be very familiar to many readers, and during his rise up through the ranks to eventually become the head of his own crime family, which became the most powerful of all the crime families.
It's important to remember if you decide to read this book that while it is based on the true story of Carlo Gambino's life and the time in which he lived and operated, it is fiction; so the reader must keep in mind that the author has taken several liberties in telling his story, and has chosen to exclude from his book some things that occurred during Gambino's career (one thing being the almost two years he served in federal prison in the 1930's for running an illegal liquor still, the last time he would ever serve time behind bars).
I was able to overlook author Pierre's liberties and exclusions since this book is, as said, a work of fiction. However, I deducted one star from my overall rating of this entertaining book due to some faulty research Pierre did leading to some errors in accuracy for which there is no excuse, even in a work of fiction. For example, Pierre has Gambino being told by a politician during WWII that Al Capone is going to be sent to jail for tax evasion, when in fact Capone began his prison sentence in the early 1930's. Also, Pierre has Gambino moving into an apartment in Brooklyn shortly after coming to the US that has stainless steel kitchen appliances which, in fact, hadn't been introduced until many years later.
Hopefully, it wont be too much longer before James Pierre's next installment in the crime family saga is published, as I am looking forward to reading i
I've been an avid reader since my mid-teens but prior to that I virtually never read a book for pleasure. At my mother's urging to pick any subject that interested me to read about, I found a series of biographies to read about a variety of Italian, Jewish and Irish gangsters from the turn of the 20th century through the 1950s, and from that point on I became hooked on reading. To this day, both fiction and non-fiction books about The Mob make me...well, fuhgettaboutit!!!
So, when I received an ebook of Gambino:The Rise (a novel based on the true story) from NetGalley and the publisher to review, I started reading it immediately and, upon finishing it, consider it to be a reading "trifecta." That is, I found it to be entertaining, interesting and informative from beginning to end. Pierre writes in a style that kept me so engrossed that I felt that I was right there with Carlo Gambino during his childhood in Sicily in which became a teenage hitman and a "made" man, during his entering the U.S. illegally and becoming a small time Mafioso in the Masotto-Castellano gang in Brooklyn, NY, during his associations with many Mafioso whose names will be very familiar to many readers, and during his rise up through the ranks to eventually become the head of his own crime family, which became the most powerful of all the crime families.
It's important to remember if you decide to read this book that while it is based on the true story of Carlo Gambino's life and the time in which he lived and operated, it is fiction; so the reader must keep in mind that the author has taken several liberties in telling his story, and has chosen to exclude from his book some things that occurred during Gambino's career (one thing being the almost two years he served in federal prison in the 1930's for running an illegal liquor still, the last time he would ever serve time behind bars).
I was able to overlook author Pierre's liberties and exclusions since this book is, as said, a work of fiction. However, I deducted one star from my overall rating of this entertaining book due to some faulty research Pierre did leading to some errors in accuracy for which there is no excuse, even in a work of fiction. For example, Pierre has Gambino being told by a politician during WWII that Al Capone is going to be sent to jail for tax evasion, when in fact Capone began his prison sentence in the early 1930's. Also, Pierre has Gambino moving into an apartment in Brooklyn shortly after coming to the US that has stainless steel kitchen appliances which, in fact, hadn't been introduced until many years later.
Hopefully, it wont be too much longer before James Pierre's next installment in the crime family saga is published, as I am looking forward to reading i
June 26, 2018


Member Review

Gambino: The Rise
by James Pierre
Pub Date: 02 Apr 2015
Review by

Marie A, Reviewer
Last updated on 25 Jun 2018
I Recommend This Book
Strongly
Wow, this book is really good. Very well written. The author brings everything together like he was there for all of it. Carlo Gambino is brought to life in this book. I am a little obsessed with Mafia and like to read about it. No, I'm not Italian but but you don't have to be to enjoy this book. I give it a 5+. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review and no other compensation. The words and opinions are my own.

Member Review

Gambino: The Rise
by James Pierre
Pub Date: 02 Apr 2015
Review by

Marie A, Reviewer
Last updated on 25 Jun 2018
I Recommend This Book
Strongly
Wow, this book is really good. Very well written. The author brings everything together like he was there for all of it. Carlo Gambino is brought to life in this book. I am a little obsessed with Mafia and like to read about it. No, I'm not Italian but but you don't have to be to enjoy this book. I give it a 5+. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review and no other compensation. The words and opinions are my own.
June 17, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and was happy to see author James Pierre is working on the second installment, As the title suggests, this is a novel based on the the early life/career and rise of Carlo Gambino. I think Pierre did an excellent job setting the scene and giving a sense of the inner workings of the crime families in and around New York. Gambino's careful and intelligently planned maneuvers leave no doubt as to how he rose to the top. An engrossing story well told.
I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
July 22, 2018
Great book
I like the story, but it’s all fiction. The facts are made up the way some of the people died is not true : Phil Mangano did not die in front of his house or his wife, he was found in the swampy marshes in flatlands Brooklyn and Anastasia was kill by the Gallo bros, probably on orders from Gambino, Don Carlo did not kill him. With that being said I did like it, it reminds me of a good novel. If you don’t believe me go check out the sources, read Five Families,by Selwyn Raab.
I like the story, but it’s all fiction. The facts are made up the way some of the people died is not true : Phil Mangano did not die in front of his house or his wife, he was found in the swampy marshes in flatlands Brooklyn and Anastasia was kill by the Gallo bros, probably on orders from Gambino, Don Carlo did not kill him. With that being said I did like it, it reminds me of a good novel. If you don’t believe me go check out the sources, read Five Families,by Selwyn Raab.
January 17, 2018
This book tells you flat out "based on the true story" so IDK why some people are up in arms over dates and specifics. Than being said, overall I enjoyed reading this story. I felt that some of the characters were not how I would picture them, but hey who is to say. If you like true crime, this book might not be for you. If you like stories based around true events and the mafia it is worth your time.
August 4, 2020
Good Story but needs an editor
The guy tells a good, FICTIONALIZED version of what was a true story, but it's packed full of cliche that in some cases were probably not used in that era, and some that certainly would not have been used by Italian immigrants of that time. There are a number of grammatical, usage and punctuation errors that indicate the book was published with no editing
The guy tells a good, FICTIONALIZED version of what was a true story, but it's packed full of cliche that in some cases were probably not used in that era, and some that certainly would not have been used by Italian immigrants of that time. There are a number of grammatical, usage and punctuation errors that indicate the book was published with no editing
Read
October 13, 2021The true story should be read by everyone. It will change minds!!
The book held my interest from the first page. I. Just couldn't stop reading. Carlos was quiet, a thinker, smart. I can see why the family trusted and loved him. Family first. My family is from Sicily and then Brookyn. And finally Long Island. I recognized some of the places described in the book which made it more enjoyable for me. Please write Part 2. Don't leave u.s hanging.
The book held my interest from the first page. I. Just couldn't stop reading. Carlos was quiet, a thinker, smart. I can see why the family trusted and loved him. Family first. My family is from Sicily and then Brookyn. And finally Long Island. I recognized some of the places described in the book which made it more enjoyable for me. Please write Part 2. Don't leave u.s hanging.
February 9, 2018
Enjoyed this story very much. Interesting perspective on the rise to power of Carlo Gambino and the workings of La Costa Nostra. If you are interested in the Mafia you would like this novel. Hope to read more from this author in the future.
March 29, 2021
This book very good. It was researched to the T. If you are interested in the mafia like I am then you'll have a hard time putting it down. My favorite mafia boss is Carlo Gambino. The way he rose to the top is amazing. This author did an amazing job writing and researching this book. Great work.
January 25, 2022
Enjoyed reading this
Although I'm not interested much in reading about organized crimes, this book was well written. The author made the narrative come to life through his use of language. Highly recommend this book for people who enjoy this genre.
Although I'm not interested much in reading about organized crimes, this book was well written. The author made the narrative come to life through his use of language. Highly recommend this book for people who enjoy this genre.
August 30, 2025
Good fiction
A good read, well researched and written. The author takes us in to a world where we question " is this fiction, or an actual eyewitness account of the rise of America's greatest crime boss? "
A good read, well researched and written. The author takes us in to a world where we question " is this fiction, or an actual eyewitness account of the rise of America's greatest crime boss? "
January 27, 2018
Well written but incomplete
The story could have been brought to a logical conclusion. The end looked abrupt. .....unless there is a sequel to this book.
The story could have been brought to a logical conclusion. The end looked abrupt. .....unless there is a sequel to this book.
December 26, 2020
This book was very good - I read it on kindle and many times will highlight names just to see how long they survived in the life.
January 4, 2021
Charming and debonair
May 13, 2021
Might have been a good story
Marred by hopeless inaccuracies. spelling and usage errors. Ruined what otherwise might have been a pleasant yarn and spoiled a nice story.
Marred by hopeless inaccuracies. spelling and usage errors. Ruined what otherwise might have been a pleasant yarn and spoiled a nice story.
January 26, 2022
Love it can't wait till the next one
January 29, 2022
Love it can't wait till the next one
September 26, 2022
Reads like a novel.
This an interesting and enjoyable read. I could visualize both the places and players based on the author's wonderful description of both. Is
This an interesting and enjoyable read. I could visualize both the places and players based on the author's wonderful description of both. Is
September 29, 2022
great read
Throughly enjoyed this book. Gave a good insight into the early days of the American mafia! Some great stories as to how the gambino crime family formed.
Throughly enjoyed this book. Gave a good insight into the early days of the American mafia! Some great stories as to how the gambino crime family formed.
August 31, 2023
An entertaining read. Smooth Transitions. Wwll written.
October 6, 2015
Not what I was expecting
Obviously when we read about organized crime and the mafia we want to read what actually happened. A novel that takes an awful lot of liberty with the facts and completely made up dialogue is frustrating to get through. I enjoyed the beginning about Gambino coming to America, but the rest didn't capture my attention. And making Carlo out to be the most wonderful gangster ever is just too far fetched. He was a treacherous killer, not Santa Claus.
Obviously when we read about organized crime and the mafia we want to read what actually happened. A novel that takes an awful lot of liberty with the facts and completely made up dialogue is frustrating to get through. I enjoyed the beginning about Gambino coming to America, but the rest didn't capture my attention. And making Carlo out to be the most wonderful gangster ever is just too far fetched. He was a treacherous killer, not Santa Claus.
July 15, 2016
Not as advertised
Like the way it was written. It was just too short and skipped over too much time. It also doesn't go past the 50's.
Like the way it was written. It was just too short and skipped over too much time. It also doesn't go past the 50's.
September 9, 2016
Way too many historical errors. Plastic bags and duct tape in the '40s. Interstate highways in the '20s along with automatic transmissions.
March 25, 2018
This is a great read about the early life and rise to the top of the New York mafia of Carlo Gambino. It's also a fascinating insight into the inner workings of the Mob's early years in America. I loved it. I couldn't put this book down. It is a great read for anyone with an interest in mafia life. I would like to read more by this author and would love to see a part 2 chronicling the rest of Gambino's life. Thank you to #Netgalley for the opportunity. #Gambino
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews