Last Don standing

by Larry McShane, Dan Pearson

As the last Don of the Philadelphia mob, Ralph Natale, the first-ever mob boss to turn state's evidence, provides an insider's perspective on the mafia.
Natale's reign atop the Philadelphia and New Jersey underworlds brought the region's mafia back to prominence in the 1990s. Smart, savvy, and articulate, Natale came up in the mob and saw first-hand as it hatched its plan to control Atlantic City's casino unions. Later on, after spending 16 years in prison, he reclaimed the family as his own after a bloody mob war that left bodies scattered across South Philly. He forged connections around the country, invigorated the family with more allies than it had in two decades, and achieved a status within the mob never seen before or since until he was betrayed by his men and decided to testify against them in a stunning turn of events.
Using dozens of hours of interviews with Natale along with research and interviews with FBI agents, this book delivers revelatory insights into seminal events in American mob history, including:
- The truth about Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance
- The murder of Jewish mob icon Bugsy Siegel
- The identity of the man who created modern-day Las Vegas
With the full cooperation of Natale, New York Daily News reporter Larry McShane and producer Dan Pearson uncover the deadly reign of the last great mob boss of Philadelphia, a tale that covers a half-century of mob lore--and gore.

Genres: Crime, Nonfiction, True Crime, Local History

272 pages, Hardcover

Published March 21, 2017

About the author

Born in Inwood, top of Manhattan, raised across the river in New Jersey. Seton Hall University graduate (and basketball season ticketholder), joined The Associated Press in March 1980. Moved to the Daily News in November 2007. Covered nine Olympics, 9/11, assorted trials (mob and otherwise), interviewed 42 members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (including three of the Four Tops, two of the Ramones). Two-time winner of the AP's New York Staffer of the Year, winner of the NY Press Club's 2005 Feature Story of the Year, honored by the Society of the Silurians and the Associated Press Managing Editors. Fan of the NY Giants, NY Yankees, NY Knicks, NJ Devils. Springsteen fanatic, live music fan, favorites include Southside Johnny & the Jukes, Elvis Costello, Marah, Gaslight Anthem, Graham Parker, the Clash, Nils Lofgren, Mudcrutch. Motown, Gamble and Huff, Little Steven and Little Anthony and the Imperials.

Reviews

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and it was very good. I really liked all the history and background that they gave. A must-read/listen for any "mafia" history fan.

[Kevin Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for anyone interested in Philly's most powerful organization. Natalie came up as a stand up guy, with loyalty to the Dons of old times. He'd eventually get caught up in the power struggle that would pull the Philadelphia family into a bloody civil war. A must read for fans of the original "Docile Don" Angelo Bruno 🇮🇹

[Lucile Barker · Rating 2 out of 5]

85. Last Don Standing: The Secret Life of Mob Boss Ralph Natale by Larry McShane and Dan Pearson
This biography of Ralph Natale depicts him in too favorable a light in my opinion. Natale, born to a low level numbers runner in Philadelphia, worked his way into being the don there, working toward this even when he is incarcerated. The concentration of Philadelphia stories was interesting, but I would have liked to have seen more of the connections between the New York and Florida mobs. The guy is a murderer, and there is no way I can like him. I really resent how he is now living a happy peaceful life in Florida after being responsible for so much mayhem Good for historical value, but not entertainment. Fuggetaboutit.

[Writemoves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pearson covers the underworld activities of Ralph Natale, a prominent member of the Philly mob scene in the 70's, 80's and 90's. This is the non-fiction version of The Godfather but not as interesting or exciting as the Puzo book. If the reader wants an understanding of the Philly mob and the motivations of the mob bosses, this is a good book to start. It also provides a good background into the mob's influence in Atlantic City at the start of casino building and casino gambling.

There are no heroes in this book...no redemption stories...

[Diana Ridout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally interesting and filled full of an incredible amount of detail. The reader really feels as if they get to know the protagonist, Ralph Natale, who could genuinely be described as the last of the 'old school' Mafiosi. The book charts his rise through the ranks under the tutelage of Angelo Bruno, until eventually he becomes the head of the Philadelphia family.

If you enjoy the genre or if you are reading for research purposes, this is a 'must read' book, with the added bonus of comprehensive index and content sections.

[Clive Mccartney · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I started this book, I really thought I would enjoy it and in truth, the glimpse into the Philadelphia based mob is interesting. The book, however, is so poorly edited that enjoyment doesn't come, even as the grisly details pass through the pages. The main problem I think is in the multitude of names and nicknames for the characters, together with the linear "this happened then that happened" nature of the narrative. Good premise, poor execution.

[Vic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book to be personally interesting because he was friends with my grandmother, aunt and uncle, and put a 20K contract out on another uncle. It was interesting as the locations were all familiar to me. THe book was well written, but its failing is that it is largeley a self aggrandizing portrait of a minor mobster who preached about honor but was little more than just another murdering thug

[Marielle Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

A long, boring read. That's about the worst thing you can say about something that should be as exciting to read about as the Mafia and a Don of the Family no less. It meandered hither and yon so much that by the time it reached the point of talking about Ralph's ascension as Mafia Don, all I wanted to do was just finish it because I couldn't stand anymore of it.

[Sandra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lived in PA, during this time period. Remember a lot of these events, mentioned in the book. He followed the code, and spent a big part of his life in prison.
A very interesting profile, on the Mob, and how it works.
Good pictures too.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book wayyyyyy more than I thought that I would!!!!

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read and really enjoyed, pretty well written. Interesting, intimate portrait.

[Davi Kladakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for any mafia books especially true accounts. The last Don reminds me of watching a Scorsese movie.

[Mila Pool · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book I’ve read in a long time. Nobody checked the facts which I hate finding lie after lie. Barley information about the 1990s which is what people would interested in.

[Timothy R Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Good Old Days

Brilliant! One of the best books I've read a out the mafia I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in organised crime

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting, as I was running conventions back in the late 70's in Cherry Hill for RCA at the Rickshaw Inn and had also looked at the Holiday Inn, both across 70 from the Track in Cherry Hill, NJ.
I guess I may have inadvertently bumped into some of this mobsters arranging conventions for RCA Payroll (OMG!!).

[Zapata'S Cojones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Ralph Natale tells it like we are right there with him.

[Ken Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Ralph. Tells it like it is. No bull shit.

[carol ann horned · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!

A candid look at what we have heard about, seen in movies, but this is straight from "the boss!! Loved it!

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about the life of a South Philadelphia mafioso.