The Big Heist: The Real Story of the Lufthansa Heist, the Mafia, and Murder

by Anthony M. DeStefano

One of the biggest scores in Mafia history, the Lufthansa Airlines heist of 1978 has become the stuff of Mafia legend--and a decades-long investigation that continues to this day. Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Anthony DeStefano sheds new light on this legendary unsolved case using recent evidence from the 2015 trial of eighty-year-old Mafia don Vincent Asaro, who for the first time speaks out on his role in the fateful Lufthansa heist. This blistering you-are-there account takes you behind the headlines and inside the ranks of America's infamous crime families--with never-before-told stories, late-breaking news, and bombshell revelations:

* New details on the heist's planning: who was involved, how they pulled it off, and what really happened to the almost $6 million in cash and jewels they stole from JFK Airport

* Why suspected heist participant Vincent Asaro was found NOT GUILTY of all charges--racketeering, theft, and murder--even after being observed by the FBI for more than three decades

* The shocking discovery of human bones in a Queens home belonging to a relative of Jimmy Burke, the homicidal Lucchese crime family associate who assembled the Lufthansa heist team--and masterminded the caper, then the biggest cash robbery in American history.

* The eye-opening testimony of gangsters-turned-informants Salvatore Vitale and Gaspar Valenti--and what it reveals about the Mafia code of silence known as Omerta

* The greed, betrayal, murder, and other frightening insights into the Bonanno and Lucchese crime families

* Disturbing claims about how some members of the NYPD leaked information to mobster Jimmy Burke and may have helped hide evidence of a mob murder victim's demise

An invaluable addition to any crime library, this is the most complete, thorough, and up-to-date account of the Lufthansa heist currently available. Pulitzer-Prize winner Anthony DeStefano draws from his years of experience reporting on the mob for New York Newsday--as well as his firsthand coverage of the Asaro indictment and attendance at the trial--to expose the all-too-human heart of organized crime in America. The Big Heist is thrilling, shocking, and impossible to put down.

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

272 pages, Hardcover

First published June 27, 2017

About the author

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for the past twenty years for Newsday in New York City, specializing in criminal justice and legal affairs. He is the author of The Last Godfather, King of the Godfathers, Mob Killer,The War on Human Trafficking, and Gangland New York, among others. He has appeared on Biography Channel programs as an expert on organized crime and he also speaks at academic conferences about crime and human trafficking.

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is probably the final word in the story of the 1978 Lufthansa Heist, along with a good history of some of the things that went on with the mob families from even before then, right up through 2016. All put together by author DeStefano from his years of covering the mob for New York Newsday. He also covered the trial of a suspect in the heist, mob don Vincent Asaro in 2015 for that and many other dirty deeds after being brought up on charges.

This is the crime that the movie Goodfellas was made from. But it goes behind the scenes and tells much more, along with what's happened since. This is for anyone who likes mob related media or has always been curious about the real story behind that heist and not the Hollywood version of it. Many thanks to NetGalley, Citadel and the author for providing me with an ARC for review purposes.

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been fascinated with mobsters and the Lufthansa heist for as long as I can remember, so when I saw there was going to be a need book published with never-before-heard details, I had to have it!

The Big Heist definitely does not disappoint. While it does touch on some of the aspects already known from other books and movies about the time period, the author uses those points to introduce the new information in a way that not only blends together seamlessly, but also adds a new depth to the story as you know it.

Overall, I am sure this story will appeal to those who have an interest in mobsters, and especially the ones that took part in the Lufthansa heist.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Kieran · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit boring. Just rehashes stuff in Goodfellas and informs us of a lot that’s in the films and interviews. Couldn’t get into it.

[Vnunez-Ms_luv2read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitive read on the heist of Luthansa. It is also a book about the Mafia and some going on within the orginization. The book is precise, very well written and a fountain of information. I think it is worth noting that the movie "Goodfellas" was based on this book. The information regarding the trail was a welcome addition as well as other things that went on during the time of the heist, gives the reader a very good idea of what went into the heist as well as what was going on behind the scenes. If you enjoyed the movie that this book is based on, or just want to learn more about the heist and other things, please read this book. I truly enjoyed this book. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

[Sandi]

What a book,mafia crime story very well written you don't know who is guilty or who is

[Louis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anthony M. Destafano’s The Big Heist: The Real Story of the Lufthansa Heist, the Mafia, and Murder investigates the 1978 Lufthansa robbery, which has never been formally solved and closed. Destafano provides new information on how it happened and who was likely responsible, as well as the aftermath which included multiple murders of those involved.

Reading this book was both interesting but also makes me more skeptical of Henry Hill’s account, as profiled in Nicholas Pilleggi’s Wiseguy, which was adapted into the movie Goodfellas. Although there are many details that corroborate Hill’s account of the robbery and inner workings of organized crime, there are other things the contradict or call into question Hill's claims about his own role.

Hill’s account is likely on par with Frank Sheeran’s claim of killing Jimmy Hoffa. Both Sheeran and Hill’s accounts of their alleged crime careers contain some details that are probably true; however, both were also notorious for exaggerating their exploits and probably also exaggerated or fabricated some details.

[Lee Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Look: we know why we're here, at least I know why *I'm* here. GOODFELLAS So if you're telling me about the Lufthansa heist, I want to read about the Lufthansa heist, and Jimmy Burke. Start the book with the heist, give me background on the players, tell me how Jimmy killed them all to keep the money/keep the Feds away, tell me how they all eventually died or went to jail or what have you. Instead, this book mainly focused on two guys whose names I've already forgotten, who were involved in the heist, with one testifying against the other in 2014 or something. I'm not sure; the book skips around chronologically, and I honestly started skimming about chapter 17 of 22, who cares?

[Chris Schaffer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem with books about the mob and their capers is that they include so many people, many unreliable and congenital liars, that it's hard to keep up. The book is cool for a while but then it's not and a slog to get through.

[Mary Frances · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Boring, uses words at random. Assumes the reader is a font of mafia trivia. Read Wise Guy instead.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early on in the book, it refers to "a crime that he and the rest of America would never forget." Well, I forgot. But that's the thing: this book assumes a lot of prior knowledge. It IS comprehensive, and provides a rich history of this crime, the Mafia (particularly New York-based), and the bizarre role of the law enforcement community in the investigation.

For anyone who doesn't remember the crime itself, suffice it to say that this crime was the basis of the movie Goodfellas and, using recent evidence from the 2015 trial of eighty-year-old Mafia don Vincent Asaro, tells the true story of his long-rumored role in the Lufthansa heist.

The book is divided into three sections. In the firs six chapters, the world of the New York Mafia is explored in depth, including the reach of the Five Families at the height of their power. The second section, chapters 7-12, looks at how this heist happened, and how the mastermind of the crime relied on accomplices who were not too bright, which resulted in a boatload of murders. The final section covers the famous betrayal of Asaro by Valenti at the trial (which resulted in a shocking acquittal).

It's quite an accomplishment, and would be appreciated by true crime fans in general, organized crime story buffs, and anyone who is curious about the extent of the power held by the mob a few short decades ago. Four stars!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newday reporter DeStefano details the 2015 trial of long-time almost 80-year-old Bonanno crime family captain Vincent Asaro on several federal racketeering charges. Asaro joined several family members in his chosen profession. His father Jerome was a Bonanno captain, his uncle Michael Zaffarano was the Times Square porn/peep show magnate who made a lot of money from the sale of his properties when NYC cleaned up the area, and his son Jerome eventually usurped him in rank and power. Most notably, his cousin Gaspare Valenti who had been Asaro’s “partner in crime” for decades became the star government informant against Asaro in the trial. In addition to the usual racketeering charges (robbery, fencing, loan-sharking), the charges against Asaro included the long-unsolved murder of low-level associate Paul Katz and accusation that Asara was part of the crew who pulled off the “big heist” (approx. $6 million) of cash and jewelry in 1978 from Lufthansa at JFK airport. Many involved in the heist were dead, some murdered, or had taken deals. Asaro was a surprise suspect and surprisingly to many, he was acquitted. murdered and several took dealsMost involved with the heist were either dead or had taken a deal… Asaro was the last big fish. Almost surprisingly, he was acquitted.

VERDICT: While a good coda to Goodfellas, only a must purchase for extensive true-crime collections.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, if meandering read. The curious part of it is that the author makes it clear at the beginning that Wise Guy (the biography of Henry Hill, written by Nicholas Pileggi and turned by him and Martin Scorcese into Goodfellas) is not necessarily the truth and that Henry Hill himself is not the most reliable teller of tales........and then he proceeds to quote Hill in almost every chapter, not to mention referencing the movie almost as much.

Still, you get some background on some of the minor characters in Goodfellas, and as well as what their fates held. The main trial of the book was reasonably interesting, and Anthony had some good insight on the reasons for the jury to find how they did.

[Jquick99 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I watched Goodfellas when it first came out, and only remember a few actors, and certainly NOT the plot (besides the mob). As much as the author brings up Hill and the film, it seems one should scrap this book, watch the film and read Hill’s book instead.

I ended up DNF due to: too many characters to keep track of (audiobook) (normally isn’t an issue, but these thugs all seemed the same and were UNappealing); bouncing timeline; thinking I should quit and just watch the film; and the biggest one…these thugs are going to get away with everything and I won’t feel satisfied. They are either free or I’m paying for their safety/security in Witness Protection.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this book tells the story of the Lufthansa heist and the 2015 trial of Vincent Asaro who was charged with participating in the heist but was not named by famous “mob rat” Henry Hill as participating. It was okay but certainly not on a part with Wiseguy it tells the story of the heist how it came about. James Burke’s murder of most of the other participants to keep the money for himself and keep people from turning on him. It also tells of Asaro’s mob career with the Bonnano’s and his trial. OK

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the authors claim, this novel is largely a re-hash of earlier accounts of the heist. Much of the account deals with the legal fate of Burke, Vario, Henry Hill and others that survived the murderous purge that followed in the wake of the Lufthansa heist. Totally unrelated to this crime is the suggestion that Carlo Gambino had plans to downsize the Mafia, consolidating all five families into one. It sounds like a ludicrous idea but it would probably make a better story than what was presented here.

[Crystal Toller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vincent Asaro

This book details what the mob was like in New York in the 60s and 70s but it's main focus is the mob robbery of the Lufthansa terminal at JFK in 1978. The author focuses on Vincent Asaros trial by the government in Brooklyn and his surprise acquittal by the jury. This was a well researched book by a seasoned journalist and writer and was well edited. I really enjoyed reading this book. The history of the mob detailed in the book really helped set the stage for telling about the robbery. A very interesting and informative read.

[Natasha]

I made it almost 200 pages into this book but there was so much assumed knowledge I got a bit lost and I just didn't care enough to keep going. I think if I had read about the heist beforehand and knew a bit about how the mafia worked I would have enjoyed this, but as it is I had never heard about this heist, and I have never felt like looking into the mafia before. Not the book for me

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting account that includes new information--mostly from the 2015 trial of Vincent Asaro--but I don't think this is the first (or only) book you should read about the Lufthansa heist. You might start with WISEGUY by Nicholas Pileggi, which is cited frequently.

[Mike MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good summary of context and deep dive

First foray for me into this world via book and it didn't disappoint because before the nuts and bolts played out, I felt like I knew a little more of the world in which it took place.

[Bruce MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressed!

Took me from a vague awareness of the Lufthansa heist, to, IMHO an inside view of who, why and how. I was surprised by the poor security at the airport facilities.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story line interests me, but the writing/style was not what I was hoping for. A bit tedious and more of a recap of older events.

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an easy read but very interesting. It's not the author's fault. There are so many players in this story it can get confusing. It was a pick for my true crime book club.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched and covering the heist and trial.

[Nick Guzan · Rating 3 out of 5]

i respect how much mobsters love white castle (and how frequently that preference comes up in this book)

[Olga Vannucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

When killing's what friends do,
In the end they'll kill you too.

[Marek M · Rating 2 out of 5]

reads like very long Wikipedia article

[Armand Rosamilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of cool information, not just about the heist but the before and after of it. Ties together nicely with the many other books I've read about the families in New York.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’d be better as a movie or an extended Law & Order Episode ~ a lot of people to keep track of. Interesting though.

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the mob and all the history and lore

[John Timmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some rare contemporary information which is must appreciated for this genre. DeStefano is one of the better authors going for mafia books right now.