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le testament du dernier parrain
An eye-opening look at life—and death—inside the Mafia, The Last Testament of Bill Bonanno is a stunning document written by the son of notorious crime boss Joe Bonanno. Published at the author’s request after his death, The Last Testament of Bill Bonanno provides highly confidential secrets about the inner workings of La Cosa Nostra—offering a behind-closed-doors look at the secret Commission meetings of the ’30s through ’60s and clandestine details of the Mafia’s most venerable rituals, techniques, and indoctrination ceremonies…plus pages of never-before-seen photos. Bonanno’s Last Testament stands alongside Talese’s Honor Thy Father , Pileggi’s Wiseguys , Maas’s The Valachi Papers and Underboss , The Good Rat by Jimmy Breslin, and T.J. English’s Havana Nocturne as an essential work of contemporary crime history—a must-read for fans of The Sopranos and The Godfather .
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
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121 people want to read
About the author
Bill Bonanno
6 books5 followersSalvatore Vincent "Bill" Bonanno was an American mobster who served as consigliere of the Bonanno crime family, and son of crime boss Joseph Bonanno. Later in life, he became a writer and produced films for television about his family
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 27, 2018
I approached with the idea that it was going to be a self serving whitewash and romanticization of mafia life. Instead I found it to be very straightforward and a confirmation of many of my opinions. If you like mob books this is a good one.
August 10, 2013
There are no significant new revelations or new admissions within this book. There are a few minor details that I do not recall mentioned in other Bonanno works (some background of Angelo Caruso, for example), but these are inconsequential.
The early history of the American Mafia presented in The Last Testament of Bill Bonanno is a complete mess. Bonanno and his coauthor obviously did little to nothing in the way of research. Errors are abundant and apparent. Incorrect biographical information on famous gangsters across the country is presented: They moved Joe Aiello's birthplace from Bagheria to Castellammare and then similarly turned Philip Buccola of Boston and Joseph DiGiovanni of Kansas City into Castellammarese; they reduced U.S. Mafia boss of bosses Salvatore D'Aquila to a local crime figure in Newark; they had Luciano negotiating with Maranzano in a time when no one knew who Maranzano was; they stated that "hundreds" were killed in the Castellammarese War; they made Maranzano the first and only boss of bosses ever in the U.S. Mafia (he was the last of five); they repeated the old nonsense about Vito Cascio Ferro sending Maranzano to the U.S. to prepare for VCF's coming. (I could go on, but I'm making myself sick.)
Despite a pledge to finally come clean on the "family business," Bill Bonanno sticks to his earlier stories (generally silly and self-serving ones) about the Joe Bonanno "kidnapping," the crime family's resistance to drug trafficking, Joe's absence from Apalachin and other events. That nonsense combines with the inexcusably inaccurate rendition of Mafia history to produce a book that is not worth price of admission.
The Last Testament of Bill Bonanno proves that, even in his grave, Bill Bonanno has not tired of taking our money for his malarkey.
The early history of the American Mafia presented in The Last Testament of Bill Bonanno is a complete mess. Bonanno and his coauthor obviously did little to nothing in the way of research. Errors are abundant and apparent. Incorrect biographical information on famous gangsters across the country is presented: They moved Joe Aiello's birthplace from Bagheria to Castellammare and then similarly turned Philip Buccola of Boston and Joseph DiGiovanni of Kansas City into Castellammarese; they reduced U.S. Mafia boss of bosses Salvatore D'Aquila to a local crime figure in Newark; they had Luciano negotiating with Maranzano in a time when no one knew who Maranzano was; they stated that "hundreds" were killed in the Castellammarese War; they made Maranzano the first and only boss of bosses ever in the U.S. Mafia (he was the last of five); they repeated the old nonsense about Vito Cascio Ferro sending Maranzano to the U.S. to prepare for VCF's coming. (I could go on, but I'm making myself sick.)
Despite a pledge to finally come clean on the "family business," Bill Bonanno sticks to his earlier stories (generally silly and self-serving ones) about the Joe Bonanno "kidnapping," the crime family's resistance to drug trafficking, Joe's absence from Apalachin and other events. That nonsense combines with the inexcusably inaccurate rendition of Mafia history to produce a book that is not worth price of admission.
The Last Testament of Bill Bonanno proves that, even in his grave, Bill Bonanno has not tired of taking our money for his malarkey.
January 29, 2012
Only fairly entertaining, and not revealing anything earth shattering. Still, some good stories, even if he comes off as the official media consultant for organized crime. There were times it seemed as though he's trying to make you believe the mob was just a bunch of good old boys taking care of each other in the big mean USA until the second generation came in and got all greedy and murderous.
September 24, 2017
So immediately upon finishing “Casino”, I wanted more mob so I started in on this book immediately. It was very different from what I was expecting but it was refreshing in a wholly different way.
Joseph Bonnano, Bill’s father, was one of the original men who set up the Commission which, for want of a better description, is the oversight committee for organized crime in New York City. Bill was brought up in this environment and the book focuses on the early days – as told to Bill by is father – and the mob heyday in the 1960’s that Bill himself participated in as a fully made man.
What makes this book so fascinating and a departure is that Bill goes to great lengths to provide the reader with detailed background as to cosa nostra in Sicily and parts of Italy. He covers its roots, how it worked and what it meant to the community as well as showing the time it was brought to the United States by immigrants.
This part of the book is an amazing history and really brought to life those early days and the political and social unrest that made organized crime and protection possible in Sicily and Italy. Like most migrants, they simply brought those traditions with them and re-created the system with an Americanized twist.
The second half of the book goes into deep detail about how the Commission worked, historical decisions that were made and the players involved. The work of OC and the structure has definitely been perverted by media and writers. Not in a malicious way but in an attempt to explain how this secret society operates.
Many myths are dispelled and I often thought about Tony and the guys from The Sopranos quoting and misappropriating ideas from The Godfather movies and other mob staples that have contributed to the myth making. Bonnano sets the record straight and explains that even mob guys, copy from the world of literature and film to add to the mystique.
Finally, and most interestingly, Bonnano describes the ceremonial aspects of cosa nostra. Becoming a “made man”, initiations, meetings and other points of interest. This is the most comprehensive description of these events that I have read. I was hooked with the history but so glad I stayed for the big finale.
For Mob-o-philes, a good pick up!!
Joseph Bonnano, Bill’s father, was one of the original men who set up the Commission which, for want of a better description, is the oversight committee for organized crime in New York City. Bill was brought up in this environment and the book focuses on the early days – as told to Bill by is father – and the mob heyday in the 1960’s that Bill himself participated in as a fully made man.
What makes this book so fascinating and a departure is that Bill goes to great lengths to provide the reader with detailed background as to cosa nostra in Sicily and parts of Italy. He covers its roots, how it worked and what it meant to the community as well as showing the time it was brought to the United States by immigrants.
This part of the book is an amazing history and really brought to life those early days and the political and social unrest that made organized crime and protection possible in Sicily and Italy. Like most migrants, they simply brought those traditions with them and re-created the system with an Americanized twist.
The second half of the book goes into deep detail about how the Commission worked, historical decisions that were made and the players involved. The work of OC and the structure has definitely been perverted by media and writers. Not in a malicious way but in an attempt to explain how this secret society operates.
Many myths are dispelled and I often thought about Tony and the guys from The Sopranos quoting and misappropriating ideas from The Godfather movies and other mob staples that have contributed to the myth making. Bonnano sets the record straight and explains that even mob guys, copy from the world of literature and film to add to the mystique.
Finally, and most interestingly, Bonnano describes the ceremonial aspects of cosa nostra. Becoming a “made man”, initiations, meetings and other points of interest. This is the most comprehensive description of these events that I have read. I was hooked with the history but so glad I stayed for the big finale.
For Mob-o-philes, a good pick up!!
December 19, 2017
A nice read and interesting perspective. This book is about the origin of the Sicilian mafia, the Commission meetings (1930s-1960s), and his account of the Family and life as a mafioso.
Bill shares his version of the origin of the mafia and the early days of the American mafia. Some facts he shares are disputed or incorrect, but nothing very significant.
It's nice to read a history by means of the Commission meetings instead of trials. The recollections of the Commission meetings are mainly based on what his father told him. He shares the setting, agenda and course of each meeting. Even though it's one-sided, it's the most information you'll read about these meetings.
The last part shines a light on the workings of the Bonanno family, the code of a mafioso, guns, and his own upbringing and involvement. It's brief with some examples and provides a nice overview. Throughout the book he mentions various famous examples and debunks (or confirms) them.
Some seem to expect a book wherein he condemns his own actions and lifestyle, or a historically accurate account. Although that would be valuable, I think it's a strange expectation. 'Final Secrets' can be translated to 'As much as I want to share after my death'. Nonetheless, it's more candid than before. Don't expect spectacular revelations, but as the epilogue mentions: 'Read between the lines'.
Bill shares his version of the origin of the mafia and the early days of the American mafia. Some facts he shares are disputed or incorrect, but nothing very significant.
It's nice to read a history by means of the Commission meetings instead of trials. The recollections of the Commission meetings are mainly based on what his father told him. He shares the setting, agenda and course of each meeting. Even though it's one-sided, it's the most information you'll read about these meetings.
The last part shines a light on the workings of the Bonanno family, the code of a mafioso, guns, and his own upbringing and involvement. It's brief with some examples and provides a nice overview. Throughout the book he mentions various famous examples and debunks (or confirms) them.
Some seem to expect a book wherein he condemns his own actions and lifestyle, or a historically accurate account. Although that would be valuable, I think it's a strange expectation. 'Final Secrets' can be translated to 'As much as I want to share after my death'. Nonetheless, it's more candid than before. Don't expect spectacular revelations, but as the epilogue mentions: 'Read between the lines'.
October 2, 2017
Some of the early history of Italy was a bit dry, but the recounting of the workings of Mr. Bonanno's world was fascinating. The justifications for the criminal activity were interesting, but insufficient. This was a good read, and a significant contribution to this part of history.
December 3, 2013
Without question one of the most honest mafia books ever written. I have an entire library of mafia / mobster books and this one clarified tons of questions that I have generated over the years. If you really want to know what the "Commission" was all about, why it was created, who created and it's true historic purpose, this is the book you need to read. With Joe Bonanno and Bill Bonanno both gone, there is not motive to tell tall tales or lie. This book truly gives you an honest perspective on how the media and law enforcement completely dramatized, exaggerated and at times bastardized the internal workings of the mob. Things they did not understand they either completely made up or took things out of context - leading outsiders down an incorrect path of what an old school mafioso's life was all about. This is not to condone the existence of the mafia, but this book helps clear up many historical myths. Incredible page-turner for anyone interested in this genre.
February 18, 2012
Awesome read! Mr Bonanno shatters all the myths about cosa nostra! You learn alot from this book!
March 12, 2013
Once you look up all the Italian words you might understand what your reading. The history of Sciliy was good though. Ma fia Ma fia I wish I had a daughter to yell that out to.
December 30, 2013
Great read!!! Although I am not sure if Bill Bonanno was completely honest with his families role in narcotics, he seemed completely honest about everything else.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews