Gotti's Boys: The Mafia Crew That Killed for John Gotti

by Anthony M. DeStefano, Johnny Heller (Narrator)

Meet the men who murdered for the mob--and made John Gotti the most powerful and deadly crime boss in America ...

They called him "The Teflon Don." But in his short reign as the head of the Gambino crime family, John Gotti wracked up a lifetime of charges from gambling, extortion, and tax evasion to racketeering, conspiracy, and five convictions of murder. He didn't do it alone. Surrounding himself with a rogues gallery of contract killers, fixers, and enforcers, he built one of the richest, most powerful crime empires in modern history. Who were these men? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anthony M. DeStefano takes you inside Gotti's inner circle to reveal the dark hearts and violent deeds of the most remorseless and cold-blooded characters in organized crime. Men so vicious even the other Mafia families were terrified of them. Meet Gotti's Boys ...

* Charles Carneglia: the ruthless junkyard dog who allegedly disposed of bodies for the mob--by dissolving them in acid then displaying their jewels.

* Gene Gotti: the younger Gotti brother who ran a multimillion-dollar drug smuggling ring--enraging his bosses in the Gambino family.

* Angelo "Quack-Quack" Ruggiero: the loose-lipped contract killer who was wire-tapped by the FBI--and dared to insult Gotti behind his back.

* Tony "Roach" Rampino: the hardcore stoner who looked like a cockroach--and used his gangly arms and horror-mask face to frighten his enemies.

* Salvatore Gravano: the Gambino underboss who helped John Gotti execute Gambino mob boss Paul Castellano--then sang like a canary to take Gotti down.

Rounding out this nefarious group were the likes of Frank "Franky D" DeCicco, Vincent "Little Vinny" Artuso, and Joe "The German" Watts, a man who wasn't a Mafiosi but had all of the power and prestige of one in John Gotti's slaughterhouse crew. Gotti's Boys is a killer line-up of the crime-hardened mob soldiers who killed at their ruthless leader's merciless bidding--brought to vivid life by the prize-winning chronicler of the American mob.

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

Audible Audio

Published September 18, 2019

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 was a good look at mob henchmen’s actions and functioning of the particular Bergin crew that operated to help John Gotti on his rise to power and followed his orders. They were busted by recordings made from bugs that were planted in the social club and some other’s home. Indictments were issued from that and the gathering of information after it was learned that one associate and his wife had died in a plane crash under false name, which brought out a lot of things unknown before (Salvatore Ruggiero). Some mentioned: Angelo Ruggiero, John Corneglia, Mark Reiter, Neil Dellacroce, Gene Gotti.

This is a very decent book for those who like mob books in the later days of the Mafia in the US when Gotti was coming up and then in power. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Anthony M. DeStefano, and the publisher.

Also on my BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...

[Dorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotti's Boys: The Mafia Crew That Killed for John Gotti
by Anthony M. DeStefano
due 7-31-2019
Citadel/Kensington
#netgalley. #GottisBoys

Chronicles the career of John Gotti and the kingpins who did the work for him:

Charles Carneglia-dissolved bodies in acid leaving their jewelry to identify the body.
Gene Gotti-Johns younger brother who ran a multimillion dollar drug scheme.
Angelo Ruggiero- "quack quack" due to his running mouth, wiretapped by FBI because he liked to talk.
Tony Rampino-
Sammy Gravano-helped Gotti execute Catellano, then wanted to execute Gotti.

Gotti's rise from street thug to becoming a mafia kingpin, nicknamed the 'Teflon Don' because he got away with so many crimes, before finally being found guilty. This includes courtroom testimony, corrupt juries, and blind devotion and the crimes these men committed at Gottis asking. It also points out many erroneous facts and discrepancies published in other books about the mafia.
This is a must read for all mafia fans and highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a good trye crime or well written crime book. Its concise, thorough and the research done in writing this,is amazing. Its engaging and well done. It includes an excellent and extensive bibliography, a Gotti Role Call of all his players, a section of courtroom decisions and cases and great notes.
I highly recommend reading this. DeStefano is an excellent writer.
Thanks to Citadel and the author for sharing this e-book ARC for review.

[Krissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This paired well with Get Gotti from Netflix. I picked the book up on impulse from the library, likely related to a true crime mafia show I caught on TV over the summer, title unremembered. I think more than anything this is a tale of what happens when your ego inflates & you betray too many friendships. Interesting look into organized crime and how the various layers of associates ran with it. I didn't realize how many areas of city life they had their fingers in. A lot of the true crime podcasts I listen to avoid mafia cases as "boring," so I haven't had as much exposure in that regard. I'd have liked if the author had covered a more of where are they now type ending, since I read about their highs and lows. With google I found Sammy the bull has an instagram with a recent post about selling signed Christmas cards. A little dry in parts but as the book carried on and I started remembering names for who is who, it held my attention.

[Josef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book that shows the evolution of organized crime and how the elegance of what we’ve seen in its earlier years began to decline as the years went on and as law enforcement officials improved in their tools for investigation.

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gotti's boys was not exactly the way the cover portrays it to read. The title of the book should be called Gotti's boy - Angelo Ruggiero. If you have read any other American Mafia crime books it is simply a repeat of the general information found on the Gambino crime family. I thought the book starts in a very random place has filler chapters that are repetitive. The book was okay, but, I have read much better crime novels ; Chin, Underboss - are simply more interesting.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a kid from Brooklyn growing up around these people, I have always been and continue to be fascinated with "the life".

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

They called him the “Teflon Don.” But in his short reign as the head of the Gambino crime family, John Gotti wracked up a lifetime of charges from gambling, extortion, and tax evasion to racketeering, conspiracy, and five convictions of murder. He didn’t do it alone. Surrounding himself with a rogues gallery of contract killers, fixers, and enforcers, he built one of the richest, most powerful crime empires in modern history. Who were these men? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anthony M. DeStefano takes you inside Gotti’s inner circle to reveal the dark hearts and violent deeds of the most remorseless and cold-blooded characters in organized crime. Men so vicious even the other Mafia families were terrified of them. Meet Gotti’s Boys . . .
Growing up in an Italian family, I was obsessed with Mafia books, movies and documentaries. This is an obsession that has carried on to my adult years, so I was excited to see a new book out there. Overall it wasn’t a bad read. There was a lot of extra that I didn’t really think was necessary to an already wordy book. But it was still an interesting look at those that helped build and destroy the teflon Don.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

[John Timmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I appreciate the chronology and thesis - that Sal Ruggiero’s plane crash brought about all these events - I get annoyed at small avoidable errors. Two off the top of my head are labeling Arnold Squitieri a Lucchese member and identifying Joseph Corozzo instead of Nicky Corozzo as a codefendant in the 1987 case. Also, I find Gravano being used too much as a source, especially towards the end. While understandable that his word is some of the only first hand account, it’s still unfortunate.

Aside from those admitted nitpicks, this is pretty enjoyable for a Gotti book.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look at the mafia henchmen for John Gotti. The author explores the ins and outs of their chosen lifestyles, and outlines how these lifestyles were unraveled by each person’s actions. Even those who have read other books about Gotti and his crime family will gain something from this book as if explores the wider gamut of the crime family.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Hal · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book about the boys who surrounded John Gotti on his ascension to the throne if you will, in taking control of the Gambino family. Probably the most well know being Sammy Gravano who ultimately was his undoing. The mob is always a good read for us the real life drama of the premiere bad guys. Many of these good fellows end up either dead or dead in serving out their terms behind bars. So all's well that ends well; or maybe.

[Jeff Pavlick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was gifted the book. This book showcased an interesting take on some of John Gotti's closest accomplices and their lifestyles.

Not the best introductory book dealing with John Gotti along with his crew. However, it seems the author was ultimately trying to create a book unlike other books dealing with John Gotti.

I would recommend this book if you already have some knowledge and interest in John Gotti's close friendships

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting Mafia history

I enjoyed the book. It was a good overview of Gotti's tenure as head of the Gambino family. I learned more details about the Castellano murder.

It was short on personal info, what made these guys tick. But then, might be overthinking it. It's about money and power.

[Vnunez-Ms_luv2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a reader of mafia books so I was very excited to read this book. It did not disappoint. Good read on John Gotti and the people that worked for him. Lots of information and well written. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving this book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

[Ash Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotti's Boys is an insightful read about John Gotti and his henchmen, it is a topic most don't fully understand this one did uncover quite a bit of details I never knew. I wish it was a bit more longer that is why i knocked of a star.

[Randal White · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read on the men who helped put, and keep, John Gotti in place at the top of the Gambino crime family. I found the writing to be a bit long-winded and verbose. And choppy. All in all, a valuable addition to the volumes of information out there on Gotti.

[Don Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The real muscle behind Gottj

Very thorough book easy to read great book for anyone interested in Organized crime books. Definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Gotti saga.

[Zane Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

Another great book by Mr. DeStafano. His books are always filled with facts and data, but are written in an interesting and story-like manner! Another must read for people who enjoy books about the mafia!

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I thought

3 1/2 stars. This was more of a trial book and would give 4 stars for that, but I thought it was going to be more about the inner workings of Gotti mob so knocked off half a star.

[Mickey Bits · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's interesting to read this at the remove of several years, after many of the key players have died. It's crazy to think these are real people who really did this stuff. There isn't much sympathy for many of the "victims" since they were in the life.

[Ileana Renfroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating! Gott's Boys was a very well written story which had me hooked from the beginning. The author did an excellent job in detailing the "inside" story and those that were involved with the Gotti family.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written book that looks into the workings of the men who worked for Gotti and did his handiwork. A lot of research went into this book and I was not disappointed with the overall story. A good book if you are interested in this topic.

[Theodore W. Zweifel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotti's Boys

Enjoyed documentation of life inside the Gambino and all the five families. Seeing the names and looking them up gave me a better sense of the treachery that goes with being in that life.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gotti's Boys: The Mafia Crew That Killed for John Gotti is an interesting read. I give this quick read three and a half stars.

[Elly Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the men who worked in the Gambimo Family under John Gotti. The book tells meg the many crimes and murders that took place during the Teflon don’s reign.

[Paul Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Very lifelike and personal.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

More about the trials of the gang members than about the mafia members and their lives themselves.

[Brian Pangburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read !

Excellent read and insight into the "other players" in the Gotti story... well worth the time! One the better mob books I've read

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too Dry

I couldn't finish this book and stopped reading at about 25%. Was way too dry and boring for me. Too many other better books to read on the subject.

[Lori Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some what boring. Hard to get threw.