Double Deal: The Inside Story of Murder, Corruption, and the Cop Who Was a Mobster

by Michael Corbitt, Sam Giancana

Double Deal - The Inside Story of Murder, Unbridled Corruption, & the Cop Who Was a Mobster (04) by Giancana, Sam - Corbitt, Michael - Giancana, Bettina [Mass Market Paperback (2004)]

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Allison Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have a confession….. i own a copy of this book but i never read it…..
BUT THIS IS MY GREAT UNCLE!!!!!! i am a good reads legend!!!! i can’t believe this has such a high rating you guys!!!!! there is pic of my grandma in the book #riplegend

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the personal account of Michael Corbitt, a Chicago kid who was beginning to be involved in a life of crime. Sam Giancana took notice of this upstart and got him a job in the police department. The leader of the Chicago organized crime syndicate knew that it would serve him to have as many friends on the police force as possible. Eventually, he was caught out for conspiracy to commit murder, and refused to inform on any of his mob associates. After his release from prison, he wrote this tell all book, which was a good read.

[Pat Camalliere · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tell-all memoir written by a suburban police chief and “associate” of the Chicago Outfit (mob). The author surely made no friends in writing this book and it’s rather amazing that he survived the telling. He does not come off as a good guy by any means. From an artistic perspective, the book is poorly written with many errors and inconsistencies, and I found it hard to believe much of what was revealed, concluding that a great deal of exaggeration and even invention took place in the writing. Yet, taken with a grain of salt, there is also likely a fair amount of truth here. It was interesting to me because it takes place near where I live and much is familiar. It also provides information about local mobsters and other law-breakers that is not described elsewhere. If one wants to know details of mob activity and extent of penetration this book should be on your reading list.

[Roger Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast and easy read because of the personal way the book is written. This offers great insight into organized crime, it’s reach, politicizing, money involved and the protection these organizations receive from officials in all capacities around the globe.

Anyone who likes true crime books or wanting to know the inside of a crime syndicate then this is your book.

A great work!

[Patrick Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book that really exceeded my expectations. It gives great insight into Chicago outfit history and events. There is one chapter focused on the 1960s, JFK, Cuba, and the CIA that was so interesting I bookmarked it in the hardcopy for future reference.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

More interesting if you have some connection through Chicago businesses, towns, or families in the book. Otherwise, it's hard to finish about 3/4 of the way through.

[Doug Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm almost through this book and it's honestly nothing extraordinary. It's interesting, but isn't all that engaging.

[John Bruni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredible book. If you are interested in the mob in even a marginal way, you need to read this book. Corbitt has led a hell of a life, and he's got an irresistible voice. He tells all in this book, and he names names. I'm in awe of this book, especially since a lot of it happened around where I live. It's hard to believe that a place like Willow Springs was so corrupt, but after reading Corbitt's account, it's undeniable. It's amazing how one guy born in poverty can become a big shot mobster who made thousands of dollars until he got involved in a conspiracy to commit murder, which is where he drew the line. I love his perspective in writing this book. He figured it would get a few people killed, but he didn't care about that. Anyone who dies because this book was published had it coming, anyway. Is it any surprise that he died a year after this book was published? Sure, on paper he died of lung cancer, but come on. The only thing that bugged me about the book is when he started talking about the international deals the mob had going on. The story of how Sam Giancana (the mobster, not his nephew, who co-wrote this book) got out of jail is great, but all the deals that Corbitt didn't really have much to do with? Those were the only parts of this book that dragged. This is one of the greatest non-fiction books I've ever read.

[Ice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up poor and angry, Michael Corbitt fought his way up the ranks of greasers and street gangs until he attracted the attention of Chicago crime boss Sam Giancana, who placed him on the Willow Springs, Illinois, police force. By the time Corbitt was appointed chief of police, he'd also moved up the Outfit's ranks and was living the high life of a respected mobster.

Corbitt's luck turned when he was indicted on charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder. Although there was a mob contract on his life and he was facing a 20-year jail sentence, he refused to testify against organised crime figures under the witness protection programme, maintaining instead the Mafioso's code of silence - until his release from prison.

Now Corbitt breaks that silence, holding back nothing-including the account of his personal involvement in the brutal murder of the wife of Chicago mob attorney Alan Masters.

Corbitt bares his soul, confessing in graphic - sometimes horrific - detail a life lived as both saint and sinner, a life that moved back and forth between the conflicting worlds of the police officer and the gangster with ease.

[Citywildcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent expose on organized crime......how we got to where we are today and the effect organize crime hands on our daily lives. I highly recommend this book for people wanting to get an overall view of organized crime, how it began, etc. The history of organized crime is fascinating and not what most of us would think. I'm not condoning what these people do, by any means, but organized crime arose out of necessity, for the most part. Things are much different today and there's very little excuse for street thugs/many more opportunities for young people. Years ago, some immigrants came to this country, not able to get a job, with a great deal of discrimination (more than there is today.) CHILDREN were often forced to steal from street vendors to feed their families and siblings. Being a "self proclaimed organized crime expert", this is one of many good books on the subject. The criminals who flip and work with the cops, are the REALLY good stories! (I'm glad I have it in hardcover and in excellent condition.)

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never finished reading this book. I didn't like the character.

Mike Corbitt was a young kid growing up in Chicago. He was bullied in school so he learned how to fight. He saw "wise guys" making lots of money and wanted some of that action. Sam Giancana helped he join the "Outfit". Then, Sam Giancana suggested (okay, he really doesn't make suggestions) that he join the police force. He did. He later became the Chief of Police of a small town near Chicago and during this entire time was steal part of the "Outfit" (something you can't leave alive). Eventually he was indicted for racketeering and maybe other charges, too.

This is his story. He is a nasty character. Plainly speaking, he was a bad guy. I have no empathy for him so I couldn't continue reading his story.

Hope he made no profit from the sale of this book.

[Dave Eisenstark · Rating 2 out of 5]

At the end of this book, the prosecutor who put Michael Corbitt away said, "the mystery is how a just God allows people like...(Michael) Corbitt to crawl on the face of the earth." The prosecutor goes on to call Corbitt a "prostitute with a badge," which seems too kind as well, actually. So it's tough to get beyond the fact of reading the memoirs and justifications ("I didn't shoot her, I just dumped the body in the canal") of such an individual. He was a corrupt cop from the word go, installed by the mob to do their bidding and there's nothing nice he can say about himself that changes that, though he tries. That said, if you have the stomach, this does describe the day-to-day sleaze of organized crime in the 60s, 70s, 80s, mostly around the Chicago area, if you're interested.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the Chicago mob and how corrupt the police force was in the 50's and 60's. This book gives great insight on looked-over mobster Hy Larner. Everyone focuses on Tony Accardo and Sam Giancana but Hy Larner was the true genius behind the coin-operated and gambling empire in Chicago and around the world. This is one of the few books that the author dosen't paint himself to be an angel.

[Sherrie]

Very interesting book. Not just on organized crime itself, but on it's connection to the U.S. government, which was kind of surprising on one hand, but on the other hand, not. Totally reinforces my theories on a number of deaths that were ruled "suicide" & most certainly on the JFK assasination. The book is a few years old, & I would love to know a current update on the characters in the book who were still around when the book came out, & what Michael Corbitt is up to these days.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I did not find Michael Corbitt to be a likable person, his tale of the Chicago Outfit corruption, political corruption and name dropping, made for very interesting reading indeed. I'm pretty sure the "goings-on" of the mob are continuing in much the same way; as are their connections to police, politicians, heads of countries, etc. The names and faces may change, but the money making schemes will always continue.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book years ago when my sister first moved to Willow Springs IL. It's about the Chief of Police of Willow Springs and his connections to the mob. It's good read if you like local true crime stories.

[Steve Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by all things related to the Chicago Mob and Sam Giancana,this book is top notch all the way ! What a great ride behind the scenes of connected life during and after Giancana's rule in Chicago,told by one of the admitted most corrupt cops of the era !

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like to learn about the mob, this is a must read.

[Christago · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book about the mob. Its an eye opener to how much influence they have had over our country, our countries government, foreign relations and even wars.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally crazy mob book. Easy read.

[Laurie Stoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a work of non-fiction. Although it had some interesting information it can't help but make one angry that a police officer, one sworn to protect and serve, was also a mobster.

[Dee Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like the non-fiction that seems like it should be fiction...this was definitely that!