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Gangland: How the FBI Broke the Mob
An award-winning reporter and author tells the inside story of how a special team of FBI agents cracked the case against "Teflon Don" John Gotti, using high-tech bugs and informants like Sammy "the Bull" Gravano. Tour.
349 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
36 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Howard Blum
33 books309 followersHoward Blum is the author of New York Times bestsellers including Dark Invasion, the Edgar Award–winner American Lightning, as well as Wanted!, The Gold Exodus, Gangland, and The Floor of Heaven. Blum is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. While at the New York Times, he was twice nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting. He is the father of three children, and lives in Connecticut.
Get in touch!
Website: www.HowardBlum.com
Email: Howard@HowardBlum.com
Facebook: Like Howard Blum on Facebook
Twitter: @HowardBlum and @FloorOfHeaven
Get in touch!
Website: www.HowardBlum.com
Email: Howard@HowardBlum.com
Facebook: Like Howard Blum on Facebook
Twitter: @HowardBlum and @FloorOfHeaven
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 18, 2016
I read Howard Blum's "Gangland" which is the story about how the FBI broke up the New York mob. The book details the grueling task of trying and failing over and over again to stay one step ahead of the "Teflon Don" John Gotti. It follows the State Organized Crime Task Force headed by Bruce Mouw and Andy Kurins and the super team they assemble to get the job done and Gotti, who is thought of as untouchable by law, thrown in jail forever. The only problem is, Kurins and Mouw suspect there is a mole on the inside of the Bureau that is feeding Gotti information and keeping he and his mob family one step ahead in the entire story. Between planting microphones, cameras, doing stake outs, fighting legal battles, and trying to stomp out the mole, the book never fails to grab the readers interest.
April 20, 2017
This book almost reads like a version of "The Godfather" from the crime-fighting authorities' side of things. As unbelievable as it sounds, this is one mob story that's actually true. The detail is incredible - who these mob guys are, how they do what they do, and how evil they truly are. You have to love the colorful nicknames given to most of these wiseguys.
The meat of the story is the FBI fight against the Gambino family, led by "Teflon Don" John Gotti. Imagine Sonny Corleone as the Boss of Bosses, and you'll get close to knowing what kind of man Gotti was. What amazed me about this true story are the parallels between the Gambino family and the FBI's C-16 Organized Crime squad. Both groups were led by strong, powerful leaders (Gotti and the FBI's Bruce Mouw); both groups' leaders were followed by charismatic helpers (Sammy "Bull" Gravano for the Gambinos, Andy Kurins and George Gabriel for the FBI.) The major difference between these two groups is that one existed to do bad and illegal things, and the other existed to try and stop the other group's activities.
The part of the book I enjoyed most was the chapter about the ins-and-outs of bugging the Gambino headquarters. Agent John Kravec really took a big risk to place a microphone in the Don's own office, and the details of Kravec's plans and thoughts are amazing.
If you're a fan of mob stories, please check this book out. It's as real as it gets.
The meat of the story is the FBI fight against the Gambino family, led by "Teflon Don" John Gotti. Imagine Sonny Corleone as the Boss of Bosses, and you'll get close to knowing what kind of man Gotti was. What amazed me about this true story are the parallels between the Gambino family and the FBI's C-16 Organized Crime squad. Both groups were led by strong, powerful leaders (Gotti and the FBI's Bruce Mouw); both groups' leaders were followed by charismatic helpers (Sammy "Bull" Gravano for the Gambinos, Andy Kurins and George Gabriel for the FBI.) The major difference between these two groups is that one existed to do bad and illegal things, and the other existed to try and stop the other group's activities.
The part of the book I enjoyed most was the chapter about the ins-and-outs of bugging the Gambino headquarters. Agent John Kravec really took a big risk to place a microphone in the Don's own office, and the details of Kravec's plans and thoughts are amazing.
If you're a fan of mob stories, please check this book out. It's as real as it gets.
March 2, 2020
I only listened to this audiobook because it was narrated by the late, great Jerry Orbach.
January 9, 2019
Outstanding! It truly reads like riveting fiction, but ... it's all true! Very hard to put down! If you've the slightest interest in true crime and/or Cosa Nostra, I highly recommend it - it will not disappoint.
I read this just after it was published, in '93 or '94. For many years after, I often wondered when it would be made into a film, as it seemed inevitable. Many have touched on it and the events have been featured in many a television program, also. None, however, rival Mr. Blum's delivery!
It provides insight and detail about the events leading to Gotti's rise to power, as well as glimpses of few other pivotal figures destined for bigger and better things, particularly then U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Rudy Giuliani. As fascinating as Gotti was, the F.B.I. agent that led the (handpicked) team assigned to take down Gotti and his associates, J.Bruce Mouw, is a very interesting individual too. He'd been on a sub in Vietnam, hunting other ships, and, after the war, when he was looking for similarly challenging work, a friend suggested he join the F.B.I and hunt criminals. Very interesting stuff!
Again, highly recommend this one! It's a fantastic read!
I read this just after it was published, in '93 or '94. For many years after, I often wondered when it would be made into a film, as it seemed inevitable. Many have touched on it and the events have been featured in many a television program, also. None, however, rival Mr. Blum's delivery!
It provides insight and detail about the events leading to Gotti's rise to power, as well as glimpses of few other pivotal figures destined for bigger and better things, particularly then U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Rudy Giuliani. As fascinating as Gotti was, the F.B.I. agent that led the (handpicked) team assigned to take down Gotti and his associates, J.Bruce Mouw, is a very interesting individual too. He'd been on a sub in Vietnam, hunting other ships, and, after the war, when he was looking for similarly challenging work, a friend suggested he join the F.B.I and hunt criminals. Very interesting stuff!
Again, highly recommend this one! It's a fantastic read!
June 21, 2023
A fascinating look at the FBI's quest to bring John Gotti to justice. John Gotti had been nicknamed the "Teflon Don", he had been brought up on charges and had beaten every one. The well-constructed actions of the group formed to get him worked tirelessly, having to thwart a clumsily prepared case by the Manhatten DA where the charges they hoped to bring were tossed in almost as an afterthought, and were shot down. Also had to fight the actions of a traitor, a mole who was reporting to Gotti on what was happening.
Having Sammy "The Bull" Gravano turn on Gotti and testify in open court brought it home, the life without parole verdict was a sweet reward.
A very absorbing book, a must-read.
Having Sammy "The Bull" Gravano turn on Gotti and testify in open court brought it home, the life without parole verdict was a sweet reward.
A very absorbing book, a must-read.
August 26, 2017
A gripping, informative, and interesting account of the incredibly complex and challenging work of the FBI, in bringing down John Gotti and other members of the New York Mob. The book provides a look into the merciless world of organized crime, and the tenacious efforts of those in law enforcement who seek to disrupt its workings. A first-rate piece of research and writing.
August 11, 2018
Take The 2nd Part 1st
When preparing to read this book, I strongly recommend reading the appendix entitled, “A Note on Sources.” This will lend instant context and credibility to the challenges and successes the author presents, and the extent he went to validate, verify, and cross-check information.
When preparing to read this book, I strongly recommend reading the appendix entitled, “A Note on Sources.” This will lend instant context and credibility to the challenges and successes the author presents, and the extent he went to validate, verify, and cross-check information.
February 9, 2022
Factual Information
I enjoyed this novel since it was based on historical events that were amazing presented to entertain and educate the reader just what the. Costa Nostra was.capable of doing in one of the major cities.in our country. We will always have crime and we need law enforcement to protect the citizens of all citizens.
I enjoyed this novel since it was based on historical events that were amazing presented to entertain and educate the reader just what the. Costa Nostra was.capable of doing in one of the major cities.in our country. We will always have crime and we need law enforcement to protect the citizens of all citizens.
June 9, 2021
A fascinating book about how a small team of dedicated FBI agents took down John Gotti. It manages to balance big picture with minutiae, like how the mob is run on a daily basis or how agents infiltrated various places to plant bugging devices. Very interesting read.
June 2, 2017
excellent account of FBI's hunt of John Gotti and the subsequent downfall of the Gambino family.
December 7, 2019
Really interesting. Amazing and wonderful that there are people in the world who do not give up on a quest.
June 18, 2020
Interessant inkijkje hoe de FBI tot de arrestatie van Gotti kwam. Dat verhaal kende ik alleen uit de krantenartikeltjes.
October 17, 2024
Audiobook narrated hilariously by Jerry Orbach, a Bronx Jew doing NY Italian wiseguys. Great stuff. Info is great, yet name discrepancies (John Messina, Frank Dellacroce to not) are always annoying.
December 15, 2016
Think Honor Thy Father by Gay Telese, The Godfather by Puzo, and The Sopranos (HBO) all rolled into one. Blum chronicles the many-year process to bring down John Gotti and break the back of the mob in New York City. This has a cast of thousands, treachery on all sides, politics at its worst, egos the size of skyscrapers, and a strong moral of justice.
This is not your gun-running, boozing operations of the thirties. This is dirty politics, drugs, prostitution, gambling, and crooked cops all run, controlled, and profited by organized crime.
I guess there is a romantic feeling at times for various gangs as hard working, poor, men who turn to making money without trying real hard to be legitimate. We have to be sure, as readers, to remind ourselves there was nothing romantic about whacking some guy who failed to show up at a meeting with the boss of bosses.
But, Blum brings in an unconventional force that plays against the made men. Age. Cancer. Children. None of them wanted to die in prison. They knew their mortality which did not include being philosophical about being garroted. That was business. The other was life.
Whether you feel an inclination to romanticize the Mafia from 50 years ago or not, this is an important retelling of what it took to end the reign of some very nasty people. But, as we know, the story is still being told with a new cast of wiseguys and they are not romantic in the least.
###
This is not your gun-running, boozing operations of the thirties. This is dirty politics, drugs, prostitution, gambling, and crooked cops all run, controlled, and profited by organized crime.
I guess there is a romantic feeling at times for various gangs as hard working, poor, men who turn to making money without trying real hard to be legitimate. We have to be sure, as readers, to remind ourselves there was nothing romantic about whacking some guy who failed to show up at a meeting with the boss of bosses.
But, Blum brings in an unconventional force that plays against the made men. Age. Cancer. Children. None of them wanted to die in prison. They knew their mortality which did not include being philosophical about being garroted. That was business. The other was life.
Whether you feel an inclination to romanticize the Mafia from 50 years ago or not, this is an important retelling of what it took to end the reign of some very nasty people. But, as we know, the story is still being told with a new cast of wiseguys and they are not romantic in the least.
###
January 19, 2014
John Gotti, boss of NY underworld, eluded Feds for decades until their perseverance and clever tricks finally snared him. True story of revenge, cunning, and ruthlessness -- you wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of these guys. Full of under-the-covers details on how Cosa Nostra works. Rating: 3 of 5 bullets.
February 25, 2016
Wow, I had no idea things were so complicated! Gives a "non-involved" person an insight into the goings on of the mafia and the side of the law. Fascinating story of all the work that went on to bring a "family" down. Very good read! The book was hard to put down!
February 15, 2009
Loved it - so exciting and fun to read.
Read
January 6, 2010More real Mafia history
January 27, 2010
Another biography on John Gotti
April 3, 2010
Not my usual topic of interest... but interesting read nonetheless.
Read
July 6, 2015I have a family connection to one of the "good guys" mentioned in the book so to read about his involvement in the mission to bring down Gotti was fascinating!
October 22, 2015
The fourth star is because Jerry Orbach does the audio book AND.DOES.VOICES.
January 30, 2016
Very informative and eye-opening inside account, but a very dry read. Just the facts, ma'am.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews