Gotti: Rise and Fall

THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN THE JOHN GOTTI AND SAMMY GRAVANO YEARS IN THE GAMBINO CRIME FAMILY IN NEW YORK CITY. IT GIVES YOU AN INSIDE LOOK AT THEIR RISE AND FALL AND THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS OF ORGANIZED CRIME. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS AND THE CRIMINAL TRIALS ARE VERY INTERESTING AND MANY OF THEIR CRIMES ARE GRIPPING, TAKING YOU BACK TO THE NEWSPAPER HEADLINES OF THE DAY.

This book, along with Gravano's Underboss book, is a great place to start learning about the Mafia. Even though Gotti wouldn't cooperate with the writers of the book, the research provided is accurate and unbiased. It's just sad that it doesn't have any support by the man that it's written about. If you want to read a book that has support via its subject, read Underboss, the Gravano tale. Gotti: Rise and Fall is riddled with courtroom drama, which can get boring at times. But the overall essence of the book is great.

Capeci was able to give outsiders a look into the world of the Mafia as well as how hard law enforcement work to stop them. The research Mr. Capeci did for this book is incredible. The book also shows that law enforcement will do anything to get there man and they had personel reasons to nail Gotti. The book also shows the arrogance of John Gotti. He truley believed he was untouchable and had law enforcement not bent, or broke the rules, Gotti may have died a free man.

This is the best book on John Gotti, there is no question about it. Capeci & Mustain provide an entirely objective, intelligent and succint synopsis of the short reign of the flamboyant mobster from his rise until his inevitable fall, to define the namesake of the book title. The text is legible, concise, and matter-of-fact, without personal opinions or confusing dialogue that is not properly formatted. One could almost consider the book a well-researched and reader-friendly FBI briefing minus the capitals. There are many books available on John Gotti, and the Gambino family, but none are as carefully scrutinized and well-displayed as Rise And Fall. The addition of photographs is a plus, as they give the reader a glimpse of whom the press referred to as 'The Dapper Don' in all his Brioni, Armani and Hugo Boss glory. But the man himself is not glorified for the book, rightfully, and any romanticisms that remained ingrained in the minds of mob buffs is duly erased in this novel, for it is a blow-by-blow account of a ruthless mob boss, a liar, a bragger, a criminal and a killer. In fact, the aftermath of the gangster's demise resonates justice, and brings a sense of pride to a once-corrupted American justice system. Capeci is, as always, the cream of organized crime media.9/10

every other book on gotti pales in comparison to this one! it's even better than the HBO movie (which was based on this book). not surprising since capeci is THE expert on all things 'mob' -- when you're done with this book check out his ganglandnews site for your weekly mob fix!!