Unlocked: The Life and Crimes of a Mafia Insider

This is an excellent book about a man working for an organized crime family who turns life around. Scams, robberies, and a crack to the head with a baseball bat take the reader through a world most would not dare visit. Crime, punishment, and redemption—it’s all there. I’d give this book six stars if Amazon had allowed it. Vic Ferrari

Mr. Ferrante was a successful truck hijack artist, running his own crew, that caught the attention of the mafia and was recruited into the Gambino crime family.I found "Unlocked" quite interesting, particularly with Mr. Ferrantes's super ability to read human mannerisms and behavior through observation that is way beyond the normal person. You could say "Well, that's being a mafia wiseguy", but Mr. Ferrante's level of discerning lies, greed, double-crossing, was keenly developed from street survival in a world of cutthroats.There are lots of tense and scary moments, for sure, but if you're looking for constant body dismemberment like Murder Machine, you might be slightly disappointed. However, what impressed me is a man, who pulled himself up by the bootstraps in prison and through reading hundreds of books written by great minds, came to the realization that he was mired in a culture of greed with a very bad model for personal survival.A culture where you wake up each day and wonder who you can trust, who wants to whack you out, set you up for more prison time, or take over your rackets.Mr. Ferrante realized that the mafia is set up to maximize monetary returns for the captains and bosses, but is ultimately a bad working model. That while a few crew members and associates may have some assemblance of being trusted, if the boss rubs his chin the wrong way, he turns to your most trusted friend who must follow orders to give you two in the back of the head.Through a web of experiences, Mr. Ferrante reveals in a honest writing that mafia wiseguys, regardless of their La Cosa Nostra affiliation, are not geniuses. That they have plenty of screw-ups, do bonehead things, and launch into far-fetched schemes trying to make a buck that backfire. But, also details many times, how wiseguys are expert at generating cash in short timeframes that would astound the common man.This book is ultimately about personal uplifting. A mafia wiseguy who exhibited true courage to reflect within himself and realize that he was mired in a world of pit vipers focused of filling their bellies with greed, where living a normal live is virtually impossible and the likelihood of spending decades in prison or being executed for perceived slights -- very real.Yet, it wasn't that easy of a process. Mr. Ferrante was making tens of thousands of dollars a month. He commanded respect as a mafia crew chief with direct access to Gambino family boss, John Gotti.I believe through reading the great minds of civilization, that Mr. Ferrante came to the realization that being in La Cosa Nostra was not much different than being a Roman caesar. Inevitably, you were going to be killed by the Praetorian Guard or assassinated by a tribune or angry senator in the shadows. Very few caesars lived out a natural life and if they did they had to kill everyone surrounding them on suspected conspiracies.I have great admiration for Mr. Ferrante for leaving a world of mistrust, power and greed for a sense of normalcy and true respect in the civilian world.One last mention, once you start reading this book, you can't stop.Mr. Ferrante pulls you into the Underworld, giving you the true sense of what it is really like to be in La Cosa Nostra on a daily basis. You are left on the edge of your seat in anticipation and suspense of what is going to happen next.

Excellent read of a hell of a life's story. Loe Ferrante is a wiseguy in all aspects of the word. Some of my favorite parts are quoting what victims say in stressful moments, and then translating that into "what they meant to say was..." - that always leads him into some hilarious dialouge. i wish i could hear it in the NY'er accent!it's rare that i give 5 stars. but i am definitely giving copies of this out to friends

This book is absolutely amazing. Not only the story that is told, but the writing style is amazing. First of all the author, has this amazing writing style that just takes you from wherever you are and places you in the book. At times, the detail and the story is flowing so nice that not only can you see the story, but at times you can feel it, and smell it. The story being told is amazing. The author shows you the reader that the mafia is not as glamourous as you read about. There is a bad side to, and believe me he goes through it. He shows the reader the glam of having money, and doing whatever you want, to the harsh reality that goes along with it, when he gets sentenced to a little over 10 years in various prisons. While in prison the author finds his faith. As I was reading I found myself telling myself that i was only going to read one more chapter, but then I eventually found out this was impossible, and stayed awake all night to finish the book. I couldn't help myself. Then when the story ended, it was 5:00 a.m. And I was all bummed out because I wanted to read more. I hope that this is not the last book that we are going to get from this author. If by some chance he is working in something else, I can't wait to get my hands on it. I rated this book 5 stars and if I could have I would have given it a 100 stars. Anyone who is interested in reading about true crime, the mafia, life decisions, and getting to know yourself better should buy this book. WHY ARE YOU STILL READING THIS?????....STOP NOW, DON'T WASTE ANYMORE TIME, AND BUY THIS BOOK.....YOU WON'T BE DISSAPPOINTED!!!

While driving to work early one weekend morning, I heard Louis Ferrante doing a radio interview promoting his new book "MOB RULES".When I went to order it, I came across one of his previous books, "Unlocked" and ordered it as well. I don't consider myself a reader of mafia books but I was struck by how well this former mobster carried himself in the interview and just had to find out how the guy I was listening to on the radio was the was the same guy that did all the things he was speaking about! Get the book and you'll find out. It is an incredibly fast read but don't go too fast or you will miss some really interesting stuff. I couldn't put it down. As a New Yorker, I was familiar with many the areas he spoke of and the players he dealt with. That won't matter to you if you are from elsewhere. His graphic, raw, and pin point descriptions of his life experiences will captivate you. I found myself re-reading pages just to catch 'the buzz' I got from them again. I look forward to reading his next book(s).

IF YOU ARE INTO MAFIA BOOKS AND THE COSA NOSTRA IN GENERAL THIS WILL BE AN EASY READ,LOUIS ALREADY ADMITS HE HAS CHANGED CHARACTERS NAMES SO THERE ARE ONLY A FEW NOTED PEOPLE THAT YOU WILL NOW- MAFIA BOSSES , CAPTAINS ECTBOOK GOES STRAIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE OF A HEIST - THERE IS NO INTRODUCTION TO HIS LIFE AS A BOY/YOUNG MAN HOW HE CLIMBED THE RANKS , JOBS HE PULLED OFF AND HOW AND WHO HE WAS INTRODUCED TO IN THE MAFIA AT 1ST

Great book.. Real and honest.. Cant make up stories. What a great change and brife details. Inspiration.. Legend lou.. Thank u

Love that book

great copy,great book, great service, very quick delivery, very happy.

Just finished Unlocked. When I ordered it I was hoping it would provide interesting information on the life of a mafiosi. However, although it provided many insights into the 'life', what was far more edifying and impressive was how Mr Ferrante studied, wrote, read and reinvented himself in such a brutal environment. A true story of redemption....