Crazy Joe Gallo: The Mafia's Greatest Hits - Volume 2

I have read a great many books on the mafia. A lot of what I read in this book confirms what was in the other books. After a while you can see a pattern form. The life expectancy is not very long when wars between families break out. Years ago when I was an Air Force photographer, I was assigned to take some photographs at a large hotel, the Fountain Bleu, in downtown Miami Florida. While waiting in the lobby to be taken to the photo shoot location, three men walked through the lobby. They gave me cold chills because they just did not look like tourist. When the photo shoot was canceled, I was not upset. I was ready to leave. I learned later who owned this hotel. This is what got me interested in reading books on the mob and the individuals in this life style. The thing is that many of these individuals are smart and could make money running legitimate companies but they become greedy and want to do it the easy way.

I've read the other book on Joe Gallo and, although I feel the book entitled "The Killing of Joey Gallo" by Harvey Aronson to be the best one, I enjoyed, if that's the correct word for such a book, this book authored by Joe Bruno "Crazy Joe Gallo" to be a worthwhile read. Joe Gallo was a thug and a thug's life is usually cut short by an early death or a life in prison. Joey courted danger by daring his enemies to "take him out" and his wish was only to happy to be granted. There isn't as much detail as in Harvey Aronson's book but it is still a worthwhile read and the price is a lot cheaper. I do wish author Joe Bruno's book had some photographs. I understand Umberto's Clam House is now located at a different location and the eatery at the location on the corner of Mulberry and Hester streets where the assassination took place is now a tourist attraction of sorts. Go figure!

The phrase "write what you know" has long been taught by writing teachers to their prospective students. However, whenever I read one of Joe Bruno's mob books, I'm always left with the sense that not only does he write what he knows, he goes that extra mile to find out the most he can about his subjects.One gets the sense that Joe has been there and done that and came out much wiser for it. His interest and knowledge of every subject he tackles shows through in every word.And, "Crazy Joe Gallo" is no exception. From the origins of his famous nickname to his bloody end in a Little Italy restaurant the book stays true to its subject and the lifestyle that we all find so fascinating.Say what you will about gangsters, bad guys, black marks on society; only a couple of statements are certain ... we can't get enough of their stories and no one writes them like Joe Bruno.

Would get a fifth star if he wasn't certifiably nuts. Good speed-read since Joey IS the plot line, so bus, train, airport, concentrated interuptions not a nuisance....ANOTHER ESPRESSO, WAITER?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Joe Bruno's insightful and informative biography of Joey Gallo. It appears to me that Bruno owns the mob genre because I've read quite a few books by him and each book is a minor classic. "Crazy Joe Gallo: The Mafia's Greatest Hits" was one of the most enjoyable books on Joey Gallo and his brothers I have read and it just could be the best of the lot. Maybe I feel this way because we used to have their jukeboxes and vending machines in our bar in Corona, Queens. Bruno's research on this book is impeccable and his writing style is as professional as you could get. Great job Bruno.http://www.amazon.com/Starlight-Club-Book-ebook/dp/B0098L3LQW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1442771689&sr=1-1&keywords=the+starlight+club