5 comments about Confessions of a Yakuza: A Life in Japan's Underworld.

1. It may sound odd that I use the word honor in the context of a gangster which is exactly what the yakuza were and are, but the man profiled here is completely old school in all its best connotations. Essentially, the background concerns a very old man about to die who tells his story to the random doctor who happens to examine him. The interviews are conducted over a series of weeks and they occur at the yakuza's home. To say that he lived in interesting times is definitely an understatement. Most of the action occurs before World War II, and, in those days, being a yakuza meant only running gambling houses. To do anything else was beneath them. One can see why the police were rather tolerant in regards to their general operations in light of this eventuality. The man described here eventually became the head of a local branch of the brotherhood, but the stories of his rise and his ever-so-complicated interactions with women were what most impressed this reviewer. This was a pretty fantastic read, and its value is all the greater should you be rather ignorant about Japan (as was the case with this reviewer).



2. Somehow, I thought this would be some blood drenched melodrama, and along the way I would learn a thing or two about the Yakuza way.
   
   But this book was far more subtle and deeply real. It is clear that in the old days, a good Yakuza boss keep a low profile and maintained good connections with his community. All of this is very subtly and carefully portrayed. Many times, it is his careful and diplomatic efforts that yield some of the best results.
   
   And yet, his story is underscored by how he lived outside of society often times. On top of all this, it conveys a time in Japan long ago, and did so very graphically.
   
   All in all, an very good book.



3. it is a great book that combines history and the orginazied crime family that played a large part of many people's lives. It is an insider view of a world that very few knows exists.



4. A great way to look into the yakuza world and not have Hollywood mucking it up. I recently did some research on the yakuza and out of all the books I read, this one was by far one of the best. Even though he's kind of recounting tales to this doctor, the story is still very involved and engrossing. A great read!



5. There is much to like about this book - it simply taking place in Japan, a culture so different than the United States, makes it interesting; another layer of interest is in the time frame, which begins in the early 1900s; and, of course, the most obvious twist of all is in its exploration of the organized crime syndicate, the Yakuza. It is important to have an account of the sort of life one would live under these circumstances in that far from the Hollywood presentation we've grown accustomed to, this tells the story very honestly and without much glamor. On the other hand, it is told in a retrospective, anecdotal fashion; as this is not a Yakuza boss's memoir but the story of a Yakuza boss's life as narrated to another, recorded on tape and transcribed to text, it loses much of the emotion and immediacy that it would have if told in the moment. Its being narrated to another presents us only with pieces of a larger picture, as well - Eiji's prison terms, military conscription and time spent as a night boatman, transporting people through the darkness, hidden from the eyes of the corrupt police force, for example, could have multiple chapters devoted to them, but instead we only get one or two of the most interesting anecdotes of each. The darker parts of the biography detailing murders and men selling their wives so as to keep up their gambling habits are disturbing but detached; one chapter ends with the sentence "It's pretty frightening, really, when you think about it...." which I think sums up the feeling pretty well - we shake our heads but do not feel truly disturbed, as we might if the story were presented in a different voice. Though the editor's note explains that he removed some of the more confusing and tedious parts, I doubt that this would alter the feeling that we are simply getting a few glimpses at a much larger picture. Another gripe is that some of the humor gets lost in translation, and when someone tries to make a joke, simply the way it is phrased ruins it. For example, the gambler Tsukada Saburo tells him, "Well, making things is just my line - I can even make babies with other men's wives! - and this was a cinch for me." I'm sure that you get the idea. But that is a small flaw, and the book as a whole, while not being entirely enveloping or emotionally gripping, is still very interesting and enjoyable, and worth a read for sure.

5 comments about Fred & Rose: The Full Story of Fred and Rose West and the Gloucester House of Horrors.

1. I don't really see how you could call a book like this good anyway. But, I have read alot of true crime stories and I definitely thought this one is the worst. I don't feel it is very thorough. You read 4 chapters at the beginning ALL about the family history and then it just kind of jumps to everything happening. In my opinion it could have been written alot better.



2. Howard Sounes' book about the West Country's most infamous couple is an enlongated bubble gum, tabloid gossip article. Whilst I'm sure Sounes spent a lot of time researching the case and fingering through the many aspects of intricacies, the book does not delve anywhere as deep as the graves of the victims the couple butchered. The glossy account of the details is, however, intensified by the awful and very humbling circumstances in which the murderous pair grew up and met, but this has nothing to do with the author. There is minimal discussion or investigation as to the reasons why the pair undertook their Road to Hell by way of torture, ... voyeuristic prostitution, despite them being up there with the best of the serial killers. The plus point of the book is that it is written in a childish journalistic format and is thus very easy to read, almostunputdownable. The pair's heinous crimes are some of the worst I have read about and it is almost unbelievable that anyone could inflict these attrocities. For pure sensationalism and an easy introduction into the wonderful world of serial killers, this book hits the mark. But for those who want to question a little further and obtain explanations or theories as to why the necrophilliac, nymphomaniac, sadistic and self-centred pair committed such crimes, best give me a ring and we can discuss over a beer. Perhaps at a pub in Gloucester!!



3. This book is a classic true crime title. The case is extraordinary: an apparently ordinary and pleasant married couple, Fred and Rose West, molest, torture and murder a series of young women and girls -- including their own daughter -- bury the dismembered remains under their house, in the middle of the city of Gloucester, and continue living happily in said house for many years. The author, Sounes, broke the story as a reporter, and this is the big book on the case, which is very well known in England. Absolutely riveting and a big seller ever since published about ten years ago in the UK, though not so well known in the US. It will make your hair curl (if it doesn't already). A classic of the genre alongside Profession of Violence, Helter Skelter, and Killing for Company.



4. I like this book because it has a family tree, a diagram of the house and useful information regarding location of the bodies. I just started this book and I find the writing to be pretty good. The author stays clear of his personal views until the end of the book. The story is horrifying to believe but reading the backgrounds of this unusual couple helps understand the crimes behind their union. They were unspeakable to say the least to include the murder of their own teenage daughter who wanted to escape. I remember watching a documentary aired on A&E with other surviving children. They knew that this didn't go on in other families and they envied families who had discipline and kept the x-rated stuff to the couples themselves rather than including their own children, strangers, and regularl visitors. The Wests' open sexuality actually probably caused more disturbances to the children who were affected most of all. They weren't loved as they should have been. They were beaten and abused physically, sexually, and emotionally. I wish the West children found solace and comfort now more than ever. They really lived in a a house of horrors beyound our imagination.



5. what a sick family, I have read many true crime books but this is one that will stay with me forever. Not for the faint of heart.
   Good writing on a very sick subject.

5 comments about The Girl From Botany Bay.

1. Mary Broad had a brief moment of celebrity, and this is probably one of the only reasons we know so much about the life and times of not just Broad, but others like her. Women who lived a hand to mouth existence, who trod on the wrong side of the law, and then suffered the horrific consequences of British Justice in the late Eighteenth century.
   
   Broad was committed to transportation to the extremely new colony of New South Wales in Australia, first imprisoned on the stinking hulks which had their own brutal justice systems on board. Then the terrible long journey half way round the world, only to reach Australia and suffer famine from failed crops.
   
   Her stoicism in spite of enormous hardship and her ability to survive are testament to an extraordinary woman, and her story of survival is amazing.
   
   Erikson has done a great job as usual drawing from sources to outline the social aspects of the time and combining them to reflect what she lived through where her accounts are limited. Certainly, there are many accounts of male life in transporation but few remain of what women's lot were. Sian Rees published a great book a few years ago called Floating Brothel, which I would highly recommend to read with this one - it follows a transport ship of women and what happened to them on the ship and after - as the title of that book reflects it was not an easy voyage.
   
   Mary Broad escaped from Australia and was eventually recaptured and returned to Britain where she was imprisoned again, only the intervention of the writer, Boswell (who was famous for his connection to the Johnson) garnered a royal pardon for her.
   
   Erickson has been a prolific but good writer, I have enjoyed many of her previous biographies including and excellent one on the Regency period. It was a very good read, but my only real quibble with it is I felt it was less fluid than some I have read lately which have been page turners (without being tabloid). It had a nice measured pace and I found I was kept interested in the outcome to the end. Overall a nice interesting history which should appeal to a wide range of readers.



2. Generally I don't enjoy non fiction quite as much as plain old fiction books, but this was an exception.
   
   The story of Mary Broad is quite touching. Arrested for highway robbery and sentenced to hang, she was one of the first waves of convicts to be sailed halfway across the world to England's newest penal colony of Australia. Once there she made a daring escape with her husband, two small children and seven other men. They stole a small dingy and sailed all the way around Australia and then to Indonesia, where they were recaptured and taken back to England for trial. One in England, Mary, whose small children and husband had died since escaping, became a darling of the media and was pardoned.
   
   This is an incredible story, and it's written almost in a novel like fashion, making it accessible to all readers. I look forward to reading more of the author's works.
   
   If you enjoyed this book try reading Morgan's Run by Colleen McCullough for a fictional account of the great prison experiment and information on the Norfolk Island settlement of the colony.



3. Terrifying story of the dangers of the sea and the horrors of life on prison ships.
   
   Thank heavens I have never committed any of the crimes (or at least been caught) that would have doomed me to the punishment of being on a ship bound for Botany Bay.
   
   Mary Broad's story of "Crime and Punishment" is a vivid description of 18th century survival under the harshest conditions.
   
   Sealed into a filthy, animalistic hold of a ship and bound for halfway around the world to be imprisioned on the primative Botany Bay, Mary's life goes from bad to worse prompting a plan to escape via a small boat.
   
   With her husband and friends, Mary sets off to get anywhere but Botany Bay. Battered by weather that would have challenged the largest of ships, the little group of escaped convicts suffer hunger and thirst, lose sight of the coast, and find themselves in the open sea.
   
   Finally they drag into the harbor of Kupang where they are accepted and given the warmest of welcomes. Finally, for the first time in her life, Mary experiences pleasures of life that had always been out of her reach. But this dream-life comes to an end when the residents of Kupang realize that their new friends are escaped prisoners.
   
   Mary is turned over to the British and returned to England. Standing trial once again she is to be remanded to Newgate Prison -- it was new then -- but public sentiment moves the courts to determine that Mary has been punished enough and she is released.
   
   The rest of her life is spent quietly and she passes into history without any more notice. The only reason we know her story or even have any interest in the story of Mary Brand is because she was "The Girl from Botany Bay".



4. This short book retelling the legendary tale of the Girl from Botany Bay--actually Sydney Cove--who was sentenced to penal camp labor in Australia for highway robbery in England in the late 1700s is an entertaining read.
   
   Pieced largely from a few contemporary mentions of Mary Broad in newspapers, journals, and personal memoirs of people who were in the journey with her, Ms. Erickson has put together a short, well researched book.
   
   Though less than 200 pages, the book could have probably been shorter. Since there is so little in the public record about Mary Broad, who was illiterate herself and hence couldn't write down her own story, Ms. Erickson has to spend a great deal of time on conjecture and educated guesses about what may have been going through Mary's mind at a particular point in time. This distraction aside, the book is still worth the short time it would take to read.



5. I BOUGHT THIS BOOK THINKING IT WAS A NOVEL. I WAS DISSAPOINTED WHEN I FOUND IT WAS NOT. I WAS NOT DISSAPOINTED WHEN I READ IT. IT WAS VERY WELL WRITTEN IN STORY FORM. I REALLY GOT TO KNOW THE PEOPLE SHE WRITES ABOUT. IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT MOVIE. I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS BOOK AS A NICE CHANGE OF PASE BOOK.

5 comments about Brutal: The Untold Story of My Life Inside Whitey Bulger's Irish Mob.

1. I'm sorry ,but reading this book was like reading a fairy tail.
   Kevin not only followed in his mentor footsteps and became a rat ,but told the biggest fantasy story in the past 100yrs
   You don't work your way up the ladder of an organization like Whitey's with out paying your dues.
   How convenient that Kevin was never involved in any of the murders ,only the clean up and disposal.
   His hands were dirty , plain and simple ,but to get the plea bargain he received he had to lie through his teeth to the feds ,and has told the story so many times , he now believes it.
   I have read every book written about Whitey and the South Boston rat pack , and this one is by far the biggest fabrication since Snow White.



2. I'm an Irish-Catholic guy in his 40's who grew up in Boston in the late 60's and 70's. I've read Streeet Soldier and Brutal several times each, and I personally believe much more of what Eddie Mac has to say about the "real" Whitey, as opposed to the relatively reverant tone in which Weeks still speaks of Whitey. Sure, Eddie Mac and Weeks are both equally dangerous sociopaths, and will surely go to Hell (assuming it exists) for all the evil they inflicted on their fellow human beings over the years. Having said that, Weeks still seems to be loyal to Whitey, and probably knows exactly where he is hiding out these days. For that reason, I don't believe a word he says when he defends Whitey against allegations that he was a rapist, a child molester, etc. Eddie Mac definitely gives the reader more insight into what Whitey was really like...and isn't that why we all read these books, anyway?



3. Literally John "Red" Shea the writer of Rat bastard explains the real "weaks" in jail, which was more like 12 years without saying a word. The writer of this book called "Weeks" lasted two weeks before ratting out his fellow irishmen. I have not read this book but this guy is living up his life of crime but couldn't do the time that came with the life he chose. No one should acknowledge a rat bastard like him.



4. I have read most of the many books on the Winter Hill Gang and rank this as #1 or #2 of all the books. The book provides much of the story behind the story.



5. Brutal, is a prefect name for this book. Its a first hand account, of the still most wanted Whitey Bulger, and his clan of South Boston murderous thugs. It reads as many "snitch" mob books do, but the difference is these guys are Irish. And they do it in a much more reckless and brutal way. If you like mob stories, and don't mind the bravado by the author, who happens to be what would be considered the lowest of the low, (a rat), then this book will captivate you. It's short, but to the point. Not as bad in the braggard depatment as Sammy The Bull's similar style account. A Bargain at Amazon, and that makes it definetly worth checking out!

5 comments about A Man of Honor: The Autobiography of Joseph Bonanno.

1. Great historical piece although quite biased. Gives the reader good insight into the Sicilian philosophy of life and business. Excellent read if you have an historical interest in the mafia and organized crime.



2. The book was a decent read but I found Bonanno to be quit repeatative at times. He goes on and on about the Sicilian way of life, and how American's more or less don't understand it. Furthermore he tiptoes around all violence that comes with being in the "Family" as he so eloquently puts it. I found it to be a little dry, not so "tell all", and in the end I find Mr. Bonanno using his Sicilian background and way of life as justification for being in organized crime. Although he himself would never admit that the "Family" he was apart of was organized crime, the crux of the book. He calls himself a "Man of Honor" yet he admitly cheats on his wife and lived a life ingrossed in organized crime, hypocritical to say the least.



3. This was a very good read as I enjoyed the information that this book made available.
   
   Sincerely,
   Kathy Klein



4. This title was fun to read. Mr. Bonanno was definitely an interesting individual. Really! But, there is something missing. Though I doubt that the government's prosecutorial attempts were all clean, I do think Mr. Bonanno sugarcoated his autobiography and left out his true criminal side. I know I couldn't write a biography about being a man of honor and Mr. Bonanno's attempt to convince Americans that he's an ordinary man just interested in doing business is full of holes. No one wants to read about an ordinary man doing business legally....generally.



5. Who you lookin' at? That's as Italian De Niro can get. Expect the same kind of flavour when reading this book and then add some extra hot sauce.
   
   You have to be aware this book was written by a mobster who considered himself a man of honor. What you think of the world is the way you are raised and how you live your life.
   
   This book shows a great deal of information about the way of Sicilian life in the early 1900's and the booze-jammed 20's and 30's in the U.S. To read about that is fun alone, but reading about mobsters and their organization is even more exciting. This is a personal story, told by the man who reigned over Italian America for a great deal of time.
   
   Ofcourse, Bonanno has nothing to do with leading all organized crime he tells us. But you know how Italians like food, so add a pinch of salt to this book.

5 comments about Ruse: Undercover with FBI Counterintelligence.

1. Fighting the good fight, writer warrior Robert Eringer has served his country well not only pursuing and gaining the confidence of the CIA traitor, Edward Lee Howard, who defected to the Soviet Union in 1985 giving up important US secrets to the KGB, but Eringer also managed to wind his way through the tangled bureaucracy of the FBI , to bring to American justice psychopath Ira Einhorn, who had been hiding out in a small town in France after murdering his wife,Holly Maddux, and, on top of that, to achieve his goals in his own wry way which included traveling first class,staying in the finest hotels, enjoying great wines and good food and laughs no matter that he sometimes faced the devil himself. His book RUSE, due out in April is a great read with a couple of laugh out loud moments and it proves once again that truth can be stranger than fiction.



2. It's a first person narrative of the author's various stings and counterintelligence gambits working with, but outside of, the FBI. An interesting and worthwhile story in most respects.
   
   It's a quick, easy read, and it is immediately clear the author doesn't take himself too seriously. When it comes to the task at hand, however, the sting, or ruse, is pursued with a serious, inward diligence as he sets up the likes of Edward Lee Howard, Vladimir Kryuchkov and others without diplomatic immunity.
   
   I have a hard time not liking anyone who refers to Vladimir Kryuchkov as "Uncle Vlad"--wry, irreverent and metaphorically accurate.
   
   For readers of the intelligence/espionage genre, there are several takeaways.
   
   1. It contains new information, if not in huge quantities, certainly from the original perspective as a freelancer outside of (but loyal to) the U.S. and its intelligence community. It begs the question of the future role of commercial intelligence providers. Give me Stratfor or give me death.
   
   2. The author's anecdotes sum up the adage: "Counter-intelligence with penetration is like shooting fish in a barrel; counter-intelligence without it is like knife fighting in the dark." -JJA.
   
   3. The onset of paralyzing, initiative and spirit crushing bureaucracy in the FBI's middle management is fatal. One hopes a copy of the book is sent to Robert Mueller, his Directors and Deputy Directors on down through the ranks of Division Five. And maybe a senator or three.
   
   Two last points.
   
   The story, by its nature, is hard to corroborate. The man whose cover and lure was a book publisher now publishes his own book...a last ruse? The editors can help by including a foreword or pithy endorsement on the jacket, perhaps by Former Spymaster or some such. Something to vouchsafe character and credibility. Trust but verify.
   
   Sadly, there is no index.
   
   - Note to Editors: it was Russian journalist Artyom Borovik, not Borovin, that died under suspicious circumstances (referenced in the epilogue). RIP.



3. A fun and faced past narrative of an unbelievable series of characters, places and events. Mr. Eringer retains a sense of humor while recounting the, at times far fetched, cases which keeps this book from falling simply in line with all the other non fiction spy books out there.
   
   While this is a quick read, have some time set aside for you will not be able to put it down!



4. Ruse is fascinating! A page turner to the end. The author's keen intellect and abundant patience in setting up and orchestrating the various scenarios is intriguing and enlightening. There are several amusing, irreverent and even laugh-out-loud moments in the book. It is interesting to note that I have known the author personally for 7 years and knew very little about this part of his life. He lives the mystery that he is so practiced at masterminding.



5. An incredibly good read. In intelligence work, one of the most valuable talents is the ability to "think and act outside the box," which is often near impossible in rigid bureaucracies. This accounting shows there are no limits to achieving goals when imagination and creativity are given room to grow. In such an environment, the seemingly impossible comes to fruition and this book of factual intelligence events is proof. It will rank among the classics of good intelligence work. Moreover, a healthy sense of humor is an essential ingredient in success. There are valuable lessons to be learned here for those interested in spycraft.

5 comments about Sharks in the Desert.

1. I received this book almost right away. It's a very good summary of the people of Las Vegas written by someone who knows, John Smith.



2. The complete saga of Las Vegas from its early roots with the mob to modern corporate times is presented in a lively history of the city's real rulers in SHARKS IN THE DESERT: THE FOUNDING FATHERS AND CURRENT KINGS OF LAS VEGAS. Many made their fortunes developing the casino business the city is most famous for today - but many myths have surrounded their activities - myths which columnist Smith dispels in an investigative history which tracked mobsters and their connections to the city's rich and monied.



3. This book is a fun read if you are someone who is familiar with Las Vegas. The book indeed delivers on what the subtitle, "..The Founding Fathers and Current Kings of Las Vegas" states. Each chapter is more or less devoted to discussing a specific person and the impact they had on setting the stage for the evolution of Las Vegas. I imagine those of you who have never been infatuated with Las Vegas will want to pass on this one.
   
   Based on some of the anecdotes, it seems amazing that some of the Vegas hotels are still open today. The mobsters and the so called "straight laced" owners who ran (or still run) the hotels come off as either extremely brilliant or totally incompetent. It is no wonder that most of the Strip hotels have all been swallowed up by one or two companies. The author also seems to question if some hotels are completely honest when it comes to gaming.
   
   The problem I had with the book was perhaps I was expecting something more chronological and dramatic. Instead, the book is like a compilation of old newpaper columns that are all put together in one place(of course, maybe that is not a surprise since the author is a newspaper reporter). Much like other books of that nature, the reading becomes almost repetitive and seems easier to take over a long haul rather than a week or two of reading cover to cover. Also note that there are a few typos and errors that make it seem like someone did a spellcheck with a computer rather than really proofreading it.
   
   If you can stick with this type of book, you will probably enjoy it. Now this is the first book about Las Vegas I have read so I can not compare it to anything but I've got to believe there is probably something a bit more compelling.



4. This book gives you the real story behind the Vegas gaming legends. Nobody does justice to this topic like John L. Smith. His research is impeccable.



5. This is a book that appeals to no one. If you're not already familiar with Vegas history, it is not a good place to start. And if you already know something about Vegas, it will not teach you anything new.
   
   In theory, the structure of this book seems like a good idea -- devote a chapter each on the movers and shakers who built Las Vegas. The problem is that they all influenced each other, so separating them results in an arbitrary, fragmented, sometimes difficult-to-follow, narrative. Even the chapters themselves tend to jump back and forth in time and place. Structurally, the book just doesn't work.
   
   Then there's the problem of sketchy information. Smith doesn't go into great detail explaining the why's and how's of events, leaving the reader with a great longing to know more about the individual characters of these men and what makes them tick. If you're looking for some good dish on Vegas -- which is what the snappy title promises -- there are better choices.
   
   Compounding the reader's frustration are the numerous typos, spelling, and grammatical errors. Smith either had no editor or edited this himself. It feels like a first draft in serious need of a major rewrite and fact checking. It's difficult to believe Smith makes a living as a journalist. He must have a good editor at the Review/Journal.

5 comments about Entering Hades: The Double Life of a Serial Killer.

1. Reading this horrifying account of the life of mass murderer Jack Unterweger, reminded me of the parole and subsequent incarceration of Jack Henry Abbott. You may recall that author Norman Mailer championed Abbott's cause and was instrumental in helping the convict gain freedom. The day before his book, In the Belly of the Beast, was reviewed in the NY Times, Abbott stabbed a waiter to death in a Manhattan restaurant. Unterweger had been jailed for the brutal rape and murder of a young girl. After writing a book, his cause for parole was taken up by the Austrian literati. He then proceeded to murder seven Austrian prostitutes, one in Prague and three in LA, all the while, making friends with the police, writing books and producing plays. Unterweger was incredibly narcissistic, sadistic and a sexual predator. The author painstakingly reconstructs the investigation from Austria, Prague and LA often jumping back and forth in time. It was not easy to bring all these threads together to form a cohesive whole, but I believe he did a fine job. This book is not for the squeamish, but should prove impossible to put down for readers of serial killers and also crime buffs.



2. A murderer gains celebrity and has the intelligentsia spring him. Only in America? Apparently not. This horror story is a wonderfully written account of an Austrian serial killer who used and abused the system and all its bureaucrats to do what came naturally for him. Author John Leake knows how to piece together a jigsaw puzzle of incompetence, luck (good and bad). This is a early page turner that will keep you shaking your head for a long time to come. Bravo.



3. Congratualations to John Leake on this outstanding work! Having been directly involved with Unterweger's extradition to Austria, I can report that women lawyers, law enforcement officers, and diplomats were instrumental in every aspect of this fugitive's return to Austria to answer for his hideous crimes against women. This gives new meaning to the words "poetic justice."



4. I bought this book based on the glowing reviews. I love true crime stories and was excited when this arrived. I tore into it, and it was off to a pretty good start. Then it started to drag...and drag....There were so many little details and names and places that I was bored stiff. I found myself daydreaming and having to reread passages on numerous occasions. I ended up skimming the final few chapters and then picking up at the end. I could not relate at all to the main character, Jack, and I had zero sympathy or empathy for him. He was purely evil and narcissistic and unlikeable, which, according to the author was the opposite of how many people in Vienna's society would have described him. I just didn't get it. Maybe the timing was wrong for me and this really was as great a book as the other reviewers claim. For me it was a borderline painful reading experience.



5. As good as anything Ann Rule ever wrote--and maybe even better.
   
   About the only complaint: author could have delved deeper into Unterweger's mother's life, as well as what exactly the killer's life was like as a young child, as he was raised by a grandfather who evidently was a mean drunk, etc.
   
   Other than that, a fine job of writing as well as research.
   Author John Leake definitely has a career in this field.

5 comments about War of the Bloods in My Veins: A Street Soldier's March Toward Redemption.

1. This was a challenging read for me as I had various emotions from start to finish. I recommend all parents and youth leaders to read. Brother Morris was very descriptive and passionate as he shared his testimony. Thank you Bro. Dashaun and God bless you on your quest. I believe you are destined for greatness as you continue to share your story.
   
   Judith



2. Just finished reading "War of the Bloods in My Veins." I almost tossed it aside before finishing the first chapter, which read as a disjointed and hallucinatory babbling mess that was obviously fictional . . . but then Deshawn woke up and we find that it was a dream sequence, so I continued reading.
   
   The rest of the book wasn't bad. Refreshingly honest, and a revealing look at contemporary streetgang culture that you're not gonna find in Sociology texts like "Do or Die" by Leon Bing (which is considered the best book on the Crips & Bloods). Unlike some journalist who mingles with gangbangers for a month and takes down their stories, Deshawn has lived it from the time he participated in his first driveby at age 10.
   
   One thing that annoyed me about this book was the blurb on the dustjacket, in which Deshawn seeks to portray himself as a victim unfairly expelled from college and barred from consideration for a career with the NFL. Buddy, not only did you do this to yourself, but you got off with a slap on the wrist. After threatening some frat guys with an illegal gun, Deshawn is given a second chance by the University's administration and permitted to remain in college . . . but then he commits an unprovoked attack on an unarmed individual with a machete, and gets expelled from school and sent to jail for less than a year. Now he is a published author who is offering speaking engagements about the folly of gang membership . . . yet, in his book, he seems to glory in his gangland achievements (including multiple homicides), and at the conclusion shouts out to a long list of his homies with what appears to be a pledge of continued loyalty.
   
   Way to go Deshawn. Way to thumb yer nose at the Establishment and piss off the Feds. I'd strongly advise against carrying your illegal gun or partying with your "former" homies for the next few years, as I can pretty much guarantee they're keeping a real close eye on you. Fo' reals, yo.
   
   As for the book, I recommend it to any sociologists or criminologists seeking a deeper understanding of the culture of Black street gangs. But honestly, I still don't understand them. Unlike intergenerational Asian and Hispanic gangs who are highly organized and networked within a community which openly supports them, Black gangs like the Crips & Bloods prey on their communities, each other, and even themselves (i.e., "set vs set" violence), while doing their best to perpetuate negative stereotypes and act like they're starring in a gangsta rap video. It seems pointless, and rather than learning from their mistakes, the crime and violence continues to spiral out of control.
   
   This book provides a rare, raw, and highly credible glimpse of the gangsta lifestyle and mindset . . . and it ain't glamourous at all.



3. I was had to be the first person at my job to get this book. I have close relatives that are so called gang members. I wanted to find out for someone's point of view WHY. This book is a definite wake up call to all in gangs that you can get out if you choose to. Not that its easy. But maybe adults or teens should buy this book for a son, nephew ,neice or daughter so they can see what really GOES DOWN. The videos and movies are not real. This book is real.mTake heed. Buy the book.



4. I've been so inspired by this book. I have daughters and sons and for someone to reveal his lifestory with the hope of inspiring and motivating others is very admirable. I commend Jiwe in all that he has done by putting this book or shall I say "DIARY" out there for others to gain from. The book was very well written. It was soooooo hard to put down. I was almost mad that I had to work and that my lunch wasn't long enough.



5. I couldn't put this book down, it took two days to read,only because i had to be torn away from it to go to work. The first chapter was a little confusing but once you realize its a dream, the rest of the book is an easy read. It was eyeopening and inspirational. It gives hope that you can make a way out for yourself. That your past doesnt have to be your future. I will defintley pass this book along. AGAIN A MUST READ!

5 comments about Harlem Godfather: The Rap on my Husband, Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson.

1. Thank You Mrs. Johnson for sharing this true to heart story about Bumpy Johnson with alot of history intertwined. I looked at American Gangster and Hollywood have it all wrong. From reading this book about Bumpy's life, I feel that he helped pave the way and made Harlem what it is to this day, and his legend still lives thru Harlem. This story was told from his childhood years until his last days. I felt I truly knew Bumpy Johnson when I read the book, but while reading, I wished I had not only knew Mr. Johnson, but I wished only for a glimpse of The Harlem Godfather. This book is told thru his wife's voice, and it was no fairy tale, but it was told from the heart of a woman who loved him the most. I not only learned about Bumpy, but I learned about others such as Lena Horne, Bill "Bojangles", Lucky Luciano, Flash Walker (who Frank Lucas so wanted his life to be) and Billie Holiday. I was the most amazed at how a young little boy from the south that came to Harlem and took over. I also have to give Bumpy his credit whatever he went thru or did, he still loved his people and did his time like a true man and snitching wasn't even in his vocabulary.
   
   Thanks Mrs. Mayme Johnson and Karen E. Quinones from setting the record straight for all of America. Thanks for educating me on a part of American History of Bumpy Johnson, and telling me a story that I will will always know who the real Bumpy Johnson really was from his start until that last tear from my eyes to the end of the book!! Bumpy Johnson, Harlem's and America's True Gangster R.I.P. !!



2. This book is GREAT!. I love the way Bumpy Johnson's story is told from his wife's point of view without the book being all about her. Ms. Quinones-Miller is such an excellent writer that you forget while reading it that it is a non-fiction book. I read this book from the moment I got it until I finnished and I was not dissapointed at all. I suggest this book to anybody who loves BIOGRAPHIES AND URBAN FICTION. It is the best!!!



3. 
   I was dubious about buying this book, but I decided to go ahead and get it since I'm familiar with the author. I knew it wasn't something I would like myself, but figured my boyfriend would so it wouldn't be a waste.
   After I got it I flipped through a few pages before my giving it to my boyfriend. Well why did I do that! I was hooked from the very first page.
   This is really and truly one of the best books I've ever read.
   It tells the story of Bumpy Johnson, the gangster who ran Harlem after fighting it out with the Mafia in the thirties. I had seen the movie Hoodlum, so I knew Bumpy was a colorful character, but the movie didn't tell the half of it. This books tells Bumpy's early life, how he turned to a life of crime, and the principles he had while in the life. He wasn't like the thugs they have out here now. He was tougher than any alive, for one. But also, as tough as he was (and he was tough!) he still was a good man in a lot of ways. That's why he was so loved.
   The book tells about Bumpy's childhood in Charleston, his arrival in Harlem in 1919, and how he got started as a gangster. We also learn about a lot of the other colorful characters he ran with like Bub Hewlett and Madame Queen who were also portrayed in the movie Hoodlum, and also what eventually happened to them.
   It also tells about Bumpy's time in prison, and how he raised so much hell there the wardens were trying to figure out how to get him the heck out of prison. Can you imagine that?
   The book also tells about other Harlem characters who've never been written about. Like Dickie Wells, who was a gigilo who romanced white movie stars and got rich doing so, and then spent all his money uptown in Harlem, treating black women to a good time. He was a gigilo who never took a dime from a black woman but bilked white ones for all they had.
   And the book also talks about Red Dillard Morrison, who was almost (but only almost) as colorful as Bumpy.
   And the book gives an interesting history of Harlem that I never knew, and how the black people had to hire people like Bub Hewlett and Bumpy Johnson (they called them the Harlem Bad Men) to protect them from the whites who would come up from Hells Kitchen and try to break black heads. Bub really put a stop to that!
   There's also great stories about Bill Bojangles Robinson, Lena Horne and others. And I didn't know that Bumpy was godfather to Sydney Poitier's oldest daughter. But with all that, Bumpy was still a bad man, and a colorful one that you can't help taking a liking too. He didn't smoke or curse around women he didn't know, but he would still shoot or cut a man in a minute.
   Like another reviewer already said, the book reads like a novel, and a really good one. Even though it's more than 200 pages I flew through it and then was mad when I was finished because it was so good I didn't want to stop reading it.
   I can't say enough about this book. Like I already said, it's one of the best I've ever read. I really, really, really recommend it to everyone!



4. Imagine sitting around on the living room floor in your grandmother's house, listening carefully as your grandmother recaps your family history. That is the feeling I got while reading Harlem Godfather: The Rap on my Husband, Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson by Mayme Johnson and Karen E Quinones Miller.
   
   Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was already making a name for himself. His parents, worrying about his safety, send him to live with his older sister, Mabel, in Harlem. This was the beginning of a new sheriff in town, and he meant business.
   
   If loyalty is what you wanted; Bumpy was the man to find. Anything happening in Harlem had to be approved by him as well, and he never ever backed downed. Especially when he knew he was right. Though his main business was numbers running and protection, he was sentenced to fifteen years in prison, on a drug trafficking charge. Something he did not see coming, for all of Harlem knew the type of man he was.
   
   Mayme Johnson wanted to set the record straight about the type of man, her husband, Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, was. The type of people he kept company with and how he dealt with those who thought they could bring him down. At 93 years-old her memories of the things which took place, from the time Bumpy was young all the way up until the day of his death, was impressive. Though she met Bumpy in 1948, he along with his true friends shared the events of his earlier days with her, as well as things that took place when she was not there.
   
   Mayme Johnson and Karen E Quinones Miller cleared up a lot of falsified information in Harlem Godfather: The Rap on my Husband, Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson. Sometimes they flipped back and forth within the timeline, but it was not hard to keep up with. The main thing I had a concern about was the lack of proper editing. There were numerous errors of all sorts. The binding was also an issue for me. I found it hard to hold the book comfortably. All and all I still recommend Harlem Godfather: The Rap on my Husband, Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson to anyone wanting to know the truth about the real American gangster.
   
   Jennifer Coissiere
   APOOO BookClub



5. I really loved this Book.. After spending years searching for any information on Bumpy Johnson, I was excited to find that this book would be published. When I recieved my copy I read it in two days, and was very happy to learn about the "Real Bumpy Johnson". He was some man... The movie couldn't get it right, but this book certainly has... Congratulations to the author on a job well done...