5 comments about The Underboss: The Rise and Fall of a Mafia Family.

1. Interested in the New England mob? Go no further - THE UNDERBOSS is well researched and you walk away from it with a very good understanding of the events that occurred and the key players behind it. Worthy of any mafia book collection. I also recommend BLACK MASS, ALL SOULS, and STREET SOLDIER.



2. There is a man referred to obliquely in the prior reviews who has been seriously affected by all of this and essentially left for dead if you will. The man was bounced around as a child overseen by state authorities contracting to nonprofit firms employing former federal officials. One of the state officials charged with guardianship of the boy went by the same name as a female FBI agent listed in Black Mass by O'Neill and Lehr. Another woman charged with guardianship of the boy ran a hard labor camp for juveniles in trouble with the law, where breaking granite boulders with sledgehammers was the norm as was poor food,inadequate rest and mandatory employment where this woman demanding oversight of the teen's paychecks.At the hard labor camp, which was tacitly approved by state social workers and caretakers,local police and allegedly state police, the boy was forced to work 12-15 hour days, often 7-14 days without showers, little sleep and poor quality meals in addition to constant threats of violence, being locked up by state officials or state police and having all of his personal belongings confiscated-- the boy had been sent to this program simply because he had no family or other supports and had NO trouble with the law prior to being put there. The woman in charge of the program possessed the same name as a major manufacturing firm located in southern New Hampshire. This placement was overseen by the state official bearing the same name as the female FBI agent. Some 15-20 years later, this woman re-emerged in the man's life as a girlfriend of a coworker.

   This same man was befriended as a boy by a couple with indirect alleged links to George Cashman and former Governor Cellucci. When this case broke, the couple disavowed the man.

   Susan Kelly in her book also discussed the possibility that the early stages of the Boston Strangler murders may have been linked to gangland violence in the wars around which Flemmi emerged. A woman is said to have survived the Strangler but was never interviewed. Is it possible the Boston Strangler in turn is linked to this case ,got a woman pregnant, and the child was used as some sort of collateral for cooperation of the real Strangler?

   At the same time, Jonathan Harr released his book 'A Civil Action' just after Whitey fled town. When the book came out, the man worked for Grace Co.,unaware of his past as a very young,sick and handicapped boy growing up in the chaos of an environmental tragedy in Woburn,Mass. The fervor surrounding Harr's work appeared in sync with the tepid waters of the Bulger case, and during the early phases of the hearings, Robert Redford and Sylvester Stallone appeared in a Somerville court for ambiguous reasons regarding the Bulger case. Prior to Harr's work, the man had written an autobiographical work of his own which touched upon memories of a sick child in Woburn during the emergence of the cancer epidemic.As the Bulger case broiled, Barry Mawn, native of Woburn, was assigned to the Boston FBI office in pursuit of Bulger- Mawn, Teddy Roosevelt to Cuba, Mawn to Woburn. Many of the Bulger case principals had indirect ties to Woburn and surrounding communities.

   In addition to all of this, the man's medical records began disappearing, and employment became all but impossible as he was destroyed financially, just as the state trooper who stopped Whitey at Logan airport.Evidence of phone tampering emerged possibly using off premise extensions linked to major companies the man worked for which also did business with the federal government. The man's bank records and video rentals have been scrupulously monitored and broad evidence of a long term evidence gathering investigation of an individual with no history of criminal activity or breaking the law. It seems feasible the man is linked to the Bulger case and has been watched by various agencies who feel threatened by his father, a man unknown to the boy growing up or as an adult.

   One thing a government oversight or other committee might investigate is the possibility that one of the principals in the Bulger case on either side had a son who was immediately flagged and watched all of his life and used as surety without his knowledge by the government or perhaps even organized crime. The committee might offer protection and encourage that individual to come forward and disclose all they know.




3. New stories about the Cosa Nostra in New England. Not the same old rehashing of the transitions of the New York families.
   Interesting reading!



4. I love mob books and this one doesn't dissappoint. Must have for the mob book lover.



5. This book is good fact/fiction with a lot of things (especially most of the illegal shenanigans of the FBI) completely left out. We should never forget that although the goals might seem noble, the means used by this government are sometimes just as, or even more illegal than the crimes being targeted. I think using a known mass murderer like Whitey Bulger as an informant "rat" and murderous FBI "agents" would fall into the unforgiveable column. Before anyone praises the government in general or the FBI in particular, take a close look at just how they really operate to bring down the "bad guys". This book is a perfect example of this type of behavior. Is it right for the FBI to overlook the terrible crimes of one man or a few men to gather evidence on others, especially when some of those crimes are comitted by FBI "agents" who personally kill and order hits on "mobsters"? It's an ok book, but only covers things that make it read like a good guy/bad guy tale with the "bad guys" losing in the end. The "good guys" didn't really exist in this instance except in their own eyes.

5 comments about Perfectly Executed (48 Hours Mystery).

1. This book was so boring. There is no suspense at all. I bought this book because the other book from 48 hours (nightmare in napa) was fabulous. This book was really a dissapointment. I wouldn't waste my money. Probably a story that was much better to be seen on TV.



2. The book is not a smooth read and seems it was choppily thrown together. The book does not do justice for the real story. What stands out is the facination or rather affection the reporter - Peter Van Sant develops for the convicted murder. They have similar looks - facial structure, fair skin, mouths and builds. The author's theory of the "muslim groups" killing the lovely muslim family and harmless autistic girl is another demeaning blow to their memory and furthers prejudicial stereotypes - it is a sad day for CBS journalists that fantasy and fabrication get top billing.



3. If you enjoy the 48 Hours Mystery television show, you will not be disappointed by Perfectly Executed. I had never seen the episode that dealt with this case, so for me it had an extra level of interest. It is a very "fast read", and the way that it was written certainly encourages that. In particular, the short chapters allow you to read in short spurts that keep you wanting to know more of the story. It's a fascinating case with many plot twists and interesting characters. It does drag just a bit in the middle of the book dealing with the undercover operations. Sometimes, I find that non-fiction books try to pack in too much information, and inevitably not everything is as compelling as fiction can be. That being the only flaw in this book, I highly recommend this story to fans of true crime.



4. As a forensic specialist, I find reading true crime is the best busman's holiday. However, when I find mistakes very easily caught and corrected in a book, I have to wonder how many other mistakes may be contained in it. Are there some I cannot spot because I do not know about this case other that what I am reading? For instance: One photo shows one of the primary subjects being given an award stated to having been given by the Duke of Edinbutgh. Anyone can see that the giver is Prince Edward! Introduction ".... they had driven across Lake Washington into downtown Seattle, where they got some ice cream and french fries at an all-night diner." Page 47: "I had a little dessert sundae and a Coke, and I think Sebastian had hash browns and something else." If those kinds of mistakes don't bother you, then I think this is a pretty good read.



5. "Pefectly Executed" is one of the most fascinating true-life crime drama reads. 48 Hours Mystery correspondent Peter Van Sant and producer Jenna Jackson did an amazing job weaving details from the show into a mystery that's almost hard to believe is true. The behind-the-scenes look at the alibis and excuses of the two teens who thought they were smarter than everyone else provides an awful insight into human nature. I don't know what is worse--the arrogance of Sebastian Burns or the passive, matter-of-fact manner of Atif Rafay (who's mother, father and sister were murdered). The sting operation was brilliant (and could be a movie itself) and captures the two on tape laughing about the murders, which is horrifying. I think the jury had no choice.

4 comments about Beyond Cruel (St. Martin's True Crime Library).

1. This book was a fast read partly because the author has written short chapters with specific titles. Every true crime writer is probably trying to find the next Ted Bundy. Mike is no Ted Bundy although he thinks he is smarter and more sophisticated but a student of the man's crimes. Mike is a very sick man who has done horrible acts of violence towards innocent women including his wives and other women like real estate agents. His murder count is a lot lower to our knowledge because it's possible that he killed more but won't talk about it. He's in jail for life. He did have a sick, perverse sexuality which featured unwilling participants in bondage. He murdered a couple of women and a man who ill-stricken in Greece, New York. There are pictures and some basic information about his crimes but not enough detail or thorough explanation of how he became a monster in human flesh.



2. The story of Mike Debardeleben, as related in Stephen Michaud's recent publication, Beyond Cruel, is written more in textbook style than in standard true crime books. Instead of taking the facts and making an easy to reading, easily flowing story, Michaud's somewhat just list the facts paragraph by paragraph then breaks it further down into chapter by chapter.
   
   And while Debardeleben's crimes were absolutely horrendous, I would not, by far, call him the most sadistic killer.
   
   Also, be prepared to wade through tons of information about his counterfeiting crimes while looking for the "sadistic" part of the story.
   
   The most interesting part to me was the epilogue that detailed follow up information on his children; especially the daughter that was placed for adoption at birth.



3. This book was hard to read in my opinion. I was anxious to get to the end and felt as though I never would. One of the most aggravating things about this book was that the authour used the main character's full name every time he mentioned him. I finally just skipped over the name or just said 'MIKE' to myself.



4. I'm a big biography and true-crime fan, and have read hundreds of books in these genres. The quality of the writing is so variable in true crime that it is often a gamble when you buy one of these books. This story has so much potential to be gripping, moving, chilling, upsetting, enlightening, or SOMETHING - how could it end up being written so dully? Well, it was... dull. Deadly, horribly dull.
   
   It was really skimpy on details, which I understand some readers may appreciate, since not everyone wants to know every grisly moment. OK, but if you're going to skip the scary/gross/perverted/evil minutiae, at least make it interesting somehow. This book was just sooo dull, dry, simplistic, and written at a fourth-grade reading level to boot.
   
   Here, you don't need to buy it - literally here it is: there was this guy named Mike Debardeleben, who was obsessed with his overbearing, overweight mom (like all serial killers, yawn) and he traveled around doing various crimes, including counterfeiting (where did he get so skillful? Where did he get his equipment? I sure don't know), and raping and killing women. He was 100% evil and vile. Then he got caught due to the pure-hearted heroism of the federal agents and cops. They are 100% good. The cops thought alot of the evidence was yucky and it made them feel icky, but they didn't give up, and Mikey ended up in jail.
   
   Real life isn't that black-and-white.

5 comments about Strange Piece of Paradise.

1. The random 1977 crime horrified all who heard about it, although the girls survived. I even read about it when I lived in Chicago. Yet after days, months & decades though the Cline Falls community knew who'd done it, authorities never prosecuted anyone. Why? In this extraordinarily eloquent & riveting memoir of the author's life & times before & after that innocent bicycle trip that ended a hair's breadth shy of murder, she records her emotional reality & her 20 year search for the man who devastated her young self. I thought it quite unsentimental & engagingly intense. Sit back & immerse yourself in this writer's record of her quest for the rest of her soul, of her return to Oregon & the leads to who knew & helped her back then, who investigated the crime & why it was closed. With her you'll meet all sorts of people who could connect the dots of the perpetrator's violent life before & after he attacked her &, incidentally, you'll be at her side when he is at last brought to some semblance of justice, although not for his crime against her. A haunting & satisfying read by someone who knows how to write well & has an astonishing tale to tell. Very well done.



2. Imagine being 20 years old, on the first real adventure of your young life, sleeping soundly after a strenuous bike journey...only to be awakened and find yourself under a truck, staring at the well-dressed torso of a cowboy yielding an ax. That is what Terri Jentz, the author of this amazing book, asks us to envision.
   
   She and her friend, renamed Shayna, process the aftermath in two different ways. Shayna has selective amnesia based on her injuries, and is unable -- and unwilling -- to confront what has occurred. Terri, on the other hand, after several years of ennui and fear, decides to courageously confront the episode and to try to make some sense of it in order to fully heal.
   
   This journey is what comprises this book. Interestingly, the individuals she meets again -- ranging from the teenage couple who helped save them to the nurses who were there when they reached the hospital -- were all permanently affected by this senseless act. Together again, they all help heal each other. The would-be murderer himself is larger than life and also so much smaller than life. One of the tragedies is that most of the town knew who did it, and yet, thanks to the bungling of three overlapping law enforcement agencies and overprotective parents, his act would never have been totally revealed were it not for Terri's perseverance.
   
   This is a courageous book from a tenacious individual, and it spans 700 pages. I truly understand why Terri Jentz needed to write this book in its entirety, but I believe she needed a better editor. It lags in the middle pages, as Terri meets up with one after another lead (some true, some false); the momentum of the story begins to drag as a result. There is also very little reflection on her personal life -- the key focus is outward, not inward. We know that Terri is gay and she had an unrequited crush on Shayna. There is certain anger that Shayna is unwilling to be the "perfect listener" and to explore the ramifications of that June 22 night. I also wonder how Terri's sexual orientation played out in a conservative, cowboy town, when young women were blamed for their own independence. But these are minor points: all in all, I greatly admire Terri Jentz's courage and her larger observations on our society's passion for violence. She has important things to say.



3. A lot of reviewers stated that this was too redundant, that the author tended to go on and on over the same territory, and that the story could have been completed in a lot fewer words. After reading this story, I have found that I was "hooked" and that this story lingers on long after the final page is turned. It is a haunting story made all the more engrossing by the fact that it is a totally truthful accounting of one woman's attempt to identify her attacker - to identify the person who hacked her and her friend up with a hatchet and left them both for dead. I understand completely her need to do so, as well as I understand completely her friend's need not to do so. This was a catharsis for the author, and a much needed one. I can identify with this. I believe had I been the one this happened to, I would also want to know the who and the why of this terrible crime. My hat is off to this very brave lady, and I feel that this book is well worth the read! You cannot truly be a critic of this manuscript unless you yourself have experienced the same as this author.



4. The story of what happened to Jentz is horrible and makes for great drama. The aftermath -- her search for her still-unknown attacker, which is the main subject of the book -- could have made a decent story as well. Unfortunately the drama of it is oversold, and the story is wildly overwritten, both in length and in tone. Jentz's discovery of a prime suspect is unfortunately larded over with melodramatic writing -- those of you who've waded through the book know the title of this review is a reference to the dozens and dozens of "In Search of"-like rhetorical questions -- and a level of self-obsessiveness that, while understandable in a person's diary, should not have made it into the final version. Perhaps the editor wanted to provide an open window into how messed up Jentz became as a result of the attack; perhaps only the actual publication of far too much detail could provide her with the catharsis that she absolutely deserves. Anyone with a heart would wish Jentz peace after what she went through. But her story lost much of its power in the telling.



5. Not only the trip itself, but the journey of self discovery, holds the reader. Despite some needless repetition, the abscence of which, would have made the story move better, this was a great read. I would have named the bad guy, jailhouse justice could do him good.

5 comments about The A to Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers.

1. The A to Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers, is not an A-Z guide to the killers as the title implies.
   There are no indexes or chapter guides to look up specific killers. Instead it has sections A through Z that list places and things. One would think that the individual killers would be listed under the respective letters such as Ted Bundy in the T section or in the B's under Bundy,Ted. This book rather lists (for example) in section "A" Alligators and then gives a couple paragraphs about which killer and how they were utilized in the crimes.. and in section "B" there are sections on Bathtubs and Body Parts; and yet again with a couple paragraphs each about which killer and how these items were utilized.
   
   While there are a 6-7 killers that have their own sections dedicated under the respective letters, it doesn't really matter because they are already discussed under dozens of different A-Z listings in this book. This book does have good information and fun facts, but the format doesn't allow for reasearch of individual killers.
   
   For the average reader, this is good to read a couple chapters at a time over several weeks, and you can skip around to different chapters and go back to others later. I will give this three stars as it has some good info and light hearted dark humor.



2. This is a light-hearted introduction to the dark world of serial killers - a great book to start an obsession with. Although it doesn't go into great depth on any one subject, it covers most of the bases in the serial killer world and thus provides great jumping off points for further exploration.



3. This book is not really an encyclopedia of information on serial killers, but more of an overview of the more notorious. The format was somewhat lacking; not in a manner that one would take very serious (there's not even an index). It is a quick read and does provide entertainment; as long as you have a twisted couriousity (which I do).
   
   James A. Forrest - Eye of the Storm



4. This is a very interesting book about anything you want to know about Serial Killers. Every killer you know is in there along with many you don't. If you are a crime reader or love crime in general you will love it.



5. I consider Harold Schechter to the male equivalent of Ann Rule, a famous and popular true crime writer. Unlike Rule, he is more objective regarding the criminal backgrounds but he doesn't make excuses for his crimes. He supplies a brief synopsis for each killer and aspects of the crimes themselves. He has done his homework and he doesn't hide necessary facts in understanding the criminals themselves. I still prefer Schechter in many regards since he has already wrote books on H.Holmes of Chicago, Ed Gein of Psycho fame, and others as well. He brings his wealth of knowledge and experience of research and studies to this encyclopedia. His sections on serial killers such as Gacy, Bundy, Dahmer, and others are brief because it's more designed in an encyclopedia style like the other books out there. Although Schechter's more superior because he explains a little further and little more regarding the serial killer's behavior, childhood, and possible explanations as to the evolvement of a serial killer.

5 comments about Contrabando: Confessions of a Drug-Smuggling Texas Cowboy.

1. The mexican cartels absolutely wouldn't have allowed this
   guy living on the border to exist in their territory as it
   relates to grass smuggling.In Nuevo Laredo and Laredo,Tx.
   their have been 170 drug territory related killings year to date.
   This isn't even close to logical.Further,if his ranching business
   was broke and the bankers were knocking he could not have been anything more than a petty grass-runner.The mexicans have plenty
   of these types.With no money--you're a mule.This is however good
   fiction reading.The mexicans-including ''El Chapo'' of the Gulf
   cartel would laugh at this one.An individual cowboy on the Mexican border that is broke?C'mon.Mexicans fiercely protect their business.FICTION!Anyone who knows anything about this business knows that this story just ain't happening.



2. I was witness to part of what Don wrote and having read Contrabandos, can testify to its accuracy. Any errors are only those of perspective, because we all see events in a slightly different light. Ms. Kirkpatrick reviews the book as fiction. I can assure you that it is not. A 'Mule' only recieves a fee for his services and is notinvolved in any other part of the business. If anything, this book lacked space to tell much more of the story as it happened.



3. Contrary to the comments made by Genny Kirkpatrick, this is an outstanding narrative. Genny does not understand the culture of the border. A Spanish speaking Anglo, sincerely interested in Mexican culture, will have no difficulty being accepted by Mexicans near the border, and for this, the book is believable. It is definately an eye opener, and very informative regarding Mexican culture. Several passages discussing food found my stomach growling lol. My hat is off to Mr. Ford. He accepts responsibility for his actions, is not afraid to face the consequences, and all the while tells an interesting and sometimes amusing story.



4. I was involved in the little known business of smuggling contraband INTO Mexico in the 80s. This did NOT involve drugs though the DEA thought some of us were into it...and they were probably correct! Not me of course!
   
   Anyway, I can relate a bit (a small bit) to what Don endured. He must be one tough hombre is all I can say. The badlands of northern Mexico is no place for sissies! The book reads very well & the only way I could put it down at night was my eyelids refusing to stay open! Highly recommended for all those craving adventure stories...TRUE adventure stories.
   
   If you're reading this, best of luck to you Don. I worked out of McAllen flying Queen Air 65s. One of the best aircraft for hauling heavy loads of VCRs & TVs! Levis & Motorcycles too...oh, and Cognac & Baclava! Mexicans love that stuff.



5. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down and I did not until I finished it. Knowing the background of the hard-working people he came from and growing up in that same era and areas, it was like peering in a window and watching another world that I had only heard about whispered with girlfriends. I am grateful for the glimpse from Mr. Ford, as I know how painful the retelling must be for all, and hopefully cathartic as well. I could not imagine living in that drug culture or being a part of that desperation, growing up a wide-eyed and naive small-town girl at that time. I only knew the rumors of those that did, somewhat in awe at their audacity, like local versions of a forbidden rock star in some ways. What a tough character he was and a parents nightmare! The high stress of living such a life would seem to exact a heavy toll and the authors words conveyed a dilemma of ethics in a world where little seemed to exist. Yet I found myself oddly cheering him on and wanting him to succeed and be redeemed in the end, not admiring the lifestyle but appreciating the experience without having to live it. I felt for his family and children and all they must have endured. I was sad when the book ended as I felt there should be a neat and happy ending somehow, and hope it is as best it can be. The reader is left with a sense of lessons learned and regrets to overcome from the author (maybe part two?), yet a hope for a better life for he and his family. Good luck to the author and his family and I looking forward to reading some of his other books.

5 comments about Secrets Can Be Murder: What America's Most Sensational Crimes Tell Us About Ourselves.

1. This is not the kind of book I usually like, but I couldn't put this one down. I don't like those CSI-type dramas, or the forensic crime shows, but this book was truly interesting. If you like CSI and crime dramas, then you must read this book. If you're interested in high profile crime, but don't generally like the "blood and guts" part of it (sort of how I feel--I don't like blood and gore) than you may really still enjoy this book. I'm not saying it doesn't describe the violence. The author tells the background stories, the psychological aspects and the secrets that were kept between the killers and the victims leading up to the crimes.



2. This book and some details are just too much for me to absorb like "modern day movies" with too much gruesome detail but Jane Velez-Mitchell is just reporting the truth rather than providing mega-bucks hollywood slock aka "entertainment". This book is crucial to be read and for our law makers to make changes nationwide to better protect women from abuse and murder. What is clear are these murderers where giving off plenty of signals or even had criminal records that were neon signs. I hope her book brings change to people's awareness, safety and the "the system" which does not protect the victims. Velez-Mitchell points out that "economic abuse" plays a role in the abuse of women and it can be found at all socio-economic levels. Her point about the how women can be the harshest judges of fellow women blaming them for their own rapes and murders is right on. "Why was she out so late?" "What was she wearing?". I hope this book raises awareness and brings national changes in our legal system, in protecting women and children and state of the art technological warning systems to alert communities of the movements of repeat offenders that our on the outside and we need to ask ourselves how and why the legal system continues to set free people that are so violent. Why is so much hostility and rage towards women accepted in this culture. Read this book and find out Velez-Mithcell's answers and the sad truths about why so many women stay home in what I call "good girl prison" but as she points out men do not stay home because they are not afraid of being harmed. Read this book and I hope Jane Velez-Mitchell "Secrets can be Murder" helps to bring change and prevent unacceptable hostility and rage towards women that is very much accepted in America to successful reforms to protect the innocent and successfully prosecute the guilty. Jane Velez-Mitchell ends on a spiritual uplifting note and she has a list of important resources and she urges readers to get involved! Read this book!



3. This book was an unexpected surprise...I thought it would be another compilation of headlining true crime cases from a Court TV reporter's perspective, and instead it was a psychological journey into the background of the cases and participants. Some reviewers opined that Velez-Mitchell blames the victims/victims' families (as in the case of the Laci Peterson case and exploring the triangulation of Laci, her mother Sharon, and Scott), but I disagree. Ms. Mitchell takes pains to explain that she is not blaming the victims or families for the violence perpetrated against them, rather she is is searching for an explanation for the crimes, what may have led up to the crimes from a family systems and relational perspective. Instead simply claiming that a crime occurred because of an evil or insane perpetrator, she actually delves into the family secrets behind well-publicized cases and provides insight into how intergenerational family secrets can create havoc generations later~hence the title.
   
   Ms. Mitchell examines well-known cases, (such as the aforementioned Laci Peterson murder)Phil Spector, as well as some of the highly publicized teacher-student rape cases. I highly recommend to true crime fans and people interested in exploring crime from a family systems perspective.



4. this a terrific book telling why these sick individuals did their horrific crimes etc, worth the money.



5. I am a fan of true crime books, so a friend loaned this to me. While I found some of the case details interesting, by the time I was less than halfway through the book, I found myself repeatedly reading Mitchell's bio on the IBC, searching for ANY qualifications other than journalism. There are NONE. Yet, she offers advice as though she is a seasoned & experienced therapist, or psychologist.
   
   I increasingly became so annoyed by this, that I put the book down & couldn't finish it.

5 comments about Honor Thy Father.

1. This author is an excellent writer. He informs, educates and enterains all at once. If you want cliches go some where else,
   if you want a great book stay here.



2. Is as far as I could get. It wasn't even good falling asleep material. I soak up every half decent book on the mob. This ain't.
   I understand the author is a journalist. Probly on the business page. It's that kind of droll style.
   It's weird cause the title and author are almost household names. Undeserved.



3. This book took a long time to finish. Actually, too long. I agree with those who found it's pace languid, and it's tone solemn. I did find it very interesting what Talese, whose work ethic and commitment to his projects is legendary, writes in the Author's Note that concludes the book, about his relationship with Bill Bonnano, and his subjects. His fondness is very apparent, as well he had incredible access to them, allowing for the intimate information he uses to tell the Bonnano story. But I feel that there is something to his relationship that prevents Honor Thy Father from being more engrossing, more urgent, more energetic. Perhaps the compromises he made to gain access proved an unobjective view. It feels that way. Because the book could have easily been 100 to 150 pages shorter. Extended paragraphs on lawyer's (verbatim) statements, over long observations about Bonnano's feelings while driving cross country, or the myriad interwoven nature of the "mafia" borne out to bewildering and at times confusing degrees.
   Not to spoil it, but the ending packs as solid a wallop as only a few sections throughout do. In two pages Talese conveys the bind that Bill was in and expresses what his father Joe's recognition of his son's life means to him. It pinpoints the anxiety and mystery of the whole tale.
   I did appreciate the juxtapositioning of Bonnano's family-wife and children-with his "family"-uncles, capos, consiglieri, etc. It proves Talese right that getting to know a mafioso such as Bonnano is both ironic and intruiging because he is a man like us all-stresses with his wife, concerned for his children, wanting to impress his father, weight fluctuations, affairs, but he also has pressures which are specific to his family's history-his sister's awareness of what their father has done to him, codes of honor and silence, absences for unknown and unexplained reasons, constant moving, security, guns, etc.
   I like Talese though. I am curious about his other works, and I value the style he helped pioneer. I just wish there was a less expansive scope here. It has an epic length, but it doesn't have vibrant enough sub-plots and twists. It's really about one man's difficult world.



4. If you expect a breezy page-turner about mob life you will be pleased in parts and disappointed in others. If you want a deeply investigative account of a mafia family, its history and personalities, this book is excellent. I'm not an enthusiast of the mob genre, so I came to this book with little else than what I've seen in the movies. It traces the rise and fall (or at least the beginning of the fall as it was published in 1971) of the traditional Sicilian mafia in America. Against this background are detailed and rich studies of the Bonanno family -- one of the original five New York City mob families. Nevertheless, it's not a Reader's Digest book. It is well researched and detailed, and the author makes frequent tangents. Gay Talese has formidable talents, so I did not mind any of these excesses. If you know what to expect from this book, it is very enjoyable.



5. Is this selection about Bill Bonanno or Talese? Talese is good enough to paint a milder picture of the Bonannos than what the other side presents. So who was this book written about, Bonanno or Talese? Talese's last few pages answers this question.
   
   But, what of the Bonannos? Talese taints the Bonannos as more of a law-biding clan than one of murderers, thieves, etc. But back to the quality of reading. The book is sometimes hard to follow and excessively deep when it comes to descriptions, making points, etc.
   
   I recommend reading this title as it's still relevant today. And, the Mafia still makes good reading. Pick it up....take your time...drink a glass of water and enjoy it.

5 comments about Hunting the American Terrorist: The FBI's War on Homegrown Terror.

1. As a retired FBI agent, I am finally impressed with a realistic presentation of a multiagency task force investigation. Hunting the American Terrorist captures the array of human emotions that motivate and complicate big cases. Readers will be able to enter the bull pen and proceed through the complex world of colorful personalities and bewildering puzzles that make up the daily successes and failures of an actual investigation. HAT should be required reading for anyone considering a career in law enforcement.



2. As a forensic psychiatrist, I believe this is an extremely important book, which works on many levels. First of all, it is the ultimate page-turner true life crime story, told by the ultimate insiders. Turchie and Puckett let their tale of hunting the Unabomber and other domestic terrorists unfold as they experienced it, allowing us a rare view of the politics and personalities that presented assistance and obstacles along the way. Told in a matter-of-fact voice, and absent the rigid and self-congratulatory tone that rightly diminishes lesser "insider" true crime books, the authors reveal their methods to us: pain-staking attention to detail, thinking outside the ultimate bureaucratic box, and, in the Unabomb case, the careful maintenance of an inquisitive and open mind in the face of FBI profilers unwilling to adapt to new evidence.
   
   The first half of the book concentrates on the successful search for and arrest of Theodore Kaczynski, with a fascinating look at the relationship developed by Agent Puckett and Kaczynski's brother, which has evidently remained intact as David Kaczynski provides a back cover review. Puckett served as the Behavioral Analyst on the Unabomb task force, and provides unique insights into Kaczynski's personality, decision-making, and motives.
   
   The second half of the book discusses Puckett's study of American Lone Wolf Domestic Terrorists. The reader learns the value and method of taking a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding these offenders, as Puckett takes us on an investigative "road trip," visiting law enforecment officers, forensic scientists, and mental health experts who worked on the cases. It is rare that these disciplines reach out to each other, but each could benefit from the others knowledge and expertise. Puckett's study is the template for this type of collaboration. This is the heart of the book, and is an invaluable manual for those who hunt terrorists, domestic and foreign.



3. Hunting the American Terrorist: The FBI's War on Homegrown Terror
   
   An amazing journey through a top FBI case. Can't wait until the next book by these authors comes out--HOMELAND INSECURITY!



4. The Terrorist is not something of strictly Arabic manufacture. "Hunting the American Terrorist: The FBI's War on Homegrown Terror" is a look at what many Americans don't know exists - those who would call themselves American citizens and do harm upon their own people. A look at these bizarre individuals and the acts they have visited upon us, such as Timothy McVeigh and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombings, it also gives the optimistic light on how these individuals are cracked down upon daily. A frightening and eye opening look at a subject not often talked about, "Hunting the American Terrorist" is a must for anyone who would truly understand Terror.



5. 
   Written by Terry D. Turchie and Dr. Kathleen M. Puckett this book chronicles the hunt for several American terrorists. Unlike traditional terrorists who operate in cells and therefore by sheer numbers could make mistakes leading to their capture, the American terrorist proceeds as a "lone wolf." Folks like Theodore Kaczynski better known as the "Unabomber" and Eric Rudolph, the bomber of several abortion clinics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics are two examples of this different kind of terrorist. While these individuals may share ideological beliefs with various organizations, they never fit in with those organizations primarily because of their personalities. As such, ostracized and alone, they carry a one person war against their targets.
   
   Being one person as opposed to a group makes them harder to catch assuming they don't make mistakes. This means that psychological profiles are of huge importance and must change as the suspect and the case evolves. That is where the work of co-author Dr. Kathleen M. Puckett and others involved in profiling or behavioral sciences becomes so important.
   
   While the Unabomber began in 1978, the person still wasn't caught when Terry D. Turchie took over the case in 1994. It had been a little over a year since the latest violent attacks and the task force was no closer to solving the case. The book chronicles the next seven years of the hunt as Mr. Turchie leads the task force. Seven years that were fraught with some success, bureaucratic power struggles, and inaccurate profiling until Special Agent and Behavioral Expert, Dr. Puckett was added to the task force among other issues. As the Unabomber Task Force evolves to hunt this new type of criminal, it makes waves inside the FBI and outside making the bureaucracy almost a bigger problem than the Unabomber.
   
   While Mr. Turchie chronicles the bureaucratic side of things, in the second half of the book Special Agent Dr. Kathleen M. Puckett shares her thoughts from the behavioral analyst point of view. One of the things made clear is that the analysis must change as the events happen. The original profile offered by analysts at Quantico regarding the Unabomber was fundamentally wrong from the very start. Sixteen years later, the profile hadn't changed when Mr. Turchie took over the task force and that grossly incorrect profile had failed the case for years. Through her section, Dr. Puckett chronicles the case and how she looked at things differently than others did over the years.
   
   Also covered in smaller pieces are the hunts for Eric Rudolph and Timonthy Mcveigh. Also covered and discussed is the study Dr. Puckett provided for the Counter Terrorism division, regarding the profile of the lone terrorist. A phenomenon that could create an international lone terrorist just as easily as an American lone terrorist. The implications of that are chilling.
   
   This 294 page book including index provides an interesting look into some of the most notorious cases in American history. While there is a tone of self congratulatory praise running through the work, the book through text and photographs explains well how two high level insiders considered the cases and the events and people surrounding them. It is not a totally objective view of events nor is it intended to be as accounts by insiders are always biased towards the authors. The book recounts in interesting detail the author's perspectives on these cases and serves as an example of how such these types of investigations will most likely be conducted in the future when another one strikes.
   
   
   Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2008

5 comments about Suffer The Little Children (True Crime).

1. This book was difficult to read. I had to put it down many times because of the emotional stress I felt as I read of the tortures and attrocities claimed to have been done by Jesse Cummings. I'm not sure quite what to believe, since it seems to be quite biased, and since in other readings the testimony of the two wives seems contradictory, however it is quite informative of just how depraved a person can be (even if only part of it is true) and how pathetic people under the control of a sadist can become, even to go so far as assist or at least allow crimes against even their own children. It's just another case that makes me wish there were laws determining who was and was not fit to become a parent, because clearly none of these three people were, and the children did indeed suffer greatly as a result.



2. This man was not human! To beat a baby into convulsions is just sick. What I don't get is the women were so nieve to him and believed everything he said. Now look where they are. In prision for life. He should be put to death for all he has done and the lives he ruined. People like him make me sick and I hope each and every monster in this world pays for their in humanity.



3. This book was badly written, badly research, and doesn't even appear to have been edited for spelling/grammar mistakes. The writing is confusing because the author jumps around in time and then doesn't explain who people are in relation to the story. They just show up and then are gone. The research is obviously done be a bias person who is only interested in relating horrible facts, not actually proven events. It's a sad story that deserves to be properly portrayed. This book isn't that story. Save yourself the time of trying to read it.



4. Jesse James Cummings has two wives but I thought it was one wife and a girlfriend. Anyway, his true intentions are with this young niece, Melissa Moody. He kills her mother Judy Ann Mayo Moody who was also his own sister and later tortures, rapes, and kills his niece leaving her in the woods. It's one of the worst crimes in the midwest in recent memory. Jesse James Cummings is truly one of the most sadistic, cruel killers especially the treatment of his own niece. My heart goes out to the victim's family which is also his family. Ironically that the same family can produce a wonderful child like Melissa can also create a monster.



5. This book is riveting and full of details. The author spent a lot of time interviewing Jesse's two wives in their jail cell and got the whole story. This is a true example of battered wife syndrome that puts Karla Homolka's excuses and ridiculous pleas of innocence to shame. Although the way the book is compiled, it is slightly disorganized, I didn't find it too hard to follow. The amount of information and detail in it makes up for this. It's engrossing and you don't want to put it down.
   
   I did a search on google and discovered his petitions of innocence all over the place. His execution date is set for September 25, 2008. Kind of mean to say, but I'm happy about this. Although he tries to use the alibi that he was taking his sick father in for treatment the day Judy Moody was murdered, he only did it to ensure that he would have an alibi for the time of the murder. I don't believe he's innocent, he has way too much evidence against him. The world will be a much better place without a man that committed the horrific acts described in this story.