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Killing the Mob: The Fight Against Organized Crime in America
O’Reilly and co-author Martin Dugard trace the brutal history of 20th Century organized crime in the United States, and expertly plumb the history of this nation’s most notorious serial robbers, conmen, murderers, and especially, mob family bosses. Covering the period from the 1930s to the 1980s, O’Reilly and Dugard trace the prohibition-busting bank robbers of the Depression Era, such as John Dillinger, Bonnie & Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby-Face Nelson. In addition, the authors highlight the creation of the Mafia Commission, the power struggles within the “Five Families,” the growth of the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover, the mob battles to control Cuba, Las Vegas and Hollywood, as well as the personal war between the U.S. Attorney General Bobby Kennedy and legendary Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa.
O’Reilly and Dugard turn these legendary criminals and their true-life escapades into a read that rivals the most riveting crime novel.
O’Reilly and Dugard turn these legendary criminals and their true-life escapades into a read that rivals the most riveting crime novel.
292 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 2021
About the author
Bill O'Reilly
60 books2,949 followersBill O'Reilly's success in broadcasting and publishing is unmatched. The iconic anchor of The O'Reilly Factor led the program to the status of the highest rated cable news broadcast in the nation for sixteen consecutive years. His website BillOReilly.com is followed by millions all over the world.
In addition, he has authored an astonishing 12 number one ranked non-fiction books including the historical "Killing" series. Mr. O'Reilly currently has 17 million books in print.
Bill O'Reilly has been a broadcaster for 42 years. He has been awarded three Emmys and a number of other journalism accolades. He was a national correspondent for CBS News and ABC News as well as a reporter-anchor for WCBS-TV in New York City, among other high-profile jobs.
Mr. O'Reilly received two other Emmy nominations for the movies "Killing Kennedy" and "Killing Jesus."
He holds a history degree from Marist College, a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another master’s degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Bill O'Reilly lives on Long Island where he was raised. His philanthropic enterprises have raised tens of millions for people in need and wounded American veterans.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/billor...
In addition, he has authored an astonishing 12 number one ranked non-fiction books including the historical "Killing" series. Mr. O'Reilly currently has 17 million books in print.
Bill O'Reilly has been a broadcaster for 42 years. He has been awarded three Emmys and a number of other journalism accolades. He was a national correspondent for CBS News and ABC News as well as a reporter-anchor for WCBS-TV in New York City, among other high-profile jobs.
Mr. O'Reilly received two other Emmy nominations for the movies "Killing Kennedy" and "Killing Jesus."
He holds a history degree from Marist College, a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another master’s degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Bill O'Reilly lives on Long Island where he was raised. His philanthropic enterprises have raised tens of millions for people in need and wounded American veterans.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/billor...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 910 reviews
June 2, 2021
I am not scared to say I am NOT a fan of Bill O'Reilly but man do I love his books! This one might be the best so far only because it is SO interesting!! I want him to turn his book into shows so I can re-learn everything. I already am going to watch The Godfather this weekend! Do not let your feelings of Bill prevent you from reading his books.... and as far as audio, he stopped narrating several books ago once he got into trouble!
June 21, 2021
This is an outstanding book. It not only cover the details of the job but goes behind the scene.
It is thoroughly referenced to insure correctness.
I highly recommend.
It is thoroughly referenced to insure correctness.
I highly recommend.
July 10, 2021
This is enthralling. Even if you knew much or lived through most of this period of the 20th century- the research! So much information I did not know too. And I have one other book yet to read on Vito and Lucky's competition yet. Do you call it competition?
Regardless, the history itself is a terrific read for history buffs. I never knew the extent of WWII and Mussolini on the entire formation and direction process. Nor yet how within our invasion of Sicily during the war the Mafia was used by our security forces. And ALL types of compromises, agreements and semi-pacts were made to aid the Allies victory. Nor not the only times our own government (USA) made crooked clandestine deals. They (non-elected all) FBI/CIA/NSA are as corrupt as the criminals. Still are. And probably lie more. Did then, do presently.
Great read. This brutality and viscous extortion, murder etc. didn't end in 1980. But this is the relating of the "old style" origins, paths, and bigger movers during the times listed. The photos were all 5 stars.
It also holds one of the best quotes on Sicily I ever read. Nothing could be truer.
"Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, occupied over the centuries by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Vandals. Sicilian locals have survived this history of intrusion and subjugation by forming an extremely tight-knit society. Outsiders are not welcome. The warm climate and simple agricultural lifestyle of the island hides the fact that little about daily life in Sicily is known to anyone but those who actually live there."
O'Reilly writes in that present tense romping style. Hate or love it, it does put you there factually and emotively. Good information all around and lets you fully know how much of Mafia business and growth was, IMHO, allowed and sustained by our own get along to go along for their own purposes 20th candidates/ elected politicians. Not to speak of unions and their bosses too. JFK was probably set up as he was because he didn't want to play ball with some issues of blind eye and Robert was mixing where he shouldn't. O'Reilly doesn't believe this. I've read enough to doubt that O'Reilly is correct on that one. Oswald was aided in more ways than through Russian operatives, if only by the absence of the usual protective "eyes" to the prizes that would notice and "be there".
But O'Reilly always gives excellent information of afterwards in his footnotes and asides too- which let you know the principle prime characters' "answers" or "outcome replies to accusations in real time". I like that here- its form is opinion where opinion belongs within a published history. And yet gives a voice to the core personality of the exact situation/ time to speak for themselves. The rest is event reality and process of real life dates etc. And not at all much "interpretive" as our present slanted bias news constantly is. And usually there are photos of each period/individual/ group happenstance. I did wish there were more of the Cuban Mafia prime period photos and the early days of the Flamingo /Las Vegas days too.
Regardless, the history itself is a terrific read for history buffs. I never knew the extent of WWII and Mussolini on the entire formation and direction process. Nor yet how within our invasion of Sicily during the war the Mafia was used by our security forces. And ALL types of compromises, agreements and semi-pacts were made to aid the Allies victory. Nor not the only times our own government (USA) made crooked clandestine deals. They (non-elected all) FBI/CIA/NSA are as corrupt as the criminals. Still are. And probably lie more. Did then, do presently.
Great read. This brutality and viscous extortion, murder etc. didn't end in 1980. But this is the relating of the "old style" origins, paths, and bigger movers during the times listed. The photos were all 5 stars.
It also holds one of the best quotes on Sicily I ever read. Nothing could be truer.
"Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, occupied over the centuries by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Vandals. Sicilian locals have survived this history of intrusion and subjugation by forming an extremely tight-knit society. Outsiders are not welcome. The warm climate and simple agricultural lifestyle of the island hides the fact that little about daily life in Sicily is known to anyone but those who actually live there."
O'Reilly writes in that present tense romping style. Hate or love it, it does put you there factually and emotively. Good information all around and lets you fully know how much of Mafia business and growth was, IMHO, allowed and sustained by our own get along to go along for their own purposes 20th candidates/ elected politicians. Not to speak of unions and their bosses too. JFK was probably set up as he was because he didn't want to play ball with some issues of blind eye and Robert was mixing where he shouldn't. O'Reilly doesn't believe this. I've read enough to doubt that O'Reilly is correct on that one. Oswald was aided in more ways than through Russian operatives, if only by the absence of the usual protective "eyes" to the prizes that would notice and "be there".
But O'Reilly always gives excellent information of afterwards in his footnotes and asides too- which let you know the principle prime characters' "answers" or "outcome replies to accusations in real time". I like that here- its form is opinion where opinion belongs within a published history. And yet gives a voice to the core personality of the exact situation/ time to speak for themselves. The rest is event reality and process of real life dates etc. And not at all much "interpretive" as our present slanted bias news constantly is. And usually there are photos of each period/individual/ group happenstance. I did wish there were more of the Cuban Mafia prime period photos and the early days of the Flamingo /Las Vegas days too.
June 20, 2021
Gangster slang is a dialect you will not forget, "Never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut." "Somebody messes with me. I'm gonna mess with him. Better yet I'm going to punch that guy if he doesn't stop grilling me."-Al Capone. By the time you get done reading this book you will be talking like one.
The book is not about the language but it is about the history of organized crime in America. From John Dillinger to Donnie Brasco. This is a story about the famous gangsters from the 1930's to organized crime figures into the 1980s. Like most of the "Killing books," "Killing the Mob" gives a quick overview of organized crime. I never realized the influence the mob had on many facets of American life, not only on criminal enterprises but on entertainment and politics as well. I like the way O'Reilly keeps the flow the book by giving you just enough information on the mob without spending mountains and mountains of information that can confuse the reader. Reading about
Joseph "Joe Bananas" Bonanno, Tony "Big Tuna" Accardo, John “Johnny Sausage” Barbato, Joseph “Junior Lollipops” Carna to name a few of the many mobster's that ruled the underworld was interesting. There story about the criminal element they took part in while government agencies pursued them was told very well. This "Killing" series is extraordinary, impeccably researched, and definitely a eye popper.
The book is not about the language but it is about the history of organized crime in America. From John Dillinger to Donnie Brasco. This is a story about the famous gangsters from the 1930's to organized crime figures into the 1980s. Like most of the "Killing books," "Killing the Mob" gives a quick overview of organized crime. I never realized the influence the mob had on many facets of American life, not only on criminal enterprises but on entertainment and politics as well. I like the way O'Reilly keeps the flow the book by giving you just enough information on the mob without spending mountains and mountains of information that can confuse the reader. Reading about
Joseph "Joe Bananas" Bonanno, Tony "Big Tuna" Accardo, John “Johnny Sausage” Barbato, Joseph “Junior Lollipops” Carna to name a few of the many mobster's that ruled the underworld was interesting. There story about the criminal element they took part in while government agencies pursued them was told very well. This "Killing" series is extraordinary, impeccably researched, and definitely a eye popper.
January 20, 2022
Fascinating! So well researched. Can’t tell you how many times I said out loud, “Wow! I didn’t know that!”Killing Kennedy is definitely next on my list!
August 6, 2021
4 stars ⭐️
I’ve read quite a few books from the Killing series and this one is up there now with my other favorites (Killing Jesus, Killing Patton, Killing the Rising Sun)
This book is fascinating! Almost everything was new to me! The birth of the mafia in Sicily and how they made their way to America and infiltrated so much here. Corrupt government agents, corrupt labor unions, bribes and blackmail, hits that did and didn’t happen, gross mafia infiltration in Hollywood, government and so much of American life! The birth of Las Vegas,and also Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, J Edgar Hoover, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Kennedy, etc. there is SO much information in this book!
I knew VERY little about the mobster and mafia scene of the 1960’s. I haven’t even seen The Godfather! Now I want to watch every mobster movie I can get my hands on, cuz this shiii’s crazy!
I’ve read quite a few books from the Killing series and this one is up there now with my other favorites (Killing Jesus, Killing Patton, Killing the Rising Sun)
This book is fascinating! Almost everything was new to me! The birth of the mafia in Sicily and how they made their way to America and infiltrated so much here. Corrupt government agents, corrupt labor unions, bribes and blackmail, hits that did and didn’t happen, gross mafia infiltration in Hollywood, government and so much of American life! The birth of Las Vegas,and also Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, J Edgar Hoover, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Kennedy, etc. there is SO much information in this book!
I knew VERY little about the mobster and mafia scene of the 1960’s. I haven’t even seen The Godfather! Now I want to watch every mobster movie I can get my hands on, cuz this shiii’s crazy!
May 31, 2021
I always preface my reviews of the Killing series by saying that even if Bill o’Reilly is a pompous ass, you can’t fault him for his love of history and his ability to co-author some of the most compelling and interesting non-fiction books out there.
And that’s the case with Killing the Mob, the 10th of his and Dugard’s best selling series.
We all know about the mob and the Mafia thanks to The Godfather and the conspiracy theories regarding their alleged part in assassinating JFK (which, thankfully neither of the authors believe), but there is a lot more history and politics involved in their creation and rise to power. Dugard and o’Reilly once again did a fantastic job of researching their background and eventual all encompassing power. As usual, I learned a lot and being part Sicilian and jokingly calling my huge extended family “the mob”, this one was a lot of fun to get into, even if that means I may or not be related to some of the most brutal gangsters on the planet.
While this one wasn’t quite up to snuff with previous books in the series, it’s still a great look into the crime families that have captivated Americans for decades.
And that’s the case with Killing the Mob, the 10th of his and Dugard’s best selling series.
We all know about the mob and the Mafia thanks to The Godfather and the conspiracy theories regarding their alleged part in assassinating JFK (which, thankfully neither of the authors believe), but there is a lot more history and politics involved in their creation and rise to power. Dugard and o’Reilly once again did a fantastic job of researching their background and eventual all encompassing power. As usual, I learned a lot and being part Sicilian and jokingly calling my huge extended family “the mob”, this one was a lot of fun to get into, even if that means I may or not be related to some of the most brutal gangsters on the planet.
While this one wasn’t quite up to snuff with previous books in the series, it’s still a great look into the crime families that have captivated Americans for decades.
December 9, 2022
Don Vito Corleone: “I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.”
Don Vito Corleone: "A friend should always underestimate your virtues and an enemy overestimate your faults."
Don Vito Corleone: “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Dugard do it again - dig up interesting facts - back stories, new stories and just enough information to bring you up-to-date, if you have no idea about the subject matter. If you are interested in a real life The Godfather experience, don’t hesitate to pick up this book. Even if the mob isn’t an area of interest, the history lesson alone is worth the price of admission. Recommend.
BTW, the narrator Robert Petkoff does a fab job delivering this story.
Of Note: The hard copy of the book contains many interesting photos. Worth reading in that format for the pictures alone.
Don Vito Corleone: "A friend should always underestimate your virtues and an enemy overestimate your faults."
Don Vito Corleone: “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Dugard do it again - dig up interesting facts - back stories, new stories and just enough information to bring you up-to-date, if you have no idea about the subject matter. If you are interested in a real life The Godfather experience, don’t hesitate to pick up this book. Even if the mob isn’t an area of interest, the history lesson alone is worth the price of admission. Recommend.
BTW, the narrator Robert Petkoff does a fab job delivering this story.
Of Note: The hard copy of the book contains many interesting photos. Worth reading in that format for the pictures alone.
July 17, 2021
Pretty crazy stuff, but quite entertaining.
Before reading this book most of what I knew about the mafia I probably had learned from movies. Much of it likely wasn’t too far from the truth, but I was still surprised by many of these stories. The influence of the mafia has been even more pervasive and far-reaching than I thought, from politics to labor unions to sports to Hollywood.
For instance, I had no idea that Mussolini tried to destroy the mafia of Sicily, so many of the crime families fled to the US as refugees. Once here, the US government regarded them as allies against Italy during WW2 and therefore allowed them to control the port of NYC through their domination of the dockworkers. I also had no idea that the mafia may have forced Sonny Liston to take a dive against Muhammad Ali. Twice. Or the extent of their power in Hollywood. Through intimidation they controlled the Rat Pack and the movie studios. They even nearly whacked Desi Arnaz over a casting disagreement.
There’s a lot of remarkable stuff in here, written with the same style that gives that thrilling sense of immediacy as the other books in the “Killing” series.
Before reading this book most of what I knew about the mafia I probably had learned from movies. Much of it likely wasn’t too far from the truth, but I was still surprised by many of these stories. The influence of the mafia has been even more pervasive and far-reaching than I thought, from politics to labor unions to sports to Hollywood.
For instance, I had no idea that Mussolini tried to destroy the mafia of Sicily, so many of the crime families fled to the US as refugees. Once here, the US government regarded them as allies against Italy during WW2 and therefore allowed them to control the port of NYC through their domination of the dockworkers. I also had no idea that the mafia may have forced Sonny Liston to take a dive against Muhammad Ali. Twice. Or the extent of their power in Hollywood. Through intimidation they controlled the Rat Pack and the movie studios. They even nearly whacked Desi Arnaz over a casting disagreement.
There’s a lot of remarkable stuff in here, written with the same style that gives that thrilling sense of immediacy as the other books in the “Killing” series.
May 24, 2021
Great book! As title implies, similar to O'Reilly's other Killing books. Think a well-written survey of the topic.
The mob is an incredible(size) aspect to our nation's history; this is a great survey of how the mob has impacted our American life and history.
There is an unfortunate amount of language and gore. I do realize this comes with the territory of the mob, but it's worth noting that there is much more than any other of O'Reilly's Killing books.
The ending was rather abrupt, in my opinion.
The mob is an incredible(size) aspect to our nation's history; this is a great survey of how the mob has impacted our American life and history.
There is an unfortunate amount of language and gore. I do realize this comes with the territory of the mob, but it's worth noting that there is much more than any other of O'Reilly's Killing books.
The ending was rather abrupt, in my opinion.
September 7, 2021
His books really make you think. You really see how the mob has their hands in many things.
December 8, 2022
This is the first of O'Reilly's killing series books I have read. I am impressed. well written and researched. Good entertaining read throughout. i will checking out more of these. Recommended
September 6, 2023
This was a very educational read. Didn't know much about this topic, but really happy I gave this a chance.
May 15, 2022
So very interesting like all the Killing series. The beginning told the story of multiple bank robbers in the 1930s and the book went chronologically through the rise of organized crime, mob bosses, and mafia.
I never made the connection between the Great Depression and the bank crimes that followed. Most people became angry at financial institutions for forcing so many people from their homes. Some famous robbers were looked at as “Robin Hoods” and were harbored in people’s homes.
The complexity of crime families and their bosses was very interesting and learning the heritage of these Irish, Italian, and Jewish groups was educating.
Learning how these criminals influenced politics, Hollywood, cities, economics was astounding. J Edgar Hoover denied the existence of organized crime for a long time, which seemed odd.
The US government even reached out for the mob’s help in defeating enemies of WW II. 😳
Then the Kennedy family had polarizing connections as the father seemed to have some part in the mob and his son, Robert, openly went after organized crime in his government positions. The theory that JFK’s assassination could have been a mob job is much more likely after learning the history of all the mob activity and exposure they were receiving from Robert Kennedy leading up to his death.
There was a FBI agent who went undercover for 5 years into the mob world. Fascinating!
The underworld of crime is very much alive today but does not function like it did for decades in the 20th century.
There was a good bit of language and some graphic things as these evil people also had evil mouths. 🙈
I never made the connection between the Great Depression and the bank crimes that followed. Most people became angry at financial institutions for forcing so many people from their homes. Some famous robbers were looked at as “Robin Hoods” and were harbored in people’s homes.
The complexity of crime families and their bosses was very interesting and learning the heritage of these Irish, Italian, and Jewish groups was educating.
Learning how these criminals influenced politics, Hollywood, cities, economics was astounding. J Edgar Hoover denied the existence of organized crime for a long time, which seemed odd.
The US government even reached out for the mob’s help in defeating enemies of WW II. 😳
Then the Kennedy family had polarizing connections as the father seemed to have some part in the mob and his son, Robert, openly went after organized crime in his government positions. The theory that JFK’s assassination could have been a mob job is much more likely after learning the history of all the mob activity and exposure they were receiving from Robert Kennedy leading up to his death.
There was a FBI agent who went undercover for 5 years into the mob world. Fascinating!
The underworld of crime is very much alive today but does not function like it did for decades in the 20th century.
There was a good bit of language and some graphic things as these evil people also had evil mouths. 🙈
December 28, 2022
Narrator is great and takes you through time from John Dillinger to John Gotti. Highlights just enough of each character through time without delving into an autobiography. You can see the change in organized crime as time, government, and technology has changed our world.
January 29, 2022
Ok, so you know Bill O’Reilly books usually find themselves at my door as gifts. You also know that my feelings for Bill’O aside, his books are pretty dang readable (especially when it comes to nonpartisan topics).
So Killing the Mob was exactly what I expected. Bills books are the MTV/History Channel/Buzzfeed/Fox version of History, but I suspect the reader should know this. A lot of flash , a lot of buzz, and not a very deep dive. There’s other books for that.
A complaint I saw time and time was that the story skips around. I thought it was an interesting observation but I don’t know that I would have done any differently.
It starts with J Edgar Hoover and the Public Enemy Number One gangsters and then we get the rest: The Mob, JFK, Sinatra, RFK, Hoffa, Bugsy Siegel, Cuba, the Five Families, Sonny Liston, Donnie Brasco and a lot of the expected characters.
The book itself is not unlike a McDonalds meal. It might not be the best option for you, but it feeds your appetite and you probably enjoyed it. You might not also want anyone around when you consume it.
I also might suggest if you have a deep knowledge in this subject, it might not have much new stuff. However, if this is a topic you like, you might enjoy it.
June 9, 2021
This was the tenth Killing Book I’ve read which is the whole series to date. This might be my least favorite. The book covers early mob activity in the 1920s with Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Bonnie and Clyde and the beginning of J. Edgar Hoover in the pre-FBI era. It soon devolves into a story of the Cosa Nostra, Mafia, JFK and RFK, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Jimmy Hoffa, Mohammed Ali, Sonny Liston, Cuba, assassinations and just about all criminal characters who achieved infamy in the 20th century and others who maybe aren’t. Connecting all these figures has bits of rumors and innuendos. I didn’t like the flow of the story. A broad subject that doesn’t fit a 300 page tell all book.
May 24, 2021
Don't Bother to Waste Your Time & Money on This
A sketchy history of organized crime in the USA. And it ends in 1980 with Donnie Brasco! Did somebody threaten O'Reilly and Dugard if they dare cover the last 40 years?
A sketchy history of organized crime in the USA. And it ends in 1980 with Donnie Brasco! Did somebody threaten O'Reilly and Dugard if they dare cover the last 40 years?
June 18, 2022
Great deal of detail in short chapters that cover the history of the mob and gangsters since the 1930’s to early 2000s. Personally, I would prefer to deep dive a bit more in this topic before taking any conclusions on VIP (famous singers, actors, presidents) presumably linked to organized crime.
Final Rating: 4.0
Final Rating: 4.0
May 6, 2021
Very interesting. The research, writing and footnotes are excellent. Great book!
June 26, 2022
Wow! This book is very hard to put down, it is a real eye opener! I have greatly enjoyed all the Dugard, O'Reilly, "Killing" books that I have read thus far.
October 26, 2021
Another great work by the master. Very few authors can capture my attention better than Bill O'Reilly on just about any subject. He begins with organized crime from the earlier part of the 1900's through the prohibition when organized crime established a foothold until the end of the Mafia's golden years. O'Reilly details the secret meetings in Havana, the mob's control over labor unions and their massive influence in NYC, Chicago, Las Vegas, gambling, and other sectors of society across America.
Many of the people and topics discussed are as follows, roughly in order of mention:
John Dillinger
Bonnie and Clyde
Charles "pretty boy" Floyd
Lester "Baby Face" Nelson
Alvin "Creepy" Karpis
ITALIAN AND IRISH CRIME FAMILIES
The Italian Mafia "The Family"-
Frankie Yale
Al Capone
The Colosimo Family-
"Big Jim" Colosimo
Johnny "The Fox" Torrio
The Black Hand Gang
The Genna Crime Family
George "Bugs" Moran
Erwin Rommel "The Desert Fox"
The Sicilian Mafia (Fafiusu)
-Charles "Lucky" Luciano and his ties to NY Governor Thomas Dewey.
-He formed the National Crime Syndicate and Murder Inc.
-La Cosa Nostra and the Havana Summit
Frank Costello
Meyer Lansky and his friend "Bugsy"
Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel
Joe Adonis
Albert Anastasia
Vito Genovese and the Genovese Crime Family
THE COMMISSION - Nationwide Crime Consortium
The unspeakable affairs and tensions between Sam Giancana, Frank Sinatra, JFK, RFK, and Judith Campbell, with J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI. Also their troubling involvement with Marilyn Monroe.
Teamsters Union boss Jimmy Hoffa and his feud with Robert Kennedy.
Sidney Korshak "The Fixer"
Carlos Marcello
The crimes and brutal murder of William "action" Jackson
Joseph Valachi and his disclosures
Sonny Liston and the mob's boxing fixing scandal.
Robert Kennedy assassination
Anthony "Fat Tony" Salerno
Johnny Roselli
Donny Brasko
Many of the people and topics discussed are as follows, roughly in order of mention:
John Dillinger
Bonnie and Clyde
Charles "pretty boy" Floyd
Lester "Baby Face" Nelson
Alvin "Creepy" Karpis
ITALIAN AND IRISH CRIME FAMILIES
The Italian Mafia "The Family"-
Frankie Yale
Al Capone
The Colosimo Family-
"Big Jim" Colosimo
Johnny "The Fox" Torrio
The Black Hand Gang
The Genna Crime Family
George "Bugs" Moran
Erwin Rommel "The Desert Fox"
The Sicilian Mafia (Fafiusu)
-Charles "Lucky" Luciano and his ties to NY Governor Thomas Dewey.
-He formed the National Crime Syndicate and Murder Inc.
-La Cosa Nostra and the Havana Summit
Frank Costello
Meyer Lansky and his friend "Bugsy"
Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel
Joe Adonis
Albert Anastasia
Vito Genovese and the Genovese Crime Family
THE COMMISSION - Nationwide Crime Consortium
The unspeakable affairs and tensions between Sam Giancana, Frank Sinatra, JFK, RFK, and Judith Campbell, with J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI. Also their troubling involvement with Marilyn Monroe.
Teamsters Union boss Jimmy Hoffa and his feud with Robert Kennedy.
Sidney Korshak "The Fixer"
Carlos Marcello
The crimes and brutal murder of William "action" Jackson
Joseph Valachi and his disclosures
Sonny Liston and the mob's boxing fixing scandal.
Robert Kennedy assassination
Anthony "Fat Tony" Salerno
Johnny Roselli
Donny Brasko
June 5, 2021
DNF. No big new information for me. Additionally, I find the title misleading. First few chapters deal with Bonnie & Clyde, John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, Alvin Carpis . I’ve never really considered this cast of characters as members of “organized crime.”
A *footnote at the bottom of almost every page was, for me, a distraction. While the blurb may have been an interesting tidbit, it created a lack of flow while reading.
Ok. I went back and finished it as it is difficult for me to not finish a book.
I stand by my rating. Particularly as it pertains to the footnotes. If this is your first experience reading about organized crime, it’s an adequate entry level read. But I read and watch quite a bit (my father, brother snd uncle were longshoremen so mob stories were routine in our home) do there were no big surprises. I’m a bit disappointed in the writing; I feel as though it was dumbed down, as the saying goes.
A *footnote at the bottom of almost every page was, for me, a distraction. While the blurb may have been an interesting tidbit, it created a lack of flow while reading.
Ok. I went back and finished it as it is difficult for me to not finish a book.
I stand by my rating. Particularly as it pertains to the footnotes. If this is your first experience reading about organized crime, it’s an adequate entry level read. But I read and watch quite a bit (my father, brother snd uncle were longshoremen so mob stories were routine in our home) do there were no big surprises. I’m a bit disappointed in the writing; I feel as though it was dumbed down, as the saying goes.
May 25, 2021
Another of O'Reilly's books about killing something or somebody. Like the others I've read, it's meticulously researched, sourced and easy to read. He guides the reader chronologically beginning in the late 1920's through Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, through Prohibition and the Mafia, Al Capone, J. Edgar Hoover, Papa Joe Kennedy and his boys through Sonny Liston to the end times of the Mob...lots of familiar names and several surprises.
You'll love the nicknames of the Mafia guys. It's a page turner, very entertaining. He even mentions what happened to my favorite TV show of the early 60's, The Untouchables. May have been a bit too accurate so the show had to go. A little cancel culture.
You'll love the nicknames of the Mafia guys. It's a page turner, very entertaining. He even mentions what happened to my favorite TV show of the early 60's, The Untouchables. May have been a bit too accurate so the show had to go. A little cancel culture.
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October 25, 2021Ok at the beginning, but eventually had too much language and other inappropriate talk
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2022
As someone going in with little exposure to criminal history, both fictitious or true, this was an eye opening book. I liked that it took us through the birth of organized crime in America, and had a fun hero vs. villainy plot that followed the formation of the FBI (Bureau of Investigation) — though the lawmen didn't always seem to be the good guys.
There were some classic, nostalgic moments with famous bank robbers. The plots through the Second World War, Las Vegas, Cold War politics, and JFK's presidency were particularly interesting as well. Though there are a lot of names, I really started to feel familiar with each family and the storylines surrounding them.
This is a fascinating piece of history and culture that weaves through many high-profile events of the past century. This book does a good job providing a view on the Mob with many personas and profiles. It will make you crave for more readings on the modern day organized crime reach in your neighborhoods.
There were some classic, nostalgic moments with famous bank robbers. The plots through the Second World War, Las Vegas, Cold War politics, and JFK's presidency were particularly interesting as well. Though there are a lot of names, I really started to feel familiar with each family and the storylines surrounding them.
This is a fascinating piece of history and culture that weaves through many high-profile events of the past century. This book does a good job providing a view on the Mob with many personas and profiles. It will make you crave for more readings on the modern day organized crime reach in your neighborhoods.
June 21, 2021
This is the first of Bill O'Reilly's Killing Series that I have read, but I found it very good. It reads like O'Reilly talks--short, clear sentences, so it's face-paced and easy to read. I enjoyed learning more about the early gangsters in American history and then how things changed in the aftermath of WWII and the introduction of organized crime.
Unfortunately, this story has no happy ending, as organized and gang-related crime and violence continues in our country. This book is a good reminder that nothing is new under the sun, but also a tribute to those who doggedly pursued criminals and their prosecution. It's a dangerous and thankless job, but I'm grateful for their contribution to making our communities safer places to live.
A good read for anyone interested in the history of organized crime.
Unfortunately, this story has no happy ending, as organized and gang-related crime and violence continues in our country. This book is a good reminder that nothing is new under the sun, but also a tribute to those who doggedly pursued criminals and their prosecution. It's a dangerous and thankless job, but I'm grateful for their contribution to making our communities safer places to live.
A good read for anyone interested in the history of organized crime.
June 9, 2023
Another excellent addition to the Killing Series! O'Reilly and Dugard continue to do excellent research to weave together a compelling narrative that encompasses over 50 years of American History. I was especially interested in the role the Mafia played in WWII in the conquest of Sicily and the eventual defeat of Mussolini in Italy. This book also serves as a companion book to Killing Kennedy where more details of both JFK's and RFK's lives and connections to the Mob and delved into in detail. Simply another great book for O'Reilly fans as well as people interested in 20th Century American History.
March 15, 2022
Another “Killing” book by Bill O’Reilly. I enjoy his writing style. It is easily digested and hits the interesting high points of the story. This story about the Mob took some turns I didn’t expect. I didn’t see Rommel & Muhammad Ali coming up. The reach of organized crime touches every industry, many celebrities, & news events over the course of the 20th century.
Obviously, there are many many things not covered. It was interesting to me that I thought I knew a lot about this subject, but at every turn there were these pieces that I’d never heard before.
M looking forward to the next addition to this series.
Obviously, there are many many things not covered. It was interesting to me that I thought I knew a lot about this subject, but at every turn there were these pieces that I’d never heard before.
M looking forward to the next addition to this series.
May 15, 2021
If you’ve never tried one of O’Reilly’s “Killing” books (this is number 10), this one is typical and a good place to start. If the subject matter is of interest, “Killing the Mob” traces the brutal history of twentieth-century organized crime in the United States through the larger-than-life stories of the most notorious outlaws, murderers, and Mob family bosses. Beginning in the 1930s, O’Reilly and Dugard explain the truth behind the mythology of the bank robbers of the Depression era, such as John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Baby Face Nelson. Then they continue with stories about the FBI and Director J. Edgar Hoover, battles to control Cuba, Las Vegas, and Hollywood, the Kennedys, and Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa (finally answering the question of where he is buried). For fans of the genre, there’s not much new. But the stories are told in a refreshing, concise way, a good primer of a fascinating part of American history.
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