5 comments about The Radioactive Boy Scout: The True Story of a Boy and His Backyard Nuclear Reactor.

1. I was David's scoutmaster when he was preparing for his Eagle Scout Board of Review. I was to contact five registered adult Scout leaders, who would comprise the Board. One prospective adult told me he could not, because "something happened".
   
   I learned that David and some friends were stopped by the cavaliering Clinton Township (Michigan) Police, who were randomly stopping teens and searching their cars for stolen tires.
   
   David was not allowed to keep his experiments in his stepmother's home, so he kept everything in his car trunk. The cops found no tires, but saw his stuff and overreacted.
   
   Days later, David's father phoned and said that David would no longer pursue the Eagle Scout rank.
   
   A month or so later, a man claiming to be a reporter phoned my home, wanting to do a telephone interview about David. After a few moments, I refused. There was something negative about the line of questioning.
   
   As a Scout, David was always clean-cut, polite, and well-liked by the other boys. My take is that David had the scientific curiosity of a Tesla or Edison; not of an evil prankster.
   
   David's father, like so many divorced and re-married men, walked a tightrope between caring for his son and appeasing a new bride.
   
   For Mr. Silverstein should keep his story factual, and keep his opinions about Scouting to the editorial pages.



2. Did the author have this read by a nuclear engineer or physicist for accuracy? Obviously not!!!!! First thing, on page 39, the author states that electromagnetic separation is the same as a centrifuge. If he would have researched the separation techniques for more than 5 minutes would have seen that we used calutrons (electromagnetic separation) in WWII but that is not the same as centrifuges which is the primary form of separation today. Second, his discussion on radioactivity on page 54 shows that he doesn't understand the topic. Furthermore, he makes blanket statements that do not attempt to frame the situation or put things in context. If nuclear power didn't produce an ounce of energy like the author says then why are countries actively pursuing this power source (such as France as an earlier comment stated)? Lastly, this book could've been one page but he continues saying the same thing over and over again. It was the first book I debated quitting reading or at least going directly to the end. I want my money back, this was one of the worst books I've ever read.



3. The story of David Hahn is interesting enough that it would be difficult to write a bad book about it. Fortunately, Silverstein's prose is breezy and well-written, and the book is quite the page-turner. Hahn is a near-perfect antihero - you know that he's clearly endangering himself and others, but at the same time, you can't help but cheer him on.
   
   The story was initially an article in Harper's, which Silverstein then expanded on. This is pretty obvious, as lots of the book has little to do with David, but more to do with atomic energy and its history in the US. However, it's all pretty interesting stuff, and even though I already knew about most of it, I think that it would be quite educational for people who don't know as much about the US's history with the atom.
   
   Now for the bad parts- Silverstein does a lot of moralizing, and it gets on my nerves.
   
   He correctly judges David's parents as being neglectful - indeed, they do seem to treat David more as a burden then anything else. I also agree that his school should have done more to channel his energy in a positive direction. But what the hell - schools in America suck at this sort of thing, and everybody knows that. This is a problem that should be addressed, but you could hardly blame the school system for David's building a nuclear reactor.
   
   Silverstein portrays David in a mostly sympathetic light, but he does judge him a bit harshly at times. I think this is unjustified - David carried out his experiments when he was still an adolescent. At that age, you really don't know right from wrong, which is why there's a different set of laws for people under 18.
   
   Silverstein blames various adults for "not catching on" to what David was doing, and I think that's absurd. You can't expect that a teenager is going to build a nuclear reactor.
   
   Finally, Silverstein seems to have a serious hate-on for nuclear science, and that really got on my nerves. Yes, the US does have sort of a dark history with nuclear science. However, is this the fault of the atom, or the fault of the US government? Last I checked, France gets 76% of their power from atomic energy, and they seem to be doing pretty well with it. Point being, you can discuss our past mistakes in atom-splitting without dismissing an entire branch of science.
   
   Anyway, good book, you'll probably enjoy it, but you'll have to filter out some of Silverstein's gratuitous editorializing.



4. The Radioactive Boy Scout
   By: Ken Silverstein
   
   Non-fiction
   The book is about a boy who finds a golden book with science experiments in it and he becomes obsessed with it and basically he becomes a science expert. He then decided to have a lab in his potting shed. In the book it tells about how to perform experiments. Whenever he had the chance he would look over his nuclear research, in the library, in his potting shed, and at school. The kids at school think that he is a geek so he brings some of the rare elements on the periodic table of elements to school to show off. He got the elements from clocks, smoke detectors, and borrowing some of the things he needed. Then David made a great discovery and made a gun for it. His dad wants him to join boy scouts so he did but that didn't take science off his mind. He even won merit badge in atomic energy. His dream was to collect a sample of every element on the periodic table of elements. But later he gets in a lot of trouble using the things on the periodic table of elements. I like how the author describes the elements so well and where they are on the periodic table of elements. I also like how the author describes how the elements work in liquids and other things. I didn't enjoy reading the book because he took to long to describe things like the elements or what they did. I also dislike how the book only described how the elements work and where they are on the periodic table of elements. The author didn't talk about other things happening in his life like his girl friend. She only appears once in a while in the book. The author also didn't tell what happened to the boy at the end of the prolog.



5. The Radioactive Boy Scout
   By: Ken Silverstein
   
   Non-fiction
   The book is about a boy who finds a golden book with science experiments in it and he becomes obsessed with it and basically he becomes a science expert. He then desited to have a lab in his potting shed. In the book it tells about how to perform experiments. Whenever he had the chance he would look over his nuclear research, in the library, in his potting shed, and at school. The kids at school think that he is a geek so he brings some of the rare elements on the periodic table of elements to school to show off. He got the elements from clocks, smoke detectors, and borrowing some of the things he needed. Then David made a great discovery and made a gun for it. His dad wants him to join boy scouts so he did but that didn't take science off his mind. He even won merit badge in atomic energy. His dream was to collect a sample of every element on the periodic table of elements. But later he gets in a lot of trouble using the things on the periodic table of elements. I like how the author describes the elements so well and where they are on the periodic table of elements. I also like how the author describes how the elements work in liquids and other things. I didn't enjoy reading the book because he took to long to describe things like the elements or what they did. I also dislike how the book only described how the elements work and where they are on the periodic table of elements. The author didn't talk about other things happening in his life like his girl friend. She only appears once in a while in the book. The author also didn't tell what happened to the boy at the end of the prolog.

5 comments about Did Lizzie Borden Axe for It?.

1. 
   There are many unsolved murders in history, but few hold the public interest like the 1892 slayings of Andrew and Abby Borden in Fall River, Massachusetts. Lizzie, 32 years old at the time, was tried for the murders and found innocent but as David Rehak points out, her acquittal was never fully endorsed by public opinion. He proposes that the story lives on in part because the public sees Lizzie as either (a) having acted out their own fantasy of retribution, or else (b) as a symbol of gross suspicion and injustice. There was family disharmony, a large inheritance under dispute, a suspect of unblemished reputation, and a mountain of fact and speculation that defied integration into a sound case.
   
   Did Lizzie Borden Axe for It? is a compendium of Bordenia that is sure to enlighten all with an interest in this mystifying case. David Rehak, known for his works of fiction, developed an interest in the case and researched meticulously before presenting this book. The current edition has been amplified and re-issued, and there are a few editing flaws in this new version that could have been addressed to bump my rank up to five stars. In spite of this, I found it an absorbing and extremely thorough canvass of the facts and speculations about the case. There are many photographs included, some of them previously unpublished.
   
   Starting with a thorough chronology of the fateful day in August 1892, Rehak goes on to examine the sometimes-confusing facts from the public record. Next he covers the speculation and rumor that emerged in his research. The suggestion of a never-revealed diary, theories about Lizzie's relationships and sexuality, and stories from her later life are detailed fastidiously. The sites and "shrines" associated with Lizzie's life and the murders are covered--the house where the Bordens lived and died is now a bed-and-breakfast hotel.
   
   The final section of the book is the most unusual. Rehak discusses a number of articles in print that relate to the case. He details the non-disclosure of case-related documents held by Lizzie's trial attorney which are protected by legal privilege. There is a challenge to this status from a number of parties, with the argument being made that historical interest trumps privilege in this case, with all participants being long dead. Will we ever see the contents of the five file drawers secured in a law firm in Springfield, Massachusetts?
   
   As a final serving of Bordenia, the book finishes with some fictional writings featuring Lizzie and the case. Here the speculations are given free rein! It's an entertaining finish to a sad story. Our desire to know what actually happened to Andrew and Abby Borden may never be satisfied, but Did Lizzie Borden Axe for It? takes the discussion forward in a most entertaining fashion.
   
   Linda Bulger, 2008



2. I had the privilege of editing the first version of this book for author David Rehak. This is an excellent, updated version with a new cover that I find appropriate for the book's content.
   
   Did Lizzie Borden Axe For It? is Rehak's first nonfiction book, for which he did extensive research. Rehak discovered many new facts about Lizzie Borden, and to lighten the serious nature of the book, he also wrote some humorous skits. At first thought, one would tend to think humor wouldn't work in a book like this, but he pulls it off ... somehow. I found the break from gore to humor to be a welcome relief. (Well, it works in the best horror movies, doesn't it?)
   
   Even if you're not into "Bordenia," which I'm not, you will be intrigued by this book. It's different, to say the least. I learned new things about Lizzie Borden that haven't been brought to light before, and the previously unpublished photos add more mystery to the content.
   
   Someone once wrote of Rehak: "He dares to go where most authors fear to tread." And I agree: In his fictitious works, he writes about many taboo subjects. This nonfiction book about Lizzie Borden seems natural for his unique skills.
   
   Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008
   Author of: Millennium Babe: The Prophecy



3. I recently finished reading David Rehak's book; "DID LIZZIE BORDEN AXE FOR IT?"
   As the "fly-sheet" indicates, this book on Lizzie Borden is a collection of facts and poses no theory or specific agenda regarding the murders.
   It would have been better if, Rehak had put a little more of himself and ideas into the book.
   
   Rehak delivers a "semi-truck" full of accumulated factual information and then...dumps the entire load onto the reader with little or, no mercy. Trying to dig oneself out from underneath this mountain of information to understand what is pertinent and what is not, seems a rather hopless task.
   
   The author also seems to simply by-pass some informational leads because "he" feels the story has nothing supporting it's validity. For instance; he mentions (on page65-66) an old nurse who, in 1984 claimed she had cared for Lizzie Borden in 1926 (the year before Lizzie's death). The nurse claimed Lizzie had confided in her that one of her "boyfriends" (if she ever had any),David Anthony had in fact, committed the crimes. This man, according to the author, was later identified (by whom?), but died in 1924. Mr. Rehak dismisses this entire story seemingly because suspect, David Anthony would have only been 22 years old at the time of the crime while Lizzie would have been 32.
   
   Despite all of this; David Rehak has published not a literary masterpiece, but a much better reference book for all of us "arm-chair" detectives to call upon when the trail gets even colder.
   
   Did Lizzie Axe for it? I think, she asked someone else "to Axe for her."



4. I am a great fan of Mr. Rehak. I have read all of his books, and he has not disappointed me yet. It is obvious from reading the book that Mr. Rehak did a considerable amount of research. But, what sets this book apart from the others that have been written about Lizzie is the "extra step" that Mr. Rehak takes in making the story all his with that glorious story telling that he weaves into all his books. He is a very talented writer with a wonderful sense of humor. I am looking forward to his next book. (Yes, I think Lizzie did it.)



5. I have both versions of this book. The first (original) one is well-written and well-edited without those editing eyesores that appear in this later version with 100 mores pages added. I can only assume they were too eager to get the book out in the latter edition and forgot to correct a few things. But even with the errors, this is a substantial and formidable work on Lizzie Borden with all that's in it and all it has to offer. If you can overlook the rough edges, and you have an interest in the subject of the book, you'll be much intrigued and entertained. Lots of food for thought.

5 comments about Mafia Kingfish: Carlos Marcello and the Assassination of John F. Kennedy.

1. I think this book is spectacular! The author did some deep and complete research! I was impressed, plus I live in New Orleans and most of the action takes place in NOLA! There is even some speculation that The Mob played a role in the death of MLK and RFK! Read this book,you won't be
   disappointed! Read Dr. Mary's Monkey too and you won't ever need to read another JFK book again!



2. I'm exhausted. By the time I reached the finish I'd forgotten the start. Look, Great facts, alot of research, but I found this book mentally fatiguing. If you are in to conspiracies get it. Meanwhile, I'm going to go lay and rest my head.



3. I can practically read anything on the Mafia . . . except this book. I could barely finish it. It was so boring. The first 50 pages were good. It was actually focused on late Louisiana Mafia boss Carlos Marcello. Then, it happened. Nonstop writing on the assassination of President Kennedy. Again, it is nonstop and the author continually asks the reader questions that I don't think he ever conclusively answered. (By the way, I have never seen some many questions presented to the reader before in ANY book; my guess would be a couple hundred questions the author poses to his readers.)
   
   I swear about 500 pages is just going over the same points in the assassination again and again. Oswald knew this guy. This guy knew this guy. Jack Ruby knew this guy. All these connections go back to the Marcello organization. I GET IT! ENOUGH!
   
   You read about a page and half on Marcello and you think, yes, he's finally back on track. He's actually writing about Marcello now. But no, all of the sudden it gets back to the Kennedy Assassination. I have rarely rolled by eyes while reading a book except for this one -- and I am continually rolling my eyes. Not because the author states that Marcello was probably involved in the Kennedy Assassination, but because he has to hammer his points over and over again and again (nonstop).
   
   Now, if you are looking for a book on the Kennedy Assassination, you got it here. But if you are looking for a book about Carlos Marcello, then skip it because you are just going to get mad with the author barely touching on Marcello past the first 50 pages without his throwing in some Kennedy Assassination angle.
   
   This should not be called "Mafia Kingfish: Carlos Marcello and the Assassination of President Kennedy." It should be called "The Assassination of President Kennedy: The Assassination and Some Mob Boss Named Carlos Marcello." Very little is about Carlos Marcello and his secretive organization. It's all about the Kennedy Assassination and Marcello's possible connection to it.
   
   The last part of the book is on the FBI operations in the late 1970s that finally brought Carlos Marcello down. But it's only about 50 or so pages long, too. In short, there is maybe a hundred or so pages dealing with Carlos Marcello, and what you have left is the author trying to link the Marcello organization to the President's assassination, and nailing his one-tracked hammer on the same points time after time, page after page.
   
   What a waste! Had this book been nearly 700 pages on Carlos Marcello and his organization it would have been perhaps one of the best, groundbreaking books on the underworld in the history of the American Mafia being there is very little actually known about the man and his organization other than the basics. Instead, we get a 100 pages on Marcello and 600 pages on his possible connection to the assassination of President Kennedy.
   
   Sorry if I hammered my point over and over again about this book, but I was giving you a preview of what you will experience if you buy and read this book. As the mob would say, "Give it a pass."



4. This book is dated,but I'm not so sure that any other book on the subject is better.
   Mr. Davis exposes the numerous links the Marcello family had to other key conspirators in the assassination of John F. Kennedy.Lee Harvey Oswald,Jack Ruby,and David Ferrie all knew each other and had Marcello family connections.
   
   Another highlight of this book is the contrast of the New Orleans mafia and other families.They operated quite differently than say,the New York or Chicago mob.The culture of that area was much like Sicily.
   
   Mr. Davis gives details on the extent of the corruption and political power enjoyed by Carlos Marcello.The transcripts of recorded conversations from the sting by the FBI reveal a lot regarding who was bought.Some major political figures are mentioned.
   
   The details of Carlos Marcello's deportation clarify the animosity between the mafia and the Kennedy brothers.The egos on both sides of the law were factors in the eventual assassination.
   
   The monumental part that J. Edgar Hoover played in the coverup and possible motivation for doing that are explained very well in this book.
   
   In the end of the book Mr. Davis briefly covers some of the books that were contemporary with his.
   The only thing he doesn't do is name the actual trigger men.
   This book is available and inexpensive.It's a book I highly recommend for anyone wanting to study the assassination of JFK.



5. This book has been around for a few years but I've only read it recently.
   The author, John H Davis, certainly convinces me that, regardless of who pulled the triggers, the shootings of John F Kennedy and Robert Kennedy were mob hits ordered by New Orleans mobster Carlos Marcello, while the truth was kept from the American public through the connivance of the FBI whose hands were far from clean.
   
   The Kennedy's dared to bite the hands that fed them. John Kennedy used the Mafia in his rise to power & then not only turned his back on them but declared war on them with the assistance of Robert Kennedy as Attorney General.
   Robert Kennedy had a long history of failed attempts to deport Carlos Marcello which included kidnapping him & dumping him (literally) in a deserted backwater of Honduras. The Mafia & Marcello in particular hated the Kennedy's so intensely it was only a matter of time.
   Consider this:
   The unstable and unemployed Lee Harvey Oswald was a patsy of the Mafia & the FBI. Oswald's uncle & surrogate father Charles Murret, aka Dutz, was a bookmaker in Marcello's gambling operation in New Orleans. In the summer of 1963 Oswald who was living in Dallas came to his uncle for financial help & did not go away empty handed.
   
   The FBI, headed by the megalomaniacal J Edgar Hoover, was so riddled with corruption itself by this time that any investigation done by them was bound to be a whitewash as it would expose the FBI's connections to the New Orleans underworld. Hoover had a long history of friendship with mob boss Frank Costello & stubbornly insisted that the Mafia did not exist. When presented with a report of the infamous crime conclave of 60 mafia heads in upstate New York in 1957, Hoover ordered all copies destroyed. When Robert Kennedy became Attorney General he identified organised crime -- not Communism -- to be the greatest menace to American society; he also earned Hoover's enmity by putting a stop to Hoover's hitherto direct access to the President's office, ordering Hoover to report instead to the attorney general, ie, him.
   
   Jack Ruby, who has been portrayed as a Patriot distressed by the death of his idol, had underworld connections & was at that time suffering from terminal cancer. He owed large sums of money to certain Mafia figures & he executed Oswald to shut him up & to redeem his own Mafia debt. Ruby died in prison of cancer.
   
   The Robert Kennedy assassination is murkier. It was blamed on Sirhan Sirhan, although there is evidence at least one other gun was used in the shooting. Sirhan perpetually owed gambling debts & often did odd jobs for low level crime figures. He hung around California race tracks whose betting operations were connected to Marcello; he also worked as a groom for horse ranch owner Desi Arnaz who was a known friend of LA mobster Mickey Cohen . Cohen's penchant was for secretly filming movie stars in sex setups & blackmailing them - Lana Turner & Marilyn Monroe were victims. Jack Ruby and Mickey Cohen were old friends too: it was all one big extended family
   
   There is evidence suggesting Robert Kennedy's real killer was Thane Cesar, the security guard who escorted Kennedy through the hotel kitchen where he was shot. Cesar was not the hotel's usual security guard; he was temporarily hired to fill in for the day of June 5; he had strong ties to a San Diego mobster (later imprisoned for skimming race-track revenues) & associate of Mickey Cohen. The Ambassador Hotel was partly owned by investors connected with organised crime. Not long after the shooting, the Hotel's director of security disappeared.
   
   The Kennedy brothers were undoubtedly touched with greatness and vision, but with such flaws of character and judgement and hubris that it brought their downfall. Meanwhile the public has been content to be fed a load of crap rather than have the Kennedy name & legacy tarnished. False gods usually have feet of clay.

3 comments about Jack the Ripper: The Definitive History.

1. This book has helped me allot in regards to a project I am working on. When one recognizes the significance between Jack the Ripper and the media, and it's part in ascending him from serial killer to Victorian icon, it is impossible to ignore this book. I highly recommend it.



2. I had to read this took for a Collage Class and have never enjoyed reading a "textbook" more.
   
   Paul Begg is a very entertaining author and gave alot of details concerning the Jack the Ripper Murders.
   
   At first he tells about the area of London called Whitechappel where it happened and then he talks about the Ripper Murders themselves.
   
   Not only does he give much detail about the Ripper Murders he talks about the Police investigation about it, as well as goes into detail about some of the people that historians and investigaters have claimed were Jack the Ripper.
   
   All in all a very comprehensive acount of the Jack the Ripper Murder case.



3. The book really is more about the context than the case itself, but Begg present solid research and writes very well. In terms of presenting the conditions of 1888 Whitechapel, it is probably the best book out there. For a history strictly of the JtR case, Sugden would be the way to go. However, Begg's new book, "Jack the Ripper: The Facts" (only available at amazon.co.uk now), which contains much of the research done in the past ten years, would be definitely worth getting from there. Still, this book is worth it for the Ripperologist.

5 comments about Double Deal: The Inside Story of Murder, Unbridled Corruption, and the Cop Who Was a Mobster.

1. As a life long resident of the SW side of Chicago I was able to corroborate many of the accounts Mr. Corbitt gives in Double Deal. Many of the "baby boomers" who were "in the Know" from my area stated that Mr. Corbitt was a very influential gangster associate on the SW side. The man was heavy and dangerous. He killed people,but many were in the line of duty. He also made it very clear in the book that he wasn't an angel.The man gives some very accurate accounts of his life and experiences



2. . . .you may wish to spend some time with this book.

   The book tells the story of a small-time hood who, due to friends, and not really to any talent of his own, becomes a moderately significant figure in Chicagoland organized crime in the 60's, 70's, and 80's.

   Believe me, the main character (and co-author) Michael Corbitt is not really a likeable or sympathetic character. What I found most interesting about the book was the willingness of law enforcement -- on all levels, including the prosecutors who eventually brought him in -- to behave in ways quite similar to those "mobsters" they are trying to control.

   There are truly no real "good guys" in this book.

   As I said, if you like this genre, the book is worth reading. If the genre doesn't interest you, "The Godfather" is a much better story!




3. They might have a great sense of humor, or love their mother or support various charities, but in the end, most are cold-blooded murderers.

   That descripion only fits the top mob bosses. Scummier still are the average hoodlums that make up a crime organization and that's where Michael Corbitt fits in. A street thug ends up making a few friends that help buy a corrupt gas station business. Next thing that happens is that he joins a corrup police force in Illinois and when the drunken chief retires, he is made chief.

   Eventually, the law and his fellow sleazebags catch up with Corbitt so here comes his book. Sure, the book is interesting, but Corbitt was never a main man. He was just a very small player in a much larger organization. What's shocking is that he was able to so as a top police official in Illinois, but given some history in that state, how surprising is it?

   To summarize the book, you will find that Corbitt has killed people, he helped cover up a murder, he was involved in all kinds of other corrupt illegal activity, he stole millions from the taxpayers of his community.

   Somehow I'm supposed to feel sorry for this scumbag or have sympathy for him?




4. This was a great read. I live right in Chicago, near Oak Park, so this was especially of interest to me. Iam not sure if its all true or not, but if it is, it makes a lot of sense. This book offers lots of explanations, i.e. Marilyn Monroe, Kennedy assasination,etc. and once you read them, they really make you think.



5. AS A BIG FAN OF MR GIANCANA THE (AUTHOR) I FIND IT AMAZING THAT HE IS ABLE TO FIND THIES PEOPLE TO WRITE ABOUT. THIS STORY WAS ONE THAT KEPT YOU TRUNING THE PAGES AND NOT WANTING IT TO END.THIS WAS AS GOOD OR BETTER THEN GOODFELLOWS AND CORBITT MUCH MORE INTRESTING THEN HENRY HILL THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE CHICAGO CREW AND MOSSAD AND OTHER HISTORIC FIGURES MAKES ME THINK THAT IF GIANCANA AND CORBITT ARE NOT BEING SUED THEM MUCH OF THIS MUST BE TRUE.MAKES YOU THINK? GREAT READ!

5 comments about The Life and Times of Lepke Buchalter: America's Most Ruthless Labor Racketeer.

1. The author has done a fine job in presenting a multitude of facts and statements about the life of this evil, ruthless racketeer and his criminal associates. This book reminds me of the Dillinger Gang by Jeffrey King who employed a similar style in that book as presented here. Buchalters early life is well covered by the author as he presents an average quiet student at elementary school somehow degenerated into a ruthless, selfish, vicious thug but one with an astute criminal cunning with brilliant organizational ability. He was also the unseen boss in a ruthless criminal gang known as Murder Incorporated that operated out of Brownsville New York.
   
   Working his way from a package thief to a labor slugger who sold his violence to the highest bidder whether employer or union, he was able to climb to the top echelons of the criminal world in New York and spread his heartless and evil influence via his gang over parts of Northeast USA. The book also provides accounts of other criminals in this era like Kid Dropper, Little Augie and Benny Fein, these accounts added to my enjoyment of the book.
   
   Eventually Lepke became the labor racketeer supremo who by violence and threats was able to control many, but not, all unions and takeover many legitimate garment companies and along the way destroy many lives. Along with his associate Gurrah Shapiro he also had a hand in other rackets such as taxis, transport, restaurants and even narcotics. Many workers wages were kept at lower levels than they were entitled to because of the greed and selfishness of this evil criminal organization. They spread their misery into many workers homes whose families suffered because of lower wages.
   
   It took Thomas Dewey as special prosecutor and district attorney of New York County to commence the first successful efforts to gradually get stuck into organized crime that began the government process that eventually bought Buchalter down for labor racketeering and eventually first degree murder that sent him and others to the electric chair at Ossining. The author handles this area very well and provides an excellent account of the criminal justice system as it eventually grinds on to destroy Lepke's labor rackets and also Murder Incorporated. Although Murder Incorporated was eventually destroyed by a team led by Brooklyn District Attorney Bill O'Dwyer and his Chief Assisstant Burton Turkus.



2. A well-researched biography of the man described by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover as "the most dangerous criminal in the U.S." The author provides a wealth of little known information regarding his subject, especially in his documentation of "Lepke's" formative years on the Lower East Side. I found Mr. Kavieff's writing a bit tedious at times, but if, to paraphrase Dragnet's Sergeant Joe Friday, you want "just the facts," you will probably enjoy this book.



3. Great biography. Covers all the little facts never before documented on this famous gangster.Anyone who enjoys this book will also appreciate author's previous book on the "Purple Gang.



4. I have read several books on the mob and they all have one thing in common. There is no loyalty within the mob. Each mobster will look out for number one whenever the law closes in on them. Louis "Lepke" Buchalter and his comical partner, Jacob "Gurrah" Shapiro managed to gain control of the lucrative garment trade in New York City for their own benefit. When the law began to close in on Lepke he, like others before him and since, began to have witnesses who knew anything about his infamous past, eliminated. After being in hiding for over a year the mob forced Lepke into surrendering to the law. Lepke thought a deal had been made when, in reality, none had been agreed upon. He surrendered to gossip columnist Walter Winchell with F.B.I. chief J. Edgar Hoover in the car behind him. The message to Lepke was surrender or be hit by the mob. Oddly enough, it was a hit on an individual named Joseph Rosen that sent Lepke, along with Louis Capone and "Mendy" Weiss to the electric chair in Sing Sing prison in 1944. This book reinforces my long held belief that there is no loyalty within the mob. The author has done a wonderful job with this book. It will have a place with my other books on crime figures in our infamous past.



5. I think this is Paul Kavieff's best book thus far... After reading Murder Inc. this book kept the story line going by diving into the background of a huge underworld Brooklyn figure, namely Louis "Lepke" Buchalter. They have an excellent chapter on Murder Inc. which is a very good summation of Turkus' book, and still brings some new things to light. Lepke forced his way into the garment industry and made his stake like no one else before him; then came Murder Inc. Lucky Luciano personally elected Lepke to head the murder department for the mob. With his own personal group of seasoned assassins, there was nothing stopping him. Lepke was untouchable, that is until Dewey showed up, and then the real trouble started.
   
   Lepke was an amazing individual who had all the components to become anything in life. The fact that Lepke was ruling through his superior labor racketeering skills, while everyone else was involved in the usual rackets (prohibition, numbers running, etc.) truly displays the vision this man had. He preferred to stay in the shadows, and never share his time with the likes of "shtarkers" (strong-arm guys who performed the dirty work). He took himself out of the gutter, and situated himself overlooking Central Park. He ruled with an iron hand and every one paid tribute!
   
   He and his partner, Gurrah Shapiro were millionaires in the early thirties. They had their hands in legitimate businesses and many other rackets including: the garment industry, the motion picture union, the taxi racket, the restaurant racket acquired from the Dutchman and much more. The money coming in was boundless. They literally had a monopoly on a few different industries. "The Gorilla Boys" were like the "Underworld Rockefellers!". This book was a quick read and really ironed out all the details in a very smooth manner. I hope to find a few more books with the same straightforward, and clear-cut precision that Mr. Kavieff has accomplished here.

2 comments about Rat Bastards: The South Boston Irish Mobster Who Took the Rap When Everyone Else Ran.

1. John "Red" Shea spends his life making sure he is a "man." To him, this means beating up anyone who doesn't conform to his macho teenage code learned on the mean streets of Southie. One would think Shea would have learned a few lessons about maturity after 12 years in federal prison. You don't get that impression after reading his memoir, which is one of several by members of Whitey Bulger's former gang. Shea takes pride in being the only one not to 'rat,' an act akin to him of the lowest human order. His tale will be glorified by Mark Wahlberg in an upcoming film, evidently. It will make a good movie. But as real life, it's just a waste. The book is a decent read, not as good as some of the others in this genre. It doesn't really take off until the middle when he finally reaches the stage where he becomes Whitey's "protege," as a drug dealer. The prison section is interesting, too. If you like tales of human depravity and bleakness, you'll eat this one up.



2. I saw this book and was interested because of the movie The Departed. I saw it in the theatre, and then got the DVD when it came out. Because I am from the area, I knew The Departed was about Whitey Bulger, more than some movie remake of Internal Affairs.
   
   Up until now I had resisted the other books about Whitey and the Irish mob in Southie. This one just looked more interesting, and hit me at the right time.
   
   I have read the other reviews for the hardcover, especially those who are from Southie. It seems people either love it or hate it, and him. I am more lukewarm about the book. I don't have any inside knowledge to tell if he was telling it straight, or making it up.
   
   I thought the writing was ok, not great, but not awful. I imagine his writer was trying to keep the tone and structure true to how Shea speaks. It was a quick read, and a bit engaging, though not a real page turner to me.
   
   I thought that there was a real lack of self-reflection from Shea for the most part. He was just as brash in his story as he was in life. He says this is what I did, this is the surface reason why, deal with it. Very rarely does he dig beneath that.
   
   Other than the prison stories he is very vague about what he did, or what his activities were for Whitey. As he says he followed Whitey's advice about never letting someone else have anything to hold over you. But even without that you shouldn't expect anything specific from him in the book because: 1.) Anything that didn't come out in his trial, he could probably still be prosecuted for; 2.) He says he is not a rat, and so he won't tell anything about anyone else, that isn't already known; 3.) he doesn't want to get those who are guilty in trouble with the law, or make them feel a need to come after him.
   
   What you do get is the sense that he never really grew up. He does want to prove continually how tough he is, and after all the others ratted out, that he is not a rat, but better than the others. He comes from that odd group of males who think that they still should act like teenage jerks, even when fully grown. By choosing to be a perpetual child he also throws away any chance for a real happy life, when he won't commit to Penelope. He gives up a wife, a family, and a home. He is probably too scared of that type of work, and risk. Rather he wants to follow the movie image of the tough-guy gangster, and take the easy way out. Its an empty image that he has opted for, rather than a real life. Its actually sad.
   
   Yes what he did in terms of selling drugs, and being a criminal is bad. He doesn't really care, and he never says he is sorry. He feels bad for the accidental innocent people he hurt, but he never considers the families of his marks/victims/customers, as innocents whom he hurt all the time.
   
   I think the book says just as much about him indirectly as it does with his input. It was a quick, interesting read. I wouldn't buy it in hardcover, but think paper is ok, and maybe borrowing from the Library is the best.

5 comments about Raging Bull: My Story.

1. "Bull" is one of the most powerful biography's written. La Motta went step by step relaying his life story, in a transparent way. He not only draws us in round by round to him being on the top of the world, he also clearly gives the reader his blow by blow decent into hell, and even worse for a showman, anonymity. He became a nobody, because of his unhealthy actions.
   I for one give La Motta a tremendious amount of credit, for coming to terms with his greatest opponent and knocking him on the mat, himself.
   The movie is equally as engrosing.
   Great read.



2. A Page Turner - More Like A Page Pounder
   
   Reading this book I felt like Sugar Ray Fighting La Motta - couldn't put it down -
   
   OK - that's a stretch, but you get the idea. I could not put this book down. It reads like a bull charges. A little bit of wind up - I'd say the first 19 pages - then it's a charging bull.
   
   Jake's story is much more than what the movie shows and is different.
   
   As we all know and heard so many times - the book is always better than the movie and again it's very true here - the book is Jake's exact story not changed one hair for Hollywood. It's such an intense, real and gritty story.
   
   It starts off in Jake's childhood as a tuff Bronx kid taking a beating from his father and the world - and as he got older the beatings continue and get worse - the biggest beatings coming from himself.
   
   La Motta is brutally honest and doesn't try to hide anything or paint himself in a special light. It's a powerful and straightforward look at his life, his heart and a candid look at the sport of boxing back then.
   
   It's a great book, you'll pound through the pages like a raging bull.



3. There just isn't another biography/autobiography involving an athlete that can measure up to RAGING BULL.

   The book depicts self-hate and the self-destruction that goes with it in the kind of succinct style you expect from a ghetto-bred boxer. What sets it apart though is that what one finds between the lines is often more revealing than the lines themselves.

   Jake's method of confessing to grotesque acts without the vocabulary of rationalization says volumes about the pathologies behind them. Instead of getting lost in Freudian buzzwords, La Motta recounts his life in terms that sum up and surpass every treatise on self-destruction ever written.

   No need for Psychology 101. RAGING BULL is the real textbook on the subject.




4. Jake La Motta is a vicious monster. Both inside the ring and outside the ring. Growing up in the slums of the Bronx,
   Jake was not loved or cared for by his father, who frequently beat him for no reason or explanation. His mother
   was loving to Jake, but his father beat her too. Jake channeled all this abuse, both physical and neglect, and turned
   into a thug as a teenager because what else could he do. He believed he was to have been a murderer, for bashing a bookie over the head with a pipe,and suffered for many years afterwards with self inflicting torment and abuse and anguish to all around him. While as a teen, Jake the thug turned into a life of petty crime and was sent to a reform school. While at reform school, the only thing Jake could find interesting was the gym, where he practiced and developed as a boxer. When Jake was released from reform school, he vowed to himself never to go back to jail and to try and change his way. Jake soon began to compete amateurishly with boxing, and then shortly
   thereafter turned pro. While he was a freight train inside the ring, Jake was a train wreck in his personal life.
   Jack's life consisted of no one he could trust. Not his best friend Pete, his wives, his brother, and especially the mob.
   He battered his boxing opponent into oblivion, he battered his wives unconscious, and battered his friends if you would
   even call them friends. Yes Jake was this violent. His second wife Vickie, is main wife in this book was a saint, during and after their marriage. Jake beat everyone in the ring he could. Sometimes he'd lose, not on purpose, but as a result to his mannerisms prior to a fight, which were mostly self inflicting. After 8 years of boxing pro, and going no where, Jake relented to turning to the mob for a shot at the middleweight
   belt. In 1949, Jake was champ. They day after he was champ, he life went into the gutter. A good for nothing bum kid from
   the Bronx, he was destined to never amount to not even spit on the sidewalk, was now the champion of the world! How was this. Well Jake's demons came forth the night he won the championship, and what he feared he'd done as a kid, was not true. Believed to be a murderer as a teen, Jake drove himself insane with pain, fear, guilt, and anger, and the only way he could channel all that negative energy was to box. Well, who he thought he killed long ago was actually alive and well and he couldn't believe it. From there on, Jake lost the spark and the fire to what drove him to be the champ, and a year and a half later after defending his title twice was belted by quite possibly
   the bloodiest boxing match my eyes ever seen on February 14th 1951 to Sugar Ray. Jake got massacred by the 13th round. (if you ever get a chance to actually see that fight, seeing is believing!!!). Jake's trip into hell began in Oct 1949, after winning the belt, and he took his first steps descending into hell after he retired from boxing in 1953. His move to Miami added to the catastrophe, his wife divorced
   him, he fooled around alot, he ballooned to well over 200 lbs, drank and dabbled with drugs, his business crumbled due to a prostitution charge of a minor, and once again Jake ended up in jail. Serving 6 months, Jake finally prayed to the man upstairs for forgiveness, and released from prison, Jake wanted to vindicate himself. Leaner, cleaner, and this time for certain destined to clean up his act. After prison, Jake was a whistle blower in boxing and spilled the beans about the fight set up he needed to do to become the champ. After that, Jake remarried, although it ended up unsuccessful, Jake tried, and it appears he was not abusive to his 3rd wife. After dabbling
   in acting and plays, Jake found solace in performing again, but on stage instead of a ring. There were some set backs. But nothing as shocking and more disturbing as the first 22 chapters. And by 1970 Jake was acting in b-films.
   In conclusion, Jake La Motto is a vicious monster. But who could blame him. I don't. Jake will blame himself, and yes, many of the horrific things he did in his youth were unacceptable and just downright unethical. But Jake never was given a chance at life. Not by his family anyways, he was raised by the mean streets of the Bronx, his family was the streets, and it was mean, and Jake was meaner. Jake was never loved as a child, and without that love, he never trusted
   anyone, ever! Many success stories, or dreams come true stories are about love and trust. Jake has neither. This is a sad story, a truly sad story, of a man who struggled to make it on his own, and did make it on his own, and just threw it all away because he didn't any know better because no one showed him.
   Personally, I believe Jake LaMotta to be the best middleweight boxer ever! I mean ever! For all his wrongs, he did something right, and box right he did. Jake gave boxing so many memorable upsets, so many memorable knockouts, and most importantly memorable comebacks, both inside the ring and outside the ring. Jake is a champ, and a monster, but I would never say that too his face unless I want to keep mine on my head.
   Onto Raging Bull II, the continuing story...Highly Recommended!



5. The life of Jake LaMotta was brought to the screen by Martin Scorcese in 1980, and gained immense respect for the gritty life of boxer Jake LaMotta. The book written several years prior is a roller coaster emotional ride by a very disturbed individual trying so hard to make the best of his life. Very well written and descriptively perfected.

   From his tough upbringing, to his escapades as a young man, to his fight for boxing fame, LaMotta punched his way thru leaving victims behind and not too many friends to show for. Like many movies, book facts were left behind that should have been included. Here are few:

   His friend Pete, (who was fused in the movie with his brother Joey) was an important person in LaMotta's life. Their wild times as petty thieves, to their separation.

   Jake's brief time in prison (Juv), where he and fellow boxer Rocky Graziano meet up. This is where Jake decides to become a boxer.

   And unfortunately, Jake's despicable side; the murderer and the rapist.

   Jake LaMotta's book portrays his life so honest and brutal, that you almost feel like you are his sidekick during his highs and lows. One rejoices when Jake wins the title, but is horrifed at his domestic actions. Jake is an easy guy to dislike while reading this book, but the nature and feel of this book does its job.

5 comments about True Believer: Inside the Investigation and Capture of Ana Montes, Cuba's Master Spy.

1. There must be some idiots working in counterintelligence in the USA, the guy who wrote this book, identified this woman years before she was eventually caught, and the FBI ignored him, thank god I dont live in the good old USA!!!!!! my thoughts are with you all!!!!!!!!!!



2. I just finished the book, "True Believer" by Scott W. Carmichael. The book is basically the story of a Cuban spy named Ana Montes. Ms. Montes was employed for some 18 years with the Defense Intelligence Agency better known as the DIA. Not only was Ana employed for DIA, she was their top Cuban analyst at the time!
   
   Author, Scott Carmichael admits he is not a writer, but felt the public should be made aware of this case not only, to expose "sweet" Ana, but some of the ongoing short comings of our own intelligence community. Scott Carmichael is truthfull and well meaning in his assesments.
   
   The book is a good read, but I felt Carmichael focused too heavily upon the bureaucratic shuffling techniques of the investigation rather than the "target" herself. Much of the investigations office politics and inter-agency sparring was appreciated but, somewhat lost by a reader who has never been an employee of the DIA.
   
   Carmichael opened this case, but seems to be writing about the events as though he is watching it from the "outside of the aquarium" rather than actually swimming within it.
   
   I realize there is a "Judicial line of Demarcation" regarding various authority levels. The FBI ultimately sits at the top level especially in FCI (foreign counter intelligence), matters. However, it was my opinion that Mr. Carmichael gave "the Bureau" more credit than it initially deserved in this particular case. Carmichael, himself seems to have been conveniently "shelved" once the FBI finally decided to become involved.
   
   It appers that Ana Montes was Carmichael's nemisis, and epiphany all rolled into one. Perhaps, after retirement from government service, Mr. Carmichael will consider trying to write a biography on Ms. Montes herself.
   
   Despite some of the literary shortcomings, I salute YOU and your work, Mr. Carmichael in addition to your silent contributions to this country.
   
   The literary funds obtained from the sale of this book go to a noble cause, and the author's reasons for the donation of all funds will only serve to enhance his credibility. Ironically, the title of this book could also be applied to the author, Scott W. Carmichael.



3. Beyond the story itself, an interesting aspect of this book is the degree to which even workers with access to state secrets are protected by US law. When his suspicions of Montes were aroused, the author brought in the FBI, which has the responsibility for investigation and prosecution in such cases. They put a large team on the case, but took months to obtain the court orders necessary for intrusive surveillance, such as phone taps or bugs. They were able, though, to conduct outside surveillance, which documented extensive, odd use of pay phones. Finally, just as enough evidence was accumulated, the 9-11 attacks happened, and Montes was arrested. This coincidence caused her story to be buried, and is why most of us never heard of her.



4. The plot is a great story about a Cuban spy (mole) in the Defense Intelligence Agency. The main good guy is a perceptive and doggedly tenacious counterintelligence agent/investigator. The bad guy (gal) lives a poker-faced double life: hard working and ambitious U.S. govt. employee with far-reaching influence in foreign policy decisions. So far so good, but the story is told like the author doesn't want to reveal the slightest bit of tradecraft or investigative detail. I know the author, who is also the good guy/investigator, needs to protect methods/techniques, but he does the reader a great disservice by holding back on details involving missteps and clues detected by the U.S. govt sleuths. The author mentions how the mole was detected due to certain telltale clues, but yet doesn't elaborate. If you want to read a story that is long on "If I tell then I'll have to kill you" intrigue then you (the reader) will be happy with lack of detail and supporting narrative.



5. True Believer is an account about the investigation that led to her arrest and conviction as told by one of the investigators, Scott Carmichael. The book itself may be only three or four stars but I must cut Carmichael some slack for a couple of reasons. First, the man is not -- nor does he ever claim to be -- a professional author. I personally thing I have more writing talents than he but that is another issue. He had a story to tell and he did so to the best of his ability. To try to grade him at the same level as a professional writer would be unfair to him.
   
   Second, the evidence presented against Montes appears flimsy. But obviously it was enough to interest investigators to investigate and arrest and it was enough for her to plea guilty. I am sure Carmichael had much more to tell but the book had to be reviewed to ensure sensitive and even classified information was not put in the book. It hurts the story but anybody who writes a book of this nature has to follow the rules even if it hurts the story.
   
   Carmichael wrote the book to warn people that Cuba is a threat. Sure, the Cubans are not likely to mount a massive military invasion against the US any time soon but they do work directly against our interests in other parts of the world as a surrogate and they can share information with our enemies including terrorist groups. Cuba is a threat, they do conduct espionage against the US, and their work with Ana Montes demonstrates that they are very good at it.

5 comments about You Got Nothing Coming: Notes From a Prison Fish.

1. I loved this book. The author really has an ear for the lingo and an eye for a situation. I think that you will like this book as well.
   
   Just read an account elsewhere that the author likely is far more guilty of outright murder than he makes out. In that, he is the typical "innocent" con.
   
   But, that said, I read the book several times over the last year or so. He finds funny situations - made up or not.



2. For about the first chapter, I was impatient to learn about the author's crime. I guess I needed to know if I should sympathize with him or keep my emotional distance. Then I stopped caring, because his prison experiences were so fascinating, and I was kept busy laughing out loud at his sardonic asides. Lerner does tell the story of the murder at the book's conclusion, and I was grateful to discover that his actions seemed pretty darn justifable, because by then I thoroughly liked the guy.



3. I read this thinking it would be more of a "Prison Survival" type book, and I picked this up on a novelty. What I found was a very interesting page turner about how a seemingly regular 9-5 person let his bad choices lead him into a situation where he landed in prison for murder.
   
   I don't want to say that Jimmy had it easy in prison, becuase nothing about jail is easy. However, he did get lucky in that he made friends with the right people. Jimmy seems like a likable, friendly and trustworthy guy, and it is what kept his head above water while doing time.
   
   Most of this book is about Jimmy's time in prison. However, the last chapter deals with the events that led him there.
   
   I really became engrossed in the story and was reading late into the nights to finish this. This book still leaves a few unanswered questions, and I would be interested in reading a "part II" to this to see how 'OG' finished out his time, and how his life is going now.
   
   I liked this book, I don't know if it is entirely truthful, but I still enjoyed it.



4. The following is from "Reality Bites"
   By Meghan O'Rourke
   Posted Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006, at 12:52 PM ET
   
   "In 2002, a man published a memoir chronicling his substance abuse and the months he spent in jail after committing a crime. When a reporter discovered that the memoir was built around a fabrication, the author defended his embellishments in the name of literary license: "What I was doing was a literary genre known as a memoir," he explained, and pointed to a disclaimer in his book noting that identifying details had been changed. The man was not James Frey. He was Jimmy A. Lerner, the author of You Got Nothing Coming: Notes From a Prison Fish, published by Broadway Books. The fabrication was a significant one. The book describes Lerner's murder of a thuggish 6-foot-3 maniac he calls "the Monster," in a drug-fueled fight to the death in a hotel room. In fact, as David Kirkpatrick later reported in the New York Times Magazine, Lerner had actually killed a 5-foot-4 former medical equipment salesman who may not have been armed."



5. I found this book entertaining. It kept me up late, interested to find out what happened next. I'm sad to say I think it's fiction.
   
   Things just don't ring true. The guards are too sadistic. Lerner's cellmate is far too helpful and accepting. Some supposedly authentic dialogue made me cringe; it sounded like something I might hear on a made-for-TV movie on a network. Embarassing.
   
   Of course, it would have been appropriate for the author to change some names. I believe Lerner went far beyond this, unnecessarily embellishing, and that the book's impact is much reduced as a result.