i already intend to read the godfather, thanks to the many recommendations on this board!! but are there any other novels which i should try? ie the sicilian or the family note: i find the old sicilian mafia more fascinatin than the american if thats any help to those giving recommendations. thanks to any help in advance!!

-mick

The Sicilian is actually my favourite of all the Puzo books. You said that you enjoy the old sicilian type mafia stories and there is no better story that I've read. Salvatore Guiliano in Sicily put me in mind of William Wallace in my own country and the Argentinian Che Guevara. I only found out recently that Guiliano is a true story and sicilian legend. I highly recommend you read this next, you will soon be thanking me for it!!

okay i thought i mite like this but this surely confirms it!! thanks (im thanking u already before ive even bought the book!)

Hi Capo!

This are my recommendantions:

1. The Sicilian.
2. Omerta
3. The Last Don.
4. The Family(not of the Mafia, but is so great and has many similarities with the Godfather).
5. I already mention you "Capo" and "Gangster"

This are the ones I can think now. I'll tell you if I find more.

One of my colleagues, who is a professor of Italian and a mob movie guru (I have suggested on multiple occasions for him to join this board), suggested that I read Underboss by Sammy Gravano. It's non-fiction, as opposed to the other books that people have suggested, but he says it's very good. He also recommended Wiseguy by Henry Hill, which is what the movie GoodFellas was based on.

If we're sticking with novels, I'd recommend "The Digger's Game" and "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" by George V. Higgins. They are not about the Mafia per se, but they're about organized crime with some Mafia involvement, and are two of the absolute best crime novels ever written. A more recent excellent novel about British organized crime is "The Long Firm" by Jake Arnott. Though nominally a work of fiction, it's based on real organized crime characters of the '60's--the era of the Krays, Jack (The Hat) McVitie, and George Cornell.

you might also be interested in reading the biography of Frank Sinatra (His Way) by Kitty Kelly. a lot of Mafia's are mentioned in the book, and some of the Johnny Fontaine (Godfather) related stories in real life is also in the book. like how he was released in the band by Tommy Dorsey to become solo and how he got the role of Maggio in the movie "From here to Eternity". his life with the Kennedys and Sam Giancana and of course his life with the Original Rat Pack . . .

GoodFella

I read that Frank Sinatra book by Kitty Kelly. Quite a while ago now ........what about his mother!!!!! Not surprised his life turned out like it did, and she had a nice end too eh...NOT!

Goodfella how you doing

FH

I like the godfather. I also want to read Casino and goodfellas.

Casino is my second favorite gangster movie
second only to the Godfathers!

If you want to read the book that "Goodfellas" is based on, the title is "Wiseguy," not "Goodfellas." Author is Nicholas Pileggi, same as for "Casino."

If you want to read the book that "Goodfellas" is based on, the title is "Wiseguy," not "Goodfellas." Author is Nicholas Pileggi, same as for "Casino."[/QB][/QUOTE]

I read both, and they are excellent. And I think it was Nicholas Pileggi who wrote the original NEW YORK MAGAZINE article "Saturday Night Fever" on which the movie was based.

I liked Gangsters by Carcaterra.