Yes. According to his autobio, he never so much as jaywalked after Prohibition, and got to be a "legitimate" businessman on the strength of his "force" and "personality," and his "tradition."

That said, it's a good read. His co-author has a lively and near-elegant style (Bonanno's English was poor, despite his having spent several of his formative years in the US). And, he provides the only extant account of the workings of the Commission (his gift to Giuliani).

I am sure Bonanno was shocked, SHOCKED to learn some of his family was dealing in drugs.


Seriously though, his family was moving drugs (hard drugs like heroin) before it was "cool".

It was always cool. Joe Bananas knew it.

Knew it? Joe B. helped organize it. The whole "Canada route" through Montreal was organized by Galante under Joe, there's a direct line from Joe B to the Canadian war we see today. Joe B. and Genovese were the heaviest trafficers of their time on the east cost. Cosa Nostra connections throughout America were the wholesale distribution routes.

Did he die a brokester or did he walk away with his fortune? I read somewhere that he stiffed some guy who would come over and write for him. I think he wrote his biography thinking this thing has strayed so far away from where it all started and he wanted the last word. I just don't get how if he was the epitome of a true Don, why didn't he groom Bildo like himself. He sure didn't have the makings of a varsity football player. But at the end of the day, they both died out of jail and of natural causes.

That book was the ultimate payback.

Have any of you seen the full 60 minutes special on Bonanno? I can’t say that I have. It was an elusive one like the Casso 60 minutes... but even that full version seems to have made it to YouTube recently.

Died no where near broke. He had a lot of legitimate businesses/money.

here it is OurThing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJu5fIRrK8I

He must have had money when he died. He became a bitter man and a sore loser. If he had kept out of the spotlight and not written his book and if his son had not written the first book in ht e1960s they may have lived out their lives with more peace. HIs son Bill seems to have become an informer after 1990.

Bill Bonanno was an informant during the war. The FBI had four made members of the Bonanno crime family during the Bananas Split, the only one I have not pinned down on his identity is the New York City member who was against the Bonanno's taking over again.

There is a Rat Trap article on the info provided by Bill during the war. I believe it's the first one Ed wrote.

Thank you. I read it, one thing is he mixed up some of the Arizona's informant with Bill Bonanno, but overall a great article. The Arizona informant is who led the FBI to try to get Bill to talk and succeeded, and was the first informant I found out in the Bonanno crime family. Dara, I found out was in one of Donnie Brasco's files, which only stated the informant was a cousin to Sabella and was a thief, but it took me some time until a file stated that the informant lived and operated in Miami, thus eliminated the other 4 members in Florida during those years.

Haven't posted in a while due to work, but I remember hearing Tony Ducks Corallo, Tom Mix Santoro and Sal Avellino being flabbergasted at Bonanno's self-serving book and interview. I'm wondering if Massino pulls a Bonanno by writing a book and movie about his life before and after becoming a rat. I'm sure Big Paul went bonkers about Bonanno's book, and maybe Chin, Fat Tony, Gotti and Gaspipe had to say something about this.

The Shoot-Out on Troutman Street: The Mafia at War
By Thom L. Jones
http://gangstersinc.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-shoot-out-on-troutman-street-the-mafia-at-war

I am a early Bonanno family supporter (you might say a loyalist haha) but i am unbiased when talking about LCN.... Bonanno did break omerta for ego reasons (mainly imo, to clear up the "misinterpreted" Banana war and subsequent retirement/exile.
the book is important because it is source material to verify certain events but many people seem to forget, it was not cool like it is today to admit to being one of the most important people in the drug business. much of the book can be decoded if you have other evidence and can read between the lines.... lastly many people who were associated with Bonanno's NY downfall, were still alive plus why would you want to be associated with Galante, who was publicly murdered just a few years earlier???