Michael Cannell

This was my first mob-related book and I found it fascinating. The story delves into the growth of the mob family in Brownsville, New York - a neighborhood in Brooklyn. Abe Reles, a mob murder man and enforcer, works his way up through the ranks to become the enforcer that everyone turns to, this gives him an unimaginable of power over those below - and above him. When Reles feels the law is coming for him, he quickly starts to sing. Thanks to a memory most people would be jealous of, Reles tells all his takes and sends multiple mob members to Sing Sing where they are executed in the electric chair nicknamed "Old Sparky." Shortly before Reles is set to sing at his biggest trial, he is found dead outside his safe house. There continues to be a lingering question of if he was murdered, killed himself, or died trying to escape.

All in all, this book was definitely worth the time invested to read it. I learned about mobsters I never knew existed and allowed me to learn more about those I knew the names of. I found myself googling the mobsters so I could have a picture in my head of what they looked like so I would have a better understanding of those involved.… (mer)

Given the many True Crime novels, podcasts and youtube videos that I enjoy....and my love of history...one would think that I probably would have learned a bit about the history of organized crime and the mob along the way. But when I first learned this book was coming out, I realized that organized crime, its origins, downfall, and key players are really a gaping hole in my knowledge of American history. I've pretty much avoided the subject and I'm not sure why. Instead of pondering why my knowledge of the mob is limited to watching The Godfather movies years ago, I decided to educate myself. I started by reading this book.

A Brotherhood Betrayed tells the story of Abe Reles, a former mob hitman who turned informant in 1940. It didn't go well for him....

Author Michael Cannell obviously did copious amounts of research to write this book. He traces Reles' career in crime from his childhood clear up to his mysterious death. The tale of corruption and violence made me uncomfortable and intrigued at the same time. There is something mesmerizing about power and ruthlessness. It makes for a great book....but I'm glad my only contact with that world is reading a non-fiction book about it. So many people's lives ruined...so many murders, threats and bribes....all for money, power and greed. It makes me uncomfortable, I think, because it points to a huge flaw in human nature....the drive to succeed and have everything no matter what the cost. And the knowledge that those who live by the sword often die by it. Reles certainly did.

Great book! When a well-crafted book on history can make me incredibly uncomfortable, it's well done. This story is quite thought provoking. It definitely kept my attention from start to finish. And I learned about a segment of American history I have avoided until now. I need to learn more! It's a topic that is interesting, intriguing and horrifying at the same time. Imagine what could have been accomplished if these incredibly smart, cunning and dedicated men had turned their lives towards the public good rather than crime? It wouldn't be such a dramatic story, but might have prevented such waste of human lives and intelligence.....just a thought.

Great book!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martin's Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**… (mer)

Racing in the 1950s was a blood sport. Driver and spectator were regularly killed. One accident killed 50 and injured 200 more, it was unspeakably horrible. And they raced on, the winner taking the podium. The cars were not yet festooned with corporate sponsorship, rather a solid color reflecting the country - Italy red, Germany silver, Britain green etc.. it was a battle of nations in the aftermath of WWII, the killing now refined to a few super-star gladiators who took their role seriously. A loss was a national disgrace. And the women, always beautiful and available. Booze, parties, and movie stars. Live fast and die young was not just a saying, they created it, James Dean was a racing fan. The technology was primitive, drivers often Jerry-riged cars mid-race to keep them going after some part or another blew or dropped off. Phil Hill, the American driver who won the 1961 Grand Prix Circuit and subject of the book, was a master of this sort of thing who could get into the "zone" and intuitively read and understand his vehicle by sound and feel. Other drivers like the German Wolfgang von Trips operated on sheer balls. Some lasted, many did not. The tolerance for risk was very high then, it says something how much we have gained and lost.… (mer)