The Goodfella Tapes: An Astonishing Exposé of FBI Ingenuity and the Philadelphia Mob War

When George Anastasia set out to write his first book "Blood and Honor" a look at the floundering Philadelphia Crime Family during the reign of the violent and vicious Nicky Scarfo (told by soldier and cooperating witness Nicholas Caramandi) in 1991, he simply thought he was going to write the one book and go back to his job working for the Philadelphia Inquirer. However, Anastasia proved such a great writer, with Blood and Honor drawing kudos from many, that he continued his stint as author as well as reporter. This turned out to be an inspired choice, in that his second book, Mobfather, the rather disquieting story of Capo-turned-CW Tommy DelGiorno told from the point of view of his ex-wife and youngest son, was just as good as his first. We come to his third book, The Goodfella Tapes, which actually posted, in verbatim form, transcripts from an FBI case against Scarfo's successor John Stanfa. Stanfa so hated Anastasia that he floated the idea of having the reporter killed, which Anastasia makes reference to during the prologue.Now, before I give you the reasons why you will like the book, here's a few reasons you might not. The book is crammed with characters, so many you might actually lose track of who is who and who doesn't like who. Since these are verbatim, these excerpts-especially from Stanfa, who was not well versed in English-are a nightmare to read. You will laugh, and then you will wonder why these guys all ended up in prison.(This is sarcasm)Secondly, this book will jump around the map. Although it will pretty much stay in Philly and take some trips into New York and Pennsylvania as well as New Jersey, a lot of times I had to stop the book and look something up. For example, Anastasia describes some landmarks and some things that I had no visual of, so I'd look it up to see if it made sense (The Stanfa ambush, for example) and then I'd be like "Oh. Right."Now, why will you like this book? First, it's GA. The man can write. His style is to, as I call it "write around the subject." Although he made this into an art form that made The Last Gangster one of my favorite books, it is in full view here. The subject doesn't just say something and we move on to the next scene. GA's detail is good, if not great. Example: When he discusses the reason the mob guys actually show Sal Avena respect, he gets it down to the detail. Many writers would say "The mobsters were indebted to him because of his father." and provide no evidence, or they'd gloss over it with their own interpretation that you couldn't imagine the guys actually feeling. Anastasia actually provides quotes to back this up, such as one mobster lamenting the fact that Avena's father was killed as the boss of the crime family and Avena is still a stand-up guy, although he says it a little differently.Secondly, back where I said there's a lot of characters? That makes this into an ensemble play that one can imagine playing out on their TV screens and winning a bunch of awards. In this world, there are no good and bad men, only shades of gray. You don't WANT to understand Joseph Merlino...but you do. You don't want to give in to his undeniable charisma and his ability to avoid the reaper that visited a few of his friends-but you do. In this book, Merlino simply stands out as an enemy of an incompetent but unbelievably dangerous state. It is only in the next book that he becomes the personification of all that organized crime is. That is not a compliment.So if you're going to read this book, I would highly suggest-not to tell you how to spend your money, but this is for a good cause, trust me- pick it up as part of a package deal with The Last Gangster. When you do, you'll understand why this was the most engrossing mob story of the 90's since Gotti went to prison.

I have always been intrigued by the Philly mafia and their seemingly bumbling, violent, greedy ways. This book really proves just how incompetent they were/are. I found myself highly amused and equally stunned at some of the things the mobsters said and did throughout the book. The moniker "The Gang That Couldn't Think Straight" is so very accurate. This book is a page turner, I finished the whole thing in one day! George Anastasia is one of the best true crime authors out there.

Great book great read. Pages are perfect. No damage or tears at all. Delivered fast

Author offers a mix of facts and opinions. I found it an interesting read.

George Anastasia gives the reader more than the Tic Toc. He layers the back stories to the crimes. The criminals. Their state of mind. I have enjoyed all his books.

Great book well written can't put down great back grounds on the main's draws you in could not put it down you get a great point of view from all sides the family's the fbi the hitmen its one of the best books on the mafia I ever read and I read them all

Great read & the price was right

A great read on a true event.

This book describes perfectly the disorganized Stanfa's mob with many humorous anecdotes that will make laugh the readers (including Stanfa's broken english). If you have an interest in the mafia world you will not regret buying it.Stanfa: "You know, I try to put wood on the fire and then somebody come in from behind and boom, and cart away the wood."