The Last Mafioso: The Treacherous World of Jimmy ("the Weasel") Fratianno Paperback – December 6, 2010

Although a nearly forgotten classic, this is one of the best first hand mob accounts ever written. I "borrowed" this book from my dad when I was 13 and I re-read every five years or so. I'm 46 and still think it's a great book.The story of Jimmy "The Weasel" Fratianno...his journey from street urchin all the way to Acting Boss of the L.A. mob family. The journey is a long and detailed one with many well-known as well as forgotten bosses and soldiers of his era. One of his best friends, John Roselli was best known to most Americans for his testimony on the House Committee on Assassinations in 1975. Roselli knew Al Capone in the 1920's and shares a few stories with Jimmy including the numerous efforts to kill Fidel Castro. Plenty of insight into guys like Meyer Lansky, Benny Siegel, etc. Required reading for any fan of true mob stories. A great read that you'll wish wouldn't end.

When it was first published "The Last Mafioso" was truly a ground breaking piece of work. Jimmy Frattiano was one of the first made members of the mafia to break its code of silence and its first to have a leadership role in a Cosa Nostra family. This book remains just as relevant today as it was when it was published. The book offers an insiders glimpse of the daily life of a mafia soldier but even more it examines the politics of the life. The relationships between families which defines the "organized" part of organized crime.Jimmy is a made member of the Los Angeles family and his history in that family extends back to the days before Mickey Cohen. Jimmy is a killer, which garners him significant respect in the under world. He also has relationships with other families including Cleveland, New York and Chicago. The book is most fascinating detailing how all of these families interact with each other and use each other's connections to make money and to take care of their problems. A famous picture has Jimmy pictured with Carlo Gambino and Frank Sinatra. Understanding why Jimmy was a part of that picture and understanding why Jimmy could walk into Vegas and slap Moe Dedway and Doc Stracher in the mouth (both with Meyer Lansky) will take the reader a long way towards understanding the power and politics of Cosa Nostra.Other books on the mafia may be more violent. Others may be more salacious. Few will get you closer to understanding this unique part of American history. I would recommend it alongside of Blood and Honor by George Anastasia and Donnie Brasco by Joe Pistone as books to truly understand American organized crime.

Jimmy Fratianno was a small time hood who killed on demand and was quick to exploit anyone and everyone to make a quick buck. He lived by his code of honor and according to him, always split up his money with his partners The book details some of the hits Jimmy did to make his bones. His attempts at trying to kill Mickey Cohen are interesting if not funny. With his desperation at trying to buy a Las Vegas casino and his trucking company being prosecuted, Jimmy tries to make himself sound like a victim of mob and government justice. His relationship with Johnny Roselli and Frank Bompensiero don't help him in L.A. or with the Chicago and New York families. When he takes over the L.A. family, one is not sure whether the Dragnas betrayed him or he really never had the o.k. to head the family. After many monetary failures and the murders of the 'Bomp' and Roselli, Jimmy realizes he has been betrayed and that Dominick Brooklier, now the head of the L.A. family, has a contract out on him. He hides in San Francisco for a while, but he soon turns to the government for his salvation. Becoming a rat was tough for him, but at least he was able to get some measure of revenge on his tormentors, rather than a bullet behind each ear as so many of his victims had.

I would like to start off my saying--what's doin Mr. Fratianno? The author Ovid Demaris with the help of the "one and only" Jimmy Fratianno makes this book a definite 5 star read. Jimmy had many things going on throughout California, my father thought maybe too many...his Trucking Company may have been his downfall. His loyalty was not only one of his greatest qualities, (besides the "Italian Rope Trick") his longevity was unmeasurable. I inherited this book from my father, whom was a close friend of Jimmy. The two of them smoked many green cigars and reminisced about old times--some of these stories he shared with me. When my father talked of Fratianno he spoke of him as a man to be taken seriously, and felt he could carry a conversation on any aspect of life. In this book Fratianno picked his enemies one by one, which he felt was an unfortunate but necessary path to ensure his own survival. Ovid Demaris describes this path of calculated revenge that stormed across the United States. Jimmy Fratianno only became better with age. One of my favorite gangsters as well as books of all time.

This guy had 9 lives. Unbelievable. Hard to believe this is a true story and not fiction.

If you want to know everything about Mr Fratianno, this is the book to get. His early life, and just about all of his day to dayactivities to when he was in the Witness Protection Program, is well covered. The book I received has the original cover, not theone with the blue lower half. Well worth buying, a great read.

Book arrived as expected, but not in the condition given - "Used Very good." It's just a book, but the back cover, and top, and sides look like is has water damage and was once bent. The cover had been repaired. Like I say - it's just a book - but I would call it "Used OK or Good" condition instead...

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Most books are about NY or Chicago. This talks about the rest of the country. Who knew there even wss a Mafia in SF.. It really breaks down the structure of the mob. Just an awesome read !!!!