I really prefer the more modern novels of Andrew Gross, although most recently have dealt with more historical happenings.

This book grabbed me right from the start! It intertwines the New York garment industry of the 1920-30's with the advent of Jewish organized crime. And what a story it is! The depiction of a Jewish family, who struggles initially to make it, along with the heartache of an ultimate loss, kept me immersed in the writing.
Crime is always a fascinating subject and Gross examines what makes someone tick. The real people who populated this book were as abhorrent as they were depicted. The evil and lack of conscience were so realistically portrayed that I couldn't help but wonder how the gangsters could do what they did. The excellent writing kept me so engrossed. The family relationships were so real. Loss, success, love, hate and so much more are all there. The ending was so poignant and satisfying. Great read!

Andrew Gross established his reputation as a thriller writer and gained further widespread recognition for his historical fiction novels. This latest Button Man takes us to the start of the Garment District and the New York mafia from the 1930s.

Morris, Sol, and Harry Rabishevsky grew up in the tenements of the Lower East Side, and the early death of their father forces the brothers to work to support their family. Morris, the youngest, leaves school at twelve years old and apprenticed himself to a garment cutter in a clothing factory. Sol goes to accounting school while Harry, hangs out with neighborhood toughs. Morris proves entrepreneurial and convinces Sol to enter the garment business together. The tragedy comes when their brother Harry continues to follow mobsters in NYC. When the mobsters target the garment industry and force a confrontation with the owners, the conflict destroys the family.

Andrew Gross delivers a gripping historical tale largely derived from his own family's history. It takes us to New York City in the 1930s and 40s and the growth of the largely Jewish garment industry. I loved Button Man - Andrew Gross gives us the conflicts and struggles of brothers and businessmen during a tumultuous period with drama and heartache.

The Button Man had me hooked right from the start and held on until the final page. I was not sure what I was expecting, but this story based on true events, had me checking online, doing a read/listen and not doing anything but reading this book.

The Rabishevsky family had fled Russia amidst the pograms and settled in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. In 1905, a fire killed both their father and one of the twin sons, Shmuel. Harry, the other twin and his mother blamed him for Shmuel's death. He had terrible self-esteem and spent his life trying to prove himself, getting involved with the Jewish Mob. Morris, the youngest brother dropped out of school and began working at the age of 12 in the garment industry. He was a hard worker with moxie and worked his way up in the company. Morris was based on Gross' grandfather, Freddie. When the owner of the company had to sell due to health, Morris decided it was time to start his own company. He and older brother Sol opened Raab Brothers, but the climate in New York at that time was stormy. Not only is it the middle of the depression, but the Jewish Mafia are taking over protection and the unions. What follows is a suspenseful, thrilling ride with Morris sticking to his principles amidst murder and mayhem.

Andrew Gross tells a story of the birth of the garment industry in the years leading up to World War II. People like his grandfather and a handful of others were there, standing up to real life mobsters Louis "Lepke" Buchalter and Jacob "Gurrah" Shapiro. Prosecuting attorney Thomas Dewey, was also present in this story, a man who would one day become governor and run for president. Gross wrote a story that I was only vaguely aware of. I had heard bits and pieces of this history, but had no idea it was a bad as portrayed. The character of Morris was so well written and developed, but I understand why he was so detailed and realistic. I rooted for him all through this story. I liked the way he stood up for the little guy, his friends, his family and his principles. His one fault was his stubbornness and lack of trust for certain characters. This is the story of how an immigrant with little education made something of himself and achieved the American dream, while maintaining his morals and values. I always enjoy a historical fiction story where I learn something about the time the story is set, and boy did I learn a lot. There was some violence in the story, it deals with mobs, mafia and gangsters, but it was not gratuitous. Once again, Andrew Gross has written a wonderful Historical Thriller that I would recommend to anyone.

Button Man by Andrew Gross is a tale of corruption and crime and the strength of a family trying to hold themselves together in the gangland infested garment district of New York City in the early 1920s and 1930s. It is a quintessential novel of America that has been absent from our bookshelves for far too long.

Summary

"...Let me go, please!' Bella wrenched herself out of Mr. Mandelbaum's grip. She ran over and kneeled above her son, put out her hand and gently touched his shoes, his bare leg, his face, softly stained with blood. His smooth, red cheek. 'Shemuel,' she said again, stroking his face.
She knew there was no life in him.
And Harold, burying his face in her skirt, tears streaming down his cheeks. 'I'm sorry, Momma,' he said, his arms wrapped tightly around her. 'I'm sorry,' he kept saying. 'I'm sorry.'
A dim voice whispered faintly inside her: My little boy, it said, as she stroked Shemuel's face, knowing his soul had already left him. My little boy..."

The Rabinowitz family grew up poor on the Lower East Side when tragedy struck with the accidental death of one of the four sons, Shemuel. Soon after their father died as well and the remaining boys had to leave behind their own dreams and provide for the rest of the family. Sol, the oldest had always dreamed of going to college but he would have to leave that behind to find himself a job and the youngest, Morris began to look for a trade as well. The middle son, Harry, the remaining half of twins always had his head elsewhere, and holding a job was trouble for him. Harry had always blamed himself for his twin, Shemuel, death.

When at the age of twelve, Morris is apprenticed to a garment cutter in a clothing factory he finds his calling. Sol finishes enough of college to become an accountant and Harry falls in with the local gang, hanging out at nightclubs and committing petty crimes. Soon, Morris learns enough of the garment trade to dream of being his own boss and with Sol, the begin a company called the Raab Brothers and start their own line of fur trimmed coats. Harry decides to not be a part of his brother's venture, preferring the loose life of bootleggers and speakeasys.

It is the Roaring Twenties, a time of great opportunity in America. But it is also the time of Murder Incorporated and the garment industry is being squeezed by the Union, backed by Mob muscle. Soon the little company Morris and Sol began is getting too big to go unnoticed. Soon, the Mob will come knocking at their door. First with Union papers and then with pipes and then with knives and then, guns.

Review

I have read several Andrew Gross novels in years pass but they could not have prepared me for the epic storytelling of Button Man. This is the story of a man, a family, a people, a time, a city and a country. It is epic and yet so very intimate in its scope. The story of Morris Raab and his success, failure and success again is the story of America. A story of perseverance and of struggle that is disappearing from the lexicon of American values.

It is also the story of a turbulent and violent time in New York City history and of a group of men who are not as well know as Lucky Luciano and Al Capone but were just as deadly and held the city in its stranglehold. Of a corrupt union and the men who wielded the lie of power to destroy the American dream.

This book reminds me of the novels of the 1970s and 1980s that became mini-series on TV, like Captain and Kings or Once an Eagle. Stories that wove history and real people in with characters that spoke of a very human experience.

This type of novel is very different from Andrew Gross's early work and for my taste, it is a serious step up and forward in literary craftmanship. I am thinking that I need very much, to look back at some of his recent novels to see what exactly I have missed.

Button Man is a very good read.

Rich characters, fast-paced thriller, and a story of becoming American is so well crafted that Andrew Gross will be a favorite author for many.

BUTTON MAN by Andrew Gross is a novel that covers a Jewish family and focuses on the life of Morris Rabinowitz, along with his brothers Sol and Harry, and their life from childhood and tells the story of Morris rising from poverty and discrimination to fight his way to success and respectability, but not without brushing elbows with street toughs from his youth that become organized crime figures that threaten he and his family’s lives, while unexpectedly allowing him freedom to avoid the strong-arm tactics employed against his friends and acquaintances in neighboring businesses that attempt to avoid giving in to the corruption rampant in the union that controls the clothing trade.

Morris is a determined individual who overcomes almost impossible odds to succeed in a time and place where he struggles to attain respectability, not only for himself but for his brothers as well.
Harry, his brother who is emotionally scarred from a childhood tragedy, becomes involved with thugs who make him their patsy and fall guy while keeping him in their control.
Sol is good with numbers and accounting, and is taken back when Morris suggests he becomes partners in a fur coat business, and initially declines but eventually agrees to his brother’s offer.
Ruth is a well-to-do young woman Morris is taken with, but feels he has no chance with since he comes from a background that would seem to prevent any chance of a future with her.

Different than most books involving gangsters and the mob where the leading character is an anti-hero, this is a great historical fiction novel that focuses on an underdog salt-of-the-earth type character that deserves his due for his strength and perseverance, as well as his loyalty and ethics.

5 stars.

This was absolutely the best book I have read in the last year.

I should start by saying that I LOVE Andrew Gross. I will read anything he has.

This book grabbed me from page one and didn't let go. Not only did I love the "mob" story but I loved the idea of the little guy fighting against the big guys. How he risked everything to fight for what was right.

The most interesting part of this story for me was that it was based on true events and true people! I ended up reading more about the people listed in the book.

I recommend this book to everyone.

Minotaur Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Button Man. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Trying to make their way in a world full of challenges, the Rabishevsky family must share a tiny flat on the Lower East Side. When tragedy brings young Morris to the garment industry as an apprentice, he could scarcely imagine the turn his impoverished life would take. Bringing two of his brothers along for the ride, will Morris have to make impossible decisions in his personal and professional lives?

Based on the real life experiences of the author's own grandfather, famous for his impact on the women's garment industry, Button Man is the story of a Jewish family in New York City during the 1920's and 30's. It was a tumultuous time, as many groups of immigrants were trying to lay a strong foundation for their families. The successes in the garment industry attracted the criminal element, which ushered in the birth of organized crime in the area. With tie-ins to prominent historical figures giving readers context to a certain time period, Button Man is a fascinating look at life in New York City. The author's rich storytelling enables the story to come alive and I was captivated by the historical relevance. Readers who are fans of historical fiction, especially life in America during the 20's and 30's, will enjoy Button Man for its rich descriptions and compelling story.

In the interest of total transparency, the author of this book is my husband's cousin. Since I have seen him only a handful of times, I think I can give an unbiased review.


The story of the Rabishevsky brothers, raised in the tenements of New York's Lower East Side, is based on the family history of the author's maternal grandfather. Raised by a single mother, the brothers learned early to fend for their family anyway they could. Morris, however, was the most ambitious, the most street smart, and the most foolhardy when it came to confronting the neighborhood toughs that grew up to be Murder, Inc.


Brother Harry was a twin and, through an accident, his brother was killed as a result of his negligence. Never forgiven by his mother, Harry carried the weight of Shemuel's death throughout his life. His guilt and his mother's blame limited him and drove him in the direction of low level mob connections, Sol, a "numbers guy", wanted nothing more than a solid job and life. However, Morris was the leader, always in a hurry to get ahead and to prove that he could succeed even with the limits of his background.


Thus, at age 21, he became the owner of a coat company, knocking off high style coats and selling them for a fraction of the price. He was successful, has changed his name to Raab, and, when the rest of his trade was strong armed by the "unions" fronting for gangsters, he alone stood strong against the underworld. when the criminals finally catch up with him, after murdering a friend and disfiguring another, he continues to stand strong but his business is wiped out by a fire when the warehouse man is paid to look the other way. Morris, however, blames Harry and drives him from the family.


Forced to start over, Morris "invents" a new garment industry niche: he begins to sell ready-to-wear clothing to department stores across the country. "Lucy Fredericks" (the real line was Lesley Faye) becomes a staple in women's closets and Morris is once again in a profitable business.

The threats keep coming from the mob and an invitation to help Special Counsel Thomas Dewey comes Morris' way. Pulled back and forth between a desire to revenge his friends who have been hurt by the mob, and protecting his own family, Morris makes some tough choices that put him in precarious, life-threatening situations.

From his days as the second name on James Patterson's mysteries, he author has become a top notch story teller and this book reflects on a piece of Jewish history that isn't often talked about, the fact that there were only a few ways out of the ghetto and one of them was to become a gangster. Gross captures the time period and creates a solid timeline and story crescendo that will keep the reader turning pages.


If I have one small issue with the book, it is the resolution of the Harry/Shemuel story which, while i8t succeeds in tying up loose ends, seems a bit saccharine for the tone of the rest of the book. However, on this one thing, I will cut the author some slack for family's sake. Also, keep your Kindle or reading device on "Yiddish to English translation." There are a bunch of Yiddish phrases that show up, familiar to those of us who know the Mamaloschen" but English-only speakers would have benefited from a glossary or some footnotes.


Overall, this is a great read, and will be an easy sell to readers, especially those who have become followers of Gross growing library of best-selling books. Definitely recommended, and a great choice for book clubs.






Reading Progress

A fascinating historical novel about the beginning of the garment trade in New York City, and how the founders fought back against the unions and gangs. I didn't realize until the end that the main character is actually based on the author's own grandfather, which makes the book more poignant. It's a great story that kept me hooked from the moment I opened the book.

It's very well-written and it's a piece of history I didn't know anything about until now. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've read a number of Andrew Gross' books - both his collaborations with James Patterson and his solo books, and this one did not disappoint! The Button Man is based on his grandfather's life story in the garment industry in the U.S. Morris, Sol and Harry are thoroughly developed as the main characters, and and equally good job is done with the character development of the "mob characters". The book has the classic "good versus evil" story line in it, but there are twists and turns throughout the book to make it interesting, intriguing and not a cliche. The book is a good mixture of history, mystery, family along with some heartbreak. I was invested in the book from the beginning and hated to see it end! I look forward to reading more books by Andrew Gross.

3.5 A terrific blending of fact and fiction as Gross tells this story based on his own Grandfather's life.
New York in the 1930's, a Jewish family living in the East end, suffers a huge loss. A place of many immigrants, families that when they lose their main breadwinner have no choice but to send their young sons out to work. Two brothers will go one way, eventually starting their own garment industry, while one goes a different route, working with the up and coming mob bosses.

A tough time to live, the beginning of the unions, labor movements, mobsters demanding protection money. I for one never knew there were Jewish mobsters, so I found this story informative as well as a story where history comes alive. Morris is a wonderful character, refusing at great cost to give in to the mobsters. A hard worker, a man of integrity, loyalty to his family, he is the epitome of the rising immigrant. Mixing real characters like the mosters Dutch Schultz, Louis Lepke and the prosecutor Thomas Dewey with fictional ones gives the story extra weight and interest.

At times I feel it was a little overwritten, but as I read about the government corruption back then, my main thought was, The more things change, the more they stay the same." Gross has become a reliable and informative writer of historical novels. Definitely his strength.

“Button Man” by Andrew Gross

Andrew Gross has created an excellent historical novel that paints a picture of immigrant life in 1920’s-1930’s New York, focusing on the garment industry in the Lower East Side, and the mob’s control over unions. Gross doesn’t sensationalize or romanticize the mobsters; they are presented as humans with feelings who often make some seriously bad choices.
Many immigrants during this time period lived in ramshackle dwellings, and various gangs of thugs bullied the “newest” immigrants to arrive. Manhattan’s Lower East Side is home to the Rabishevsky family, Jewish immigrants who came to America from Minsk. This story follows the three Rabishevsky brothers—Morris, Sol and Harry. Learning a new trade to help support the rest of the family after their father dies, Morris becomes an apprentice in the garment industry at just 12 years old. Being a quick learner, he doesn’t back down to anyone. His keen observation skills enable him to gain a promotion that sets him up to own his own business in the future.
Navigating the Lower East Side back then wasn’t an “easy walk home,” as they say, having to negotiate with young wanna-be gangsters who made you fight in order to hold onto your hard-earned money. From youth to adulthood, these brothers have to get through problems caused by union bosses and mobs controlling every inch of the garment industry, as they force people to pay high union fees and only allow them to buy their materials from certain vendors. Add to this the corrupt police department, and you have a plot that moves quickly.
Andrew Gross’s characterization is one of the strongest elements of the novel. He made me feel as if I was walking beside this family as their lives unfolded and I loved being drawn into the story. There is a bit of violence, but it’s not over-the-top. I would highly recommend it to those who like to read about New York and the Italian mob.
Reviewed by Lauren Brabrook for Suspense Magazine

Button Man, by Andrew Gross, is based partly on the author's grandfather's rags to riches life story. A Jewish generations boy to manhood tale.
Button Man, set in New York in the 20's and 30's, is captivating in it's depiction of the garment industry and the mobs that ran the unions. The unbelievable pressure put on the owners of the businesses if they didn't allow the unions in is told in great detail.
A character driven family saga, Button Man is a tale of hope and success, of tragedy and violent crime.
Bravo Mr. Gross! Another wonderful read!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

A story that was based on the authors’ grandfather and really could be anyone’s family who migrated to the U.S. and ended up in New York. Here you have a Jewish the Rabinowitz who are struggling like everyone else in the 20’s and 30’. Their struggle is deepened by the loss of their father in a fire and a brother in an accident in front of their apartment. Now Morris the younger brother leaves school and begins work with a clothing or garment factory. There he is taken in by the owner and his wife who help him learn the trade and are surprised by his natural talent. Sol the oldest brother becomes an accountant, and Harry the youngest who is tormented by the death of his twin turns to the underworld, but just the fringes. Now as you go through Morris has an opportunity to buy a and own his own garment factory and does so with his brother Sol. Harry meanwhile continues to struggle in finding his place. You are taken from the very highs of marriages, births of children expanding of business and also the time in New York when the mob was making its presence felt through strikes and strong arm tactics with businesses. Morris and Sol finally have come under the when they took in Harry and now lost everything because of a fire. Morris is devastated and takes it out on Harry and it is not until he is killed and Morris is asked to come to prison to speak to his childhood friend Lepke that he finds out more and makes peace too late. A story that could be told by anyone from that period the author brings you back in time with words and brought me back to the stories of my father growing up in New York working in a shop sewing men’s hats, and also living in an orphanage. So this story made me think back to him and my family. A wonderful story.

I am the reader of family. My husband rarely has time to read with exception for one author and that is Andrew Gross. Andrew approaches each novel he writes as if it is his first. True facts are wrapped in this engrossing story of the origin of organized crime. He manages to avoid the trap of romanticizing the era yet still transports the reader. Bravo Andrew!! Already can not wait for your next tale!

Button Man opens in the tenements of the lower east side at the turn of the century and follows the life of Morris Raab, the child of Jewish immigrants who has a hardscrabble upbringing. Morris gets into the garments industry, which makes him a target of Jewish gangsters who are using unions to terrorize immigrant communities throughout New York. Do what they say, buy what they say, pay what they say... or else. But Morris didn't get where he is in life by lying down and taking abuse. He does what no one else dares; he says no to the unions. His defiance will either save everything he's worked so hard for, or cause him to lose more than he can imagine.

I'm not sure what happened to the Andrew Gross who wrote The One Man, which was easily one of my favorite books of 2016, or whether it is a matter of me maturing as a reader or that book simply being a one-off, but none of Gross's subsequent efforts have matched its standard. I give Button Man credit for tackling a unique subject matter for historical fiction, but it's honestly just an average book at best. It's a slight better than Gross's 2017 offering, Saboteur, but not much. Button Man gets off to a strong start, especially with the prologue, but stagnates as the story progresses. The plot is extremely simplistic. But Gross's biggest problem is that he can't write action, especially action dialogue, without producing a bad cop drama. It's painful to read. This is not an author I plan to continue reading in the future.

Title was archived before I could review it sadly. Guess I will have to buy it if I would like to read it. I am new to the Galley and was not aware of the fact that the archival date meant that I could not access the title anymore. Too bad

Marvelous addition to Andrew Gross’ historical fiction series. Great descriptions of the New York neighborhoods where it took place and the times involved. I pat ticularly enjoyed the way the narrative slipped into the dialects of the areas.
And the acknowledgment section at the end had an unexpected surprise.
This book well worth reading.