Thank you NetGalley for this 4.5 star thrilling historical fiction read that’s based on a true story — the aithor’s grandfather. Be sure to read the acknowledgements at the end. Part Untouchables, part Sopranos this story focuses on three first generation Jewish immigrant brothers. Two rise up in the garment trade. The other gets involved with gangs and ultimately the garment union mob. A little slow to start but then you’ll not want to put this one down.

What a great book!! I enjoyed every page! The writing reminds me of another long time favorite author, Jeffrey Archer. The fact that Gross tells this story based on his own family makes the story even more special. What a wonderful tribute to his grandfather!

The characters are believable and the settings of the times seem totally authentic. Gross has his fictitious family interacting with famous names of the times that we've all heard. He seamlessly shows the beginnings of an era steeped in crime and gangsters and crooked unions. These interactions are sometimes brutal but the characters also come across as human - but flawed.

I admit I'd never heard the term Button Man before and I confess that halfway through the book it referred to the fact the Raab brothers were in the garment business! I had to laugh at myself when the term was explained.

This is a wonderful story of families and history and good guys vs bad guys. Just a very entertaining book!!.

“Button Man” by Andrew Gross reaches into history to tell family stories couched as a thriller. New Yok City in the 1920s and 1930s is overcrowded and dangerous. It is filled with family tradition, cultural values, and even a little humor, but it is also overrun with organized crime, union power, mob control, widespread murder, and just plain nastiness. Even the title “Button Man,” the slang term for a hit man, reflects the mood of the era.

This is a family story that centers around three brothers in the women’s garment industry, (Something distinct and very different from the “fashion” business.) They love each other, betray each other, and seek forgiveness and redemption.

Gross pulls readers into the story right from the start and keep us turning the pages all the way through. The author draws directly from his own family to create complex and believable characters and complements them other historic figures who weave in and out along the way. It is a first-generation story with strong characters, heart pounding suspense, and a payoff at the end.

I received a copy of “Button Man” from Andrew Gross, St Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Net Galley. It was an engrossing and absorbing. I anxiously await the next in this series of historic-based family stories.

Button, Button, who has the Button? Andrew Gross Has The Button with Button Man. What an awesome novel from the early 1900's. From reading history, this novel is a brilliant recreation of how America was built. Good & Evil are always at war and this novel shows why Good always wins over Evil.

Based in part on his family’s history, Andrew Gross brings to life 1920’s/30’s New York City as the evolving garment industry dramatically impacts this vibrant city. An extremely engaging read with some good guys and plenty of bad guys. Morris is my favorite, a great character who is compassionate, hard-working and principled.

As hard-working immigrants go about their business earning an honest living, their burgeoning industry is being targeted by pioneering racketeering bosses of the American mafia; extortion and corruption is rampant and putting the industry in a chokehold. Such a compelling story - historical fiction at its best!

Andrew Gross's new novel Button Man is the fascinating story of the young Morris Raab and his career in the garment industry. Morris begins working a a teenager in 1934 because he wants to learn a trade. He leave school behind because his father is dead and his mother needs his paycheck to support their large family. Morris claws his way to the top, only to be met by so called union organizers. These organizers toss people out of windows and torch work areas if their demands are not met. Morris is tough, but does he want to risk the beautiful life he has worked so hard for to take a stand? Gross's characters and their stories are amazing. Morris Raab is an inspiring man.

4.5 for this novel
This story is about the beginnings of the garment industry in New York.
The story is of Morris Raab, youngest child of a large Jewish family, poor, in 1915, taking a full time job at a garment factory and learning all there was to know. 12 yrs old with a 6th grade education, at the onset, he eventually comes to own the place.
This is also the story of the unsavory Jewish mobsters, gangs, and Union Leaders during those years.

I liked this story so much... what a stronghold these unions had during these years! I also loved the personal story of this family.

This was based on a true story which makes it even more interesting!

Thank you to Netgalley and St.Martins Press for the digital ARC!

I have loved other books by Andrew Gross so I'm sorry to admit that I was disappointed in this one. I just wasn't that interested in the story and found myself just wanting to get to the end while hoping it would get better. I'm sure others will like it but it wasn't for me.

My first book by Andrew Gross, Button Man will not be the last of his books I read!

Three brothers are living on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the early 1900s when their father passes away. Each chooses a different path in life. Morris becomes an apprentice in a clothing factory at a young 12-years-old. Sol is studious and eventually becomes an accountant. Harry is pulled into the Jewish mob.

Morris is a grade school dropout and works his way up the ladder in the garment business until he is able to buy out the owner, and Sol eventually joins them there as en employee. As much as they try, Sol and Morris cannot get Harry to leave the prestigious mob life behind.

Eventually their “work” lives intersect when the mob boss gets involved with the garment unions. How will the brothers resolve this dangerous confrontation?

Button Man appealed to me for many reasons. It is a historical thriller, and I’ve not read many of those. I figured the history part would be easier, but would it truly be thrilling? It absolutely was!

Button Man is also a story of family, and those are always among my favorites. Here the family dynamics had a historic backdrop with the depression, growth of the garment business, and proliferation of the mob.

An atmospheric and compelling tale, Button Man is the story of a family in the pursuit of the American Dream. Three brothers, each with their own paths, have the same ultimate goal. Will they find success, and at what cost?

This book is inspired by Gross’ grandfather’s life. The author’s note is not to be missed.

Thank you to the most generous St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Andrew Gross has written a historical novel, using his grandfather and his grandfather's experiences, for the character of Morris Raab. Real events and real people are used as the story depicts the beginning of organized crime in New York. The story starts in 1905, when Morris is two years old and takes us through his fight against the criminals that ruled New York's garment industry.

Morris was a hard headed, hard working, determined man, who learned at a very early age that the only way to make it in the brutal life of a poor Jewish boy, growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, in New York (or in the Army), was to fight his way out of any situation. At first, as organized crime took over almost all aspects of the garment industry, Morris just ignored any warnings or threats that he needed to fall in line with other business owners. Finally though, the thugs who were willing to maim, murder and destroy people and companies, made it impossible for Morris to stand back and that's when Morris tackled the impossible job of beating the criminals that even had law enforcement in their pocket.

I do think that a particular violent sequence may have been overdone in that it seems like it would have been impossible for a person to survive all the damage done to him. Still, it was exciting and also very enlightening, to read the thoughts going through the character's head, as he worked to survive what was happening to him. I admire all the people who tried to stand up to murdering criminals and can understand why they might just give up or give in, when their lives and countless other lives, were at stake.

This book is about family, forgiveness and the unwillingness to forgive, friends, of being forced to decide if crossing the line of an honest life to bending a knee to criminals, was worth the loss of self respect. So much was at stake for Morris, his family, and all the honest, hard working people, during organized crime's heyday in New York. Andrew Gross has every reason to be proud of his grandfather's legacy and did a great job of honoring him with this book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

I was first introduced to Mr. Gross and his work when I read a few of the books that he collaborated with Mr. Patterson. When Mr. Gross debuted his first novel by himself, I was hooked. Since than, I have been a fan of his. Although, I am behind some in reading every book from Mr. Gross, I can always count on him to deliver. I can assure you that Mr. Gross did deliver with this book.

Instantly, I felt like I was living in the 1920's and 1930's. Morris, Sol, and Harry brought the story to life. My favorite is Morris. He really strived to make the best man out of himself that he could be. He helped to inspire his brother Sol. He tried with Harry but Harry was hurting. I believe that Harry would have taken a different path in life if it was not for the loss of his twin when he was younger. He blamed himself and for this reason; Harry turned to a life of crime.

If you enjoy this time period or just looking for a great book to read, you need no look any further than this book. I could not stop reading. From the first page to the very last page, I was in it for the long haul. Mr. Gross really does take me on a journey filled with engaging characters and a wonderful story in Button Man!

Button Man is a historical thriller in which Andrew Gross tells a familiar story about a Jewish family in the garment business in the 1920s and 1930s. Family tragedies happen early on and as expected influence each family member differently. The involvement of organized crime is interesting and the characters seem real. In fact, this book is based on the author’s own family history. I found this book to be an interesting read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Andrew Gross for the opportunity to read his latest book. If you aren't familiar with Andrew Gross' work - you need to be! His books are always wonderful and typically teach you some part of history that really stays with you.

This book takes us back to the Depression and the garment industry in NYC, where the mobs disguise themselves as union people and own the companies. Three brothers - Sol, Harry and Morris - have to earn a living when their father dies to help their mom take care of the rest of the kids. Sol is the bright one who wants a career as an accountant. Harry has struggled since a childhood accident where he feels at fault and ends up with the wrong crowd. Morris is the tough one - he talks himself into a job in a garment factory at the age of 12 and works his way up to own the company. As fights with the union mobs increase, the brothers become at odds with each other.

A suspenseful, rich book that is based on Gross' family history - don't miss it!

Really well done family saga (although it doesn't span multiple generations) about three brothers who make their way in the garment industry in 1920s-30s New York. After his dies, Morris goes to work in a factory at age 12. 12. He works his way up through the industry as his brother Sol becomes an accountant and his brother Harry falls in with what can only be described as the wrong crowd. This is a character driven novel about a man who supports his family, creates his own business, and stands up to the gangster controlled unions and corrupt police. The conflict between the brothers is as interesting as that with the bad guys. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good atmospherics and fine writing make this a good read for fans of historical fiction.

I've really enjoyed Andrew Gross's switch to historical fiction. Although The Last Man is still my favorite but Button Man didn't disappoint. If you enjoyed Boardwalk Empire than this book is for you. Thank you #NetGalley for the early copy.

Gross' novel of the era of mobsters was such a powerful read that you couldn't put the book down.
He is definitely on my must read list. His story is so well crafted and has so many layers for you to unravel. Looking forward to his next book

Three brothers grow up poor on the Lower East Side of NYC in the early 20's. Morris and Sol work hard and go into the garment business together, building a very successful company. Harry, plagued by an early childhood tragedy, winds up hanging with the criminal elements of the neighborhood. This book was a fascinating look into the early years of not only the fashion industry but the powerful arm of organized crime as they tried to control everything from running numbers to the longshoremen and garment unions. Based on his grandfather's life, Andrew Gross again makes history come alive with this epic tale of family loyalty, persistence, courage, and crime. I highly recommend this book!

This is a wonderful historical novel, based on the author’s grandfather. “Don’t let the yarmulkes fool you… these people will cut you blind.” It wasn’t just the Irish or the Italians that were into crime and gangs in the 1920s and 30s. The Jewish crime lords got into the protection racket, specifically controlling the unions.

When their father dies in a fire, the Rabishevsky children all have to find ways to contribute. Morris leaves school at 12 to learn a trade in the garment business. His older brother Sol becomes an accountant and middle brother Harry falls in with the wrong crowd.

Gross does a wonderful job painting a picture of the place and time. He also fully fleshes out each character, with each character’s POV being presented. Gross blends real people such as Louis “Lepke” Buchalter with the fictional Raab brothers.

I felt like I learned a lot with this book. Not just about the mob controlled unions, and the attempts to take them down, but also the life of immigrants in NYC. For example, the discrimination the Eastern European Jews had from the German Jews who had arrived generations earlier.

There’s a real tension here once the battle truly starts. I kept turning pages because I was so anxious to see how this would play out. This is heart pounding suspense. What is so sad to realize is the sheer number of folks that were paid off by the mobs.

This is the first book by Gross I have read but I intend to seek out his earlier books. I recommend this to everyone that enjoys historical fiction.

My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

4.5 stars

Button Man is a historical novel about one man who fought back against the against the corrupt, mob-led unions during the 1930’s. The main character, Morris Raab, is based on Gross’s grandfather--this novel serves as a beautiful tribute to those who went against the grain and challenged those in power.

Morris Raab, the son of Jewish immigrants, grew up poor on the Lower East Side. When he was just 12 years old, he dropped out of school and began working in a garment factory. His keen observation skills enable him to gain a promotion that sets him up to own his own business in the future. Morris not only has talent but also he has moxie and fights back against bullies as both a teen and adult, setting him up to go head-to-head with Louis “Lepke” Buchalter, a notorious mobster.

Covering the 1920’s-1930’s, Gross paints a vivid picture of the time period, the immigrant experience, and the mobsters who were controlling the unions. The reader gets to know the entire Rabishevsky family and understanding their history helps to better understand Morris’s behavior. At times, the characters speak Yiddish but the translation is provided. Gross did his research and transports the reader back to this time period in New York.

Characterization is one of the strongest elements of the novel. By the end, I felt like I knew Morris. Gross doesn’t sensationalize or romanticize the mobsters; they are presented as full-fleshed characters who often make bad choices. There is a little bit of violence, but it is not over-the-top.

I found this to be an absorbing and emotional read--I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy this time period and reading about the immigrant experience.

Inspired by the life story of the author’s grandfather who was an early entrepreneur in the “rag trade” in New York City, this historical novel gives a good overview of what it was like in the 1930s when mobsters tried to control the unions and companies. Through this family saga, notorious figures such as Dutch Schultz and Louis “Lepke” Buchalter as well as crime fighter and future governor Thomas Dewey are introduced. While some of the culminating action may strain credibility, this was a well written, engrossing read.