I didn’t love this, due mostly to the dry writing style and the heaviness of content (albeit is PACKED with great info and stories, just overwhelmingly long winded). It felt a little like reading a high school textbook, so in that sense, I found it dry and heavy at times. I also feel you need some amount of knowledge of the mafia before you read this - not super beginner friendly IMO.

How you doing?
I love Mafia movies. I love Brooklyn. I love this book!
It gets into the nitty gritty history of the mob in New York. If you are a fan of mobster history, this book is for you. Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Red Hook: Brooklyn Mafia, Ground Zero by Frank Dimatteo and Michael Benson is a compelling dive into the dark and violent history of one of New York City’s most notorious neighborhoods. This true crime narrative takes readers through the blood-soaked streets of Red Hook, Brooklyn, where organized crime reigned supreme for over a century.

The book meticulously chronicles the rise and fall of various crime families and gangs that controlled Red Hook, from the Irish White Hand Gang to the Italian Gallo brothers. Dimatteo and Benson provide a vivid portrayal of the ruthless power struggles and brutal tactics employed by these mobsters. The authors’ deep knowledge of the subject matter, combined with Dimatteo’s personal experiences growing up as the son of a Mafia bodyguard, lends an authentic and gritty perspective to the narrative.

Dimatteo and Benson humanize the larger-than-life figures that dominated Red Hook’s criminal landscape. The authors delve into the personalities and motivations of infamous mobsters, painting a nuanced picture of their lives and the violent world they inhabited. This makes the historical account more engaging and provides a deeper understanding of the social and economic factors that fueled organized crime in the area.

The narrative is packed with jaw-dropping stories of public violence and personal vengeance, making it a gripping read from start to finish. The authors’ storytelling prowess shines through as they recount tales of mob hits, betrayals, and the constant battle for control of the lucrative docks. The book also explores the impact of these criminal activities on the local community, highlighting the fear and corruption that permeated everyday life in Red Hook.

Red Hook, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY, and its connection to the Mafia, is the focus in the latest book from author and ex-mobster Frank DiMatteo, who grew up in the area. Culled from history books and his own experiences, the book details the sometimes sordid and violent history of the neighborhood, from the long-ago Indian inhabitants to its eventual home of Mafia figures. It’s an interesting, if disturbing account of an area steeped in Mafia tradition, and how the mob established its stranglehold on the area. While the book gets bogged down with endless anecdotal stories, it’s still a must-read for fans of mobster history, and the author’s bona fides lend an authentic touch. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Not at all impressed with this book. Poorly written, jumps all over the place, seems to be information just culled from newspapers and periodicals. Normally I devour books about the Mafia, but in this case I just cannot recommend it.

Such an interesting mob book that delves into the Red Hook gangs, crooks and other denizens of the area. Filled with lots of gangsters, many with colorful nicknames. I liked the history and tales from long ago about these guys and their mob wars. It’s another good true crime book from these authors.

1 star
A very disappointing look at what could have been an endlessly fascinating subject. I was very much looking forward to this book. I cannot recommend.

I was excited to see a book written about the Mafia and a specific area in NY, but this book definitely is not what I was expecting. This book reads like snip it's taken out of a newspaper and compiled together, with some witness accounts.
This book is choppy and doesn't flow very well, because it is just snipits. I highly do not recommend this book, it could be so much more than what it is.