Carmine the Snake

Carmine Persico and His Murderous Mafia Family

In this blistering street-level account, "Mafia survivor" Frank DiMatteo teams up with true-crime master Michael Benson to take down one of the most notorious figures in the American La Cosa Nostra. This is the real inside story of Carmine "The Snake" Persico, from his crime-filled childhood on the streets of Brooklyn to the long-term jail sentences that didn't stop him from controlling his criminal empire, with the help of his brother - the equally kill-crazy Alphonse "Allie Boy" Persico.

This is the story of his deadly teen years as leader of the fearsome Garfield Boys; his recruitment into the Profaci - later the Colombo - crime family; his bloody betrayal of the Gallo brothers; his role in the hair-raising ambush and slaying of Albert Anastasia - the Lord High Executioner of Murder, Inc. - as he sat in a barbershop chair getting a shave; the terror he struck into the hearts of the New York Mafia's other families, and even his own crews; and the many courtroom trials where Persico walked after witnesses came down with sudden cases of "amnesia."

Today, Persico schmoozes with Ponzi king Bernard Madoff behind bars. There, at age 84, his legend - packed as it is with coldblooded brutality - continues to inspire goodfellas everywhere.

©2018 Frank DiMatteo and Michael Benson (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

old time mafia , in and around n.y and n.j.

old time la Costa nosta the hit mam ,the sons of capos, the backstabbing , and it was all about the almighty buck

The Unusual Life of the Persico Family

This was an interesting account of the Persico family and their life in the mob. The drama and carnage is astounding. The relationships, friendships, vendettas, court cases and more can be overwhelming, I had to listen to several sections a few times to keep everyone straight. Real life is stranger than fiction. An interesting book and a great audiobook, perfectly narrated by Johnny Heller.

True Mafia ShotCaller

I have read many True Crime books about the Mafia, and without a doubt this book hit all the points. As a teen, I hung out in Red Hook, and South Brooklyn. I heard the stories of the neighborhood legends. Junior Persico was without a doubt the "True Shotcaller". Bigger than "Gotti", more ruthless than the " The Chin". Junior and his Family was a True Mafia Dynasty.

The Snake Was a Rat?

By coincidence, as I finish this book the NY Daily News is reporting that Carmine was a "Top Echelon Informant." Quite a twist, if true.

Anyway, the reader is excellent, with just the right Brooklyn mob guy tone. And when the book digs fairly deep into a specific set of facts, like the extended section on Carmine acting as his own lawyer, it's really interesting. But when it quickly rattles off multiple shootings by multiple shooters, it can feel a bit repetitive. Very good for the most part, though.

Great 👍

loved it. well told, well performed. great story, thanks for sharing. four words remaining