The Life We Chose

William “Big Billy” D’Elia and the Last Secrets of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Family

By: Matt Birkbeck

Narrated by: Jason Culp

Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

“The Life We Chose—an unforgettable story. A really great read.” —Nicholas Pileggi, author of Wiseguy and Casino and screenwriter of Goodfellas

From Matt Birkbeck—investigative journalist and executive producer of Netflix’s #1 movie Girl in the Picture—a revelatory father/surrogate son story that takes readers deep inside the inner workings of the mob through the eyes of William “Big Billy” D’Elia, the right-hand man to legendary mafia kingpin Russell Bufalino, who ran organized crime in the US for more than fifty years.

William “Big Billy” D’Elia is Mafia royalty.

The “adopted” son of legendary organized crime boss Russell Bufalino, for decades D’Elia had unequaled access to the man the FBI and US Justice Department considered one of the leading organized crime figures in the United States. But the government had no real idea as to the breadth of Bufalino’s power and influence—or that it was Bufalino, from his bucolic home base in Pittston, Pennsylvania, who reigned over the five families in New York and other organized crime families throughout the country.

For nearly thirty years, D’Elia was at Bufalino’s side, and “Russ’s son” was a witness and participant to major historical events that have stymied law enforcement, perplexed journalists, and produced false and wild narratives in books and movies—not the least of which being the infamous disappearance of union boss Jimmy Hoffa. In addition, their reach was illustrated by their relationships with Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Michael Jackson, Suge Knight, and many other celebrities and personalities.

D’Elia became the de facto leader of the Bufalino family upon Russell Bufalino’s imprisonment in 1979, and he officially took control upon Bufalino’s death in 1994 until his arrest in 2006, when he was charged with money laundering and the attempted murder of a witness. He pled guilty to money laundering and witness tampering and was released from federal prison in 2012.

Candid and unapologetic, D’Elia is finally ready to reveal the real story behind the myths and in so doing paints a complicated, compelling, and stunning portrait of crime, power, money, and finally, family.

©2023 Matt Birkbeck (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Absurdly Entertaining

I had heard from a few reviews that this was a pass. I could not disagree more - this is beyond entertaining!

Billy Delia is a funny guy. The entire book is essentially anecdotes from his crazy life, and focuses a lot on Russell Bufalino. So many times I’m laughing out loud and my wife is asking “What? What?” And then she had to also listen to the book. 5 stars A++ I expect this will be a movie soon.

Excellent story and narration

I highly recommend this audiobook. Excellent story and outstanding narration. Never a dull moment each chapter is interesting and entertaining.

Good listen!

Great to hear different perspectives and on events that actually happened. Overall a lot of the information is correct. Interest to hear its contrast of brandts I heard you paint houses and frank shereens story.

Really Solid

I liked it a lot, Billy D’Elia is well liked and respected in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and to me a lot of what Brandt wrote smacked of BS. This one felt like a more realistic representation of those events, and of Buffalino as a man.

Lisa Bartolomei 5 STARS!!!!

Loved this book! What a ride it really must have been! Looking forward to seeing the Movie!!! 😘

Big Billy

Very nicely done I really enjoyed it!
Will probably give it a second go!
Thank You

Interesting read about mafia

I liked the way the story was told, seemed very factual and honest. Also super interesting about how many ties the family had with well named public individuals

Best one I’ve listened to yet

Rings of authenticity and really offers listeners an in-depth behind the scenes look at the human relationships in a crime family. The narration is top notch. The stories are fascinating. What a life. I truly hope Mr. Dalia trusts Christ for the forgiveness of his sins before he meets God.

This is a great book about Russell Bufalino

This is one of the best books if your wondering about Russell Bufalino and it shows just how much power he had and also the power big billy had got cause of how close he was to Russell

very insightful and enjoyable .

Over the years, I have read a number of crime novels, dramatizations, and biographies about organized crime throughout history.
This book is particularly great and has a fun writing style that helps you connect with the characters and the historical timeline. I highly recommend it.