The President Street Boys

Growing Up Mafia

By: Frank DiMatteo

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Frank DiMatteo was born into a family of mob hit men. His father and godfather were shooters and bodyguards for infamous Mafia legends, the Gallo brothers. His uncle was a capo in the Genovese crime family and bodyguard to Frank Costello. Needless to say, DiMatteo saw and heard things that a boy shouldn't see or hear.

He knew everybody in the neighborhood. And they knew him...and his family. And does he have some wild stories to tell....

From the old-school Mafia dons and infamous "five families" who called all the shots to the new-breed "independents" of the ballsy Gallo gang who didn't answer to nobody, DiMatteo pulls no punches in describing what it's really like growing up in the mob. Getting his cheeks pinched by Crazy Joe Gallo until tears came down his face. Dropping out of school and hanging gangster-style with the boys on President Street. Watching the Gallos wage an all-out war against wise guys with more power, more money, more guns. And finally revealing the shocking deathbed confessions that will blow the lid off the sordid deeds, stunning betrayals, and all-too-secret history of the American Mafia.

©2016 Frank Dimatteo (P)2016 Tantor

Compelling, riveting shape-changing read!

As a voracious reader of everything mafioso nonfiction, found DiMatteo exudes authenticity. Highly recommended book. Thank you

Great perspective, lacking narrative

This was an informative and entertaining firsthand account of crime history. But a lot of the chapters are written as long lists of people or places. Some of the stories seem to jump around a lot. I think the book could have benefited from following a sequential narrative.

Amazing book

I don't know what some of the other reviews are talking about. This book was solid and in-depth. I guess if this was the first Mob book you ever listened to, then you would feel lost. But this kind of book is not one you would pick for book 1 of your journey. If your not from that area, a portion, esp at the beginning, is going to be meaningless. But that is just a few pages. You never know what is true and not true with these books. I emagine it is a bit of both. But this is one of the best mafia genre books I have read or listened to, and I have gone through hundreds. The lord high RC Bray is his usual genius and did a better job with the names and words then most of the voice actors I have listened to in these types of books.

Just a guy rambling about the mob.

I like RC bray so I tried this book. Only listened for 2 hours until I couldn’t take it any longer. Not well written, don’t waste your time.

The Real Deal

And awesome in every sense of the word. Authentic story with great narration. Narrator could be a wise guy from goodfellas. His pronunciation of Italian names and words is dead on which enhances the story. 2 thumbs up

Great Book

Great Book, enjoyed the read. the reader kept it flowing good glad not monotone voice

Very fascinating story

I loved each chapter and each story. If you love mafia stories you’ll love this audio! Highly recommend.

Very Entertaining

Great stories. Great narration. I listened all the way through and heard new stories and names.

Interesting read

A fun book to listen to with a lot of story's of life in the mafia.

Hidden gem

One of the better books of this genre. I got way more information out of this book than I expected, reader also performs well. The book has a realness to it, I can picture the scenery of his neighborhood and believe the stories.