not very informative, justifies Hoover and illegalities
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Mr.Roemer truly gives very little about subjects regarding Cubans, Kennedy killings, and the slaying of many Chicago outfit members before testifying before the Church committee. Certainly no mention of the CIA contracting with the outfit filters through Mr. Roemer. I believe that this is out of choice on Roemer's part. He admits listening to long hours of conversations of illegally obtained information. He spends a lot of time justifying Hoover's pursuit of communists(basically a non-threat) while ignoring the existence of La Coas Nostra.I suppose a loyal FBI employee would protect his boss. Many sources have indicated that Hoover was on the take through horse race fixes. Roemer justifies the use of breaking and entering. Maybe this is fine.It bothers me that the crimes he acknowledges he committed (illegal tapping, breaking and entering.)never brought the targets to justice. Somehow, committing crime to stop crime seems ironic. In light of the recent Waco revelations, I have to ask myself do FBI men actually bravely serve their country, or do they delude themselves into believing that they have not become almost identical to those they have pursued. Criminals are not supposed to profit from their crimes. Therefore, I believe that Mr.Roemer should donate his profits to charity.
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Accardo is interesting---Roemer is not!
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That's why I bought a book I thought would be about Tony Accardo. Instead, I read about tidbits on William Roemer, the author, and not enough conversation or anecdotes on Accardo to form some sort of image about the man. No wonder Accardo hardly did any jail time--he was a hard man to get a handle on then as now.
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Almost there, but not quite.
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When I saw there was a book about Accardo I rushed right out and got it. Accardo was a man I had great interest in, yet knew little about. I must give Roemer credit once again for another well researched mafia book. But sorry, on this one he falls a little short of the mark. Despite the fact he repeats alot of what he's said in his other books it's still an enlightening book about a very intelligent, very powerful and very cunning mobster. But because Tony Accardo was so damn good at keeping out of the lime light (the FBI's that is) in the end we don't know much about him at all. It is a shame and I don't blame Roemer for it, but rather give credit to Accardo for being one of the few mobsters we will never know much about. e.g. Gambino, Frankie La Porte, Funzi Tieri. But still it's a good read, as are Roemers other books and if you need a break from all the New York stories read about the Chicago Outfit. Which I belive will last longer under pressure from the law than any other Family in the US. GOOD STUFF
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THE REAL GODFATHER
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ROEMER DOES A GREAT JOB BRINGING US THE STORY OF THE REAL GODFATHER. GROWING UP IN THE CHICAGO AREA I WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE NAMES AND OF THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE BOOK. THE ONE THING THAT TAKES AWAY FROM THE BOOK IS THAT IN ALMOST EVERY CHAPTER, THE AUTHOR HAS TO PAT HIMSELF ON THE BACK AND TELL US HOW GREAT HE IS.IT IS A WEAKNESS BUT IT DOESN'T KEEP THE BOOK FROM GETTING 5 STARS. TONY ACCARDO WAS THE MOST POWERFUL MOBSTER THAT WE HAVE EVER HAD, THE WANNA-A-BE IN NEW YORK WISH THE WERE AS GOOD AS HIM AND AS POWERFUL. WE SEE THE BRUTAL SIDE OF THE "BIG TUNA" BUT WE ALSO SEE THAT HE DIDN'T USE VIOLENCE WHEN IT WASN'T NECESSARY.EVERYTHING HE WAS KEPT HIM OUT OF JAIL AND ALIVE, NO OTHER MOBSTER OF THE TIME HAD IT AND NOW THEY ARE ALL IN PRISON OR DEAD.
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