For the Sins of My Father: A Mafia Killer, His Son, and the Legacy of a Mob Life by Albert Demeo and Mary Jane Ross (2002, Hardcover)

I bought the book and enjoyed it very much. Pretty quick read if you are anxious to hear what life in the DeMeo household was like. I am older than Al Demeo (I was born in '59 in Joisey) and with an Italian mother, I have to admit so much of what he described that went on was exactly what was happening in my house. I.E. the Christmas, Easter, Sunday dinners, etc. etc. What was different in my house was that my Dad didn't make late night trips to the Gemini Lounge on Flatlands Ave. in Brooklyn to meet with Anthony, Nino and Joey. I sometimes wish I grew up in Brooklyn though. Al does a good job in the book by taking a little further after his Father was murdered. There were things that occurred in Al's life afterwards that many of us never knew about. The Walter Mack (D.A.-Attorney General ??) stuffed shocked me because I had business dealings with Walter just a few years ago and never knew he was so instumental in the taking down of the DeMeo crew, amongst many others. The part of the book I found hard to believe at times was the Mob exposure that Roy gave to his young son. Taking him to the Ravenite to meet Neil?? C'Mon. Having him pick up his loan shark payments before the age of 15? WOW !! I have to believe it's all true, but must admit it was hard to fathom. I also didn't know that Roy left his family so "well-off" financially. The book is good, I recommend it, but I feel it has better potential as a movie. This story needs to be made into a motion picture. It could be a box office smash "hit" (lol) because of all the interest in the Mafia from the 60's - 70's and 80's. Take Al Demeo's story and make a movie, PLEASE !!!!

i really wanted to hear first hand account of roy demeos life told by his own son.i was actually surprised at how up front and honest he was.this book should be read by anyone who has an interest in organized crime or the true life story behind all the so called good that comes along with it.albert is now a first class citizen with a normal family as im told after his father was found in a car trunk.it speaks so much on his character and where his life has led him thus far.as a now collector of true mafia memorbelia i rate this a must have even for the avid reader of history in general and the trials and tribulations of growing up in the life......try to put it down i dare you!once you start reading you wanna know..what next? oh and anthony ships next day i had it in 2 days carolina to kentucky. hope to see the movie soon!

A fascinating look into the life of a mafia hitman. The book brings to light the fact that someone described as "mob assassin" and leader of a gang known as "Murder Machine" can be a good father to his children and friend to many others also. Albert DeMeo's book shows his father Roy DeMeo's life was not all mafia and murder. The books shows how his father's life has affected his own life and that of his family. A solid read that you won't be able to put down. It's better than watching an episode of The Sopranos because it's true. I hope to see the book made into a film but the book is still the best way to learn the truth from someone who lived it.

I have a large collection of Gangster/Mafia books & this is on my top shelf. What normally takes me weeks to read a book took me 2 days to read this one. I could not put it down. This book is different from any other Gangland book I have read. It is a very personal account of a boy (Albert Demeo) growing up to be a man very quickly, describing his feelings of his father (Roy Demeo) on the way. In a nutshell I was very touched by this book & felt a part of the story. I am very proud to have a personalised signed copy to treasure forever. I sure hope this makes the big screen as the story deserves an oscar.

I very rarely review any purchases, but this is the first time a book moved me so much that I thought it was worth while! The book gives real incite into the true impact of the mafia on the lives it affected within it's own ranks. The very personal and honest writing of DeMeo had me hooked, fascinated and very moved. The personal message from the author also made this particularly poignant for me, and now one of my treasured posessions.