True Crime Books

Im 85 pages in and nothing has happened. I dont know where its going or even what its about.

I don't know about this one folks. Starts slow but makes up for it with an even slower finish. Up until Vinnie Ocean is made boss, this book was like watching grass grow. Sorry fellas, but don't waste your time.

Fun, but a bit dull ... Flashes of real humor here, and some insight into how the mob of the '90s worked. But I was expecting the story to build to a real climax, and since it never ended in the trial of the protagonist (antagonist?), there was no resolution. This isn't the fault of the author, necessarily, because he probably had to work against deadlines.

But if you want to know the real story of the DeCavalcantes, it's more interesting to read the NY papers' accounts of the trial in 2003. Among the sensational revelations that never made it into this book -- the head of the family was rubbed out for being gay! (This inspired the famous story line in 'The Sopranos' centering around gay Vito.)

I have to say that I must agree with the comment in the Literary Journal review, above, that the writing in this book is disjointed and repetitious. It was so broken that in many cases it was hard to follow. The author jumps from person to person with little background and less connection from one part of the book to the next. I was all ready to like this book. I've been a big fan of The Sopranos, so I was very interested in this book. Unfortunately, it was hard to enjoy. It also lacked the saving grace of those little bits of insider information that can be so fascinating. It just wasn't there.
The author could have taken the approach of directly linking the people and events in the book with Sopranos people and events. In fact, it looked like that was exactly where he was going. At one point he mentions several events from real life that directly coincide with Sopranos events. But then the book disappoints by not linking people, beyond the most general terms and far too seldom to enjoy.
Overall, this book was a big disappointment. I can't recommend it at all.

I am on the fence with this one. It wasn't bad but there wasn't necessarily anything that was good about it either. Smith attempts to piece together the 1,000 hours of evidence with the known history in order to show us the downfall of the DeCavalcante family. We see it; we see the Mafioso family crumble under the weight of its degenerate members, so Smith succeeded there. But it is his telling that hampers this book from being an out right winner.

One thing that particularly frustrated me was that you would be reading along and Smith would describe something. It would seem as though it came out of nowhere and didn't really belong, but you shrug your shoulders and take it as part of the story. Then further into the book he would talk about that exact same scene, word for word. With no explanation. And this didn't happen just once. It happened repeatedly. Why he did this I could not make sense of it. Additionally, he would have some scenes where you know there is not a wire and Smith could not have known what was said. For example, when Joey O, Anthony Capo and I think Gallo were waiting in a stolen car outside Majuri's house to whack him we are given a word for word recital of their conversation. Yet they were in a stolen car and the three people in the car were not informants, so how does he know this? This was where Smith would try to recreate the scene, which is also where a loosely based scene was turned to fiction in order to further the book. This happened several times.

There were some redeeming qualities. For one, Smith has a dry sense of humor and you can sense it throughout the book as comments are dropped in between the mob's conversation. Additionally, we would read some of the conversations that were going on and can't help but laugh at these violent men. Some of their conversations are hilarious, and I give credit to Smith for strategically interspersing some of these amidst other such despicable acts throughout the book. It adds a comical element to the DeCavalcante crime family, and other crime families, that are usually glossed over.

All in all, a decent rendering of a fall of a crime family. I would read other books first, such as The Valachi Papers, Wiseguys and Underboss, but this is a good addition for anyone looking to read more about organized crime.

3.5 stars.

A fascinating and unique read by a former NYC cop and student of the Warrens. Each case of demonic infestation and possession provides the reader with informative insights into the nature of demonic attacks and how Sarchie and his colleagues provide solutions for such problems. Fast-paced and well written, I read this book in a few days.

Having studied cases in light of Biblical truth one can not deny the existance of evil. Many today would rather liken the devil to their own imagination, dismissing him to nothing more than causing one to have a bad day. It's much easier to cope with a dark power when we lack the facts to understand. For that is Satans greatest weapon against humans today - their self-induced ignorance about him.

However for many caught in the grasp of Satans evil grip they can not lounge in such imaginings. For daily their life tarries between life and death, Heaven and hell, looking in the face of a powerful evil whos main purpose on earth is to still, kill, and destroy human life. For those die hard skeptics who believe Satan is a myth, it only takes them once to see a person held hostage by the devil to understand how wrong they are. A horror not many want to face.

"Beware The Night" if anything, should bring you into awareness that the devil is alive and well on earth today. And continues to grow stronger and more powerful in lue to Christ's return. And be assured the devils ability to grasp a life fall soley upon his victims faith, or should I say; the lack thereof. For God sent his only begotten Son into our world to combat these forces of darkness, and is the only power that can set the captives free.

Regardless of what you believe, how you believe, or who you choose to follow know that evil is real, very real. God says, "my people parish for lack of knowledge." And many parish every-day by their lack of knowledge about God and his enemy - the devil.

The saying echoes within my mind of Rippleys "Believe it or not?" A question which holds a choice for every person alive about the existence of God and Satan. And for many caught in the grip of unbelief, Satan toys with his victim, much like a mouse trapped by a cat.

Understand that there are no weapons against the forces of darkness other than faith in Jesus Christ. But to receive His protection you must first believe "Jesus" exists.

I can assure you what Ralph Sarchie shares in his book is not far from a reality many experiece everyday, "Believe it or not?" For your faith will bind you, or could set you free.

I'm a huge fan of these types of books. This one just made me irritated though. Not only does the author come across as a clichéd Van Damme/Seagal-character. He also throws in some possibly life threatening advise on how to let your infants lie in bed to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Avoid, avoid, avoid!!!

This book is one of the scariest books I have ever read.Its even more frightening because its all true.
I stayed up all night last night reading this book both because I couldn't put it down and because I was too scared to sleep anyway.
While I'm glad this book exists and I think its very well done and I will recommend it to others if I ever get a chance,I don't think that I will ever read it again.
The images and fears that it brings up are too vivid and horrifying.
Its good to educate yourself about such things because demons and the devil do exist, but I frankly want to forget about the details of the cases in this book.
As much as it is possible to forget after reading something like this anyway.

Sarchie, like other psychic investigators, are carrying on the tradition set by Ed and Lorraine Warren. The book never gave me the impression that Sarchie is a "bible thumping Catholic," and I'm not even Catholic.

Skeptics can throw insults and derogatory adjectives around all they like... a simple fact remains. If all that suspected haunting phenomena did have naturalistic, scientific causes... then holy water, prayer and ritual would have no effect on the phenomena at all.

Most of us who have been in the field, even for a short time, learn that such things do have an effect... either as a provocation, or as a solution.

And no... the effect is not simply on "religious zealots and their perceptions." The effect is external and discernable. It is an objective..., not a subjective..., reality.

This book is both chilling and intriguing.

Jeff Messenger, author of the novel "The Shroud of Torrington."

If you're just looking for details of some bloody events, this'll do the job for you. Otherwise, it's colorless in two senses: literally (there're probably no more than a half dozen pages that mention a color) and in terms of mood. Maybe because of the many extensive quotes from non-writers, descriptions are non-specific, flat, banal. There isn't a single scene that a reader can visualize with any accuracy... quite a contrast to the rich sense of place that characterizes LA crime fiction. Maybe the author wanted to avoid that tradition to separate his work from fiction. As a result, though, he separates it all from context.

Wow! After reading this book, all I can say is Wow... How did I not hear about John Gilmore sooner? I found this book while searching for anything regarding John Holmes and the Wonderland murders and anything about Barbara Graham, notorious murderess who was put to death in San Quentin in 1955.

Anyone who has seen "Wonderland" knows a lot of what happened to the "four-on-the-floor" denizens who were heavily involved in the drug scene. Was John Holmes in the wrong place at the wrong time? Maybe. Did John Holmes have something to do with the deaths of the four on Wonderland? Highly likely. Did John Holmes perpetuate their deaths? The chances are very, very, high. Headed on a road that he never veered from, John Holmes sealed his fate after getting too involved with Eddie Nash and the Wonderland crew. He rose to fame quickly, and descended even quicker. John Holmes gives an amazing insight into the drug scene and porn world in the late 1970's, into the 1980's, including Holmes' death in 1988.

Barbara Graham, the "Ice Blonde" was headed on a similar descent into drugs, prostitution and murder, paving her way to San Quentin's gas chamber in 1955 along with two others implicated and highly likely to have been guilty in the robbery-gone-bad murder of Mabel Moynahan. Although Graham denied it, two men testified against her, while one who was going to testify against her "disappeared". Mabel Moynahan was a former skater who was sitting in a chair, reading a mystery novel when there was a knock on her door. Had she known what was going to happen to her, surely she would have not opened the door or let the young woman at her door in. It was Barbara who knocked on the door, explaining how her car broke down, and could she use the phone to call the auto club. Graham's entrance brought the other men involved into the house. They thought there was a hidden safe in the home. There wasn't. There was $500 in cash and several thousand dollars worth of jewelry in a handbag in Moynahan's room. They never found it. And Mabel ended up dead...

I won't ruin the rest of the book for you. But I will tell you that this book pulls no punches. I could not put it down! Gilmore is now one of my favorite writers! His style is unique and powerful. And he doesn't give a damn if you like it or not! If you want to read the backstories of some real L.A. history, this is absolutely the book to read!

I bought the book mainly for the chapter on the infamous Wonderland murders in 1981. And while the author's prose is, as some have stated, sparkling, I have to say that I stopped reading after finding numerous factual errors in just this chapter. Luckily for me, it was the first one.

For instance, two pictures of dead victims at the crime scene (Ron Launius and Joy Miller) were incorrectly labeled (names transposed), despite the fact that the photos in the book were still shots captured from the famous LAPD crime scene video, where detectives walked through the house and identified exactly the room they were in at the time.

Susan Launius was found alive in the same room with her dead husband, not, as the author writes, in another bedroom.

Perhaps most unsettling was the author's version of the murder event itself. Given the fact that Holmes never testified at any legal proceeding, and despite the fact that none of the actual killers were identified, it's obvious the author invented the whole dialog.

These are just a few examples of what caused me to discard the whole book.

Moreover, I believe it was a wasted opportunity. There has not been a serious literary treatment of the Wonderland murders. "Four on the Floor," a book by the two investigating detectives, apparently was never published. "Long Time Money and Lots of Cocaine" is merely a reprint of the transcript from John Holmes's preliminary hearing.

Ironically, the most informative source on the crimes is the 2003 movie "Wonderland" starring Val Kilmer.

My heading says it all. This book reminds me of an issue of E.C.'s "Crime Suspense Stories" from the 50's. A great, grisly and lurid comic that almost destroyed the industry. However I think that is Gilmore's intent. He seems to make up a few characters or "sources" in the Wonderland Murder segment and then uses them for a little hard-boiled rhaphsodizing with appropriate grim n'gritty lingo. He has one porno extra saying how she met John Holmes in an L.A. Starbucks during the late 70's,early 80's. Come on! There were no starbucks in L.A. during that time! Gilmore definitely delves into magical-reality when he writes, but thats not a bad thing exactly.
His segment on Barbara Payton was completely lifted from John O'Dowd's excellent article on her in Crimemagazine. Its online and I strongly recomend it!!!! Reading that article and searching for more on Barbara Payton is actually how I found out about Gilmore's book. I wouldnt be suprised if there are other "borrowed" portions in L.A Despair. Mr. Gilmore probably does his research with Google like the rest of us. I would venture to say there isnt anything in his book you couldnt find elsewhere and probably with better facts, however its still a fun and morbid read with Gilmore's turgid noir poetry running thru it. L.A. is truly the end-of-the-line city of dreams and nightmares! If your in the mood for a guided tour thru the L.A. Funhouse of Horror then John Gilmore makes a great carnival barker. What the hell, at least he's getting his books published! I'll probably get Laid Bare by him as well. I'm sure it'll be a fun Magical-reality read.

A brilliant work with enough impact to bowl over a Mac truck. Stunning originality, unquestionably brilliant writing, despite the pittance of detractors who seem to appear regularly with each new offering by author John Gilmore. A similar ilk used to burn Gauguin's paintings.

Such is expected whenever one dishes extreme material and Gilmore's writing is profoundly extreme. The word "relentlessly renlentless" has been used to describe his novel, Crazy Streak, as well as his Black Dahlia book, Severed, now a haunting classic.

In L.A. Despair, Gilmore tracks through the Wonderland killings, following John Holmes and a host of lowlifes caught in a pitiful existance only Frankenstein could appreciate. Gilmore's view of the porn "industry" positions that world as subjects for a firing squad, and I say Right on, Mr. Gilmore! In five hard pieces, from killers to wasted stars, he sketches a dark and violent landscape; a sensational, stunning book by a fascinating yet uncompromising author. HIGHLY recommended.

This book shows alot of factual information on meth written in a great point of view. i am a recoving addict and i felt this depected the way of life well letting you form your own opinions of how you should feel about the information given. i really really enjoyed reading

This is a good read and very informative for those who are concerned about this problem.

As an academic I've been intensely studying the issue of methamphetamine for several years now and am impressed by the range of methamphetamine-related issues covered by the author -- everything from a bit of history, to its spread through the West, to cooking the drug, to treatment, and to the effects of policies designed to control it. As a journalist Owen has the skill to draw the reader in, unlike many academic writers. Now and then he states things with certainty that an academic would waffle on, but overall the book is on the mark. And, as a journalistic account there are brief periods of "over the top" comments, but they are mild compared with the comments often made by the authorities. For example, he correctly dismisses the idea that meth is instantly addictive and is an addiction from which recovery is rare. He also takes issue with using the word epidemic to describe the current problem -- though I would argue that a correct description would be that the drug has created a series of localized epidemics rather than a national one. This book is an excellent introduction to the issue. I wish the author had included more sources, but that's just the academic in me talking.

"No Speed Limit" is a fascinating exploration of the latest American drug "epidemic." I'm happy to say I've never taken crystal meth, but I have some idea what it might feel like after reading this book. And it ain't a good thing. Unless you like giant talking cockroaches, rotten teeth, and not sleeping for four days straight. Well, the latter does have some appeal...

I'm giving this book four stars for some of the same reasons other reviewers have done so. "No Speed Limit" is organized thematically, so it's hard to keep the chronology straight. For example, even after reading, I'm left wondering if the Mexican cartels took over the meth trade after the Midwesterners stopped cooking, among other questions. But other than a slightly confusing structure and a few typos, the book has no major flaws and is, in many ways, heart-wrenching, particularly the chapter on how this drug impacts the lives of children.

Mr. Owen has written an interesting, at times thought-provoking, historical account of the rise and rise of Crystal Meth, both as a market-traded commodity and the government's precarious hold on it's distribution and control. For those seeking a deeper understanding of this powerful illicit substance from the point-of-view of addiction and treatment, a self-help book this is not. For those looking for a thoughtful personal memoir on the ravages of addiction to crystal meth, one should look elsewhere. Personally, I don't think that book has definitively yet to be written. But as an always thoughtful and well-researched piece of journalism I think Mr. Owen has succeeded admirably. I learned much about the evolution of this drug going back to it's origins in the 19th century. The data is indeed fascinating, at times riveting. And Mr. Owen earned my trust as a man who does not flaunt any particular agendas or hard-core dogmas. That alone makes it a rarity as a valid piece of writing in what is admittedly a fledgling subject matter for current circumspection.

This book is an excellent read. Programed to Kill is well documented, and easily read, a real page turner. I'd like everyone I know to read this book. I learned so much about the inter-connected evil across our world, and you will too. It is an eye opener and complements several other areas of study about the people behind the power on this world. One warning about this book I will add is that it is not for "Pod People" who refuse open their eyes to reality, go back to dancing with an American Idol instead.

I really enjoyed this book. It validates everything else that I have researched about mind control, the government, and the purpose of this type of evil control our government exercises to obtain complete power and control. The theme of societies thoughts are being kept in constant fear as this fear makes us look to the powers in control for "The Answer". This is being used by the press and media very successfully as each of these brutal actions results in our giving up more of our rights for protection. As it was once said," if you give up freedom for security, you have neither." We as americans must wake up to the real agenda of our government and the world governments which are all working together for the one goal of new world order, one world government, one world control.

After reading the review by the person billing himself as "True Patriot," I felt compelled to run a search on the manuscript that was submitted for publication. And what I found, contrary to the reviewer's completely bogus claim, is that the phrase "some say" appears in the book exactly once - and then only as part of a quote lifted from the New York Post. The author, which would be me, not only does not use that phrase "on almost every page," but in fact doesn't use it at all throughout the entire 400+ page book! And that, dear readers, should tell you all you need to know about the veracity of Mr. Patriot's so-called review.

An absolutely awful book. "Some say..." is used on almost every page. Who says? You can make a case for anything by saying "according to some". Here, let me try...According to some, Godzilla is a real creature that is responsible for many earthquakes throughout the world. See how easy it is?
Also, many easy verifiable facts are gotten wrong and the author also manages to make everything connect. How? To paraphrase-"The murder was committed the day before Summer Soltice-a significant day for satanists". Really? The day before? Oh my God! Or the week before some supposed satantic holiday or 3 days after and so on and so on. After reading this, I'm convinced EVERY day is some sort of special day for all the supposed satanists running around.
And many of the cases covered in this book had mistakes made by law enforcement, which can only mean one thing...THEY WERE IN ON IT!
Read SATANIC PANIC if you want to see how people like this author have perpetuated the myth that hundreds of thousands of people are being killed every year by a vast conspiracy of robed, politically-connected, satanic meanies.
Seriously, this book is utter crap.

Before reading this book, I thought I knew. I would say (about politics, govt, military, law enforcement, etc.), "Oh yeah well the whole thing is corrupt obviously, nothing I can do about it." And I thought that because I said that, I understood same. Um, no. If the concept of the govt and media lying to you, is new, then you would definetely benefit from reading this book. If you're a seasoned Initiate, and words like: MK-ULTRA, Cathy O'Brien, Michael Hoffmann, Gurudas, James Shelby Downard, Cryptocracy, Pedephocracy, Twilight Language, the Franklin Cover-Up, None Dare Call It Conspiracy, Alex Jones, Project Paperclip/Project 63, Rex-84 & Operation Garden Plot, etc. etc. etc. then you would also benefit greatly from reading this book. That said, for those of you out there that can't stomach strange "conpiracy theories" then this is definetely the book for you. This book has roughly 500 references and is all facts, no speculation necessary when you have court transcripts, etc.
As another reviewer said in reviewing Trance: Formation of America by Cathy O'Brien, "This book is capable of changing even an atheist such as myself, I was left asking an unanswerable question, where did all this evil come from ?" In my perspective, there is only so much that a human being is capable of, swiftly and quickly killing one's enemies in the event of war is perhaps the worst. Anything beyond that ( underground torture chambers where victims are starved and ritually raped and murdered while being recorded, the tapes sold for approx. $5,000/copy to ultra-rich demons in gated communities, happening all over the planet by people who seem to be remote-contolled by people who themselves seem to be remote-controlled also, etc. ) and I can' be convinced that what is happening in such a "inhumane" way can truly be all human in nature. Some share that opinion with me, others don't, period. But to expand any further on that would be a different book entirely, Hostage to the Devil by Malachi Martin definetely comes to mind ( another amazing read ). In this book you are taken directly into the belly of the beast as it attempts to digest a jalapeno & habanero shake, no joke about it, but what we have in Programmed to Kill is the human facts behind those involved in a sort of corruption on such a mass scale, that it is undreampt of.
Ask yourself a question right quick-like: Do I want to know the truth, or do I want to be comfortable in my ignorance? With regards to current events, this book has opened my eyes more so than any other I can think of, and there are perhaps 300 books on my shelf, 295 of which are non-fiction. This book will change your life, no joke, don't read any further if you wish to stay in the comfort zone state of mind of thinking one knows it all. In reality this book will transform, and possibly give you the knowledge necessary to create the tools which can be used hopefully hands-on to save another's life.

Dr. Larry Ragle paints the true portrait of crime scene investigation that the television series, CSI, Law and Order, Cold Case, Cold Squad, etc. don't show on television in a forty minutes episode. Dr. Ragle is an expert in crime scene. While he tells the truth, he writes about the crime scenes in this book for those aspiring crime scene investigators. Sadly, I think we live in a society where many crime scene investigators who mean well will jump to conclusions and have tunnel visions. Dr. Ragle explains in detail about crime scenes and explains how to approach them properly. His book does contain a glossary in the back with explanations of such. It would have been better to have an index but it's not necessary. I think this book is not for everybody. It takes away the myth that crimes can be solved so easily. For me, I have never watched the shows that became clones from Law and Order because there are just too many of them on the air, not much different from another. Although Canadian show Cold Squad is filmed in Vancouver, the show is similar to his American counterparts. DNA is not easily explained away that it can happen in one in a billion. Ever since the O.J. Simpson trial, people have been armchair quarterbacks in watching and solving crimes but Larry Ragle is an expert on the crime scene investigation. Crime scene investigation can take months and even years to solve the crimes.

This is an excellent overview of the forensic world. Very helpful reading before taking any forensic classes. Describes everything that goes on behind the yellow tape. The real story!

Absolute fantastic book regarding crime scene investigations. Book is uncomparable!! Don't let the cover deceive you!! The finest writing to date on crime scene investigations!! Buy it and see for yourself!!

Good book to read to get background on the field of forensic science. Gives easy to understand information and cases.

This is the best of its type I've come across. I'm impressed. However the author doesnt address how you cope with idiots, and the system is filled with idiots: who run amok over the crime scene, destroying evidence; experts who know little or nothing about what they profess, severely damaging investigations; and political pressure to make certain outcomes likely. People get highly annoyed when your report is contrary to their bias and expectations. And newbie judges and lawyers. They arent scientists and they arent detectives, and they are arrogantly clueless when it comes to much of what you discover. This book is well-written, the author knows his stuff, and it's interesting.

I just finished reading this book, and i could not put it down! This is one amazing book, i highly recommend this to anyone who wants to hear a true account of a courageous undercover detective who infiltrated the mob. All true, amazing work by Rick and the NYPD. A must have! "It's in there" everything Rick was involved in, is in there!

An unbelievable yet true story that kept me engaged, too engaged for my wife on our cruise! I highly recommend for vacation reading.

What a pageturner!!!! I was very afraid for Mr. Rick Cowan throughout this whole book. Man, what guts!!! Why isn't this guy being heralded all over the place like Joe Pistone? No disrespect to Pistone but he infiltrated a fractured and disorganized crime family(Bonnano). Cowan got in with the class of the mob, the Genovese and Gambino families. I could not put this book down. I always heard that New Yorkers were being fleeced by the "garbage gangsters" but I never fully understood how. Or why couldn't our government stop it? This book breaks it down. This one is in my top 10. Fantastic!!!!

I'm of two minds on this book. The history of the mob's control of the trash and paper recycling industries in and around NYC are fascinating. But a great deal of the book consists of verbatim transcripts from wires worn by Cowan in his interminable dealings with the mob, many of which are repetitive. Only for the real lovers of mob stories.

Over the course of the past few years, my love of reading books about the mafia went dormant. When I arrived upon a copy of "Takedown" in a used book store, my interest was revitalized. The story in "Takedown" is unbelievable not because it is untrue, but because it is unbelievable how many times Rick Cowan avoided certain death. Though it is unbelievable at times, it is a true story.

By chance, Rick Cowan was in the right palce at the right time. This young detective made the mafia believe he was a cousin in a garbage hauling family. Through this false pretense, he was able to infiltrate the Gambino Fanily to its highest level. Such a task was thought to be out of reach to the NYPD. The stories Cowan tells of his interactions with the mafia have a level of authenticity to them. You can almost hear the stereotypical accents being spoken as you read. I question whether some of the stories were exaggerated to make the book a more exciting read. Surely any man faced with some of these circumstances would crack or slip.

Cowan even discusses the strain three years uncover put on his family. This is an aspect of the investigation that receives little attention in similar books. I also enjoyed the epilogue in which Cowan discusses whether he felt remorse for "ratting out" the friends he made in three years.

Reading a book about the real life mafia is much more exciting than any movie or TV show available. While there certainly must be some fabrications present in the book, none were so glaring to take away from the story. I would recommend this book to any person with an interest organized crime.

I bought this book aprox. 3 yrs. ago at Boarders, and although the price has dropped from aprox. $25.00 for the hardcover price this book is a worthy read. If you are a fan or like the movie Goodfellas, and wonder where he continued his life as a "schmuck" then this book is worth your while. Again it has been 3 yrs. since I have read this title, but if you want to know where Goodfellas leaves off, and what "rat" mob-life is truely about than this title is for YOU. I don't glorify snitching, but this is one of the last GREAT mob-life first person stories you will ever read. Not great, but not awful dispite what the reviews say.

A fun sequal to GOODFELLAS, this book trips you merrily through the underworld but makes you glad not to be a part of it! Nice "members eye view".

In a review of his children's book it was stated that Henry comes off well in this book, Wiseguy and the Movie. Just to let people know I thought he comes across as an arrogant, narcisstic jerk, who cares nothing for other people.

Was good to hear what the rat has been doing since he was freed for giving up the people that protected him and taught him how to make a living.

People basing this book on the movie "Goodfellas" would be very disappointed. If you looking for the inspiring book of the screenplay for "Goodfellas" should look for Wiseguy by Peligio

Highly recommended read. I don't know where Brown's from but he definitely delivers a horrifically accurate image of growing up in drug-plagued New York in the 80's in Queens Reigns Supreme. In this recent work, Snitch, Brown tackles the flaws in police-informant relationships. Specifically, the measures informants reach when their freedom's at stake. Brown also sheds light on the dangers of stat-hungry prosecutors purely seeking conviction numbers before justice. If you have the slightest interest in criminal justice (or injustice) buy, borrow or steal this book. This is the ugly truth to the story of police cooperation....I wish this book would been published prior to the hype around Stop Snitching so it could have served as some sort of reference....one thing's for sure, Cam'ron is still a jackass.

This is an excellent and completely horrifying book. Academic critics like Prof. William Stuntz have documented the "pathological politics" of federal criminal law - an "iron triangle" relationship in which (1) the electorate induces (2) the legislative branch to increase the prosecutorial power of (3) the executive at the expense of the poor, withering judiciary. Sentencing guidelines -and especially stiff mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders- have raised the stakes of trial immensely. When defendants are given the choice to either: A) plead guilty to 1-2 years behind bars or B) exercise their constitutional right to trial and risk decades, it's simply no wonder that fewer and fewer cases make it into the courtroom. And this means less transparency, fewer appeals, less judicial review, and...yes...WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS! If, as Brandeis had it, "sunlight is the best disinfectant" who knows what is now growing in the darkness?

There can be no doubt that the current regime has turned US Attorneys into Grand Inquisitors. But should we worry? Why not "just trust the Government?" After all, there can be no witchhunts without false accusations and false confessions, right? This is where Ethan Brown's book makes a truly original contribution, and to my mind delivers the coup de grace to the existing federal system. The author demonstrates how that system runs on a strict and steady diet of "incentivized witnesses" - snitches in common parlance. Mandatory minimums can be a great incentive to lie and exaggerate if you are a "target" looking to roll over on your associates. But they also create perverse secondary incentives - in federal investigators and prosecutors - to skip the expensive and boring independent investigation. When all these snitches are coming to you with free eyewitness information, why bother with the hard police work? Brown persausively and devastatingly argues that the snitch has become a crutch for the Government, to the severe detriment of the rights of the accused and the integrity of the system.

This is an extremely important book because it is written from the perspective of a serious journalist for the lay public. Practitioners frequently lose the perspective to see how truly bizzare and unfair the system has become. The public, on the other hand, can't be expected to take much interest in the various subsection headings of the US Code. Ethan Brown bridges the gap for the lay public, and one can only hope this book brings some attention to this Kafkaesque nightmare.

"Snitch is a must read. With the current fascination with gangsters in America, and gangsta rap read what really goes on behind the scenes. All the bravado and thuggish attitudes is just for show because when these so-called gangstas get behind closed doors they are snitches on whoever and whatever, fabricating and lying on people. That is the truth of American Justice and Ethan shows it all with no punches." [...]