Lion in the Basement Growing up in the Gallo Crime Family

I realize mine is the first negative review of this book. I say this mainly due to the atrocious use of, or lack of same, writing, grammar, run-on sentences, punctuation, and spelling that made it difficult to follow. I'm aware that books on mobsters contain a liberal use of profanity but I felt it was overdone. I'm sure there are errors in the book but one noticeable one occurred on page 31 where the birth of Joey Gallo is listed as July 7, 1929, when it should have read April 7th. On page 156 the author mentions the daughter of an individual named "Frank Shawnee" claims he killed Joey Gallo. I believe the person in question to be Frank Sheeran.I have always wondered who the shooters were that killed Albert Anastasia. I've read where Joey Gallo was one of them (as this book states) and Joe (Jelly) Gioelli. This book also states that Joey Gallo was not involved in the assassination of Joe Colombo in Columbus Circle in 1971. I have also read similar beliefs in other books. I found it interesting that Albert "Kid Blast" purchased interest in a restaurant in the same intersection (Hester & Mulberry) where his brother Joey was murdered.To me it did appear the writing in the book, for whatever reason, improved as I got towards the end.

The book is a great read especially when I can relate to it because I was born & raised in this area in Brooklyn. Once I started to read the book I couldn't put it down. I knew and heard of most of the people in the book as my father's picture appears in it as well. He was the hot dog man in that neighborhood and he knew all of the Gallo Family. Anone who comes from this neighborhood this would be the book to read. Brings back a lot of old time memories even though I was very young at the time I remember the stores, the people and most of all the targedies that happened.Great book and I recommend it to everyone who is interested in reliving the old days and seeing pictures of all the familiar places.Everyone knew of the Gallo's and of course of the lion as well. Great job Frank Dimatteo Sr.

Read this book in a day! Another book about The Gallo's but this one actually talks about the crew particularly the author's father Ricky. It's always interesting to read from the perspective of someone who has actually been there rather than a writer who gets his or her information second hand or from police sources. Frank gives a different accounts of what happened at the Italian Unity rally and when Joey got hit at Umberto's (Frank Sheeran's story gets called into question.) The only thing about this book is the editing drove me crazy. dozens of misspelled words! If it was intentional which I don't think it was fine but this copy was not spell checked.

Fascinating read about the area of Brooklyn my family is from. Over the years I heard the stories and rumors about events that took place and and this book either confirms or clears thing up.Also, many of the businesses in the book are places that we still patronize such asCourt Pastry, Monteleones, Caputos, Ferdinandos and the best hero shop on NYC and probably the world Sloppy NicksAKA DeFontes. Nice the author threw in the best bar in Bklyn too Farrell's.

This book is a must for anybody that reads books on the Mafia. Frankie D may not bean author but he puts you right on president st. with the whole Gallo crew. Read the whole book in one day! Bye far one of the best mob books I've ever read!! You get a first hand look from someone that was there. So let's get this book on the best sellerlist!!! Can't wait for the next book from Frankie D. Mike W.

Really don’t no my granddaughter ordered and she loves them

It was so much better than reading a mob book by a professional author. This book was a bleeding heart story written in words that put you there in the life with him. So much info that has never been published yet about The Gallos. Highly recommend.

This has been an interesting book. I would recommend it to those who like to read about life in the mob.

Lion in the basement is the autobiography of a Brooklyn man who has had a very dull life. Brought up by a convicted thief mother and gangster wannabe step father. His first job is delivery boy for 'Screw' magazine, and it only goes downhill from there. Beaten up by cops for verbally abusing them, firing his gun at garbage men for driving too slowly and failed heists and hijackings are the only interesting bits in a very dull book. New York wiseguys and gangsters ridicule and look down at this out of luck alcoholic, whose miserable life should never have been put into print.The type is miniscule, and kindle users will not be able to expand the text. Various uninteresting photos of Brooklyn bakeries, bars and lowlife criminals fail to make this any more interesting. Bad spelling, grammar and indeed subject make it even more disapointing

One of the very best books on the "Mob" I have read and that's over 100. Frank takes you back in time to when the Gallo family ran downtown Brooklyn. This book takes you right into the Gallo family with a great list of characters who will make you smile, then cry at some of the activities these guys got up to. A fantastic chapter on Armando "The Dwarf" Illano, plus some rare photos, unseen before of the Gallo family and members. Frank tells you exactly what it was like to "Run" with these guys. If you only buy one book on the "Mob" this coming year "Make Sure It's This ONE! Once started very hard to put down. Lion in the Basement Growing up in the Gallo Crime FamilyLion in the Basement Growing up in the Gallo Crime Family

This item arrived quickly and in good condition, very pleased with this item and with the seller. Loved this book gained more ingsight to the gallo family.

A brilliant read

Interesting read