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Wiseguy (Abridged) Audiobook
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(4.00) - 3,984 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Nicholas Pileggi’s vivid, unvarnished, journalistic chronicle of the life of Henry Hill—the working-class Brooklyn kid who knew from age twelve that “to be a wiseguy was to own the world,” who grew up to live the highs and lows of the mafia gangster’s life—has been hailed as “the best book ever written on organized crime” (Cosmopolitan).
This is the true-crime bestseller that was the basis for Martin Scorsese’s film masterpiece GoodFellas, which brought to life the violence, the excess, the families, the wives and girlfriends, the drugs, the payoffs, the paybacks, the jail time, and the Feds…with Henry Hill’s crackling narration drawn straight out of Wiseguy and overseeing all the unforgettable action. “Nonstop...absolutely engrossing” (The New York Times Book Review).
Read it and experience the secret life inside the mob—from one who’s lived it.
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"Henry Hill's life of crime as a peripheral member of the Mafia is documented in this fascinating and morbidly entertaining memoir. The film adaptation, Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas", is widely considered the definitive movie on the subject of organized crime, heralded for its authenticity. Hill's memory for details about specific incidents gives the reader a brutal glimpse into what NYC Mafia life was like in the 60s and 70s. If you find the Mafia an interesting subject but haven't read this, make this your very next read."
— Brian (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The best book ever written on organized crime.”
— Cosmopolitan -
“Wiseguy goes nonstop...absolutely engrossing.”
— New York Times Book Review
Wiseguy Listener Reviews
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" I usually favor women stories, but this inside look at the mob is worth a semester of Psychology 101. "
— Georgian, 2/13/2014 -
" This is the book that goodfellas is based on-true crime is fascinating to read, mobster life in particular. If you like both, you will love this book. "
— Dj, 2/11/2014 -
" Mafia books aren't really my cup of tea, but after hearing about the passing of America's most notorious wise guy, and seeing it on my boyfriends book shelf, I decided to give it a try. I watched Goodfellas for the first time a few months back and I'm thinking if I hadn't seen it prior to reading this book it would have been more difficult to read. Nonetheless, I liked it and it's a fascinating glimpse into American history.. "
— Taylor, 1/18/2014 -
" When I was in high school, I went through a phase where I was obsessed with organized crime. This biography on which the movie "Goodfellas" is based definitely fed that addiction. "
— Damian, 1/18/2014 -
" This is the book "Good fellas" was based on. I went through a mobster phase. "
— Christa, 1/13/2014 -
" If you liked Goodfellas, read this. "
— Lynn, 1/5/2014 -
" Wise guys never seem to wise up! "
— Bob, 12/13/2013 -
" Good Fellas is one of my favoirte movies and it was from this book it was adapted. A true crime story at its best. "
— Beamdoggie, 12/11/2013 -
" if you liked "goodfellas," this is almost word-for-word the same. a very fun book, and a very insider look into a strange, strange world. "
— Jake, 12/7/2013 -
" Fascinating. If you like the film you should like this. "
— Darran, 11/10/2013 -
" A classic book. A must read after seeing the movie ''Good Fellas''. "
— Sean, 10/18/2013 -
" Even if you've already seen Goodfellas (the movie based on this book) definitely worth a read. The details of their live both inside and outside of prison are fascinating. "
— Earl, 10/16/2013 -
" Fantastic. Soooo much better than the film and that says something as it is an amazing film with a brilliant cast "
— Ben, 9/5/2013 -
" yes I read it, and I think this is what became the movie 'Goodfellas" "
— Opskar01, 3/27/2013 -
" Great book about east coast scumbag Henry Hill. They made a great movie out of this book "Goodfellas". "
— Mike, 2/20/2013 -
" This is the movie that Goodfellas is based on. I read this just after the movie was released and enjoyed it a lot. I didn't realize Henry Hill was an actual living person till I read this book. "
— Lorraine, 10/17/2012 -
" Just as smooth as the film. Just as cool too. "
— da-wildchildz, 10/1/2012 -
" I read this when I lived in Brooklyn and I couldn't believe this took place in East New York and Brownsville. Those neighborhoods have changed a lot. "
— Ed, 8/6/2012 -
" One of the greatest looks inside the world of the Mafia and crime life of NYC. It reads just like the movie, but the book did a wonderful job of conveying the actual feel and emotions of Henry Hill throughout his life of crime. "
— Carlos, 7/19/2012 -
" The readers voice was annoying "
— Becky, 5/2/2012 -
" "The book is always better than the movie". I thought this would be tested since GoodFellas is a movie that I love. I didn't realize that for large portions of it, Ray Liottta is reading Wiseguy. It's like a book on movie. Enjoyed the book as much as I do the movie and that's saying a lot. "
— Ken, 3/1/2012 -
" If you liked the movie, you will be happy to know that the script is almost word for word this book. If you watched the movie, the book will yield very little new information. "
— Luci, 2/2/2012 -
" Always wanted to read this book ever since I was in middle school and saw Goodfellas. Pretty entertaining and the movie holds pretty true to the book. What an amazing, terrifying life Henry Hill led (leads). "
— James, 1/2/2012 -
" Great read, its even more messed up than the film "
— Paul, 9/29/2011 -
" Fantastic insight into a life in the mafia, a classic true story the became the movie goodfellas. It's one of my favourite movies, and it is true to the book. A great read! "
— Joe, 8/18/2011 -
" It is a good story about the rise and fall of Henry Hill, who becomes a gangster.<br/>The story concists of violence, robbery, drugs and being an informer for the police. "
— Jonathan, 7/31/2011 -
" One of the greatest looks inside the world of the Mafia and crime life of NYC. It reads just like the movie, but the book did a wonderful job of conveying the actual feel and emotions of Henry Hill throughout his life of crime. "
— Carlos, 7/29/2011 -
" Just as smooth as the film. Just as cool too. "
— da-wildchildz, 7/23/2011 -
" The basis for the best Mafia movie of all time (Goodfellas) this is almost the script for the film, which tells you all you need to know "
— David, 7/1/2011 -
" buku perihal kehidupan mafia, yang kemudian difilmkan dengan judul "Goodfellas", dibintangi Robert de Niro, Ray Liota dan Joe Pesci dengan Sutradara Martin Scorsese. "
— aldozirsov, 6/16/2011 -
" A classic book. A must read after seeing the movie ''Good Fellas''. "
— Sean, 5/14/2011 -
" Aspiring for "the life", struggling for survival. "
— Alter3vil, 4/14/2011 -
" the book on which <em>Goodfellas</em> is based, and if i remember correctly, i'd say it's better than the movie. that's saying a lot. "
— simar, 3/11/2007
About Nicholas Pileggi
Nicholas Pileggi is an American author and screenwriter, whose true-crime book, Wiseguy, became the basis for Martin Scorsese’s film Goodfellas and made the New York Times bestseller list. His other books include Casino and Blye: Private Eye.