Donnie Brasco by Joseph D. Pistone (book review)
Before the FBI did undercover stings, an agent might go in for a few weeks to catch a low level criminal.
But the FBI wanted to go after the top dogs in the Mafia. So in the 1970’s they sent an agent undercover "for six months". When they pulled that agent out six years later, the FBI was able to take down Mafia personnel spreading across the US.
This agent was Joseph Pistone, who went undercover as jewel thief Donald Brasco.
Now, I've read a lot of books on both the FBI and the Mafia, and “Donnie Brasco” by Joseph D. Pistone is the best book on either the FBI or the Mafia that I’ve ever read.
I got the book as research for writing my series, thinking it would be the usual dry ‘just the facts’ sort of writing, but I couldn’t put it down. Not only is the information fascinating, the author has an engaging style of storytelling and attention to detail that makes you feel as if you’re there with him.
It’s one of those books that you want to read over and over. I highly recommend it if you’re at all interested in law enforcement, crime stories, the US Mafia, or suspense. (he got into some hairy real life situations!)
Five stars. Here are some places you can get it.