The Westies is an engrossing true-crime book that shines a light on a criminal organization often overshadowed by the Mafia. T.J. English does an excellent job balancing historical detail with fast-paced storytelling, making the book feel more like a crime novel than a work of nonfiction. The characters are fascinating, the violence is shocking, and the depiction of old New York adds an extra layer of atmosphere. It's a compelling read that should appeal to anyone interested in organized crime or urban history.
The Westies
book2011
by T. J. English
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7.1
1 ratingAbout The Westies
From a New York Times–bestselling author: A true story of Irish gangsters in Manhattan—“A harrowing account of big city crime” (Library Journal). It’s men like Jimmy Coonan and Mickey Featherstone who gave Hell’s Kitchen its name. In the mid-1970s, these two longtime friends take the reins of New York’s Irish mob, using brute force to give it hitherto unthinkable power. Jimmy, a charismatic sociopath, is the leader. Mickey, whose memories of Vietnam torture him daily, is his enforcer. Together they make brutality their trademark, butchering bodies or hurling them out the window. Under their reign, Hell’s Kitchen becomes a place where death literally rains from the sky. But when Mickey goes down for a murder he didn’t commit, he suspects his friend has sold him out. He returns the favor, breaking the underworld’s code of silence and testifying against his gang in open court. From one of the creators of NYPD Blue and Homicide: Life on the Street comes an incredible true story of what it means to survive in the world of organized crime, where murder is commonplace.
Book Details
Authors: T. J. English
ISBN-13: 9781453234730
ISBN-10: 145323473X
Series: —
Why You Should Read
The Westies offers a fascinating look at a lesser-known chapter of organized crime history. T.J. English combines investigative journalism with compelling storytelling to create a book that feels both educational and gripping. Fans of Mafia stories, true crime, and New York history will appreciate its detailed portrayal of the gang's rise and fall, along with the colorful personalities that shaped its legacy.
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