Gripping

T.J. English has a way about his books. Like BORN TO KILL, about a Vietnamese street gang making a name amongst NYC Chinatown gangs, English always finds a subjec to tell his story through, making his books, like THE WESTIES read better than a Newsweek article (not necessarily written in a poetic way, but the story structure is awesome). Though his subject is almost always a turncoat, so to speak, he still maintains a feel of currency to his book. Here, in the Westies, despite the almost predictable ending, the book flows beautifully, if brutal in the process. The Westies, not a real name of this Irish Mob, were an interesting sidebar to the mob scene in the 70s, and part of 80s. Unlike their Italian counterparts, they featured a less-organized, but more violent approach to their ways. And this is where English always shines, displaying violence as well as anyone. The violence comes off as so real, that you can't discount it. This is not watching a movie. Speaking of which, the movie "State of Grace" is loosely based on this story, but the movie should be ignored at all costs. And if for some reason that is your introduction to reading this book, then let English erase your visual memory with one that is more vivid. An absolute must for true crime fans, and even for those who don't count themselves as one.

Great 70's - 80's True Gangster Saga

T. J. English did a great job of packing 20 years or so of the escapades of a bunch of West Side psychopaths into this book, and bringing it all to a head with their 1987-88 RICO trial. Throw in just enough Hell's Kitchen background from the late 1800's to the 1960's to give one a sense of place, a smattering of contemporary Italian mob activity for perspective, a broad brush sweep of what was happening on the law enforcement side of the Westies' activities, numerous gangster "war" stories, a chapter or two from the criminal lawyers' point of view, even a street map of landmarks from the book, and you've got a mighty fine true-crime read. Sure, some of the stories may be somewhat exaggerated - or even complete fiction - since apparently the lion's share of the book is based on Mickey Featherstone's recollection and testimony, but English doesn't shy away from letting the reader know about Featherstone's proclivity for telling tall tales and his sometimes tenuous touch with reality. It appears that the author took care to research and corroborate what he could. English tells a good story himself, and the tales he recounts have a realistic feel. The only way to improve the paperback version of this book would be to pack in more photos (there are about 20). But I'm not complaining. Read it and enjoy!

Gruesome Read

There's not a lot more to say that other reviewers haven't already said, except that while reading this book, it would be wise to remember that most of the information comes from Featherstone himself - and so, the book largely portrays this vicious killer and mob rat as a victim who had little choice in his actions.