The President Street Boys

Growing Up Mafia

By: Frank DiMatteo

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Frank DiMatteo was born into a family of mob hit men. His father and godfather were shooters and bodyguards for infamous Mafia legends, the Gallo brothers. His uncle was a capo in the Genovese crime family and bodyguard to Frank Costello. Needless to say, DiMatteo saw and heard things that a boy shouldn't see or hear.

He knew everybody in the neighborhood. And they knew him...and his family. And does he have some wild stories to tell....

From the old-school Mafia dons and infamous "five families" who called all the shots to the new-breed "independents" of the ballsy Gallo gang who didn't answer to nobody, DiMatteo pulls no punches in describing what it's really like growing up in the mob. Getting his cheeks pinched by Crazy Joe Gallo until tears came down his face. Dropping out of school and hanging gangster-style with the boys on President Street. Watching the Gallos wage an all-out war against wise guys with more power, more money, more guns. And finally revealing the shocking deathbed confessions that will blow the lid off the sordid deeds, stunning betrayals, and all-too-secret history of the American Mafia.

©2016 Frank Dimatteo (P)2016 Tantor

Great perspective, lacking narrative

This was an informative and entertaining firsthand account of crime history. But a lot of the chapters are written as long lists of people or places. Some of the stories seem to jump around a lot. I think the book could have benefited from following a sequential narrative.

Compelling, riveting shape-changing read!

As a voracious reader of everything mafioso nonfiction, found DiMatteo exudes authenticity. Highly recommended book. Thank you

Awesome book

I have enjoyed this one several times and I can always visualize everything that’s happening and I feel like I’m in the story just by listening. Great storytelling

The Real Deal

And awesome in every sense of the word. Authentic story with great narration. Narrator could be a wise guy from goodfellas. His pronunciation of Italian names and words is dead on which enhances the story. 2 thumbs up

Great Book

Great Book, enjoyed the read. the reader kept it flowing good glad not monotone voice