The Way of the Wise Guy

No Poker Content:
I grew up with a strange addiction to everything Mafia. I read the book The Godfather by Mario Puzo before the movie came out and then fell in love with the movie as it was one of the few movies that was loyal to the book. The Godfather was one of my favorite movies growing up (I was 17 when it came out). From that point I read and watched everything relating to the Mafia. I came from a little town in Northern Michigan and was as far removed from the life of the wiseguy/Mafia that you could possibly get. I probably thought it was so what being a man was about. Not taking any crap from anyone, living life on the edge, having this glamorous looking life. All the things young people think is cool. And, of course, they got to go to Las Vegas.

From The Valachi Papers by Peter Maas to Casino by Nicholas Pileggi to The Sopranos. I devoured books, movies and TV shows on the Mafia and about Wiseguys.

My second most favorite books and movies about Wiseguys has to be Donnie Brasco by Joseph Pistone. I guess I like this book because it is real life, not some glorified view of the Mafia and wiseguys.

Joseph Pistone, AKA Donnie Brasco has now written 3 or 4 other books involving his life as Donne Brasco. I just finished reading The Way of the Wise Guy by Donne Brasco AKA Joseph P. Pistone and I think I have come full circle with my fascinaton with Wiseguys and the Mafia. Now I just think of them as being pretty much low lives, taking from society and never putting anything back in. Hurting innocent hard working people and society because they can.

I'll still watch The Sopranos and keep reading about Wiseguys and the Mafia but I guess I really don't want to be one anymore.