Gotti's Rules: The Story of John Alite, Junior Gotti, and the Demise of the American Mafia Paperback – Illustrated, November 10, 2015

Most books written about the Gottis, and especially John Gotti, Sr., tend to read like fan-boy praise. True, a great many of the ones I have read hail from the days when John Gotti, Sr. was still eluding justice and being acquitted again and again thanks to a mix of clueless prosecutors, highly paid lawyers, witness intimidation and jury tampering. And though these books mostly made an attempt to document the crimes committed, they also dripped a grudging (or not so grudging) admiration for Gotti and his crew. After his conviction, the glow faded a bit and there were a few less laudatory books coming out.This one is definitely in a different tack. It shows all the warts and blemishes on Gotti, Sr., Gotti, Jr., their immediate family and the criminal clowns they hung out with. John Alite, who is the subject of the book and at one time in both Gotti's innermost circles, is a thug, a killer and arguably a sociopath. All that said, he does not seem to mind sharing every sordid detail and embarrassing fact. The book seems to be the first honest expose of the Gotti regime. Alite shows no remorse, and if you are looking for a tale of redemption, look elsewhere. The only regret shown looks to be in having been deluded about the Gottis for so long before realizing they weren't anything more nor less than petty hoodlums who'd somehow landed at the top of a criminal empire at its nadir. The Mafia is today a weakened organization, and what probably weakened it the most was the Gotti regime. Alite documents the final days of that empire very well.Today, Alite is a free man and not in hiding, despite having testified against the Gottis. He seems more ruthless than they are or were, so not sure who should be afraid of whom. Book well worth reading, if you have any interest at all in any of what I just wrote.

Very interesting look at the mob this book follows the life of John alite who was a friend of John gotti Jr and his partner in the Gambino crime family I thought it was a great read not as good as wise guys but this is still worth reading it has lots of wild mob stories and a interesting look at the modern mob as well as the mob from the eighties til the late twenty ten very good book

Look; I don't want to come on here as 'whole-e-er than thou' or any such thing and let's be real, G. Anastasia is a well known/recognized/credible mafia writer for years. I think though that when Nicky Scarface and the cow-boys down there in Philly all went away (except that P. Leonetti who got one heck of a ridiculous pass), I think he ran out of real material. In this latest of his, it just appears to me that he got some bum of a low-life underling to open up to he with a bunch of really, gossipy inside one sided opinion/fact (who knows which s which), stuff that in total, amounts to not much about nothing. Sorry George but with this one it kinda strikes me that you perhaps needed a quick buck for a new car or someting and I am sorry I conributed to it as this was close to a waste of my reading time. With this one Geoge you're kinda like the pro baskeetball player who plays one sesaon too many. Having said that, I hope if you do do more work, that it is back to what you're normally expected to deliver which would be a heck of a lot better than this, I have little doubt.

I have read a number of books on organized crime which includes references to John Jr. This book boils down to whom you believe is telling the truth. Alite admits to not telling the truth in the book in certain situations. You have no way of knowing what was left out. On the other hand Jr is fighting to stay out of prison so he has nothing to lose by attacking the claims of Alite. The book is well written but must be read with an open mind. Watch the documentary where Jr claims to have left the mob. It is very interesting but again what was left out? I do not believe the entire truth will ever be known because chances are another body would be found in the trunk of a car or floating in a river. Very good book and highly recommend.

This is a great story, but terribly one sided. We know how bad they were! We know some did terrible things that they got away with. This is a book to read and get inside information about the mob. His story is haunting and eye opening, and most probably true as he lived it. A great insight into the inner workings of a criminal family. Be prepared to hear things directly from the one of the Soldiers!

Fourth book Ive read by George Anastasia. Awesome book. Plowed through it in two days.

Great book of the story of ur life john alite. Can't even imagine all the pain n suffering u went through.. Yes u were a killer urself n hurt n killed people on the orders of the dis functional gotti family... But it's hard to comprehend that people r calling u a liar n that this is a false story. ? Being brought up in woodhaven n knowing u n the lifestyle u hav made for urself, that this is a true story... I remember jr gotti coming up to the neighborhood n stopping in with u to the local bar the white horse tavern. He walked in( jr) n would pick on people for no reason than just being a bully. He had guys behind him so he was protected.. John alite on the other hand was always a gentleman to b around, never out of line with people who didn't deserve it.. I kno because I grew up around it all. Woodhaven was a tight knit place to grow up, we all knew everyone. Just like the story said, he only hurt n took the lives of low life underworld people. Never the innocent bystander. Thx John alite.! Ur going in the rite direction with ur life, don't ever settle for less.. Knowing alite the way I do, he'll always come out on top. He was always a different mobster n the real tough guy..!!! Great book n great job .! Hats off to Alite n Anastasia for getting the truth out...!

Interesting read

Intersting book

A really enjoyable read giving a very different slant on life inside the mob and the Gotti's in particular. The Gotti fan boys will hate it....knowing that made it an even more enjoyable read and worth every penny of the price. (lol)

Easy read, interesting to hear from someone giving perspective from both inside and outside the organisation. Good book and recommended read

Great read. Love true crime