Gaspipe

I’ve always had a fascination with true crime. I blame it on my mom who was reading In Cold Blood when she gave birth to me! Many years ago, I developed an interest in the Mafia. Mom and I saw The Godfather when it was re-released in the theaters and I instantly fell in love with the entire Mafia genre. Sure, they are cold-blooded killers, but they have rules, they have respect, they have a deep relationship with their families. I have to admit that I admire and respect them. Monday, I was at mom’s and mentioned I needed to take the day off to rest my back and I needed something to read. She mentioned a great book she’d just finished entitled Gaspipe: Confessions of a Mafia Boss. The book is about Anthony “Gaspipe” Casso who ran the Lucchese crime family in the 80s and 90s before turning on the family and ratting to the government. I loved it. By noon on Monday I’d finished a third of the book and had it about halfway done before bedtime. Last night, I finished it. What a read. Anthony was one of the most ruthless killers in the family, yet I had to like the guy. He was deeply in love with his wife, a devoted husband and father, always kept his word and was highly respected in the organization. Oh sure, there’s that little business of all the people he tortured and killed (or had killed) but it was still hard not to like him. The book is written by a former neighbor of Anthony’s so it is a bit one-sided, but still a great read.

Thanks mom, for sharing a great book and thanks for taking the time after the birth of your first child to read some true crime. Now I think I need to dig up my old copy of The Godfather and re-read it just for fun.