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Wiseguy

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Wiseguy

Written by: Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese - introduction
Narrated by: Ari Fliakos, Corey Brill, Hillary Huber, Martin Scorsese - introduction
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About this listen

INCLUDES AN INTRODUCTION WRITTEN AND READ BY MARTIN SCORSESE!

Nicholas Pileggi's vivid, unvarnished, journalistic chronicle of the life of Henry Hill - the working-class Brooklyn kid who knew from age twelve that "to be a wiseguy was to own the world," who grew up to live the highs and lows of the mafia gangster's life - has been hailed as "the best book ever written on organized crime" (Cosmopolitan).

This is the true crime best seller that was the basis for Martin Scorsese's film masterpiece GoodFellas, which brought to life the violence, the excess, the families, the wives and girlfriends, the drugs, the payoffs, the paybacks, the jail time, and the Feds...with Henry Hill's crackling narration drawn straight out of Wiseguy and overseeing all the unforgettable action.

"Nonstop...absolutely engrossing." (The New York Times Book Review)

Listen to it and experience the secret life inside the mob - from one who's lived it.

©1987, 1990 Nicholas Pileggi (P)2019 Simon & Schuster
Criminology True Crime Mafia
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What listeners say about Wiseguy

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great story

if you love mob stuff, this is a must read. much more detailed then the movie.

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Fantastic.

I’ve seen the film Goodfellas a dozen times - but when I listened to Hill talking on Howard Stern I decided to get the boo- I was not disappointed. Great story as it provides the background of the real players in this crime drama/comedy. Narrators were perfect and the intro by Scorsese set the stage perfectly. I loved this book and as I listened I have flashes of the film to accompany me and my imagination. Highly recommended!

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Great story well read

Ari Fliakos was so believable! He can personify any character. I felt like he was Henry.

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Perfect Basis for a Screenplay..

Martin Scorsese ('Mean Streets', 'Casino', 'The Irishman') knew what he was doing when he made this into 'Goodfellas'. The book gives spectacular insight into the almost mythical world of Wiseguys - giving listeners a firm understanding of why Henry Hill was lured into the life (and fell into disaster).
Author Nicholas Pileggi uses impressive storytelling skills to translate jawdropping gangster anecdotes into an unforgettable book.. an engrossing glimpse into a nearly unimaginable - but undeniably real - organized crime life. The descriptions are vivid, the dialogue authentic, the "characters" true-to-life, and the plot progression unrelenting. This book is very well written. It also contains dozens of extra episodes in Henry Hill's amazing life - those who appreciate the film are in for a treat.

Ari Fliakos handles the majority of the narration and his performance is nearly flawless. His timbre and emotiveness are spot-on and his pacing is unparalleled. The contributions from Corey Brill and Hillary Huber (reading perspectives merged into the text) are likewise commendable - at times it sounds almost like Ray Liotta is narrating.

Altogether, this book has immersive writing, brilliant narration, and quality production standards. It's easily worth a Credit. 9.5/10 stars.

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absolutely perfect

if you're a fan of Goodfellas this is a must read, fills in plenty of gaps while sharing new information that the movie couldn't fit in

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fugetaboutit!

Amazing story and well told. Scorsese really nailed the essence of the book in Goodfellas.

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Now it’s a photo finish...

I had already listened to The Godfather by Mario Puzo earlier this year. That book singlehandedly set the high watermark for the sub-genre. I didn’t think anything could ever come close! I was wrong.

Mitch must’ve known a guy...

It’s just so spot on.

Makes my top 5 all-time favorite list with ease. Perfect reading by each and every reader.
If you only have one credit to your name, bet on this one for a guaranteed winner!

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