Underboss

Peter Maas dramatically reveals the shocking story of Salvatore Gravano-one of the most powerful leaders of modern organized crime. Underboss vividly portrays "Sammy's" disturbing rise in the Mafia from his first wary contact as a child with mobsters, to his phenomenal promotion to second-in-command of the much feared Gambino crime family. In his southwestern Brooklyn neighborhood, Sammy's father taught him to avoid certain men and never question their actions. But when those men helped the nine-year-old retrieve his stolen bicycle, he longed to be like them. Soon Sammy was adopting the Mafia's methods of intimidation and violence. His efforts culminated in the thrilling day when he took the solemn blood vow to join their Honored Society. After lengthy interviews with "Sammy the Bull," Peter Maas chronicles the riveting story-much of it in Gravano's own voice-of a wasted life and unalterable choices. Narrator Richard M. Davidson ushers you into the shadowy inner sanctum of organized crime where betrayal mingles with honor, and the spectre of violent death always threatens.… (more)