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Gangsters and Goodfellas: The Mob, Witness Protection, and Life on the Run
"At the age of twelve, my ambition was to become a gangster. To be a wiseguy was better than being President of the United States. To be a wiseguy was to own the world." ― Henry Hill
When Henry Hill entered the Witness Protection Program, he was certain that his criminal days had finally come to an end. He was wrong.
For over twenty years, Henry Hill lived the high life as a powerful member of the Lucchese crime family, a life immortalized in Martin Scorsese's classic film GoodFellas . After his arrest in 1980, he disappeared into the Witness Protection Program With this book, Henry comes clean about his last twenty years, filling in the gaps about his recent past as well as setting the record straight on his days as a wiseguy. At once hilarious, unpredictable, scandalous, and arresting, Henry Hill's tale will destroy everything you thought you knew about the Witness Protection Program.
When Henry Hill entered the Witness Protection Program, he was certain that his criminal days had finally come to an end. He was wrong.
For over twenty years, Henry Hill lived the high life as a powerful member of the Lucchese crime family, a life immortalized in Martin Scorsese's classic film GoodFellas . After his arrest in 1980, he disappeared into the Witness Protection Program With this book, Henry comes clean about his last twenty years, filling in the gaps about his recent past as well as setting the record straight on his days as a wiseguy. At once hilarious, unpredictable, scandalous, and arresting, Henry Hill's tale will destroy everything you thought you knew about the Witness Protection Program.
280 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
May 2, 2021
This was an entertaining memoir of former mobster Henry Hill (Ray Liotta's character from the movie 'Goodfellas'). The book was lively and energetic I thought and lots of gangster euphemisms like the "Forgetta 'bout it." True to the movie, Henry and his two close associates Tommy DeSimone (Joe Pesci's character) and Jimmy Burke (portrayed by Robert De Niro) were some shady and vicious criminals. Their personalities where heavily felt throughout the book.
The book retells his life mirrored in the movie to include his early life, coming up as a gangster associate to the Lucchese crime family, the drugs and guns, and the famous Lufthansa heist. More than the movie, Henry Hill goes into the other crimes, mob personalities, fixing games, robberies, union extortion, and other underworld activities the film let out. The memoir goes further into his life (and his family's life) after entering into the Witness Protection Program (WPP). He consistently admits throughout the book his substance/alcohol abuse problem. This was also a continued problem even after getting into the WPP with substance abuse problems.
I liked the book and thought it was decent. After a while I felt the author seemed to ramble and I started to lose interest at times. It could be a good addition and recommendation to anyone who like mob/organized crime stories. Thanks!
The book retells his life mirrored in the movie to include his early life, coming up as a gangster associate to the Lucchese crime family, the drugs and guns, and the famous Lufthansa heist. More than the movie, Henry Hill goes into the other crimes, mob personalities, fixing games, robberies, union extortion, and other underworld activities the film let out. The memoir goes further into his life (and his family's life) after entering into the Witness Protection Program (WPP). He consistently admits throughout the book his substance/alcohol abuse problem. This was also a continued problem even after getting into the WPP with substance abuse problems.
I liked the book and thought it was decent. After a while I felt the author seemed to ramble and I started to lose interest at times. It could be a good addition and recommendation to anyone who like mob/organized crime stories. Thanks!
December 8, 2014
Memoir of Goodfella's Henry Hill's life in the Witness Protection Program. The book was ok but it made me angry because I read the other side of this story which was the memoir "On The Run" by his children. Henry Hill glamorized his life and he portrayed his children to be just fine with the life they were thrust into. This was not true as he was a horrible father and even lost his youngest child to DCF for two years due to his and his wife's alcohol and drug addiction. It also made me mad at the amount of money the government wasted to protect a rat. Money which Henry and his wives/girlfriends spent on drugs and scams. If you read this one, take it with a grain of salt as there were three children whose lives were greatly affected by his poor choices which he seems to brag about in this book.
August 29, 2009
I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this memoir by Henry Hill, the mob associate whose life was the source for one of my favorite mob books, Wiseguy and one of my favorite mob movies, Goodfellas. Last year I read On the Run A Mafia Childhood by Greg and Gina Hill, Henry's two children.
After the extreme romanticism of Goodfellas, the book by Greg and Gina made me feel absolutely icky and repulsed by the very idea of Henry Hill, because of what the kids went through. On the Run was written a couple years after Gangsters & Goodfellas so it's telling that here Henry doesn't mention his relationship with his kids much. The two books sitting side by side are among the most disturbing documents of my generation (Hill's kids are roughly my age). It's like any other case where parents utterly fail to understand what hell they're putting their kids through. Only here the context is vastly weirder than with most families.
Henry Hill spends some of the time in this book talking about how bad he feels, emphasizing and re-emphasizing that he doesn't want to encourage anyone to become a criminal. He also bellyaches with even greater frequency about how much money he blew, particularly how much money he blew on drugs. I know the feeling -- when one needs money, it's easy to feel extreme remorse about the money one spent unwisely in the past.
Most of the book, however, is spent re-living and boasting about his criminal exploits and his almost incomprehensible compulsive pursuit of women and the trashy drama that wrought. It's like an episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter but with a criminal who keeps getting away. There's something appealing about that, and its vicariously addicting.
Despite Hill's protestations, this book glorifies not only "the life," but the general idea of out-of-control male irresponsibility. I do believe on some level he feels bad about the violence. He may even feel bad about some of the theft. But I don't get the sense from this book that Henry really gives a damn about the pain he caused his family. Maybe he does care; maybe he thinks he does care; but I don't see that intimate regret represented here, and that's disturbing given how much Greg and Gina's later memoir affected me.
Hill may be twelve-stepping his way through the final pages, but the only real redemption I find in Gangsters and Goodfellas is viewing it as part of a dysfunctional whole.
After the extreme romanticism of Goodfellas, the book by Greg and Gina made me feel absolutely icky and repulsed by the very idea of Henry Hill, because of what the kids went through. On the Run was written a couple years after Gangsters & Goodfellas so it's telling that here Henry doesn't mention his relationship with his kids much. The two books sitting side by side are among the most disturbing documents of my generation (Hill's kids are roughly my age). It's like any other case where parents utterly fail to understand what hell they're putting their kids through. Only here the context is vastly weirder than with most families.
Henry Hill spends some of the time in this book talking about how bad he feels, emphasizing and re-emphasizing that he doesn't want to encourage anyone to become a criminal. He also bellyaches with even greater frequency about how much money he blew, particularly how much money he blew on drugs. I know the feeling -- when one needs money, it's easy to feel extreme remorse about the money one spent unwisely in the past.
Most of the book, however, is spent re-living and boasting about his criminal exploits and his almost incomprehensible compulsive pursuit of women and the trashy drama that wrought. It's like an episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter but with a criminal who keeps getting away. There's something appealing about that, and its vicariously addicting.
Despite Hill's protestations, this book glorifies not only "the life," but the general idea of out-of-control male irresponsibility. I do believe on some level he feels bad about the violence. He may even feel bad about some of the theft. But I don't get the sense from this book that Henry really gives a damn about the pain he caused his family. Maybe he does care; maybe he thinks he does care; but I don't see that intimate regret represented here, and that's disturbing given how much Greg and Gina's later memoir affected me.
Hill may be twelve-stepping his way through the final pages, but the only real redemption I find in Gangsters and Goodfellas is viewing it as part of a dysfunctional whole.
November 23, 2021
Following up from Wiseguy I had to read this one to get the complete picture of the events. The truth is that Henry Hill’s life as fascinating and engaging as it may have been was still a mess. Alcohol and drug abuse have been main features of it once he entered the Witness Protection Program and he didn’t get straight until very late in life.
One might come to doubt the authenticity of some of the actions described in this book considering how much influence cocaine had in Hill’s life as an informant for the FBI. This was mostly evident in the sequencing of the events that were all over the place in the book overlapping and backtracking. Either way some of the circumstances seem to have unfolded slightly differently than as described in Wiseguy. Or maybe because of this being a reflection on the events from the life in the mob.
Still, a fast paced read in Hill’s hyper style that offers a deeper understanding of the mafia business, informants and life as an informant.
One might come to doubt the authenticity of some of the actions described in this book considering how much influence cocaine had in Hill’s life as an informant for the FBI. This was mostly evident in the sequencing of the events that were all over the place in the book overlapping and backtracking. Either way some of the circumstances seem to have unfolded slightly differently than as described in Wiseguy. Or maybe because of this being a reflection on the events from the life in the mob.
Still, a fast paced read in Hill’s hyper style that offers a deeper understanding of the mafia business, informants and life as an informant.
June 30, 2011
If you liked Wiseguy You'll like this. I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff. The locale(and there's something to be said for knowing the geography of the area where the action is taking place)of much of this book is familiar to me as are the personality types - which have both a negative side and a positive side. Anyway - not everyone will enjoy this as much as I did and I can see from some of the reviews that (from my point of view and imho)that this is not everyone's cup of tea - you have to like stories about mob guys.
July 9, 2011
the mafia has always interested me and to read stories of what really happened just made it that much greater. henry hill has an amazing story and I'm glad he got to tell it.
March 12, 2018
This is a great case of real-life crossing over to fiction. Henry Hill is the inspiration for so many of the mafia related films and movies. Goodfellas may be the most obvious, as it was Hill's story that got turned into script, but hearing other tales of his life and early hijinks, I realise now that these are just mirrored in certain episodes of The Sopranos - pretty obvious to see where they got their inspiration from!
To have lived a life like his, if it wasn't so well documented then I probably wouldn't believe it. Hearing stories such as how the Fab Four unknowingly helped Hill and his crew with a heist makes his story all the better. A strong 4* from me, and would recommend this to others.
To have lived a life like his, if it wasn't so well documented then I probably wouldn't believe it. Hearing stories such as how the Fab Four unknowingly helped Hill and his crew with a heist makes his story all the better. A strong 4* from me, and would recommend this to others.
August 7, 2023
I enjoyed this book mainly because I love the goodfellas film so it was great to meet the main protagonist who to be honest is a despicable human being
January 2, 2024
Henry Hill's memoir, "Gangsters and Goodfellas: Wiseguys . . . and Life on the Run," is a disappointing and self-indulgent account that fails to offer any meaningful insight into the criminal underworld it claims to expose. Rather than providing a nuanced perspective on organized crime, Hill's narrative comes across as a superficial attempt to capitalize on his notoriety, leaving readers with little more than a glorification of criminality.
One of the most glaring issues with Hill's memoir is its lack of depth and intellectual substance. The narrative revolves around his own experiences as a mobster, but Hill offers little in the way of reflection or analysis. The reader is left to wade through a sea of anecdotes and name-dropping without any genuine understanding of the societal impact or moral implications of the criminal lifestyle.
The writing itself is another major letdown. Hill's prose lacks finesse and often descends into a rambling, disjointed mess. The memoir is filled with clichés, empty bravado, and an over-reliance on mobster lingo, which does little to enhance the storytelling and often feels like a cheap attempt to authenticate his narrative.
Moreover, Hill's attempt to cast himself as a sympathetic figure falls flat. While he may have been involved in criminal activities, the lack of remorse or genuine introspection makes it challenging for readers to empathize with his character. Instead of delving into the complexities of morality or redemption, Hill seems content to present himself as a victim of circumstances, a portrayal that feels disingenuous and self-serving.
The book's structure is another area of concern, as it meanders through disconnected episodes without a clear narrative thread. The lack of a cohesive storyline makes the reading experience feel disjointed and haphazard, leaving readers wondering if there was any purpose or overarching theme to Hill's recollections.
Additionally, the book's title itself is misleading, suggesting a comprehensive exploration of both the glamorized and harsh realities of the criminal world. However, what readers get is a superficial look at the so-called "wiseguys" without any meaningful examination of the consequences or societal impact of their actions.
In conclusion, "Gangsters and Goodfellas" by Henry Hill is a disappointing and shallow memoir that fails to live up to its promises. The lack of substance, poor writing, and absence of genuine reflection make it a tedious and unsatisfying read. Rather than offering an authentic glimpse into the complexities of organized crime, Hill's memoir comes across as a self-serving attempt to cash in on his criminal past without offering any meaningful contribution to the understanding of the subject matter.
One of the most glaring issues with Hill's memoir is its lack of depth and intellectual substance. The narrative revolves around his own experiences as a mobster, but Hill offers little in the way of reflection or analysis. The reader is left to wade through a sea of anecdotes and name-dropping without any genuine understanding of the societal impact or moral implications of the criminal lifestyle.
The writing itself is another major letdown. Hill's prose lacks finesse and often descends into a rambling, disjointed mess. The memoir is filled with clichés, empty bravado, and an over-reliance on mobster lingo, which does little to enhance the storytelling and often feels like a cheap attempt to authenticate his narrative.
Moreover, Hill's attempt to cast himself as a sympathetic figure falls flat. While he may have been involved in criminal activities, the lack of remorse or genuine introspection makes it challenging for readers to empathize with his character. Instead of delving into the complexities of morality or redemption, Hill seems content to present himself as a victim of circumstances, a portrayal that feels disingenuous and self-serving.
The book's structure is another area of concern, as it meanders through disconnected episodes without a clear narrative thread. The lack of a cohesive storyline makes the reading experience feel disjointed and haphazard, leaving readers wondering if there was any purpose or overarching theme to Hill's recollections.
Additionally, the book's title itself is misleading, suggesting a comprehensive exploration of both the glamorized and harsh realities of the criminal world. However, what readers get is a superficial look at the so-called "wiseguys" without any meaningful examination of the consequences or societal impact of their actions.
In conclusion, "Gangsters and Goodfellas" by Henry Hill is a disappointing and shallow memoir that fails to live up to its promises. The lack of substance, poor writing, and absence of genuine reflection make it a tedious and unsatisfying read. Rather than offering an authentic glimpse into the complexities of organized crime, Hill's memoir comes across as a self-serving attempt to cash in on his criminal past without offering any meaningful contribution to the understanding of the subject matter.
March 1, 2023
I was so excited to read/listen to this book. I loved Wiseguy and Goodfellas is my favourite movie so I was excited to see where Henry Hill ended up. I wished I hadn’t have bothered with it as it’s just Henry Hill rambling about how important he is and changing stories and at some points outright fabricating situations where he’s made out to be the most important man in the world. If there was an important moment in history you can bet Henry was there or had something to do with it (in his eyes) or if there was ever anybody important in history he knew them and they’d worship him (again in his words). I’m surprised he didn’t claim he sold the gun that was used to “whack” Jimmy Hoffa! The audio performance on audible was laughable with the reader putting on voices akin to Michael Scott in ‘The Office’.
April 5, 2013
Henry Hill's version of his life in the Witness Protection program and beyond. Anyone who remembers his drunken, jittery, lovable scamp persona when he used to call in to the Howard Stern Show will recognize his attempts to soft sell his exploits and paint himself the victim/hero. Ah, Henry, I miss you, you old scammer.
One warning: I read the "bargain" edition of the book, and the dust jacket flap and Henry himself mentioned how good it was to include the pictures that couldn't be in Nicholas Pileggi's Wiseguy, but there were no pictures. I don't know if the bargain copy cheaped out by not including them and the original had them (it's now out of print, I believe), or this is an editorial error.
One warning: I read the "bargain" edition of the book, and the dust jacket flap and Henry himself mentioned how good it was to include the pictures that couldn't be in Nicholas Pileggi's Wiseguy, but there were no pictures. I don't know if the bargain copy cheaped out by not including them and the original had them (it's now out of print, I believe), or this is an editorial error.
October 24, 2017
Good book to read if you were ever curious about what happened to Henry Hill after Goodfellas. Not a great book, just ok, but definitely recommended to mafia fans. BUT... If you saw Goodfellas and didn't read the book it was based on, "Wiseguy," forget this book and read Wiseguy asap! One of the best books of its kind, and contains tons of great material the movie left out.
April 25, 2021
I found this as an audio upload on Youtube three days ago and dove right in. I have to admit that one of my guilty pleasures is watching documentaries and reading books revolving around true crime and particularly organized crime.
The narrator sounded a lot like the real Henry Hill with shades of Joe Pesci which made listening to this a real pleasure.
Henry Hill is a good example of heeding the old advice "Make Good Choices". From an early age, Henry quickly evolves into his own worst enemy. He surrounds himself with questionable characters and from there simply cannot stay out of trouble.
There are "low vibration" people who are drawn to a life of crime. These types have no conscience, fear no consequences and take pleasure in torturing others. Henry does not fit into that category because he does have a conscience and his sincere continual expressions of regret for the damage he has caused throughout his entire life is palpable. I think Henry more or less fell into this lifestyle because it was there in front of him day in and day out and it was inevitable. Henry is wired in such a way that he will do anything and everything for money (and then later drugs) without care of consequences and he does this over and over again almost to the point of ad nausium. After a while you can actually count the pages before his drinking, drugging, womanizing and crime committing start up again. This is where he was a good fit for the life of crime.
His time in the Witsec Program were almost comical but for the thought of what his kids must have gone through, especially having to deal with Karen and Henry's drug and alcohol addictions and the crazy homelife arrangement he had with Karen and his paramours. I was not surprised to learn that Henry was the first and only person to be thrown out of the Witsec Program due to repeatedly getting busted. And yet through all this, he managed to make lifelong friends with FBI agents and law enforcement. Go figure.
An added shocker in the story was Karen and her immediate family members being more involved in his crimes than alluded to in the movie Goodfellas. And Henry taking the fall to spare them prison time. What Karen did to Henry during his time in prison was another shocker and also ICK! Talk about living dangerously - Yowzah! But this is the thanks he got for everything he did to protect Karen and her family from the Feds. Turns out Karen was as twisted as Henry. And as stoned. It was no surprise that Henry's second wife, Kelly, was almost a carbon copy of Karen. Her side of the story also takes the cake.
Henry's life was colorful to say the least and he lived it to the fullest. I was sad to hear that he passed away, particularly because I thought he was onto something with his cookbooks and talk of a cable tv cooking show which would have been stellar and to see Henry do something on the up and up for a change would have been the icing on Henry's cake.
I recommend this book in audiobook format if you find yourself hankering for true organized crime memoirs. Nobody tops Henry Hill and his adventures.
MAKE GOOD CHOICES!
The narrator sounded a lot like the real Henry Hill with shades of Joe Pesci which made listening to this a real pleasure.
Henry Hill is a good example of heeding the old advice "Make Good Choices". From an early age, Henry quickly evolves into his own worst enemy. He surrounds himself with questionable characters and from there simply cannot stay out of trouble.
There are "low vibration" people who are drawn to a life of crime. These types have no conscience, fear no consequences and take pleasure in torturing others. Henry does not fit into that category because he does have a conscience and his sincere continual expressions of regret for the damage he has caused throughout his entire life is palpable. I think Henry more or less fell into this lifestyle because it was there in front of him day in and day out and it was inevitable. Henry is wired in such a way that he will do anything and everything for money (and then later drugs) without care of consequences and he does this over and over again almost to the point of ad nausium. After a while you can actually count the pages before his drinking, drugging, womanizing and crime committing start up again. This is where he was a good fit for the life of crime.
His time in the Witsec Program were almost comical but for the thought of what his kids must have gone through, especially having to deal with Karen and Henry's drug and alcohol addictions and the crazy homelife arrangement he had with Karen and his paramours. I was not surprised to learn that Henry was the first and only person to be thrown out of the Witsec Program due to repeatedly getting busted. And yet through all this, he managed to make lifelong friends with FBI agents and law enforcement. Go figure.
An added shocker in the story was Karen and her immediate family members being more involved in his crimes than alluded to in the movie Goodfellas. And Henry taking the fall to spare them prison time. What Karen did to Henry during his time in prison was another shocker and also ICK! Talk about living dangerously - Yowzah! But this is the thanks he got for everything he did to protect Karen and her family from the Feds. Turns out Karen was as twisted as Henry. And as stoned. It was no surprise that Henry's second wife, Kelly, was almost a carbon copy of Karen. Her side of the story also takes the cake.
Henry's life was colorful to say the least and he lived it to the fullest. I was sad to hear that he passed away, particularly because I thought he was onto something with his cookbooks and talk of a cable tv cooking show which would have been stellar and to see Henry do something on the up and up for a change would have been the icing on Henry's cake.
I recommend this book in audiobook format if you find yourself hankering for true organized crime memoirs. Nobody tops Henry Hill and his adventures.
MAKE GOOD CHOICES!
June 22, 2019
In 1980, my life as a 'Goodfella' came to an end...I traded my Brioni and Armani suits for T-shirts and jeans. I became a normal citizen. I became Joe Schmoe,' says Henry Hill, author of GANGSTERS AND GOODFELLAS and subject of WISEGUY, which was the inspiration for the blockbuster film GOODFELLAS.After a quarter of a century of silence, Hill can finally tell us the rest of the story, Gangsters and Goodfellas picks up where Wiseguy left off, taking readers on the crazy ride of Henry's life - hiding out in the Witness Protection Programme, doing prison time for drug charges, testifying in high-profile, heavily guarded mafia trials, leaving his wife and children and eventually ending up in the entertainment business.
This is everything i wanted and more the full story of the events after goodfellas being a huge fan of the mafia and the movie goodfellas this was just perfect. Now agreed henry hill is a rat for snitching on his family and friends but i get it, and this book does not hold back on details on the background story of the real life events of goodfellas and after Paulie and Jimmy where sent to prison this recounts henrys life in the witness protection, his on going addiction to drugs, his failed buisness attempts and him trying to tackle the world of book writing and hollywood. From start to end i was enthralled i didn't want to stop listening to his storys and accounts all the details of how things really worked and went down i don't think I'll be able to watch goodfellas again without noteing what was going on behind the scenes of the scene and the movie, I just can't wait now to get on to reading wiseguy the story that inspired the movie goodfellas and was partly wrote by the real henry hill so i just can't wait.
4/5 Stars On GoodReads 🌟🌟🌟🌟
95/100 GingerPoints 🔥🔥🔥
This is everything i wanted and more the full story of the events after goodfellas being a huge fan of the mafia and the movie goodfellas this was just perfect. Now agreed henry hill is a rat for snitching on his family and friends but i get it, and this book does not hold back on details on the background story of the real life events of goodfellas and after Paulie and Jimmy where sent to prison this recounts henrys life in the witness protection, his on going addiction to drugs, his failed buisness attempts and him trying to tackle the world of book writing and hollywood. From start to end i was enthralled i didn't want to stop listening to his storys and accounts all the details of how things really worked and went down i don't think I'll be able to watch goodfellas again without noteing what was going on behind the scenes of the scene and the movie, I just can't wait now to get on to reading wiseguy the story that inspired the movie goodfellas and was partly wrote by the real henry hill so i just can't wait.
4/5 Stars On GoodReads 🌟🌟🌟🌟
95/100 GingerPoints 🔥🔥🔥
November 2, 2019
Are you interested in what happened to Henry Hill after the events of Wiseguy and/or Goodfellas? I was quite happy to leave the story there and consign the following events to speculation. However, spotting Gangsters and Goodfellas in a recent Audible sale, I decided to revisit the story of Henry Hill.
I soon found that this is no Wiseguys, but to some extent that's inevitable given its purpose - documenting the aftermath of the former book's events. However, while life in witness protection isn't quite as exciting to read about as life in the American Mafia, this book is a window into a world most of us will never know, as told by an uncommonly natural storyteller.
Previous reviewers have pointed out that there are many hints of fascinating episodes and events that are sadly unexplored. There's also an unusual amount of repetition in Gangsters and Goodfellas. A certain level of scene-setting is appropriate as there are probably readers who haven't read Wiseguy, but halfway through the book I was still finishing many of Hill's sentences.
On a more positive note, the audiobook version I purchased is excellently narrated by Canadian actor William Hope. More than once I mistakenly thought I was listening to Hill himself. My impression is that Goodreads is quite torn on the issue of narrators "acting" their lines through the adoption of an accent, but Hope's New York Italian made the storytelling much more immersive.
I soon found that this is no Wiseguys, but to some extent that's inevitable given its purpose - documenting the aftermath of the former book's events. However, while life in witness protection isn't quite as exciting to read about as life in the American Mafia, this book is a window into a world most of us will never know, as told by an uncommonly natural storyteller.
Previous reviewers have pointed out that there are many hints of fascinating episodes and events that are sadly unexplored. There's also an unusual amount of repetition in Gangsters and Goodfellas. A certain level of scene-setting is appropriate as there are probably readers who haven't read Wiseguy, but halfway through the book I was still finishing many of Hill's sentences.
On a more positive note, the audiobook version I purchased is excellently narrated by Canadian actor William Hope. More than once I mistakenly thought I was listening to Hill himself. My impression is that Goodreads is quite torn on the issue of narrators "acting" their lines through the adoption of an accent, but Hope's New York Italian made the storytelling much more immersive.
April 13, 2022
Crime doesn't pay? Bull****. Henry Hill(alias Peter Haines and Marty Lewis) received a check for $480,000 from Martin Scorsese for the movie Goodfellas. Hill's memoir pulls no punches as he fills in some of the material recounted in Nick Pileggi's Wiseguy. I recommend reading that before this. A sequel is definitely needed. A few choice tidbits provided by Henry are a friendship with Broadway Joe Namath at the time of his "guaranteed" victory in the Super Bowl. As with his fellow "degenerate gambler" Pete Rose, who Hill met at a racetrack while in witness protection, the stories are endlessly entertaining. Jimmy Breslin's brief encounter with Jimmy Burke is hilarious. The first wife Karen and the second spouse Kelly, are not portrayed as saints here and both belonged in prison for life along with Hill. All were dealing drugs even while they were in hiding on the governments dime. I am amazed by the lives that some people live. The corruption is rampant; from cops, judges, lawyers, politicians(Al D'Amato makes an appearance) and the Vatican Bank(oh yeah, bless me father, for I have sinned). Even with that final rant, I highly recommend Hill's memoir.
August 18, 2023
More of a 3.5 out of 5 but that’s only because you know there’s a biased account of the story here.
As with any autobiography there’s the “here’s MY story” attitude but with Henry Hill it feels even more skewed towards a nicer picture of the author than a real image. Even with the multiple instances of “I know I’m not a great person” sprinkled throughout. There’s something about this that feels like you need other people (other than who he had been married to) to weigh in with their sides of the story, like in Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi.
Also something worth saying is I’m glad Goodfellas stopped where it did otherwise we’d have to sit though a lot of court room drama that would drag. Glad it was mostly skimmed over in this book.
As with any autobiography there’s the “here’s MY story” attitude but with Henry Hill it feels even more skewed towards a nicer picture of the author than a real image. Even with the multiple instances of “I know I’m not a great person” sprinkled throughout. There’s something about this that feels like you need other people (other than who he had been married to) to weigh in with their sides of the story, like in Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi.
Also something worth saying is I’m glad Goodfellas stopped where it did otherwise we’d have to sit though a lot of court room drama that would drag. Glad it was mostly skimmed over in this book.
April 15, 2018
If your a fan of Henry Hill you gotta wonder what happened to him after he disappeared into the Witness Protection program in the early 80's. While I wasn't surprised that he kept up with his gangster ways I was surprised to see that after many moves around the country he landed near my alma mater Microsoft in Redmond. Who would have thought to locate a good fella in Redmond, white bread center of the western universe? But therein lies the genius of it all. Poorly written, many conflicting stories but still an interesting glimpse of the guys life on the lam. What it doesn't answer however is the mystery of what happened to the $6M stolen in the Lufthansa heist at Kennedy airport.
August 24, 2019
I love the idea of this person and the character portrayed in Goodfellas, my most favorite movie. Henry Hill became a bit averse to me as the book went on, until I realized what a silly expectation I had from the Hollywood version. This book reminded me that in real life, people are messy and flawed. I imagine Henry Hill couldn’t have become the larger than life mobster he was without his opportunism, womanizing and selfishness. It takes both the pleasant and unpleasant traits to shape what we become.
February 25, 2021
Quick impressions: Overall, the book is interesting, and it can be entertaining at times. It is a pretty easy listening experience as well. Some of the material readers may have read or seen before, but you also get a look at his life after he gets into the Witness Protection Program. For fans of the film Goodfellas, it may be interesting to see what happens after the end of the film. Hill does show the charm he is known for in the book, and there is even a bit of humor here or there. In the end, I did like the book.
Full review on my blog.
Full review on my blog.
May 16, 2017
I wanted to like this book. I really, really did. But, they let Henry Hill write it himself, and it seems as though there was very little editing/cleanup done. At times, it was interesting and fun, but most of the time, it was confusing and disjointed, as though you were having a conversation with him and he kept losing his train of thought.
I feel like this book was such a lost opportunity. Stories that could have been fascinating fell flat, leaving this reader very disappointed.
I feel like this book was such a lost opportunity. Stories that could have been fascinating fell flat, leaving this reader very disappointed.
December 10, 2019
This was a hard book to review! I liked the story and it was told in an entertaining way. I'm not sure if it is all true as he portrays himself in, say, a glorified way. Maybe he was as clever - but it seemed a little artificial. If you love a good true story that may not be COMPLETELY true - read this book.
Note: he's also written a cookbook to cash in on his Goodfellas reo. That's a tiny bit cringe-worthy, IMO
Note: he's also written a cookbook to cash in on his Goodfellas reo. That's a tiny bit cringe-worthy, IMO
Read
March 11, 2022Not as well crafted as Wiseguy. Trashier and more bottom of the barrel. At its best when it provides color commentary to the previous texts and when it goes into early witness protection stuff. The chapters about the 2nd and 3rd wives and the Hollywood stuff is kind of tiresome.
The Kentucky chapter was obviously of interest to me, although him saying people in Independence and Covington spoke with a hard to understand Appalachian twang was quite a stretch.
The Kentucky chapter was obviously of interest to me, although him saying people in Independence and Covington spoke with a hard to understand Appalachian twang was quite a stretch.
December 17, 2018
I'm afraid to say this wasn't my type of book. Henry Hill is a gangster and like the gangsters in UK he will never change. Didn't like the fact he has no remorse for what he has done. For him to be put into Witness Protection and given a new life so many times in different parts of the U.S is disgusting.
April 4, 2020
He is a big time mobster.
He was who goodfellas was based on.
He grew up in New York part of the mob.
He met some celebs like joe nameth.
He was busted put in witness protection.
He was in and out of prison.
He had two wives.
He was a heroin addict who recovered.
He offers hope to criminal with tuff lives.
He was who goodfellas was based on.
He grew up in New York part of the mob.
He met some celebs like joe nameth.
He was busted put in witness protection.
He was in and out of prison.
He had two wives.
He was a heroin addict who recovered.
He offers hope to criminal with tuff lives.
April 10, 2024
Quite boring, didn't finish it. I was inspired to read about him because of the way Ray Liotta played him. The Ray Liotta version is a glamorous, entertaining version. Henry Hill was involved and was witness to many horrid situations, but he reports them quite matter of factly. It wasn't my cup of tea.
June 3, 2017
Former mobster Henry Hill dictates the story of his life in the federal witness protection program to writer Gus Russo. Hill also discusses him criminal life and well as several killings. This is supposed to be a true story.
June 13, 2019
This was interesting read - it seemed to be written just like if he verbally telling the story. In the end I really just feel bad for the kids as their lives were pretty messed up. Ironic that I finished this book on 7th anniversary of his death.
October 18, 2022
Once you get past the fact that Hill is a scumbag piece of sh** and you take every assertion and anecdote with huge grains of salt, it's an ok book. Guy acts surprised when he's in all this trouble, really?
March 20, 2019
Loved his story in Wiseguy and I was hoping for more about his life in WITPRO but it was a lot of recap of old days. To me it read more like a journal of thoughts and was very unorganized.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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