Book overview
The Lucchese Family is a well-researched book on the 100-plus-year history of one of New York's infamous La Cosa Nostra organizations. It begins with profiles of the Family Bosses then proceeds to an examination of the lives of some of its more powerful personalities.
Some of the important events covered include the murder of first Boss Tommy Reina and the following Castellammarese War. The role of famous Mafia turncoat Joe Valachi in these events is also explained.
There is a chapter on little-known Lucchese Boss Tommy Gagliano. He helped murder his predecessor, Boss Joe Pinzolo, then became one of the first seven Mafia Bosses to sit on the newly formed Commission in 1931. He would rule quiety until his natural death in 1951.
Tommy Lucchese took over from Gagliano and it is his name that now designates this Family. In the 1950s, Lucchese became very famous due to his involvement in politics and his socializing with the heavy hitters in New York City. This publicity made him a target for the good guys, and Lucchese would spend much of his time fending off efforts to deport him and make him talk about his mysterious life.
The famous 1986 Commission trial sent Boss Anthony Corallo to prison for one hundred years. Before he went off to "school," Corallo appointed Capo Vic Amuso as the Lucchese Family's new leader. It was a huge mistake, as the book will describe.
There were many interesting if deplorable characters in the Family beside the Bosses. For example, Capo John Dioguardi was a union power in NYC for decades. His uncle James Plumeri dominated the garment center for a similar length of time but ended up killed.
Frankie Carbo was often referred to as a boxing czar due to his hidden control of many welterweight boxers in the 1940s and 1950s. Some readers might recall famous boxer and TV personality Rocky Graciano. His connection to Carbo is outlined in the book.
The Lucchese Family has a long history of criminality in the New York area. We only touch on the known highlights but hope there will be enough interesting information within its pages to make purchasers happy.
