Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob

Name: Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob
Price: 13.29 USD
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Rating: 4.4 (1313 reviews)

4.4 of 5 Stars: United States - Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob

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Book Synopsis: One of Newsweek's Most Highly Anticipated New Books of 2021 Family secrets emerge as a best-selling author dives into the history of the mob in small-town America. Best-selling author Russell Shorto, praised for his incisive works of narrative history, never thought to write about his own past. He grew up knowing his grandfather and namesake was a small-town mob boss but maintained an unspoken family vow of silence. Then an elderly relative prodded: You're a writer―what are you gonna do about the story? Smalltime is a mob story straight out of central casting―but with a difference, for the small-town mob, which stretched from Schenectady to Fresno, is a mostly unknown world. The location is the brawny postwar factory town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The setting is City Cigar, a storefront next to City Hall, behind which Russ and his brother-in-law, “Little Joe,” operate a gambling empire and effectively run the town. Smalltime is a riveting American immigrant story that travels back to Risorgimento Sicily, to the ancient, dusty, hill-town home of Antonino Sciotto, the author’s great-grandfather, who leaves his wife and children in grinding poverty for a new life—and wife—in a Pennsylvania mining town. It’s a tale of Italian Americans living in squalor and prejudice, and of the rise of Russ, who, like thousands of other young men, created a copy of the American establishment that excluded him. Smalltime draws an intimate portrait of a mobster and his wife, sudden riches, and the toll a lawless life takes on one family. But Smalltime is something more. The author enlists his ailing father—Tony, the mobster’s son—as his partner in the search for their troubled patriarch. As secrets are revealed and Tony’s health deteriorates, the book becomes an urgent and intimate exploration of three generations of the American immigrant experience. Moving, wryly funny, and richly detailed, Smalltime is an irresistible memoir by a masterful writer of historical narrative. 8 illustrations Read more

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Discover the gripping and untold story of the mob in small-town America with "Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob." This highly-anticipated book by best-selling author Russell Shorto takes you on a journey through the hidden underworld that stretched from Schenectady to Fresno. With vivid descriptions and historical accuracy, Shorto brings to life the brawny postwar factory town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where his own family was deeply intertwined with the small-town mob.

Unveil the secrets of the remarkable Sciotto family, starting with the author's great-grandfather, Antonino Sciotto, who left his impoverished life in Sicily for a new beginning in a Pennsylvania mining town. Experience the struggles and triumphs of Italian Americans living in a world filled with prejudice and poverty, and witness the rise of Russ Shorto, who defied the odds and created his own version of the American dream.

In "Smalltime," Russell Shorto not only explores a fascinating mob story straight out of central casting but delves into the complex dynamics of family, loyalty, and the cost of a lawless life. This riveting memoir paints an intimate portrait of a mobster and his wife, their sudden rise to riches, and the impact their choices had on future generations. Through his exploration of his own family's past, Shorto sheds light on the immigrant experience and the challenges faced by generations of newcomers to America.

But "Smalltime" goes beyond a captivating mob tale. With warmth and humor, the author partners with his ailing father, Tony, the son of the mobster, to uncover the truth about their troubled patriarch. As secrets are unearthed and Tony's health deteriorates, the book becomes a poignant exploration of three generations of the American immigrant experience. Get ready to be moved, entertained, and enlightened by Shorto's masterful storytelling.

If you are a history enthusiast, a fan of captivating memoirs, or simply love a good mob story with a twist, "Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob" is a must-read. Immerse yourself in the rich details, stand alongside the Sciotto family as they navigate the treacherous world of the small-town mob, and discover the true meaning of the American immigrant experience.

Explore the world of "Smalltime" now and let Russell Shorto take you on an unforgettable journey through the hidden history of the mob in small-town America.

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