Jimmy "The Weasel" Fratianno got his nickname from his days as a petty pushcart thief in Cleveland, when he ran as "quick as a weasel" with an armful of fruit and vegetables while the cops chased him.Rising quickly up the organized crime ladder in Cleveland, Fratianno, after doing a stint in the can for robbery and extortion, migrated west to Los Angeles where he hooked up with West Coast Mob boss, Jack Dragna. After doing a few "pieces of work" or murders for Dragna, Fratianno got his button and became a made man in the Mafia.Things began falling apart for Fratianno when, while he was in prison doing another bit for extortion, Jack Dragna died. After much infighting, Dominick Brooklier was anointed Dragna's replacement, and one of his first acts was to bust Fratianno from captain back to a mere Mafia soldier.Incredibly, after Brooklier got hit with a 20-month prison term for racketeering, conspiracy and extortion, he named Fratianno as the acting boss of his LA crime family.As soon as Brooklier hit the streets again, Fratianno discovered he was as good as dead. He ran to the Feds, and he offered to sing his finest tunes in return for the luxury of the Witness Protection Program. Over the next 10 years (he got only five years in jail after admitting he participated in six murders), Fratianno scammed the Feds for almost $1 million, in return for his testimony at several mob trials.***** Cleveland mobster Danny Greene's love for his Irish heritage, and his hate for the Italian dagos, as he called them, propelled him into a battle with Cleveland's Italian Mayfield Road Mob for control of all the illegal activities in Cleveland and in the surrounding Ohio areas. After the death of Cleveland Godfather, John Scalish, Greene joined forces with disgruntled Italian mobster, John Nardi, and a mob war commenced full force in the streets of Cleveland.Bombs were the weapons of choice, and soon there were so many bombings in the Cleveland area, perpetrated by both Greene and his enemies, the local press dubbed Cleveland, "The Bomb Capital of the USA."Greene, after being approached by a convincing FBI agent, decided it was in his best interest to become a canary. As a result, he sang a sweet tune to the Feds, filling them in on the illegal activities of the Italian Mayfield Road Mob.In the end, Danny Greene, feared Irish mobster, became what his Irish ancestors hated most - a rat.*****What people are saying about "Mob Rats: Gangsters Who Squeal-Volume 1"5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fun Read! By CurfewplugI've read hundreds of books about organized crime; some good, some not so good. This was one of my favorites. I enjoy Mr. Bruno's writing style, lively, informative, and just the right amount of street jargon.5.0 out of 5 stars JOE BRUNO, YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN By Eddie LazinskyGreat read!! I just couldn't put it down. The pages just flowed. Keep up the good work Joe. I'm looking forward to Volume II. 5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!! By lcook0825As usual a great read involving the Mafia in NYC. Very well written and I finished in one sitting. Lots of research goes into Joes books and it just keeps you reading. I'm looking forward to his next one as I always do. 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read, thank you Joe Bruno!! By Chester L. Stone. When I see a Joe Bruno title I expect to be entertained and educated and "Mob Rats: Gangsters That Squeal" fills that expectation. Joe Bruno is a combination of a historian, crime reporter and educator. As I have said before reading Joe Bruno is like having a conversation with an old friend.
Joe Bruno, a former New York City sports writer, is the author of 38 true crime books, two crime novels, and two screenplays. ***** Mathew J. Mari, New York City criminal lawyer for 38 years, says, "Joe Bruno and I grew up in the same neighborhood on the Lower East Side of New York City. We met and know the most of the same people, some of whom are alleged to be organized crime figures. And I emphasize the word 'alleged.' "That's why Joe Bruno's insight and style makes it easy for the reader to understand the colorful yet brutal characters that dominated the crime scene in America for two centuries. He knows what he's talking about because he's lived through it. "Joe Bruno's mob books are 'A composite of characters and events, which weaves the denizens of the underworld with the rich history of New York City, as well as in other parts of the country.'"
