What started out as a genealogical project turned into this book. I felt it necessary to try and capture as much of my family's heritage as I could as I slowly saw the elder generations fading away. All of the great stories I heard as a kid, the traditions, sacrifices, and everything they had to endure to become AMERICAN needed to be recorded. These things would be lost to posterity if I did not begin gathering them in at least notebook form. If lost... they would NEVER be able to be recaptured. Gone forever. I then realized it was my duty to learn as much as I could to save them for my children and family, but also their children and theirs. Thank God I did.
It's now saved within the pages of a book called MORE LIKE BROTHERS.
I really don't want to give too much information about the book as you'd have to read it to fully understand what went on. A quick paragraph or two would certainly not do the book justice, but please see the Excerpts link on this site, which will give you a taste.
I will say, you've never read anything like it in the past and may never hear a story quite like it in the future.
Throughout my life I was told I was the reincarnation of Manny and as I grew older I started asking questions about Manny's life and what really happened. I was given very few answers from family members. It was not until I ventured out and started to investigate the details for myself that I found the entire story.
I was told I looked, acted, talked, and had the same mannerisms as he. This only fueled my resolve to investigate every aspect of his life and learn all I could of the man he really was. I believe the affinity between he and I allowed me access into what he was really thinking as he weaved his way through the world of Camden Organized Crime and his association with Marco Reginelli, Domenic Oliveto, and the rest of the crew.
My search involved many sources. In hindsight, some I probably shouldn't have pursued. Once I gained trust, my true intentions were realized and the information started flowing. I gathered and indexed everything that came my way and incorporated it into this work. Once assembled, the puzzle came together in a very clear and concise picture.
There were many things uncovered during my research which I did not include. I felt some things were better left unsaid, but I made sure these instances never took away from the story I set out to tell.
This photograph of Manny (of which only a very few are known) was taken at his brother Rocco's wedding, during the time of the apex of the story.
The story can only be appreciated by actually reading the book and getting the full experience of what actually went on. The experiences Manny and Frankie went through are a real roller coaster of emotions and life experiences. They were quite a pair and by following them in the book, one is able to make their way on the journey.
A fictionalized story could not have been produced to match this book. No one would have that kind of imagination. Only the truth could be this crazy and hard to believe, but I assure you, it is ALL very, very real.
In retrospect, I really find it hard to believe that no one to date has written a book concerning South Camden and the Mafioso goings-on to this point. It's such a rich story of "locally famous" Organized Crime figures. Men not necessarily known outside of Camden, New Jersey. These real life characters are every bit as cunning and ruthless as those of Philadelphia and the New York Families. Even more so, as they had the backing of Philly, and New York and used it in every way they could to their advantage. Although New York actually pulled the strings on the Camden Organization, they held their own and collaborated with the Jewish and the Irish gangsters of the day. They worked in concert, making a very well organized Organization.
This is truly a brand new true Mafioso tale which no one has read previously.
Bottom line; NOTHING has ever been written as this book has.
«•»
