NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Giovanni Gambino, of the infamous Gambino family, has written a new novel titled "Prince of Omerta." With the blessing of his family, including his late father Don "Ciccio" Gambino, Giovanni has woven Mafia stories and legends into the fictional narrative , which dispels many myths about the origin of the group.
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While some might get a visual from the word "Mafia," including an image of waking up to discover a horse's head in one's bed, Gambino would like such simplistic views to vanish.
In the novel, Gambino describes how the mafia started in the early 1800's in Sicily, where he was born. Originally, the mafia's goal was simply to protect their own. Then the abusive French came into power, and the locals had to defend their women, their children, and their interests. Of course, over time, some let that power go to their heads, but Gambino says the mafia's goal is to work within the law and be legit.
After all, "You can get more done with good words than a gun," Gambino says.
His book covers both good and bad aspects of the mafia life. The main character, hitman Johnny Valenti, takes a fall and goes to prison for a murder he does not commit. Once out, he vows to "take care of" the man who frames him. Valenti then tries to live on the right side of the law, but keeps going back to what he knows, ultimately facing new dangers and complications.
The book, while it focuses on the story of Valenti, also includes many stories inspired by true events and real characters, including Italian magistrate Giovanni Falcone ("Hawke" in the book), who tried to derail the Sicilian Mafia. Falcone ultimately met a grisly fate 20 years ago when it's said that Salvatore "Toto" Riina ("Monteleone") had his men plant a half-ton bomb in a sewer under a highway, resulting in an explosion that killed Falcone, his wife and three bodyguards.
With Mafia history and stories so extensive, at 280 pages, the book doesn't cover everything. Readers hungering for more, however, can buy "Undercover Secret," a book Gambino has written with family member Rita Gambino.
Omerta is the code of silence, but Gambino shared several stories at a reading he gave at New Haven, Michigan: one stop on his national book tour.
The book brought the 37-year-old to the table, but the reading quickly evolved into a lively conversation. Audience members asked intriguing questions, including:
What did he think of John Gotti? What film best represents the Mafia life? What about the current trend with the mob wives and other reality TV series? Would he have had Fredo Corleone killed?
Readers will have to read "Prince of Omerta" to find out.
"Prince of Omerta" was published in 2011 by Club Lighthouse Publishing, and is listed at $12.99. It is available in paperback and as an e-book on Amazon.com and can also be purchased at www.barnesandnoble.com. You can also learn more by visiting www.giovannigambino.com/
Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoQnGfInol0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDQq5ZXDwuQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHLuzKNi4vc&feature=plcp