'As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a gangster.'
Henry Hill grows up in the 1950s, in a Brooklyn neighbourhood where Italian-American gangsters walk tall in the streets, commanding the respect of their peers. Young Henry dreams that one day he too might be a professional 'wiseguy' - a 'goodfella'. His wishes come true with remarkable speed once he teams up with renowned hoodlum Jimmy Conway and his alarmingly psychotic pal Tommy DeVito. Henry embarks on an everyday life of crime which takes him from rags to gaudy riches, in and out of the federal penitentiary and under the unwelcome spotlight of the FBI. As the 1970s turn sour Henry finds himself at the sharp end of the cocaine trade, increasingly adrift from his extended mobster 'family' and forced to make a tough decision about his future . . .
The film that re-established Martin Scorsese's eminence among American directors after years of professional difficulties, GoodFellas is a tour de force which lays bare the crude and venal motives which drive a happy band of thieves and murderers.
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Pileggi's book was written with Henry Hill, whose life it describes. The narrative switches between Pileggi, Hill, and Hill's wife Karen, all delivered with the smooth action of a well-polished Magnum. It proves utterly compelling, breathlessly serving up an action-fuelled life of criminal excess with Henry starting as an aspirant 12-year-old errand runner ("To be a wiseguy was better than being president of the United States. To be a wiseguy was to own the world"), and progressing to such a status within the Mob that when he is finally nailed he turns Federal witness to implicate his former cronies, a move that represents his only chance to save his family's necks. The irony for Hill is that his fictionalised life story has been seen by millions, but he cannot tell anyone without jeopardising his new identity, which means he gets "to live the rest of my life as a shnook". As a source the book runs very close to the film, and someone who know the film will find it hard not to picture Scorseses's stylised realisation as they read, while those who don't will discover a grittily related, authentically grim amorality tale of a life shot through with brutality and survivalist scheming that stands on its own without the Big Screen treatment. Surprisingly bleak. --David Vincent
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Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9780571162659
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 6399422
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. 'As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a gangster.' Henry Hill had always been a part of the criminal life of New York, finally achieving the coveted status of 'wiseguy'. But in 1980 he made the decision to exchange his knowledge for a new identity.Hill's story of crude hierarchies, casual murders and collaboration with the police was adapted by Marin Scorsese and became one of the most outstanding films of 1990. A screenplay of a film directed by Martin Scorsese. From the age of 11, Henry Hill had been part of the criminal life of New York and finally achieved the status of "wiseguy". But in 1980, he decided to exchange his knowledge for a new identity. Scorsese has also directed "Mean Streets". Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780571162659
Book Description Condition: New. A screenplay of a film directed by Martin Scorsese. From the age of 11, Henry Hill had been part of the criminal life of New York and finally achieved the status of "wiseguy". But in 1980, he decided to exchange his knowledge for a new identity. Scorsese has also directed "Mean Streets". Num Pages: 160 pages, 15 black and white illustrations. BIC Classification: APFD; APTD. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 135 x 214 x 12. Weight in Grams: 248. 1990. Main. Paperback. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # 9780571162659
Book Description Condition: New. A screenplay of a film directed by Martin Scorsese. From the age of 11, Henry Hill had been part of the criminal life of New York and finally achieved the status of "wiseguy". But in 1980, he decided to exchange his knowledge for a new identity. Scorsese has also directed "Mean Streets". Num Pages: 160 pages, 15 black and white illustrations. BIC Classification: APFD; APTD. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 135 x 214 x 12. Weight in Grams: 248. 1990. Main. Paperback. . . . . Seller Inventory # 9780571162659
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. A screenplay of a film directed by Martin Scorsese. From the age of 11, Henry Hill had been part of the criminal life of New York and finally achieved the status of "wiseguy". But in 1980, he decided to exchange his knowledge for a new identity. Scorsese has also directed "Mean Streets". Seller Inventory # B9780571162659
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. BRAND NEW ** SUPER FAST SHIPPING FROM UK WAREHOUSE ** 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. Seller Inventory # 9780571162659-GDR
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 427361-n
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 160 pages. 8.46x5.24x0.39 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0571162657