I believe the best way to get into this matter and make truly objective point of view is read historical book and talk to peple who really was in that war. At first i was suspicious, very suspicious, but in lefty guns everchurning paranoid possibilities, he basically knew there was the chance his pal donnie was a snitch of some. In 1978, new york undercover agent donnie brasco trying to introduce milwaukee undercover agent tony conte to lefty guns benjamin ruggiero in new york. Apr 07, 2012 undercover agent joseph pistone, aka donnie brasco, talking to john boobie cersani and dominic sonny black napolitano. This book brings the reader into the menacing life of an fbi undercover agent, who has to infiltrate himself in the mafia. Ramona rizzo has the credentials to join mob wives this season. Pistone, benjamin lefty ruggerio, dominick sonny black napolitano at ctf. Benjamin lefty guns ruggiero was one of the true cosa nostra mafioso, a guy who was old school and knew how mafia politics worked. Donnie brasco free essay, term paper and book report. Lefty guns ruggiero mafia gangster, mafia, mafia crime. Ruggiero at a very young age had joined the bonanno mafia family and worked under michael sabella as street soldier. The academy awardnominated movie donnie brasco and the television series falcone are based on his life as an. Brasco is telling lefty that conte is trying to start a vending machine business up in milwaukee. The book was the basis for the 1997 film donnie brasco starring johnny depp as joe pistone and al pacino as lefty ruggiero and its.
This is the story of one of the men behind mob wives. And joe pistone has officially ceased to exist, except on book jackets and in. Donnie brasco, the name lent to the film based on a true story that opens around. While infiltrating the mob, he learns the intricacies of the organization mostly through benjamin lefty ruggiero, a low. An imposing mafia hit man, one benjamin lefty ruggiero needs some advice on a jewel he as been given as collateral. Donnie brasco internet movie firearms database guns in. While infiltrating the mob, he learns the intricacies of the organization mostly through benjamin lefty ruggiero, a low level enforcer.
Befriending lefty ruggiero al pacino, pistone under the name donnie brasco is able to embed himself in a mafia faction lead by sonny black michael madsen. Ruggiero was an old school cosa nostra mobster who knew how mafia politics worked. The movie is based on a true story that follows fbi agent joe pistone johnny depp as he infiltrates the mafia of new york. Benjamin ruggiero was nicknamed lefty and popularly called lefty two guns and lefty guns. Nov 26, 2010 most of you probably know lefty from the movie donnie brasco in which lefty was played by al pacino, its a great movie but the truth gets tempered with for viewing pleasure. Agent joseph pistone is the main character of this novel. Pistone, or donnie brasco, an undercover fbi agent that successfully infiltrated the mafia. He was given the nickname, lefty, because when he shot dice, he always roll them with his left hand. I agent who penetrated one of new york citys five families in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Jan 27, 2016 benjamin ruggiero was nicknamed lefty and popularly called lefty two guns and lefty guns. Most hated fbi agent in the mafia joe pistone aka donnie. The true story of donnie brasco and joe pistones mafia. Pistone, find out just how real donnie brasco the movie is. The story of donnie brasco gives readers an inside view of how police policy and undercover work affect the daily life and personal well being of undercover officers.
The sixth chapter of the donnie brasco book gets acquainted with the lefty benjamin two guns ruggiero, who operates a small restaurant in. In 1976, fbi agent pistone leaves the life he has known. My undercover life in the mafia a true story by fbi agent. Benjamin lefty guns ruggerio the real story of the. In 1997, the book was made into a feature film titled donnie brasco, starring johnny. In 1997, the book was made into a feature film titled donnie brasco, starring johnny depp and al pacino. Now his unforgettable eyewitness account brings to pulsating life the entire world of wiseguystheir code of honor and their treachery. April 19, 1926 november 24, 1994, was a soldier in the bonanno crime family. This study guide consists of approximately 38 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of donnie brasco. Good fellas realist film by martin sorcese and donnie brasco realist film by mike newell are two films based on actual events and people that existed. Donnie brasco is pistones unforgettable account of how he became part of the mysterious underworld that is the mafiathe first and only account by a law enforcement agentand it is as amazing and intriguing as the flamboyant, deadly world it portrays. Donnie brasco was an fbi agent who worked undercover for six years, infiltrating the bonanno crime family and the colombo crime family, two of.
He is the new york times bestselling author of donnie brasco. Benjamin ruggiero lefty guns to the mobsters he hung around with in new york citys little italy always remembered a conversation. Listen to and download the music, ost, score, list of songs and trailers. Pistone with richard woodley revised draft july 27, 1992 ext. Lefty guns was a made member of the bonanno mafia crime family of new york. Donnie brasco free essay, term paper and book report donnie brasco by. Lefty was a bonanno soldier who was feared and respected by his fellow mafioso and in the end lefty showed them all, when he just wouldnt break omerta.
Benjamin ruggiero, also known as lefty, lefty guns, and lefty two guns april 19, 1926 november 24, 1994, was a soldier in the bonanno crime family. Most of you probably know lefty from the movie donnie brasco in which lefty was played by al pacino, its a great movie but the truth gets tempered with for viewing pleasure. Joseph dominick joe pistone, alias donnie brasco, is a former fbi agent who worked undercover for six years infiltrating the bonanno crime family and to a lesser extent the. Donnie meets lefty in november 1978 by posing as a gem specialist, don. Pistone with richard woodley revised draft july 27, 1992 1 ext. Visit to learn more about donnie brasco, the alias of.
Her grandfather was lefty guns ruggiero, who played a big part in donnie brasco case. Donnie brasco is not a book you will read for its literary qualities but rather for the fascinating story of an fbi agent. Brasco meets another bonanno soldier called benjamin lefty ruggiero. No one knew that better than fbi undercover agent joseph d. I agent who penetrated one of new york citys five families in. Posing as jewel thief donnie brasco, fbi agent joseph d. That made room for johnny depp as brasco, portraying the real fbi undercover agent upon whom the story is based in the 1988 autobiographical crime book, donnie brasco. He is well known for his friendship and mentorship of fbi undercover agent joseph pistone, known as donnie brasco. Donnie brasco was released on february 28, 1997, by tristar pictures. At first i was suspicious, very suspicious, but in lefty guns everchurning paranoid possibilities, he basically knew there was the chance his pal donnie was a snitch of some sort. Donnie brasco is a 1997 crime film based on the biographical novel written by joseph d.
The two guys pistone betrayed, sonny black and lefty guns, both truly loved him. All 45 songs from the donnie brasco 1997 movie soundtrack, with scene descriptions. Jun 24, 2001 benjamin ruggiero lefty guns to the mobsters he hung around with in new york citys little italy always remembered a conversation. Get to know him, as a person, not just the soldier who was fooled by donnie brasco. Lefty ruggiero was a soldier in the bonanno crime family. Includes a special update in which pistone comments on new developments in the mafia. Now his unforgettable eyewitness account brings to pulsating life the entire world of wiseguystheir code of honor. Apr, 2011 donnie brasco was an fbi agent who worked undercover for six years, infiltrating the bonanno crime family and the colombo crime family, two of the five families of the mafia in new york. An aerial view of the nations capital, moving in on the stolid limestone box of fbi headquarters. Donnie brasco is the true story of agent joseph pistones six years undercover in the mafia. Pistone as he sat with lefty, his mafia chief and partner, in nathans in miami beach one morning in 1980. My undercover life in the mafia is perfect example how these tho things, personal experience and historical information, can be put together. Jan 29, 1988 many people are into reading books like hunger games and im observing a big trend in the fantasy genre.
Ebook donnie brasco pdf free download book library. Most hated fbi agent in the mafia joe pistone aka donnie brasco. As donnie brasco, undercover fbi agent joseph pistone spent six years in the bonanno. The film stars johnny depp as pistone, an fbi agent who went undercover into the mafia in new york under the cover name of donnie brasco.
My undercover life in the mafia about his exploits, which was then turned into the film donnie brasco that starred johnny depp as the undercover agent. As the months turn to years, joseph, now under the alias donnie brasco is falling deeper and deeper into the mob underworld, to the point of going out on hits with lefty because he has stopped reporting to the fbi and also has begun to. The nickname, two guns, came from the observation that whenever he shot someone, he always did it with. Isbn 0340666374 is a 1988 autobiographical crime book written by joseph d. Pistone would later write a book titled donnie brasco. Unfinished business and millions of other books are available. Donnie brasco the movie, while compelling, contains numerous glaring inacuracies that will jump out at you while reading the book. Donnie brasco by paul attanasio based on the book, donnie brasco by joseph d. Benjamin ruggiero is the late grandfather of ramona rizzo of vh1 mob wives. My undercover life in the mafia a true story by fbi agent joseph d.
Benjamin lefty guns ruggiero, the grandfather of ramona rizzo. When pistones operation was ended on july 26, 1981, the fbi intercepted and arrested ruggiero on august 29, 1981. Benjamin lefty guns ruggiero unknown1995 find a grave. Pistone carried out the most audacious sting operation ever, working undercover for six years to infiltrate the flamboyant community of mafia soldiers, connected guys, captains, and godfathers. Aug 15, 20 as the months turn to years, joseph, now under the alias donnie brasco is falling deeper and deeper into the mob underworld, to the point of going out on hits with lefty because he has stopped reporting to the fbi and also has begun to care for his mob friends, including lefty. Apr, 20 in 1978, new york undercover agent donnie brasco trying to introduce milwaukee undercover agent tony conte to lefty guns benjamin ruggiero in new york. Sep 15, 2012 benjamin ruggiero is the late grandfather of ramona rizzo of vh1 mob wives. Pistone was an fbi agent for seventeen years before retiring from active duty in 1996. Something that the book donnie brasco written by fbi agent joseph d. Donnie brasco 1997 soundtrack complete list of songs. The true story of donnie brasco and joe pistones mafia infiltration. John boobie cerasani born 1938died december 2006 was an american mobster, hitman and drug trafficker who was a feared soldier in the bonanno crime family. It was in manhattans little italy neighborhood, where he was born on 19th april, 1926.
Agent pistone slowly and methodically gains the respect and trust of several high ranking wise guys in the bonanno family and quickly finds himself up for membership in the bonanno family. Benjamin lefty guns ruggerio the real story of the wise guy. The book donnie brasco is based on the undercover life of the author, joseph d. Both are stereotypical italian gangster films and i intend to compare and contrast these two films, which differ in. Donnie brasco by paul attanasio based on the book, donnie brasco, by joseph d. Both the movie and the book are available for purchase through. As donnie moves deeper into the mafia, he realizes that not only is he crossing the line between federal agent and criminal, but also leading his friend lefty to an almost certain death. It was in manhattans little italy neighborhood, where he was born on 19 th april, 1926. Pistone, find out just how real donnie brasco the movie is starring johnny depp and al pacino. The nickname, two guns, came from the observation that whenever he shot someone, he always did it with one gun in each hand.
Two of the most galling are that pistone donnie cared what happened to lefty al pacinos character, when in fact pistone never lost sight of the fact that lefty was a bad guy. Donnie brasco is a brilliant and immersive gangster drama. Cerasani had a fearsome reputation for being a ruthless killer and a professional hitman who was. Lefty grew up just a few blocks from little italy and he never left. Hes also the author of several books and the coowner of a production company. Befriending lefty ruggiero al pacino, pistone under the name donnie brasco is able to embed himself in a mafia faction lead. Donnie brasco, a hit movie about pistones assignment and life in the mob was released in 1997 starring johnny depp and al pacino. The following is the true story of benjamin lefty guns ruggiero. Benjamin lefty ruggiero a true account of al pacinos lefty in. Undercover agent joseph pistone, aka donnie brasco, talking to john boobie cersani and dominic sonny black napolitano. Pistone assisted by richard woodley about his story as an fbi agent going undercover and infiltrating the mafia. He is well known for his friendship and mentorship of fbi undercover agent joseph donnie brasco pistone.