Henry Hill

Henry Hill (1943-2012) was an American criminal turned author and FBI informant whose life story became the basis for Martin Scorsese's acclaimed film "Goodfellas" (1990). His firsthand account of life in the mafia was documented in the book "Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family" (1985), which he co-authored with crime reporter Nicholas Pileggi. Hill was associated with New York's Lucchese crime family from the 1960s to 1980, participating in various criminal activities including the Lufthansa heist at JFK Airport in 1978. After entering the Witness Protection Program in 1980, he testified against former associates, leading to multiple convictions of mafia members. Following his time in witness protection, Hill made numerous media appearances and wrote several books about his experiences, including "The Wiseguy Cookbook" (2002) and "Gangsters and Goodfellas" (2004). His insider perspective on organized crime provided valuable source material for both true crime literature and popular entertainment. Hill's life ended in Los Angeles, where he spent his final years working as a consultant for various mob-related media projects while struggling with ongoing substance abuse issues. His story remains one of the most well-documented accounts of American organized crime in the latter half of the 20th century.

Readers find Hill's accounts provide raw insight into mob operations, though many question his reliability as a narrator. Amazon and Goodreads reviews of "Wiseguy" praise the detailed descriptions of daily criminal operations, mob hierarchy, and street-level dynamics. Multiple readers note the stark contrast between Hill's matter-of-fact writing style and the glamorized film adaptation. Common criticisms focus on Hill's attempts to minimize his role in violent crimes and his inconsistent storytelling across different books and interviews. One Goodreads reviewer writes: "Hill comes across as self-serving and unrepentant." "The Wiseguy Cookbook" receives criticism for basic recipes and forced mob anecdotes. As one Amazon reviewer notes: "More interested in name-dropping than cooking." Ratings across platforms: Wiseguy: - Goodreads: 4.1/5 (24,000+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.5/5 (2,000+ reviews) The Wiseguy Cookbook: - Goodreads: 3.2/5 (200+ ratings) - Amazon: 3.7/5 (100+ reviews) "Gangsters and Goodfellas" is out of print with limited review data available.

Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family (1985) A first-hand account of Hill's life in the New York mob from the 1960s to 1980, detailing criminal activities and inner workings of the Lucchese crime family.

The Wiseguy Cookbook (2002) A collection of recipes and stories from Hill's days in the mob and his time in witness protection.

Gangsters and Goodfellas (2004) Hill's personal narrative of his criminal career and the aftermath of becoming an FBI informant.

The Lufthansa Heist (2015) A detailed account of the 1978 Lufthansa Airlines robbery at JFK Airport, featuring insider information about one of the largest cash thefts in American history.

Nicholas Pileggi authored "Casino" and other mafia-focused books based on deep investigative reporting and direct interviews with criminals. He collaborated with Martin Scorsese on multiple film adaptations of his work.

Frank Cullotta wrote first-person accounts of his life as a Chicago Outfit associate and Las Vegas enforcer. His books provide direct insight into organized crime operations from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Philip Carlo specialized in detailed biographies of mafia members and hitmen based on extensive prison interviews. His work includes comprehensive accounts of the Gambino crime family and other New York mafia organizations.

Joseph Pistone wrote about his experiences infiltrating the Bonanno crime family as an undercover FBI agent. His book "Donnie Brasco" details six years of direct observation of mafia operations from the inside.

John Dickie produces historical accounts of organized crime focusing on the Sicilian mafia and its American connections. His work combines archival research with interviews of former mafia members and law enforcement officials.