The Westies

The Westies chronicles the rise and fall of an Irish-American crime gang that controlled Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood from the 1960s through the 1980s. Through interviews and extensive research, T.J. English reconstructs the violent reign of Jimmy Coonan, Mickey Featherstone, and their crew of enforcers who dominated the west side's rackets and criminal enterprises. The book details the gang's evolution from street-level thugs to a sophisticated criminal organization with connections to the Italian Mafia. English examines the complex dynamics between the Irish and Italian crime families, while documenting the brutal methods the Westies used to maintain their power over their territory. The narrative follows key figures through multiple decades of murders, extortion schemes, and power struggles, painting a portrait of a ruthless criminal underworld. The investigation and legal proceedings that eventually brought down the organization form a central part of the story. Beyond its true crime elements, The Westies captures the transformation of New York City's west side and the decline of Irish-American organized crime. The book serves as both a crime saga and a social history of a vanishing neighborhood during a pivotal period of change.

Readers describe the book as a detailed account of the Irish mob's violence and criminal operations in New York's Hell's Kitchen. Many note its journalistic approach and extensive research based on court documents and interviews. Readers appreciate: - Detailed character development of key gang members - Clear explanations of complex criminal operations - Historical context of Hell's Kitchen neighborhood - Integration of police and court records - Matter-of-fact writing style without sensationalism Common criticisms: - Jumps between timelines can be confusing - Too many characters to track - Some sections drag with excessive detail - A few readers question accuracy of certain claims Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (500+ ratings) Multiple reviews note it reads "like a crime thriller" but emphasize the disturbing reality of actual events. One reader commented: "The brutality is shocking because you know these weren't fictional characters - these crimes really happened on NYC streets."

Five Families by Selwyn Raab The definitive account of New York's Mafia families chronicles their rise from street gangs to criminal empires through firsthand accounts and investigative research.

Paddy Whacked by T.J. English This history of Irish-American organized crime traces the evolution of Irish gangs from the streets of New York to their national expansion and interactions with Italian crime families.

The Mob and the City by C. Alexander Hortis The book examines the Mafia's activities in New York through court documents, police records, and interviews with law enforcement officials.

Little Man by Robert Lacey The story of Miami's Meyer Lansky reveals the business operations and money management techniques that transformed street crime into corporate enterprise.

Doc by Jack Flippo This biography of Joseph Stacher details the rise of Jewish organized crime in Newark and its connection to the national crime syndicate.

🔹 The Westies gang operated in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood during a pivotal time when the area was transitioning from a working-class Irish enclave to the modern, gentrified district it is today. 🔹 Author T.J. English worked as a cab driver in New York City while researching the book, allowing him unique access to the neighborhood's stories and characters. 🔹 The gang's leader, Jimmy Coonan, learned his brutal dismemberment techniques from a notorious mob hitman known as "The Butcher," Roy DeMeo. 🔹 Despite their relatively small numbers (never more than 20 core members), The Westies were so feared that even the powerful Italian Mafia families treated them with caution and respect. 🔹 Mickey Featherstone, one of the gang's key members who later became an informant, had been found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity before joining The Westies, only to return to violence after his release.