Review by DC Brown -- Executive Hoodlum by John Costello
-
DC Brown
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 325
- Joined: 26 Jul 2018, 08:42
- Currently Reading: Sold on a Monday
- Bookshelf Size: 204
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-dc-brown.html
- Latest Review: The Byrds of Victory by James Robert Campbell
Review by DC Brown -- Executive Hoodlum by John Costello
[Following is a volunteer review of "Executive Hoodlum" by John Costello.]
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
As we are growing up, we believe every family is just like ours. Then life teaches us that all families are dysfunctional in their way. John learned from an early age that his life was very different from his peers. His book Executive Hoodlum by John Costello, he takes us on a journey few of us can imagine. From the mean streets of Chicago to the boardrooms of California, his memoir takes us through his life, good and bad.
He talks of his father, Mario, and early memories of Mario's large family, the grandparents, the aunts, the cousins, and the weekly Sunday feasts. His father is violent. His grandfather makes him help cheat at poker. The ladies of the family all seem to need mental health treatment. His cousins are in and out of prison so much that he refers to it as a revolving door.
His mother's family couldn't be more different. Her father, Grandpa Mac is a police officer. He was so opposed to her marriage that he offered her money the night before the wedding to walk away. Although at times they seemed to be distant, they certainly supported her leaving her husband's family behind. Grandpa Mac was so concerned about interference from Mario's family that he went to the airport armed to make sure his daughter and grandchildren got away safely.
This was just the beginning of John's life, the first eight years or so. Things were difficult in California as well, but through it all, he survived, even thrived. He made it through school, was active in several sports, and went on to an executive career.
This book is a fast-paced and exciting novel. At least that's what I thought until I looked up some of the characters he described. His father's recordings are available on the internet. The report of his father's arrest can be found there, too. It actually is the incredible story of Mr. Costello's life.
Mr. Costello's story has affected me personally. I grew up on a farm with only a tiny town nearby. It is hard for me to imagine the type of life he led. It's hard to imagine the difficulty he had leaving the influence of the criminal life. It must have taken tremendous work to become a different man. I enjoyed that he took us through his life step by step. The honesty is engaging, even refreshing.
This book is exceptionally well written. It follows a logical path with great detail. Many times you feel like you are right beside the author as he experiences traumatic events. He doesn't sensationalize any of the events, whether good or bad. He tells his story. Amazingly, there is no graphic violence, little foul language, and no explicit sex.
Executive Hoodlum is a frank recounting of John Costello's life. I would recommend this book to young readers because the story flows very well and reads more like a novel than a history of someone's life. I would also recommend it to adult readers as it is an honest memoir without sensationalizing the rich and famous he met. Nor did he glamorize the hoodlum element of his life. I had thought this type of world was just a script writer's imagination. My eyes are open now! Executive Hoodlum is an excellent book! I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Executive Hoodlum
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like DC Brown's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
As we are growing up, we believe every family is just like ours. Then life teaches us that all families are dysfunctional in their way. John learned from an early age that his life was very different from his peers. His book Executive Hoodlum by John Costello, he takes us on a journey few of us can imagine. From the mean streets of Chicago to the boardrooms of California, his memoir takes us through his life, good and bad.
He talks of his father, Mario, and early memories of Mario's large family, the grandparents, the aunts, the cousins, and the weekly Sunday feasts. His father is violent. His grandfather makes him help cheat at poker. The ladies of the family all seem to need mental health treatment. His cousins are in and out of prison so much that he refers to it as a revolving door.
His mother's family couldn't be more different. Her father, Grandpa Mac is a police officer. He was so opposed to her marriage that he offered her money the night before the wedding to walk away. Although at times they seemed to be distant, they certainly supported her leaving her husband's family behind. Grandpa Mac was so concerned about interference from Mario's family that he went to the airport armed to make sure his daughter and grandchildren got away safely.
This was just the beginning of John's life, the first eight years or so. Things were difficult in California as well, but through it all, he survived, even thrived. He made it through school, was active in several sports, and went on to an executive career.
This book is a fast-paced and exciting novel. At least that's what I thought until I looked up some of the characters he described. His father's recordings are available on the internet. The report of his father's arrest can be found there, too. It actually is the incredible story of Mr. Costello's life.
Mr. Costello's story has affected me personally. I grew up on a farm with only a tiny town nearby. It is hard for me to imagine the type of life he led. It's hard to imagine the difficulty he had leaving the influence of the criminal life. It must have taken tremendous work to become a different man. I enjoyed that he took us through his life step by step. The honesty is engaging, even refreshing.
This book is exceptionally well written. It follows a logical path with great detail. Many times you feel like you are right beside the author as he experiences traumatic events. He doesn't sensationalize any of the events, whether good or bad. He tells his story. Amazingly, there is no graphic violence, little foul language, and no explicit sex.
Executive Hoodlum is a frank recounting of John Costello's life. I would recommend this book to young readers because the story flows very well and reads more like a novel than a history of someone's life. I would also recommend it to adult readers as it is an honest memoir without sensationalizing the rich and famous he met. Nor did he glamorize the hoodlum element of his life. I had thought this type of world was just a script writer's imagination. My eyes are open now! Executive Hoodlum is an excellent book! I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Executive Hoodlum
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like DC Brown's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: The Byrds of Victory by James Robert Campbell
