Review by Lee-Ann20 -- Executive Hoodlum by John Costello

Lee-Ann20 · Post by **Lee-Ann20** » 22 Jun 2019, 15:07

[Following is a volunteer review of "Executive Hoodlum" by John Costello.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Executive Hoodlum: Negotiating on the Corner of Main and Mean by John Costello is an intriguing read and a beguiling study in opportunity and opposites. John Costello works for a multi billion dollar semiconductor company in a high level position. He has friends that include corporate executives, Hollywood actors, politicians as well as bikers, mob bosses and ex cons. Costello writes very conversationally, like having a drink with an old friend.

Costello’s upbringing is also a mix of two worlds. His father was a singer with a voice that got him out of many scrapes with his mob connections. Instead of using this talent to make a career, the elder John Costello ran con games to make money off of people, including mobsters. The author’s mother was a sheltered girl who got swept up in the fast life of that John Costello, senior introduced her to. This life did not last long and she turned to alcohol to escape the depression she found herself in. This type of story would appeal to people who enjoy mob stories and memoirs that fit the “truth is stranger than fiction” saying.

Readers who are looking for a feel good story about a kid from the mean streets who makes good on his life may be disappointed. Ultimately, this is what this book is about, but the tale is a bit gritty for some readers. That being said, when Costello talks about his failures and his actions that are not kind, he does not make excuses for them. He apologizes and takes responsibility for his actions, which is refreshing in this time of blame everyone else for my problems.

I did not come across any spelling or grammatical mistakes. I would consider this book very well edited. I especially like this writing style. It did not feel forced, but very natural and conversational.

Overall, I would give Executive Hoodlum: Negotiating on the Corner of Main and Mean by John Costello a 4 out of 4 stars. This book was well edited with no mistakes. The writing style grabbed me right from the start. The story itself was one that is too strange to be made up. John Costello’s life could have been written in both “Sopranos” and “Mad Men” and he would have fit right in. This was a compelling book about a man that is made of two opposing forces that came together to create a successful human being.

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Executive Hoodlum
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unamilagra · Post by **unamilagra** » 27 Jun 2019, 17:14

It sounds like this is a really interesting read. I like that the author was completely honest about his history, and I like that it was so well-written as well. Thanks for a thorough review!

Post by **Tamorie Hargro** » 04 Jul 2019, 00:48

This memoir sounds very interesting, as I am pretty interested in mob stories. However... would it be terrible to say that I'd love to read about Costello's father's life and his experiences with conning people with his singing voice? That sounds extremely entertaining haha Thanks for the review!

Lee-Ann20 · Post by **Lee-Ann20** » 15 Aug 2019, 11:10

unamilagra wrote: ↑27 Jun 2019, 17:14 It sounds like this is a really interesting read. I like that the author was completely honest about his history, and I like that it was so well-written as well. Thanks for a thorough review!

I really liked that about him too. He was not apologetic, but he did not blame anyone but himself for his shortcomings. That takes a really strong person.

Lee-Ann20 · Post by **Lee-Ann20** » 15 Aug 2019, 11:11

Tamorie21 wrote: ↑04 Jul 2019, 00:48 This memoir sounds very interesting, as I am pretty interested in mob stories. However... would it be terrible to say that I'd love to read about Costello's father's life and his experiences with conning people with his singing voice? That sounds extremely entertaining haha Thanks for the review!

That would be a really interesting, and completely different book!!