Review by BlaqkViolette -- Executive Hoodlum
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BlaqkViolette
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Review by BlaqkViolette -- Executive Hoodlum
[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 recounts fascinating life of the author, John Costello. These days, Costello is the Vice President of a billion dollar advanced-semiconductor company and is very much so a family man. He is surrounded by powerful military and political leaders, high level business executives and movie stars. However, the life he has today is in stark contrast to the one he grew up in.
Being brought up in a working class neighbourhood in Chicago with a father who is immersed in mob activity, the memoir explores the difficult conditions that Costello had to go through to achieve the success he has today.
Costello’s childhood was tough. His father was abusive, both towards him and his straight-laced Catholic mother. He was forced into physical fights with other neighbourhood kids at his father’s command, which if he did not do as instructed would lead to another cruel beating. From a young age, Costello had to learn to be street smart. A major outlet for this hardship was through boxing, which he was ironically good at due to those physical fights he was forced into by his father. Through many family upheavals and losses, and without any support from his father, it was Costello’s own determination that meant he was able to graduate from college. His father thought school was a waste of time which would make sense coming from a man that used his amazing singing talent as a front to con people and mobsters alike out of their money. Costello’s association with his father meant it was difficult for him to build his reputation, and to build people’s trust.
John Costello tells his story in such a way that grips the reader and immerses them full force into the many hardships of his life. There were at times the story was told so matter-of-factly that I had to remind myself that it was the author himself who endured these experiences. Although it seems hard to believe how anyone would be able persevere with school and college with such a twisted family dynamic, Costello does so. He doesn’t undermine the hard work that he put in to get himself to where he is today. Costello re-counts his story in such a way that allows the reader to feel as though they know him personally and that once the reader has finished, feels a close bond with Costello.
All in all, Executive Hoodlum is a raw, emotional and unforgiving retelling of the almost unbelievable life of John Costello. The reader experiences the grief, abuse, greed and ultimate jubilation that Costello experiences in his life. Each characters’ story comes full circle with the aid of an epilogue, where each character mentioned in the books current whereabouts are revealed.
With all that said and done, I have no hesitation in giving Executive Hoodlum: Negotiating on the Corner of Main and Mean by John Costello 4 out of 4 stars. There are some minor spelling mistakes and other grammar errors, but these do not detract at all from the story. Otherwise, the book is well edited, and it was a very enjoyable read. I would highly recommend for readers who enjoy memoirs and crime novels.
******
Executive Hoodlum
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
4 out of 4 stars
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Executive Hoodlum: Negotiating on the Corner of Main and Mean by John Costello recounts fascinating life of the author, John Costello. These days, Costello is the Vice President of a billion dollar advanced-semiconductor company and is very much so a family man. He is surrounded by powerful military and political leaders, high level business executives and movie stars. However, the life he has today is in stark contrast to the one he grew up in.
Being brought up in a working class neighbourhood in Chicago with a father who is immersed in mob activity, the memoir explores the difficult conditions that Costello had to go through to achieve the success he has today.
Costello’s childhood was tough. His father was abusive, both towards him and his straight-laced Catholic mother. He was forced into physical fights with other neighbourhood kids at his father’s command, which if he did not do as instructed would lead to another cruel beating. From a young age, Costello had to learn to be street smart. A major outlet for this hardship was through boxing, which he was ironically good at due to those physical fights he was forced into by his father. Through many family upheavals and losses, and without any support from his father, it was Costello’s own determination that meant he was able to graduate from college. His father thought school was a waste of time which would make sense coming from a man that used his amazing singing talent as a front to con people and mobsters alike out of their money. Costello’s association with his father meant it was difficult for him to build his reputation, and to build people’s trust.
John Costello tells his story in such a way that grips the reader and immerses them full force into the many hardships of his life. There were at times the story was told so matter-of-factly that I had to remind myself that it was the author himself who endured these experiences. Although it seems hard to believe how anyone would be able persevere with school and college with such a twisted family dynamic, Costello does so. He doesn’t undermine the hard work that he put in to get himself to where he is today. Costello re-counts his story in such a way that allows the reader to feel as though they know him personally and that once the reader has finished, feels a close bond with Costello.
All in all, Executive Hoodlum is a raw, emotional and unforgiving retelling of the almost unbelievable life of John Costello. The reader experiences the grief, abuse, greed and ultimate jubilation that Costello experiences in his life. Each characters’ story comes full circle with the aid of an epilogue, where each character mentioned in the books current whereabouts are revealed.
With all that said and done, I have no hesitation in giving Executive Hoodlum: Negotiating on the Corner of Main and Mean by John Costello 4 out of 4 stars. There are some minor spelling mistakes and other grammar errors, but these do not detract at all from the story. Otherwise, the book is well edited, and it was a very enjoyable read. I would highly recommend for readers who enjoy memoirs and crime novels.
******
Executive Hoodlum
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Geraldine by Edmund M Aristone
