Review by LaurenHaupt -- Executive Hoodlum by John Costello

LaurenHaupt · Post by **LaurenHaupt** » 08 Sep 2018, 12:34

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

4 out of 4 stars

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What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. In the book that I've just read, John Costello is the perfect example of this statement. Growing up with a lot of bumps and bruises, John was able to stay motivated by working hard and later became a vice president in a billion dollar semiconductor company. His book is called Executive Hoodlum: Negotiating on the Corner of Main and Mean. John Costello is the author of the book.

In his memoir, he talks about his life growing up. His family life was a mess. His loving mom passed away when he was just a child leaving him and his siblings with their abusive con artist dad, stepmom and stepkids. Surviving his family and crazy relatives, he was able to keep the focus on getting a good education. By being very athletic, he was also able to play a lot of sports which helped him escape from a lot of troubles at home. Keeping his head up and staying motivated, he now has a successful career and a big, happy family of his own.

When I first read the summary of this book I had no clue who John was. What interest me right away is when I read that his family had mob connections. I love gangster movies and books so this was a book that I didn't want to miss. I was hooked on the book from the beginning. At the very beginning, there is a section written By Scott Baio explaining how he met John Costello and how he was scared to meet him at first. You learn that the two of them have become good friends. In the first chapter, John is at a cafe surrounded by members of the mafia. They are furious at John's dad and is demanding John to tell them where he is. My first initial thought was, who was going to die. Thankfully no one did. I knew that this book was going to be a page-turner. I was also able to learn something very interesting right away about the mafia. In Chicago, they are not known as wiseguys but as Outfit men. I enjoyed hearing about the differences between living in California vs. Chicago. It was interesting to hear what you can get away with in one state but not the other.

The book had a lot of humor to it. I liked that it wasn't going to be all depressing. Most of the humor has to do with his crazy relatives and friends. Some of the stunts were funny and also their personalities. There was one funny part where his crazy grandma died and a relative and he are standing over her grave to make sure she's really dead. I also liked that the characters in his book weren't always one-sided. Even though his dad was a jerk he did help him pay for school. In the middle of the book, there are a bunch of pictures of him and his family. There are also pictures of celebrities and political figures that you might recognize. One of my favorite pictures was of Henry Hill. It was taken while he was under witness protection.

I think there are a lot of good moral lessons in his book. He teaches you that if you work hard and keep being a good person, good things can happen to you. No matter what walk of life you come from you can always succeed.

I didn't notice anything wrong with the book. Only parts I didn't like too much was when he talked about boxing. I think that boxing is boring. I didn't notice any grammar errors. I would give this story of 4 out of 4 stars. I think people who would most enjoy this book are people that are familiar with him. Anyone who likes mob related stories may also like this book. This book is a little violent so it may not be appealing to some viewers. I enjoyed reading about his life and I hope others do too.

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Executive Hoodlum
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Okafor Prosper · Post by **Okafor Prosper** » 10 Sep 2018, 08:25

John's story seems really interesting and motivating. I'll definitely love to read this book. Thank you for the review.

Sarah Starling · Post by **Sarah Starling** » 10 Sep 2018, 10:37

This sounds like an interesting read, especially with the mafia connections. Doesn't sound quite like my type of book though. Good review!

Post by **Kajori Sheryl Paul** » 10 Sep 2018, 13:32

This seems to be a very motivating read with a lot of life-lessons.

Thank you for the great review.

LaurenHaupt · Post by **LaurenHaupt** » 11 Sep 2018, 08:18

Kajori50 wrote: ↑10 Sep 2018, 13:32 This seems to be a very motivating read with a lot of life-lessons.

Thank you for the great review.

Thank you.

LaurenHaupt · Post by **LaurenHaupt** » 11 Sep 2018, 09:25

prospero360 wrote: ↑10 Sep 2018, 08:25 John's story seems really interesting and motivating. I'll definitely love to read this book. Thank you for the review.

Your welcome.Thank you.

LaurenHaupt · Post by **LaurenHaupt** » 11 Sep 2018, 09:26

Kajori50 wrote: ↑10 Sep 2018, 13:32 This seems to be a very motivating read with a lot of life-lessons.

Thank you for the great review.

It is. Thank you.

LaurenHaupt · Post by **LaurenHaupt** » 11 Sep 2018, 09:28

StarkidStarling wrote: ↑10 Sep 2018, 10:37 This sounds like an interesting read, especially with the mafia connections. Doesn't sound quite like my type of book though. Good review!

Your welcome. Thank you.

Rosemary Khathibe · Post by **Rosemary Khathibe** » 12 Sep 2018, 22:57

Though the book sounds painful with the struggles John went through, it serves as a motivation for those who are about to give up in life. Like you, Mafia books are one of my favourites. Enjoyable review!

Connie Otwani · Post by **Connie Otwani** » 13 Sep 2018, 00:50

There seems to be a lot going on in the book. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I especially appreciate the professional editing.

LaurenHaupt · Post by **LaurenHaupt** » 13 Sep 2018, 09:20

Rosemary Khathibe wrote: ↑12 Sep 2018, 22:57 Though the book sounds painful with the struggles John went through, it serves as a motivation for those who are about to give up in life. Like you, Mafia books are one of my favourites. Enjoyable review!

Thank you!

LaurenHaupt · Post by **LaurenHaupt** » 13 Sep 2018, 09:22

Cotwani wrote: ↑13 Sep 2018, 00:50 There seems to be a lot going on in the book. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I especially appreciate the professional editing.

There is. It was a nice book to read. Thank you.

JR Mercier · Post by **JR Mercier** » 14 Sep 2018, 02:01

I love a good motivational read. Great review!

LaurenHaupt · Post by **LaurenHaupt** » 14 Sep 2018, 10:00

JR Mercier wrote: ↑14 Sep 2018, 02:01 I love a good motivational read. Great review!

It's a good book. Thank you!

Allyseria · Post by **Allyseria** » 18 Sep 2018, 18:27

Thank you for your detailed review! I laughed when you mentioned the crazy grandma so he and the relative had to stand over her grave to make sure she was really dead! I also love that the characters aren't all flaws. Like the one who paid for his school. I'll have to give this book a read!