From Publishers Weekly
Hell's Kitchen, a section of Manhattan west of Eighth Avenue between 34th and 59th Streets infamous for poverty and gang-related crime which dates back to the 19th century, was taken over in the late 1960s by the "Westies" mob. The name--used by the press and the police, not by the mobsters themselves--designated a group of ruthless and vicious hoodlums, led by Jimmy Coonan and Francis (Mickey) Featherstone, who cut up the bodies of victims to dispose of them more readily. Once in power, Coonan caused considerable grumbling in the mostly Irish gang when he allied his men with the Gambino crime family. Next, Coonan arranged to have rival Featherstone charged with a murder; found guilty, he became a witness against the Westies, joined by other gang turncoats. In early 1988 Coonan and several of his henchmen were convicted of assorted crimes and imprisoned. English, who covered the trial for the Irish Voice , ably traces the Westies' rise and fall. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternates. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Irish-led criminal gangs have a long history on Manhattan's West Side (formerly known as Hell's Kitchen), the latest being "the Westies," seven of whom were recently convicted of racketeering and murder charges. Based primarily on the testimony of feared mob enforcer Mickey Featherstone, portrayed here rather sympathetically, journalist English dramatically re-creates the Westies' violent tale. Less organized and more small-time than the Mafia--only top gangster Jimmy Coonan really prospered--the Irish mob was no less vicious. An attempt to frame Featherstone on a murder charge led to the gang's demise. This is a harrowing account of big city crime. Recommended. Doubleday and Literary Guild alternates.- Gregor A. Preston, Univ. of California Lib., DavisCopyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Review
"First-rate, dramatic, and compelling."--New York Newsday

"Fascinating."--The Wall Street Journal

"Some very bad boys."--New York Magazine



Review
"First-rate, dramatic, and compelling."--New York Newsday

"Fascinating."--The Wall Street Journal

"Some very bad boys."--New York Magazine



Book Description
Even among the Mob, the Westies were feared. Out of a partnership between two sadistic thugs, James Coonan and Mickey Featherstone, the gang rose out of the inferno of Hell's Kitchen, a decaying tenderloin slice of New York City's West Side. They became the most notorious gang in the history of organized crime, excelling in extortion, numbers running, loansharking, and drug peddling. Upping the ante on depravity, their specialty was execution by dismemberment. Though never numbering more than a dozen members, their reign lasted for almost twenty years-until their own violent natures got the best of them, precipitating a downfall that would become as infamous as their notorious ascension into the annals of crime.



About the Author
T.J. English covered the lengthy Westies RICO trial for the Irish Voice and had close to one hundred hours of telephone conversations with Mickey Featherstone, who is currently in the Federal Witness Protection Program. For this book, English gathered information from over three hundred sources, including interviews with other gang members, lawyers, cops and neighborhood residents. He lives in New York City.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Even among the Mob, the Westies were feared. Out of a partnership between two sadistic thugs, James Coonan and Mickey Featherstone, the gang rose out of the inferno of Hell's Kitchen, a decaying tenderloin slice of New York City's West Side. They became the most notorious gang in the history of organized crime, excelling in extortion, numbers running, loansharking, and drug peddling. Upping the ante on depravity, their specialty was execution by dismemberment. Though never numbering more than a dozen members, their reign lasted for almost twenty years-until their own violent natures got the best of them, precipitating a downfall that would become as infamous as their notorious ascension into the annals of crime.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Hell's Kitchen, a section of Manhattan west of Eighth Avenue between 34th and 59th Streets infamous for poverty and gang-related crime which dates back to the 19th century, was taken over in the late 1960s by the ``Westies'' mob. The name--used by the press and the police, not by the mobsters themselves--designated a group of ruthless and vicious hoodlums, led by Jimmy Coonan and Francis (Mickey) Featherstone, who cut up the bodies of victims to dispose of them more readily. Once in power, Coonan caused considerable grumbling in the mostly Irish gang when he allied his men with the Gambino crime family. Next, Coonan arranged to have rival Featherstone charged with a murder; found guilty, he became a witness against the Westies, joined by other gang turncoats. In early 1988 Coonan and several of his henchmen were convicted of assorted crimes and imprisoned. English, who covered the trial for the Irish Voice , ably traces the Westies' rise and fall. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternates. (Mar.)

Library Journal