William “Big Billy” D’Elia and Russell Bufalino were arguably two of the most successful Mafia dons in history. D’Elia had no criminal record until 2006 and wasn’t even considered a blip on the radar by the numerous organized crime task forces who’s sole responsibility was tracking their every move. Bufalino and D’Elia accomplished this by sticking to one simple rule: lay low. Something many mobsters never could seem to master.

Birkbeck did an amazing job of making it feel like a genuine conversation. I loved hearing D’Elia talk about Frank Sheeran and Charles Brandt, especially after reading “I Heard You Paint Houses”. I’d be interested in reading the other 5 versions of Sheeran’s story. I also recently read “The Last Honest Man” by James Risen, which tells the life and work of Idaho Senator Frank Church. When reading books like this, It feels like putting a huge historic puzzle together. Learning each side of the story and seeing how it all shaped our nation as we know it.