Guy was kinda a punk ass but it fit with the book. I really enjoyed reading about his life..

Rat bastards

Great true story! Shea is one hell of a writer and very tough guy, not to mention stand up. I love his morals, and believe in them. You do the crime you do the time.

Meh. Just a dude who thinks he is a mob boss, but in reality is a pawn being used and thrown away.

This book is as real as it gets, from the rough language used to the first hand accounts of underworld dealings. A true glimpse into the Boston Irish Mob and Whitey Bulgar's crew. The title is fitting too, as the so-called "loyalty" of this gang crumbles and the ones who preached about never "ratting" were doing it all along..

Good story of life in the mob.

Somewhat disappointing. Plot stops halfway through the book and turns into a snoozer.

rat bastards, by John "Red" Shea is a memoir about the mob life of a South Boston Irish mob. The South Boston Irish mob had a very high roll in the trafficking of narcotics and were constantly in fear of the police. Through out the book there were many times where it was a cat and mouse game between the mob and the police. They were also in fear of the risk of somebody tipping off the feds. To sum it all up I would say its a pretty action packed book.

Awesome

Hard hitting book. He really pulled no punches. I’ve read a few accounts of the Bulger gang and Winter Hill, I liked this one because I felt like he told it as it was. It’s also really sad that he wasted such potential for fadt money and a life of crime.

Well what a waste of money this book was. Luckily I got it used for $4. Still. This is by far the worst book I’ve read in a long time. No real story, no insight into the Irish mafia underworld, no gritty interaction between the author and the main player, Whitey Bulger. What you get is an egotistical psychopath talking about his manhood and pages, pages, and pages of just how tough he is physically and mentally that causes girls to swoon and strikes fear in everyone around him.

I usually don’t write reviews on books but felt if I could save anyone from paying for this book I should.

Actually it was boring. He didn't say anything. No insight to Boston under world. Just a guy who was bad and went to jail. Glad I borrowed the book.

A true telling tale of Irish mobsters growing up from Southie Mass. As being in an Irish family, I felt a weird connection the the Irish Mobster Red Shea despite having nothing in common with him. He really exposes the inner lights and unsuspected traits of the life of a mobster.