Title: Me and the General
Author: Rosemary Valenti Guarnera
Publisher: Amazon
ISBN: 978-1-7355746-0-8 Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-7355746-1-5 Softcover
Pages: 520
Genre: Biographies/Crime
Reviewed by: Jack Chambers
Hollywood Book Reviews
Friendships and relationships overall can be a tricky thing. The moment we meet someone who inspires us, impresses us, entertains us, or even someone who a person instantly falls head over heels in love with, can be a special event which changes the course of a person’s life forever. Yet no matter how exciting this moment can be, there are friendships or relationships that can change someone not for the better, but for the worst. There are even times when those two types of friendships are tested, and the weight of betrayal and strife can become suffocating to those involved.
In author Rosemary Valenti Guarnera’s Me and the General, the author explores the life of Ralph Liguori, a man who grew up in early 20th century America and became good friends with the infamous Charles “Lucky” Luciano, and how their friendship grew, evolved, and was tested by a run-in with would-be-president Thomas E. Dewey. Covering everything from the tragic loss of his father at an early age, to the childhood discoveries he made during the roaring twenties and the foray into the seedier parts of the world participating in rackets during the Great Depression, the book showcases the unique friendship he held with one of 20th Century America’s most powerful and influential men and the man who would create what we know of modern-day American Mafiosos today.
The author did such a remarkable job of capturing the heart and history of this era of time and the events that took place within it. The attention to detail the author had in the delivery of this narrative, and the unique role that Ralph played in what would become one of the biggest prosecutions of a head mobster in the day was so fascinating. The pacing of the book really worked well here, first beginning with the infamous trial that started the life-changing events in Ralph’s life, and then focusing on seeing Ralph’s childhood and the defining moments that led to his joining of the racketeering game. Although they never really worked together in their line of work, the friendship that blossomed between Ralph and a then up-and-coming gangster, Lucky Luciano himself, was captivating, especially to see how their friendship evolved and held together over time. The imagery and atmosphere the author creates through her writing really made it feel like a cinematic narrative, albeit a non-fiction one, when reading through it, giving the readers a more engaging experience with the book.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy non-fiction titles, especially those that involve history, memoirs, and in particular those with a fascination with American history and the formation of the modern-day Organized Crime Families that made up “The Commission.” As a fan of history and the study of mobsters and their influence on the world, this book did an amazing job of not only highlighting the founding father of the organized crime world as we know it today, but did so through the lens of a man who called Lucky his friend. The use of interviews and first-hand accounts from the author and Ralph were fantastic to see bring this story to life, as was the sheer volume of detail the author used to bring these events to life.
Memorable, thought-provoking, and engaging, author Rosemary Valenti Guarnera’s Me and the General is a must-read memoir and a great look into the heart of both the American Mafia and of a friendship that bloomed in the face of so much violence, betrayal, and history. The conflict that arose between Ralph, Lucky, and Thomas Dewey was so compelling, and did an amazing job of bringing more depth and dimension to a historical footnote that has resonated within the organized crime history buff community. The emotional weight of Ralph’s life, from the losses he suffered to the years spent in prison and the connection he shared with Lucky, made this a remarkable and thoughtful narrative that readers won’t be able to put down.