Customer Reviews

Montreal's Irish Mafia: The True Story of the Infamous West End Gang

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I grew up in Montréal on rue Jeanne Mance. I had friends in Griffintown and Goose Village and "The Point." As a boy I boxed a little there in a boys club sometimes.

Thankfully, I never did become one of the 'bad' guys but I did know one of the people in the book who was a very 'Bad Guy' and wound up dead stuffed in the back of his car as D'Arcy O'connor says. I 'knew' that guy because he became my next door neighbour on the south shore before he was murdered.

Matter of fact the QPF hauled me in to talk a bit about that neighbour who they kept arresting because I got in his face for killing my family dog.They told me who he was and to stop 'bothering' him. LOL Bizarre is all I can say about mobsters and O'Connor certainly displays every facet of that life.

The book is very well written, brought me some memories, and my friend John Westlake told me to buy that book and I'm not sorry I did that.

It is an extremely interesting and factual story that didn't take me long to read because it is that interesting I couldn't put it down.

John

It's a rare thing as a reader to find a book which grips you in such a way that you can't help but consume it in two or three sittings. Montreal's Irish Mafia by Darcy O'connor with Miranda O'connor is indeed such a work. In his latest book Mr. O'connor has captured a piece of Montreal history which up until now has yet to be fully explored. Whether you're from Montreal or not, you will surely enjoy this book as it transports you deeper and deeper into an exciting and seedy underworld of bank robbers and gang bosses. You will learn how some of the biggest bank heists in North America were planned and executed and how at one time Montreal gangs were some of the biggest players in the trading of illicit drugs. Packed full of larger than life characters who survive by their wits, characters who pull off "bank jobs" by helicopter and live by their own criminal code, Montreal's Irish Mafia is a must read!

NKE

Growing up in the general area of lower NDG... this book brought some things together insofar as names I heard around growing up and about a slice of history of my home in general, especially where both my Italian side and my Irish side's are concerned; with my Grandpa and family coming from areas named in this book.

It is also interesting to see where certain big business chains started out and how it would appear are still managing in today's times. A reality check, maybe.

Very disappointed in this book as were several of my friends. There were no photos only sketches throughout the book and no story. It contained a a bunch of boring facts and did not make for interesting reading. Certainly would not recommend this book to anyone.

I gave this to my (Irish) buddy as a birthday gift and he is thrilled to have it. So I'm happy too.

Terrible read ! Could not believe a professor of English wrote this trash ( poor Dawson students ). Author is misinformed on subject matter. Author makes mistakes in people identities among other things !

Not worth the paper it's printed on