Jack! Chuckie! You sonsabitches. Great read. I hate that Bobby Kennedy.

Might recommend to my dad. He loves mob movies.

Interesting book on the Hoffa disappearance. Jack Goldsmith investigates to try and clear his stepfather's name (Chuckie O’Brien). I liked the take on this book, which focused on the relationship Jack had with Chuckie and the perspective that gave him.

As I was listening to the audiobook, the FBI made a site visit to a New Jersey landfill, following yet another lead on the location of Hoffa’s remains. Learning the details of what Hoffa was doing to regain leadership roles in the Teamsters was interesting. As was the illegal and disturbing efforts RFK made to “get” Hoffa. There were several geographical errors that jumped out to this Michigan native: Saline is in Washtenaw county, not Oakland and The St. Clair Inn is in St. Clair, not Port Huron. Surprising that these were not caught and corrected. And then there’s the mispronunciation of Lake Orion as “O’Ryan” - we say “Oar e un”. Although the author’s stepfather hints are who was responsible and aware but not who did the deed or the whereabouts of Hoffa’s final resting place, it is a worthwhile read.

As a child and youth I lived through the Jimmy Hoffa/ Bobby Kennedy hooha and subsequent assassination of Hoffa. Its always intrigued me for two reasons: the first being the obvious of the unsolved murder but the second, the animosity between Kennedy and Hoffa. I really didnt get that and I still don't get it. I would really like to think of Bobby Kennedy as a hero/saint figure but his pursuit of Hoffa with all its legal and constitutional violations sets such a paradox violating that ideal.

Really interesting read, both from a historical perspective and a personal one. His research about the crime and attempts to shine greater spotlight on the truth was excellent. In addition, the author’s blending of the historical record with the personal lives of himself, Chuckie, and their family just added a much richer context than what would have already been a fantastic book. I highly recommend this one.

I've always been fascinated with Hoffa. I grew up in Detroit during his hay days and can recall driving past the Teamster union hall on Trumbull Ave. My grandfather lived right around the corner. I actually got to shake his hand one time when I briefly moved back to Detroit in the early 70's. He has just been pardoned by Nixon. Strong handshake. O'Brien writes a very moving account of his father's (step father) relationship with Hoffa and while doing so paints a nostalgic picture of labor's by gone era. I am a sucker for a good mafia story and this one didn't let me down.

An intriguing book with a timely release. Goldsmith's work contradicts Martin Scorsese's film, The Irishman. In the film, Frank Sheeran is portrayed as Jimmy Hoffa's confidant. Whereas in reality, Hoffa took in Chuckie O'Brien (the main protagonist in this book who literally shadowed Hoffa) as a son and later as his right hand man for many years. There are many other details in the book that counter what is told in the film.

Goldsmith provided in-depth historical research from Hoffa's Teamsters years up to his disappearance. More interestingly, Goldsmith is the son in law to O'Brien.

If you are interested in the Hoffa disappearance, American legal history and the American Mafia, you will enjoy reading this book.