Scan barcode
wildweasel105's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit that the appeal of this novel lies more in a personal connection with part of the plot's historical background- my maternal grandparents were Swedish immigrants who lived in the very same area of the Lower East Side where the infamous "Dutch" Schultz and other gangsters plied their control over trade, and whose violence often spilled into the streets. This very violence my grandparents had witnessed themselves!
Gross unfolds a very believable and well thought out story, filled with the determination of one Jewish family to survive, much less succeed in the garment industry of New York circa 1920 -1935.
I found the novel to be taut and realistic, never shying away from the brutal truth of how corrupt the local government and police were during the Prohibition. This, and so many other facts intertwine to help the reader realize just how difficult it was for the "common man" to remain a law abiding citizen when the stranglehold of the mob over the unions was most prevalent.
A truly remarkable read, and I very much hope to see other novels in this genre from Mr. Gross in the future.
Gross unfolds a very believable and well thought out story, filled with the determination of one Jewish family to survive, much less succeed in the garment industry of New York circa 1920 -1935.
I found the novel to be taut and realistic, never shying away from the brutal truth of how corrupt the local government and police were during the Prohibition. This, and so many other facts intertwine to help the reader realize just how difficult it was for the "common man" to remain a law abiding citizen when the stranglehold of the mob over the unions was most prevalent.
A truly remarkable read, and I very much hope to see other novels in this genre from Mr. Gross in the future.
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
I was first introduced to Mr. Gross and his work when I read a few of the books that he collaborated with Mr. Patterson. When Mr. Gross debuted his first novel by himself, I was hooked. Since than, I have been a fan of his. Although, I am behind some in reading every book from Mr. Gross, I can always count on him to deliver. I can assure you that Mr. Gross did deliver with this book.
Instantly, I felt like I was living in the 1920's and 1930's. Morris, Sol, and Harry brought the story to life. My favorite is Morris. He really strived to make the best man out of himself that he could be. He helped to inspire his brother Sol. He tried with Harry but Harry was hurting. I believe that Harry would have taken a different path in life if it was not for the loss of his twin when he was younger. He blamed himself and for this reason; Harry turned to a life of crime.
If you enjoy this time period or just looking for a great book to read, you need no look any further than this book. I could not stop reading. From the first page to the very last page, I was in it for the long haul. Mr. Gross really does take me on a journey filled with engaging characters and a wonderful story in Button Man!
Instantly, I felt like I was living in the 1920's and 1930's. Morris, Sol, and Harry brought the story to life. My favorite is Morris. He really strived to make the best man out of himself that he could be. He helped to inspire his brother Sol. He tried with Harry but Harry was hurting. I believe that Harry would have taken a different path in life if it was not for the loss of his twin when he was younger. He blamed himself and for this reason; Harry turned to a life of crime.
If you enjoy this time period or just looking for a great book to read, you need no look any further than this book. I could not stop reading. From the first page to the very last page, I was in it for the long haul. Mr. Gross really does take me on a journey filled with engaging characters and a wonderful story in Button Man!
notinjersey's review against another edition
3.0
I am sad to say that I found this book boring. I read it quickly, but I may have skimmed more than I took in. Andrew Gross wrote this book about something in his own family history, and I did learn about the Jewish mobsters in New York City. One interesting thing about this book is that it features real life people. I have a step-cousin in my ancestry who was a mobster and he even got a mention in the book. Otherwise, I feel that this could have been written much better to keep it more interesting and entertaining.
marilynw's review against another edition
4.0
Andrew Gross has written a historical novel, using his grandfather and his grandfather's experiences, for the character of Morris Raab. Real events and real people are used as the story depicts the beginning of organized crime in New York. The story starts in 1905, when Morris is two years old and takes us through his fight against the criminals that ruled New York's garment industry.
Morris was a hard headed, hard working, determined man, who learned at a very early age that the only way to make it in the brutal life of a poor Jewish boy, growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, in New York (or in the Army), was to fight his way out of any situation. At first, as organized crime took over almost aspects of the garment industry, Morris just ignored any warnings or threats that he needed to fall in line with other business owners. Finally though, the thugs who were willing to maim, murder and destroy people and companies, made it impossible for Morris to stand back and that's when Morris tackled the impossible job of beating the criminals that even had law enforcement in their pocket.
I do think that a particular violent sequence may have been overdone in that it seems like it would have been impossible for a person to survive all the damage done to him. Still, it was exciting and also very enlightening, to read the thoughts going through the character's head, as he worked to survive what was happening to him. I admire all the people who tried to stand up to murdering criminals and can understand why they might just give up or give in, when their lives and countless other lives, were at stake.
This book is about family, forgiveness and the unwillingness to forgive, friends, of being forced to decide if crossing the line of an honest life to bending a knee to criminals, was worth the loss of self respect. So much was at stake for Morris, his family, and all the honest, hard working people, during organized crime's heyday in New York. Andrew Gross has every reason to be proud of his grandfather's legacy and did a great job of honoring him with this book.
Published September 18th 2018
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Morris was a hard headed, hard working, determined man, who learned at a very early age that the only way to make it in the brutal life of a poor Jewish boy, growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, in New York (or in the Army), was to fight his way out of any situation. At first, as organized crime took over almost aspects of the garment industry, Morris just ignored any warnings or threats that he needed to fall in line with other business owners. Finally though, the thugs who were willing to maim, murder and destroy people and companies, made it impossible for Morris to stand back and that's when Morris tackled the impossible job of beating the criminals that even had law enforcement in their pocket.
I do think that a particular violent sequence may have been overdone in that it seems like it would have been impossible for a person to survive all the damage done to him. Still, it was exciting and also very enlightening, to read the thoughts going through the character's head, as he worked to survive what was happening to him. I admire all the people who tried to stand up to murdering criminals and can understand why they might just give up or give in, when their lives and countless other lives, were at stake.
This book is about family, forgiveness and the unwillingness to forgive, friends, of being forced to decide if crossing the line of an honest life to bending a knee to criminals, was worth the loss of self respect. So much was at stake for Morris, his family, and all the honest, hard working people, during organized crime's heyday in New York. Andrew Gross has every reason to be proud of his grandfather's legacy and did a great job of honoring him with this book.
Published September 18th 2018
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
over60's review against another edition
3.0
The life of a jewish boy who rises in the apparel industry during the Union and Mafia years. He tried to stay out of trouble but did get revenge. he did ostracise his brother, Harry, and Harry got killed because he had no one to love him , he felt.
danlandreads's review against another edition
4.0
Gross finds intriguing historical moments and layers them with compelling fiction with a deft blend of character development and scene setting without hindering the plot.
dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review against another edition
2.0
I read it for a Jewish book club.
Based on the author's grandfather, it's kind of a male capitalist power fantasy.
Positives: power fantasy escapism (if you're into that), different accents on the audiobook, I learned a couple of rude words in Yiddish, despite being very "male novelist" I don't think he ever says anything about anyone's breasts.
Negatives: power fantasy is very capitalist and toxically masculine, two-pronged racism through erasure and stereotyping, women? what are women?, now I've read a White Male Thriller and I have to live with that.
It would have been 3 stars for "enjoyable read, if not the most serious, and definitely doesn't pass the Bechdel test, and what Brooklyn is this with precisely one Black person?" except at one point they use the N-word. It's pretty unnecessary. Like, yes, I get it, gangsters are bad, racism is prevalent, but it doesn't exactly seem like social commentary when the only Black character in the whole book is "Buck the African-American vagrant" who is described as "the African-American vagrant" literally every time except for once, when he's just "the vagrant". (Unless we're counting a professor in the epilogue, but it almost felt like Gross was saying "And it's just great that women and Black people are allowed to be professors now. Good for you. I'm so open minded.")
Also, what ever happened to the sisters? We start out with four brothers and two sisters, and we follow every single brother, but after the prologue, we only hear about the sisters twice in a "oh yeah there were two sisters too" kind of way.
Based on the author's grandfather, it's kind of a male capitalist power fantasy.
Positives: power fantasy escapism (if you're into that), different accents on the audiobook, I learned a couple of rude words in Yiddish, despite being very "male novelist" I don't think he ever says anything about anyone's breasts.
Negatives: power fantasy is very capitalist and toxically masculine, two-pronged racism through erasure and stereotyping, women? what are women?, now I've read a White Male Thriller and I have to live with that.
It would have been 3 stars for "enjoyable read, if not the most serious, and definitely doesn't pass the Bechdel test, and what Brooklyn is this with precisely one Black person?" except at one point they use the N-word. It's pretty unnecessary. Like, yes, I get it, gangsters are bad, racism is prevalent, but it doesn't exactly seem like social commentary when the only Black character in the whole book is "Buck the African-American vagrant" who is described as "the African-American vagrant" literally every time except for once, when he's just "the vagrant". (Unless we're counting a professor in the epilogue, but it almost felt like Gross was saying "And it's just great that women and Black people are allowed to be professors now. Good for you. I'm so open minded.")
Also, what ever happened to the sisters? We start out with four brothers and two sisters, and we follow every single brother, but after the prologue, we only hear about the sisters twice in a "oh yeah there were two sisters too" kind of way.
gbdill's review against another edition
5.0
Button Man by Andrew Gross is a captivating and thrilling novel that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. This book is a perfect blend of historical fiction and suspense, with well-crafted characters and an intricately woven plot.
The story is set in the 1930s, during the height of the garment industry in New York City. The protagonist, Morris Raab, is a young Jewish immigrant who becomes a button man for a powerful Jewish family. As Morris rises through the ranks, he finds himself caught in a web of violence and corruption that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear.
What I love about this book is how well-researched and authentic the historical details are. Gross brings the world of the garment industry to life, with its cutthroat competition and the struggles of immigrant workers. He also captures the complexity of Jewish identity, with its tension between assimilation and tradition.
The characters in Button Man are also a highlight of the book. Morris is a sympathetic and relatable protagonist, and his relationships with his family and his love interest, Ruth, are poignant and well-drawn. The supporting characters, including the various members of the Raab family and their rivals, are also vivid and memorable.
Overall, Button Man is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction or suspense. Andrew Gross has crafted a masterful novel that entertains and illuminates, and I highly recommend it.
The story is set in the 1930s, during the height of the garment industry in New York City. The protagonist, Morris Raab, is a young Jewish immigrant who becomes a button man for a powerful Jewish family. As Morris rises through the ranks, he finds himself caught in a web of violence and corruption that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear.
What I love about this book is how well-researched and authentic the historical details are. Gross brings the world of the garment industry to life, with its cutthroat competition and the struggles of immigrant workers. He also captures the complexity of Jewish identity, with its tension between assimilation and tradition.
The characters in Button Man are also a highlight of the book. Morris is a sympathetic and relatable protagonist, and his relationships with his family and his love interest, Ruth, are poignant and well-drawn. The supporting characters, including the various members of the Raab family and their rivals, are also vivid and memorable.
Overall, Button Man is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction or suspense. Andrew Gross has crafted a masterful novel that entertains and illuminates, and I highly recommend it.
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
4.0
Good historical fiction about "unions" (really the mafia) and how they shook down business people in New York City. Good writing, good characters.