This book could be read in conjunction with Kerry Noble's Tabernacle of Hate. It is less of an emotional tale of fall and redemption than Noble's book, but it is gripping nonetheless. Martinez tells in detail how he was slowly drawn into The Order (the most organized and violently active neo-Nazi group in American history) and convinced of the importance of its cause by the now-dead leader, Robert Matthews. The book shows how the Order eventually collapsed in on itself due to treachery within its own ranks. (Like all organized pro-white terroristic groups.) It is a good book for gathering information on how the groups operate, where their thinking (or lack thereof) is headed. It's a good reference for preparing for the coming battle in which the non-Aryans will rise up and exterminate all Neo-Nazis, (the real result of the future racial war that Nazis are dreaming of).

One word to describe this book? "Amazing."

Tom Martinez gives an inside look of the far-right, from his fundraising days with the National Alliance to how he helped the FBI bring down Bob Mathews, leader of the Order.

Besides learning the inner workings of such organizations, what amazed me about the book is Martinez's personal experiences. For example, his shattering the myth that hate and racism is learned at home. Martinez makes it clear that hate is a form of fear...in his case, his fear of black gang members in his high school led to his support of David Duke and a downward spiral from there. Not once did his parents ever utter a derogatory word about minorities, Martinez says.

Martinez could have easily written this book in a spiteful manner, blaming his felony conviction for passing bad money on the members of the Order. But he doesn't. Martinez takes full responsibility for his actions and even has compassion for some of the Order members who he brought to justice...even Bob Mathews who was killed in an FBI shootout.

Unfortunately, I missed the Showtime movie based on this book...but I recently won a copy of it on eBay and cannot wait until it arrives!

Tom Martinez' story is terrifying and uplifting. It's frightening to learn how easy it can be for someone to become a neo-Nazi. It's exalting to see the same person change. Martinez is one of the bravest characters you'll ever meet in the pages of a book, and he's real, not fiction. I bought copies for every teenager I know.

I sure reads like one, maybe I'm biased `cause I lived there, grew up with all the doctrine & dogma(not to menton all the great food, they may be killers, but they sure can cook!). I admire the toughness & tenacity[like how "The Hunchback" counted the bullets from the guy shootin` him before he ran out of the phonebooth to tackle him & take away his gun]. This book is a little better, in my opinion, by explaining the details of the connection of the Mayor to the gangsters. I'm sure it's not much different anywhere in the world but you rarely see it documented so well.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was informative, just as good as a book written by George Anastasia titled "The Goddfella Tapes", In both books, they talk about Philadelphia "La Cosa Nostra" and how law enforcement try to defeat them...Wiretaps, Stake outs, asking questions and getting informants...These books are essentailly "Good VS Bad". Go and get them, you'll enjoy them.

The Mafia family in Philadelphia during the 1980s under Nicky Scarfo was by far the most violent group of killers, extortionists, drug dealers, and swindlers in the recent history of the Mafia. Scarfo was a sociopathic killer, ordering killings as a way of doing business, many of his victims were killed on a whim. As the bodies began to pile up, Lt. Friel, a homicide detective, was directed by the Philadelphia Police Department, his employer, to join forces with the FBI's Organized Crime squad.

Friel and the FBI worked well together, a cooperation that resulted in breaking the Mafia's code of silence, and Nicky Scarfo is now serving life plus 40 years. The entire top echelon of the Philadelphia LCN family went to jail with him -- those who he hadn't had murdered during his reign.

Friel is not only a dedicated and very smart cop, he is also a good story-teller. This is an excellent book from start to finish.