Tony Tripodi achieves his goal: his book is a requiem for his brother, Joe. For many of us, the world of a professional gambler is fascinating and when that gambler can accurately be described as "Damon Runyan-like," is is enought to hold our attention. But Tripodi goes far beyond that, and helps us to begin to know the man who was his older brother, and who, I would conjecture, he wants to help put to rest as more than just another police cold case file. We learn about Joe, and about the family, and they become people who come to life for the reader and whose lives we want to know about. Tripodi tells his story in context and we learn, or re-live, the times and world of the 1940's, 50's and 60's. It's a story well worth experiencing.

The most striking aspect of Tripodi's book is the love he has for his brother and the family's love for a member who was nontraditional. The book discusses the unconditional love that existed in a strong Italian family. Tripodi gives insight into the mind and behavior of a professional gambler and individuals who straddle the line between lawful and unlawful behaviors. Beside discussing the love and admiration he has for his brother, Tripodi discusses other family members and the uniqueness of each. Tripodi's book reminds a reader somewhat of another professional gambler, Arnold Rothstein, who reportedly was killed while holding a royal flush. Torchy did not die during a poker game, but his life as a professional gambler played a likely role in his death. Requiem for Torchy is good reading and well worth the price.