Official Review: “The Dogs of Brownsville”

[LinaMueller]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "“The Dogs of Brownsville”" by Stan Weisleder.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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The Dogs of Brownsville by Stan Weisleder is a historical fiction book. In the afterword, the author explains that the book is not biographical, but the reader has the impression that Stan lived in Brownsville at the time. He says that the book is a "faction," that is, a combination of fact and fiction.

For those who don't know, Brownsville is a neighborhood in New York City that was predominantly Jewish at the time the book was set (right after World War II). Most of the protagonists are Jews and, to a lesser extent, Italians. It is difficult to name a protagonist because seven or eight characters frequently appear (Lawrence Cohen, Solly, Ringo, Moe, Scumbag, Charlie, Eunice, and so forth). I would say that Lawrence, who has the nickname "Mongoose," is the most crucial character, but I can't be sure if he is the one that appears the most since each chapter tells the story of a different individual. There is more than one character appearing in several chapters, so the task of choosing a "protagonist" is almost an impossible mission.

First and foremost, I must stress that there are many worthy things to praise in this book. It is divided into three parts, and the events take place over five decades. Only a talented author could write a cohesive book with so many different characters in a story that takes place over such a long period. What I liked most was to know how the initial boom of casinos occurred in the city of Las Vegas. Although the protagonists were born in New York, many end up going to Las Vegas for various reasons. The appearance of legendary historical figures from American history like Howard Hughes and Meyer Lansky are additional elements that make the book more enthralling.

My main qualm with the book is that there are a colossal number of swear words. The author himself made it clear that he wanted to write the book this way when he wrote in the afterword: "Out of curiosity, I did a computer check to see how many times the 'F' word or one of its derivatives was used. The answer is 374, or an average of almost once for every page. It might even be a new Guinness World Record." Even so, I didn't find anything dislikeable about the plot. The book is professionally edited, and I found only four minor grammatical errors.

On the whole, The Dogs of Brownsville deserves four out of four stars. There is not a single reason to deduct one star from the final score. Contrary to what the author wrote on Amazon (that the book "was told in The Godfather fashion"), this work reminded me a lot of the movie Once Upon a Time in America. I recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction and mafia-related books. If you hate profanity, skip this one.

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“The Dogs of Brownsville”
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[djr6090]

Why do authors think they need the F word to make characters authentic? Really, once per page is too much. I'll pass on this book.

[Leen282]

I never heard the description 'faction' but it sure covers the meaning of facts and fiction mixed together. I don't have an issue with swear words if they fit in the type of story. I am not entirely convinced though if this book is for me, I am intrigued about the way of life just after the war but I don't necessarily like reading books that cover a period of 50 years.

[Abdul-Malik Hassan]

The storyline seems intriguing. I like the fact that it's historical fiction; one of my favorite categories.

[Sou Hi]

Congrats on BOTD. It's quite amazing that the author can create a book that focuses on seven or eight characters, to the point that a protagonist is hard to identify.

[Riya Sarkar]

The fact that the author actually looked up the number of swear words is hilarious to me. Moreover, the fact that it's hard to discern a protagonist is quite fascinating. I'd love to pick up this book.

[Andrew Butchers]

This book sounds interesting to me.

With so many major characters, did the author manage to make them seem like real people ? Or were some more like sketches ?

[Esther Godwin Ogechi]

I think my head will be jumbled. Having to remember the names and personalities of seven to eight protagonists. I'll pass on this but congrats on BOTD.

[Margi zuu202]

Book of the day BOTD is historical fiction the story took place in Brownsville a hood in NYC Stan gave us quite a number of characters but mongoose is the main protagonist and in charge of the gaming activities for the desert wind hotel and casino, while mob worked for Frank the wizard of odd While Ignacia and Balsy reunited with Eunice, she was a successful showgirl by the name venus.earlier they ignored Eunice but think about it after the bombing accident which made magoose sad because his buddy tommy was responsible!!? I like this book and how it came to an end "the Year of the dragon it was well written and reviewed and yes I will recommend it

[AntonelaMaria]

A lot of authors use actual invents and facts in their work, but I never heard it being defined. Interesting storyline but I am unsure if it will keep me interested. First I am not much of a historical reader and second, this seems to have too many characters. Great job with the review.

[Kelsey Roy]

I love historical fiction, and I’m always intrigued by mob/mafia stories. This sounds like the perfect book for me, as I’m not put off by the profanity when it’s applicable to the setting.

[Ferdinand_Otieno]

This is a historical fiction book that has facts and fiction highlighting multiple unique characters, adult language bordering on profanity, and nationalities. The book is temporarily discounted on Amazon Kindle and has an amazing OnlineBookClub review. Congrats on the BOTD.

[Sivani Allamsetti]

I have recently taken interest in the historical fiction. So after reading this review I am definitely going to give this a try. And also I am amused by the word 'faction' like it was a simple word but have whole good meaning to it. The review is also written very beautifully. Reading this review will help the reader to perfectly understand for what they are signing up for.

[mark liu]

The plot itself already seems entrancing- a historical fiction which no doubt was masterfully crafted with settings over multiple decades is rare to come by, even rarer is the creative flair to interweave multiple characters in such a large plot. Sounds like a must read!

[Ayoub Khamis]

From my reading this is a historical novel ripped from the headlines of the past seventy years told in Godfather fashion that tells the story of a handful of guys, and girls, that make it out of the ghetto of Brownsville and arrive in Las Vegas in time to witness and participate in the changing of the guard from the “Mob” to Howard Hughes to Corporate America. The novel traces the lives of Lawrence Cohen or Mongoose and his boyhood friends, Ringo, Solly, Moe, Scumbag and Charlie The Man together with Eunice and Yetta, the wife of a Rabbi who runs a “bunny ranch” in Pahrump and her daughter Wylie who becomes a Navy jet pilot. Mongoose, who is in charge of the gaming activities for the Desert Winds Hotel and Casino, the last holdout of the “Mob”, works for Frank Rothman the “Wizard of Odds” and Ignacio Baldacci or Balsy, reunites with Eunice who has become a successful showgirl under the name of Venus. At first she ignores him but softens after he is almost killed in a car bombing. As their relationship develops Mongoose is haunted by her prior connection with Tommy DiMeglio who he must deal with, and “make his bones”, as he was responsible for the car bombing. The novel concludes with the partnership between the Desert Winds and Stanley Ho, the richest man in Asia to establish The Pacific Winds in time for the new millennium in the Year of The Dragon.