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The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer | 
 enlarge | Author: Philip Carlo
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $8.33
You Save: $6.62 (44%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  132 reviews
Sales Rank: 14893
Media: Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 440
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.2
ISBN: 0312374658
Dewey Decimal Number: 364.1523092
EAN: 9780312374655
ASIN: 0312374658
Publication Date: September 18, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Shipping: International shipping available
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Product Description
Over six weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. Top Mob Hitman. Devoted Family Man. Doting Father. For thirty years, Richard “The Iceman” Kuklinski led a shocking double life, becoming the most notorious professional assassin in American history while happily hosting neighborhood barbecues in suburban New Jersey.
Richard Kuklinski was Sammy the Bull Gravano’s partner in the killing of Paul Castellano at Sparks Steakhouse. John Gotti hired him to torture and kill the neighbor who accidentally ran over his child. For an additional price, Kuklinski would make his victims suffer; he conducted this sadistic business with coldhearted intensity and shocking efficiency, never disappointing his customers. By his own estimate, he killed over two hundred men, taking enormous pride in his variety and ferocity of technique.
This trail of murder lasted over thirty years and took Kuklinski all over America and to the far corners of the earth, Brazil, Africa, and Europe. Along the way, he married, had three children, and put them through Catholic school. His daughter’s medical condition meant regular stays in children’s hospitals, where Kuklinski was remembered as an affectionate father, extremely kind to children. Each Christmas found the Kuklinski home festooned in colorful lights; each summer was a succession of block parties.
His family never suspected a thing.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 127 more reviews...
 Some parts believeable, some not. May 15, 2008
I believe from the evidence that Richard K. was a killer, but how much of one is still debateable. In this book, the author wants us to believe that Richard K. has killed hundreds of people over a 30 year period, using a variety of methods. He killed people in Europe, South America, and North America and was never caught. He placed bodies in metal cans with holes in them so crabs could eat the bodies. He tied up people in a cave so that rats could eat them. He participated in the murders of Gallente and Big Paul. He did away with drug dealers. In a dog eat dog world, why wasn't Richard knocked off. Why didn't police catch him sooner? There are too many ifs in here to completely believe everything in this book. I do think that Richard K. was a killer. The other question is the self serving nature of the tale of killings. The author wants us to believe that Richard killed only low life males who really did deserve what they got. Come on, did all these people really deserve what Richard gave them.
This is an interesting story and one that kept me enthralled for close to four hours. Readers need more evidence to know if all these crimes actually happened. If they did, Richard K. could go down as one of the top serial killers.
 Hard to comprehend, but true, unfortunately April 2, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
A Book that is superbly written. Each page engrosses you more which has you not only trying to comprehend each stage of this man's life, but looking for where each 'story' ends up. You quickly find out that it always ends in murder, but the comprehension this man had for life was not only nil, but stalking out his victims where which was once a game for him, became a profession for him & one he was extremely proficient at. I would like to think that Richard Kuklinski is a one off & books like this be not be seen again. This book is absolutely gripping.
One of, if not THE, best true crime books ever written March 17, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a letter I recently wrote to Mr. Carlo about his book:
Dear Mr. Carlo,
My name is Jeff Heimbuch. I'm a 24 year old guy currently working as a video editor for Meridian Health Systems and a part time film maker.For years, I have had a love of true crime, specifically serial killers and murderers, and have read tons of books on the subject. It has always fascinated me. I've read damn near every book on Jack The Ripper to Zodiac to Manson.
Last Christmas, my parents bought me your book The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer. I had an interest in the case when I first heard rumblings about him back when I was younger, and then again, when he passed away a few years ago. I was never able to find the book in stores, and I'm too stubborn to buy it online, so I planned on waiting for it. Thankfully, my parents knew what a stubborn bastard I was, and went ahead and found it for me.
Being the avid reader that I am, I had a few other books lined up to go before I was able to get to yours...However, when I DID get to your book, I must say, I devoured it. I spent the last two days reading every word.
I am writing to you to say thank you...Thank you for writing such an in-depth and personal book. I have read so many books on people like Richard Kuklinski. Most of these books, though still good, are just a presentation of the cold hard facts. However, you managed to infuse your book with personality and wit. Richard wasn't just some killer that you were writing on...he was someone you actually took the time to know, and get everything just right. You made him an actual person in your book, not just another killing machine.
This is probably the best damn true crime book I have ever read. So good, in fact, that I felt the need to write to you and tell you how much I've enjoyed it. I've never written to an author like this before, so this is a first for me.
Really, you did an excellent job. Thank you for writing a fantastic and extremely interesting read (that caused me to cancel plans with my girlfriend tonight so I could finish reading it!).
I will admit, I've never read any of your other books before, but I can tell you that you just earned yourself a faithful reader!
Keep up the good work, and I look forward to reading your other works!
Melting the Iceman March 16, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
There are seemingly countless articles, reviews, and websites that tell of Richard Kuklinski's ability to kill and maime with no more thought of conscience than any of us would have tossing a fast food sack into the trash. While it is indeed true that Richard was vicious and thorough beyond imagination, he was not born a sociopath, he was made one through years of horrific systematic abuse as a child at the hands of his mother and father. Violence, hate, and an overpowering absence of love and attention are all he knew during his formative years. Growing up impoverished in a crime-ridden area of town only made things worse. In the final analysis, Richards' actions are merely incidental to his conditioning. Herein lies the true heart of his story.
Philip Carlo's book is fascinating and very hard to put down. His non-judgemental style of writing does an excellent job of introducing the reader to Richard's actions throughout his life. Better still, the book provides a solid foundation to help one understand the evil Richard was forced to endure as child. It's no wonder he was the way he was. Richards' tale is beyond sad. Hopefully the book will offer Richard in death the peace he sought but could never find in life.
Fantastic Read!!! March 1, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Phillip Carlo has a writing style that really keeps you interested. I plowed through it in about 5 days. Absolutely facinationg read!!!
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