Frank "the Irishman" Sheeran's story begins with the words, "I heard you paint houses," a mob euphemism for killing a man. In a series of interviews with author Charles Brandt, Sheeran confessed to having committed over twenty-five hits for the mob, including for his friend and powerful union leader, Jimmy Hoffa. Sheeran's deadly skills were honed during his time in the U.S. Army, where he served an astonishing 411 days in active combat in Italy during World War II.
After returning from the war, Sheeran began working for crime boss Russell Bufalino, eventually rising to such a prominent position that he was named by then-U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani as one of only two non-Italians on a list of 26 top mob figures. His ultimate act of loyalty, and survival, came when Bufalino ordered him to kill Hoffa. Sheeran carried out the murder, understanding that his refusal would have led to his own death. This account not only sheds light on the Hoffa mystery but also offers a rare and important look into a significant chapter of American criminal history.
Fans of crime story will enjoy reading Sheeran's life and learning about the inner workings of the Italian Mafia in the 1960s and 1970s.
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