by Boatdrinks » Sat Jul 30, 2022 11:25 am
If memory serves me correctly, Bill Bonanno in his 'Last Testament' book, goes into great detail about the consigliere and the other roles and structures of the administrations of the Families. Bill talked about a number 1, 2, and 3, but said that in the Bonanno Family, the consigliere was the number two position. This was a serious figure. However, he also said that this did not apply in some of the other families.
Historically, in most Now York Families, the consigliere position, seems to be much of a lesser position. A clear number three, that is well below the importance of the underboss, the number two.
Joe Bonanno, in the history he gives us in his autobiography, concentrates most of his attention on the bosses and underbosses. He does not concentrate on the role of consigliere. Either, because he does not think it important enough, or that he does not want to explore it more for his own reasons. He may not have wanted to dwell on a position that it seemed a problem to fill in the earliest years. Joe does not mention the consigliere in the early years, only going into detail in later years when his son Bill got the job.
There do seem to be some differences between Bill and Joe Bonanno in how they view the structure of their Family and that of the other Families.
In the fictitious 'Prizzi's Honour' book and film, old Don Corrado Prizzi named the new boss of the Family. Of course, in reality, it was Corrado who was the boss. He was merely naming an acting-boss. Perhaps this is the 'Chicago model' of boss. You retire from the active running of the Family, and go and live in Miami. Of course, being boss, you are consulted about all the major decisions, but the day-to-day running of the Family is left to the acting-boss underling. One major power retained, is to decide when to replace the acting-boss.
The history and role of the consigliere is fascinating, and has been much studied. This is what drew me to this thread. In the past, I have also looked at the history of the role of the consigliere. I do not believe this position existed, as we know it now, prior to the death of Salvatore Maranzano, the last boss of all the bosses.
If memory serves me correctly, Bill Bonanno in his 'Last Testament' book, goes into great detail about the consigliere and the other roles and structures of the administrations of the Families. Bill talked about a number 1, 2, and 3, but said that in the Bonanno Family, the consigliere was the number two position. This was a serious figure. However, he also said that this did not apply in some of the other families.
Historically, in most Now York Families, the consigliere position, seems to be much of a lesser position. A clear number three, that is well below the importance of the underboss, the number two.
Joe Bonanno, in the history he gives us in his autobiography, concentrates most of his attention on the bosses and underbosses. He does not concentrate on the role of consigliere. Either, because he does not think it important enough, or that he does not want to explore it more for his own reasons. He may not have wanted to dwell on a position that it seemed a problem to fill in the earliest years. Joe does not mention the consigliere in the early years, only going into detail in later years when his son Bill got the job.
There do seem to be some differences between Bill and Joe Bonanno in how they view the structure of their Family and that of the other Families.
In the fictitious 'Prizzi's Honour' book and film, old Don Corrado Prizzi named the new boss of the Family. Of course, in reality, it was Corrado who was the boss. He was merely naming an acting-boss. Perhaps this is the 'Chicago model' of boss. You retire from the active running of the Family, and go and live in Miami. Of course, being boss, you are consulted about all the major decisions, but the day-to-day running of the Family is left to the acting-boss underling. One major power retained, is to decide when to replace the acting-boss.
The history and role of the consigliere is fascinating, and has been much studied. This is what drew me to this thread. In the past, I have also looked at the history of the role of the consigliere. I do not believe this position existed, as we know it now, prior to the death of Salvatore Maranzano, the last boss of all the bosses.