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Made Men: The Story of Goodfellas Kindle Edition

by Glenn Kenny (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 644 ratings
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A revealing look at the making of Martin Scorsese’s iconic mob movie and its enduring legacy, featuring interviews with its legendary cast.

When Goodfellas first hit the theatres in 1990, a classic was born. Few could anticipate the unparalleled influence it would have on pop culture, one that would inspire future filmmakers and redefine the gangster picture as we know it today. From the rush of grotesque violence in the opening scene to the iconic hilarity of Joe Pesci’s endlessly quoted “Funny how?” shtick, it’s little wonder the film is widely regarded as a mainstay in contemporary cinema.

In the first ever behind-the-scenes story of Goodfellas, film critic Glenn Kenny chronicles the making and afterlife of the film that introduced the real modern gangster. Featuring interviews with the film’s major players, including Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, Made Men shines a light on the lives and stories wrapped up in the Goodfellas universe, and why its enduring legacy has such a hold on American culture.

A Library Journal Best Book of the Year

A Sight and Sound Best Film Book of 2020
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  1. Print length
    437 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hanover Square Press
  4. Publication date
    September 15, 2020
  5. File size
    17.5 MB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"What an incredibly cool and rewarding piece of work. Smart, funny, perceptive, and replete with fascinating trivia (during the legendary one-take tracking shot in the Copa, Henry and Karen travel in a circle), Made Men effectively rebuilds in prose the greatest gangster film ever made. Anyone who cares at all about the movies needs to read this. Glenn Kenny, salud."

-- "Tom Bissell, author of Creative Types and coauthor of The Disaster Artist"

"Insightful, gregarious, and encompassing, Made Men is not just the essential book on the making of Goodfellas but also a wonderful mini-course in film and filmmaking. What a pleasure it is to go to the movies with Glenn Kenny!"

-- "Owen King, author of Double Feature"

"We saw Goodfellas the night it opened, in a packed theater, when we were in our early twenties. No doubt it changed the direction of our lives. This is the first book we've read that explains how and why the movie has such a deep and lasting impact. Glenn Kenny is a scholar and a writer, and every bit the literary hit man that Tommy DiSimone was in real life."

-- "Brian Koppelman and David Levien, screenwriters of Ocean's Thirteen and cocreators of Billions"

About the Author

Glenn Kenny is a film critic whose work appears in the New York Times and RogerEbert.com. He has also written for the Current, Rolling Stone, the Village Voice, the New York Daily News, Playboy, Film Comment, and other publications. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, Claire.



Stephen Graybill is an actor, producer, and award-winning voice-over artist. He was seen on television in The Girls Guide to Depravity, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order, and HBO's The Wire. He has also acted on stage and done voice-overs for commercials, winning both a Gold Clio Award and a Silver Effie Award. He has also worked on over fifty audiobooks, including Jesus Swagger by Jarrid Wilson.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083Y35HK2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hanover Square Press; Original edition (September 15, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 15, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 17.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 437 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 644 ratings

About the author

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Glenn Kenny

Glenn Kenny

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Glenn Kenny is a freelance film reviewer for various publications and writes supplemental essays for a number of boutique video labels. Books to date:

"A Galaxy Not So Far Away: Writers and Artists on 25 Years of 'Star Wars'" (Holt)

"Anatomy of an Actor: Robert De Niro" (Phaidon/Cahiers du Cinema)

"Made Men: The Story of 'Goodfellas'" (Hanover Square Press)

"The World Is Yours: The Story of 'Scarface'" (Hanover Square Press)

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
644 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides interesting contextual details and background about the movie. They find it an engaging read with insightful information about the making of the classic film. However, some readers feel the pacing is slow compared to the fast-paced gangster movie.

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DepthReadabilityInsightPacing
22 customers mention "Depth"18 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the book's depth. They find it rich with contextual details and background that serve the narrative well. The book provides interesting stories relating to behind-the-scenes and the actors. Readers appreciate the author's knowledge of the subject matter and find the account riveting, offering fresh insights into an often-seen classic.

"...writer, and a true teacher/student of Film, has done diligently meticulous research, and relates the story in a hard to put the book down kind of way..." Read more

"...this behind the Scenes look at one of my favorite movies, Loved the behind the scenes and the arc of good moviemaking." Read more

"Lots of insight and information about not only the actual movie, but the actors, director, crew, etc. before and after Goodfellas...." Read more

"...It has many in-depth stories relating to behind the scenes and the actors who were in the film...." Read more

9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and informative about the movie. They appreciate the depth of the coverage, particularly the music aspect. The first half is praised for its coverage of the movie's story, while the second half covers behind-the-scenes details and the filmmaking process. Overall, readers find the book an insightful read about a classic film.

"This is a great read about a great movie...." Read more

"...of my favorite movies, Loved the behind the scenes and the arc of good moviemaking." Read more

"...film, author Kenny speaks with knowledge and authority about this classic film...." Read more

"I loved this book! Kenny’s passion for the subject was evident in every page...." Read more

6 customers mention "Insight"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's insights into movies and filmmaking. They appreciate the author's cinephile perspective and enthusiasm. The book provides valuable information about behind-the-scenes secrets and the politics of getting a movie made.

"...Glenn Kenny, a wonderful writer, and a true teacher/student of Film, has done diligently meticulous research, and relates the story in a hard to put..." Read more

"Lots of insight and information about not only the actual movie, but the actors, director, crew, etc. before and after Goodfellas...." Read more

"...Kenny speaks with the insightful ness of a cinephile and the enthusiasm of a fan." Read more

"...of the aftermath stories dragged a bit, but ultimately provided insight into the politics ANF processes of getting a film made." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's pacing slow compared to the movie. They say it's dull and a waste of time if you've seen the movie.

"C-minus, the book “Made Men” is a surprisingly dull account of the movie Goodfellas, the fast-paced gangster film deemed a classic...." Read more

"...tell their story of what happened during shooting etc... this book is a waste of time if you’ve seen the movie. Just go watch it again instead" Read more

"If you've seen the movie you don't need the book. Pretty boring in comparison!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • J. Mulligan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great read about a great movie. Glenn Kenny, a wonderful writer, and a true teacher/student of Film, has done diligently meticulous research, and relates the story in a hard to put the book down kind of way. Featuring interviews with Scorsese and DeNiro, as well as other people involved on both sides of the camera, reading it is like catching up with an old friend.

    If you've seen the movie more than once, twice, ten times, you will appreciate the well written attention to detail, and will be ready to rewatch it after reading Made Men. Want to know why "Funny how?" got into the movie? Want to know why Scorsese insisted on ending the rightfully famous Copa tracking shot with the waiter and raised table? Where the Tampa zoo scene was filmed? This is the book for you.

    And now, I turn my back on you.
    21 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2024
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    Love this behind the Scenes look at one of my favorite movies, Loved the behind the scenes and the arc of good moviemaking.
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  • Armand Rosamilia
    5.0 out of 5 stars How Am I Funny?
    Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Lots of insight and information about not only the actual movie, but the actors, director, crew, etc. before and after Goodfellas. How it all affected their careers, their relationships and their lives. Some good behind the scenes tidbits throughout.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Michael J.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good but Not Great
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2020
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    This is an interesting book about the making of Martin Scorsese's classic film "Goodfellas". It has many in-depth stories relating to behind the scenes and the actors who were in the film. What is not necessary is some of the minutia that the author gets into-example we get 3 pages about the actor who portrays the Dr. Henry Hill sees in the latter part of the film; the actor gets about 30 seconds of screen time! We also don't need a chapter on all the songs used in the film-not that it's not interesting but this is a film book and the author goes into the history of many of the songs ; information not relevant to the subject matter. There is a notable amount of political correctness in the book too-as if we are not aware of the way these criminals spoke and acted. Ultimately I was a bit disappointed.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Ron G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you love cinema you’ll love this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2020
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    No director is more passionate about cinema than Martin Scorsese and he’s found a kindred spirit here in author Glenn Kenny. This is more than a book about the making of one of the most beloved and imitated films in Hollywood history (although there’s enough of that to satisfy even the most hardened Goodfellas fan). It’s a loving tribute to the artists, the ideas, the personalities, the music, the “business” and everything else that goes into making a work of art within the boundaries of a commercial industry. Featuring uncanny levels of detail and candid interviews with virtually everyone involved, including Scorsese, Kenny brings many fresh new dimensions and insights to this oft-seen classic. If you love Goodfellas you’ll want this book of course. But like the movie, the book transcends its subject material and ends up with something greater than the story. Highly recommended!
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Stuart Rosen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and thorough critique and history of a classic
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Way more than an obligatory, perfunctory history of the film, author Kenny speaks with knowledge and authority about this classic film. The heart of this book is a scene-by-scene analysis, through which we learn about the actors (stars and bit players), Scorsese’s MVPs, Michael Bauhaus and Thelma Schoonmaker, and the director himself. So much I didn’t know about a movie I thought I knew everything about. Kenny speaks with the insightful ness of a cinephile and the enthusiasm of a fan.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Douglas Bowman
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting look at a Favorite
    Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2024
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    I am such a fan of Goodfellas, and this well-written account was so riveting. I ended up watching the movie in short bursts while reading. Using that technique gives such an understanding of what and how Scorsese accomplished this work of a genius. Some of the aftermath stories dragged a bit, but ultimately provided insight into the politics ANF processes of getting a film made.
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  • Oaklandish
    5.0 out of 5 stars Glenn Kenny's research, sharp prose and storytelling skill all add up to a 'must read'
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2020
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    My first experience of a Scorsese movie was TAXI DRIVER, playing at a rep house cinema in college. At the same cinema, I sought out MEAN STREETS a few months later. After that, I saw each Scorsese movie in the chronology of release on a big screen. The way Kenny starts his narrative, in Scorsese's Brill Building office in December 1989, really helped me remember the visceral excitement of waiting on Marty's next project, GOODFELLAS, and the precarious fortunes of this remarkable career. Kenny's insightful book gives due credit to all the players involved (including 'Nick and Nora' -- read the book) and delivers an absorbing read for fans like me, and for anyone interested in the collective alchemy of making a cinematic classic.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • E Griffin
    5.0 out of 5 stars A swaggering, exhaustive and detailed account
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2020
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    A history of the making and reception of Martin Scorsese’s 1990 film, itself based on Nicholas Pileggi’s book Wiseguy. A swaggering, exhaustive and detailed account of the movie, with new interviews accompanying archive material. A great book for anyone who’s a fan of the film and/or its director, and tons of fun in its own right. Recommended.
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  • A. Mcintosh
    1.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't do what it says on the tin. A real let-down if I'm honest....
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 11, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is an infuriating read for fans expecting anything new. Nothing here you couldn't glean yourself from DVD commentaries, previous writings or YouTube. I really wanted it to be good, but it's padded out beyond all reason. Frequently takes unnecessary tangents into areas beyond all relevance to the matter at hand. My advice? Save your money.
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