A Glimpse into the Turbulent Life of the Calabrese Family

Frank Calabrese Jr.'s memoir, Operation Family Secrets, is a heart-wrenching account of his life growing up in a family dominated by a violent patriarch. Frank Sr., his father, was a high-ranking member of the 26th Street/Chinatown crew, a notorious gang involved in various illegal activities such as loan sharking, gambling, and extortion.

Despite his initial reluctance to join the outfit, Frank Jr.'s father eventually convinces him and his uncle Nick to become members. The three brothers work tirelessly to achieve the American Dream, but their efforts are constantly threatened by their father's brutal behavior.

Throughout the book, Frank Jr. struggles to reconcile his love for his family with his disgust towards his father's actions. He repeatedly holds out hope that his father will change his ways, only to be disappointed time and again.

One of the most striking aspects of Operation Family Secrets is Frank Jr.'s ability to equate his own thought processes with those of people who have been chronically abused. This unique perspective provides a deeper understanding of the complex emotions and motivations that drive individuals in such situations.

The book also delves into the Calabrese family's involvement in some of the most notorious crimes in Chicago's history, including the bombing murder of a trucking executive and the gangland execution of two mobsters whose bodies were buried in an Indiana cornfield. Frank Jr.'s decision to cooperate with prosecutors and wear a wire to record his father's crimes ultimately leads to their conviction on racketeering violations.

Operation Family Secrets is a powerful and thought-provoking memoir that offers a rare glimpse into the life of a criminal family. Through his story, Frank Calabrese Jr. sheds light on the devastating consequences of unchecked power and violence, as well as the resilience and determination required to break free from such cycles of abuse.

Operation family secrets book