The book centers on Shorto's grandfather, Russ, son of an Italian immigrant to the United States who once served as second in command for the mob in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Multiple reviewers noted Shorto wrote a book mainly on family dynamics, which also happened to deal with the mob.

[7] The book centers around Shorto's grandfather, Russ, son of an Italian immigrant who works with the mob in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

[9] Multiple reviewers noted Shorto wrote a book mainly on family dynamics, which also happened to deal with the mob.

[10] In The Wall Street Journal, Bryan Burrough felt the mafia media space already crowded by other memoirs such as one by Al Capone's alleged grandson, but called Shorto's book fresh, which surprised him.

[12] Former museum division director of the Heinz History Center Bill Keyes reviewed the book in Western Pennsylvania History, stating Russell's conversations with his father and his associates dispelled rumors about Russ's criminal career while illustrating the author's own relationship with his father.