Sins of the Father: The True Story of a Family Running from the Mob

In one sense, this is a typically American story of a father who wanted a better life for his sons than he had had; in another, however, it is anything but representative. ``Crazy Sal'' Polisi was a New York City criminal, involved in gambling, car and jewelry theft, hijacking and drug dealing. In an effort to reform, he moved his family to upstate New York in 1982 with hopes of a new life; both his sons became football stars. But he soon returned to drug dealing, was caught and chose to become a government informant rather than serve a 35-year jail term. Polisi then helped convict a corrupt judge and testified against John Gotti, so he and his family were placed in the Federal Witness Protection Program, which meant relocation and new names. But he was ill-suited to this program--a flamboyant man, he hungered for the spotlight--and left federal protection (only to return to it again). Taylor, whose articles have appeared in Esquire and New York magazines, has told the tale of Polisi's strangely shifting fortunes well. Author tour. (Aug.)