Blood Relation
by Eric Konigsberg
Published by Harper Collins
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Reviewed by Jackie Baumgarten
Author Eric Konigsberg grew up in a prosperous and socially conscious Midwestern Jewish family, descendants of east European immigrants who had settled and made their living and reputation in Bayonne, New Jersey.
Sometime during his young adulthood, the author is surprised to learn that his father's uncle, Harold Konigsberg (Koyo), is a violent and notorious Mafia hit man accused of some 20 murders. Not satisfied with simple murder, he is infamous for permanently disturbing the surviving family members.
While writing a magazine story on mob crime, despite his family's objections, Eric becomes acquainted with Koyo, who has spent the last 40 years in jail on a never-ending self-led legal battle. Soon the author is being manipulated by his uncle to aide his crusade for freedom. His association with the crime figure ends when his life is threatened.
This intriguing story is told through the uncovering of family denial and lore, historical facts, statistical data on Jewish immigrant culture, narrative from victims families, facts from FBI and court reports and commentary from Koyo himself.
It's hard to say whether Konigsberg (Uncle Heshy) is a brilliantly manipulative businessman, a remorseless criminal, a loyal family man or just plain psychotic.
Maybe the moral of the story is: There are some basic issues children should take advice from their parents about--and forging a relationship with family members connected to the mob might be one of them!
Armchair Interviews says: Intriguing story that was most interesting to read.