Last of the Gladiators: A Memoir of Love, Redemption, and the Mob

James LaRossa was a warrior in the courtroom who was feared and respected by his opponents who sought to put many of LaRossa’s clients in jail. LaRossa possessed oratory skills in presenting a defense along with a pugnacious cross-examination of government witnesses leaving the prosecution’s case in tatters. LaRossa served as defense counsel for a wide array of criminal defendants from Paul Castellano, head of the Gambino Family to Tammany Hall kingmaker Carmine DeSapio. LaRossa fought wars in the courtroom and tried cases in the media for almost fifty years, but the biggest fight was for his life.

His son, James Jr. admired his Dad from a distance, his father always on the move, their relationship ebbed and flowed over the years. When his father was diagnosed with Cancer, James Jr. took initiative and assumed primary responsibility for his Dad’s care. For the next four years, Father and Son lived in California, bonding over homestyle cooking, shared memories and medical emergencies. Their relationship would be solidified during the time, but this would be bittersweet as LaRossa soon would succumb to his illness.

The Last of the Gladiators is a biography that evokes laughter and tears, sometimes simultaneously. James LaRossa Jr recounts highs and lows, in his Father’s career & personal life, along with his own. This biography and autobiography is captivating from beginning to end, with genuineness in abundance. A fantastic read.