The book "Donnie Brasco" is based on the undercover life of the author, Joseph D. Pistone, an FBI agent who penetrated one of five New York families in the late 70s and early 80s. Joseph D. Pistone served in the FBI for 28 years, including six years living undercover in New York's Bonanno crime family, where he operated as a jewel thief under the name Donnie Brasco. Because of his undercover work, more than 200 mafia members were put behind bars. Joseph D. Pistone was born in Pennsylvania, where he also spent his childhood. Then he moved to New Jersey. In New Jersey, he graduated from high school and college, where he majored in social studies. Pistone always wanted to become an FB I agent and decided to join Naval Intelligence to earn three years in law enforcement and join the FBI. After three years in naval intelligence, he took exams to join the FBI, and on July 7, 1969, Pistone was sworn in as an FBI agent. Early in his FBI career, Pistone was assigned to street work. He has worked on many prostitution cases. He also worked on robbery cases. In 1974, Pistone was transferred to the Truck and Hijack Squad in New York City. His first long-term undercover assignment that led to him working with the mob was in Tampa, Florida. Pistone penetrated a network of thieves who stole cars. Pistone was introduced to the gang as a car thief by the name of Donnie Brasco. Under this name he subsequently infiltrated the mafia. In February 1976, thanks to Pistone's good work, the entire ring was put in prison and millions of stolen items were recovered. Pistone (1989) states: "For my work I received a letter of commendation from Clarence M. Kelley, director of the FBI, and a reward of $250" (p. 36). The FBI wanted to undertake a long-term undercover operation. against the mafia. The FBI administration chose Pistone to infiltrate the Mafia because he had conducted many short-term undercover operations, in addition to the long-term operation in Florida described earlier. He was also chosen because he was Italian. Since the mafia members were Italian, this would have facilitated the infiltration. It was decided that Piston had to create a new identity to penetrate the mafia. He decided to keep his previous name, Donnie Brasco.