Why make a reading list of the best books about the mafia? The mafia is a criminal organization that has its roots in Italy. The mafia emerged in the mid-19th century in response to the chaotic conditions that existed in Sicily at the time. The mafia quickly rose to power by filling the void left by the weakening of the state. The mafia became involved in a variety of illegal activities, including smuggling, extortion, and gambling. In the early 20th century, the mafia began to spread to other parts of Italy and eventually to other countries around the world. Today, the mafia is still a powerful force in many parts of the world and its activities continue to pose a serious challenge to law enforcement authorities.
For centuries, the mafia has been a source of fascination for people all over the world. There are many reasons why the mafia is so interesting, from its illicit activities to its code of silence. The mafia is also a source of intrigue because it is often shrouded in mystery. Many people are fascinated by the mafia’s ability to operate outside the law and evade detection by authorities. The mafia also has a rich history and culture that is full of colourful characters and fascinating stories. For all these reasons, the mafia remains one of the most intriguing and compelling topics of conversation.
If you’re interested in learning more about the mafia, you’re in luck. There are a number of excellent books on the subject that can give you an inside look at the world of organized crime. Here are some of the best books about the mafia that you should consider reading…
Mafia and Mafiosi by Henner Hess
In his book Mafia and Mafiosi, Henner Hess examines the origins of the mafia and its impact on Italian society. Regarded as a classic work and published a quarter of a century ago, this book gives one of the most detailed pictures of the typical career of Mafiosi.
The mafia quickly stepped into the vacuum, using violence and intimidation to gain control of the local economy. In exchange for protection, businesses were forced to pay “protection money” to the mafia. Over time, the mafia became increasingly powerful and influential. Hess goes right back to the subculture of the Mafiosi in the 1860s. The author of numerous books, Henner Hess teaches criminology at the University of Frankfurt in Germany.
Men of Dishonor by Pino Arlacchi
Men of Dishonor is a book about the mafia written by Pino Arlacchi. The book explores the mafia’s origins and its code of honor, specifically the Sicilian Mafia. It follows the story of the Calderone family based out of Catania and then the coming of the Corleonesi.
The book provides an inside look at the mafia, and it is sure to educate and enlighten readers who are interested in this topic. Men of Dishonor is an essential read for anyone who wants to learn more about the mafia. Pino Arlacchi is an Italian sociologist and is well known for his studies and essays about the Mafia.
Mafia Spies by Thomas Maier
In his book Mafia Spies, Thomas Maier tells the story of how the mafia came to be involved in the world of espionage. In a crazy story, the CIA and the Mafia colluded in a wild scheme to assassinate Fidel Castro in the 1960s. The depth of Maier’s research makes for an incredible retelling of this particular piece of American history.
With several new investigative findings, Mafia Spies is a spy exposé, murder mystery, and shocking true story that recounts America’s first foray into the assassination business. Thomas Maier is an award-winning and bestselling author and television producer.
History of the Mafia by Salvatore Lupo
History of the Mafia is a book by Salvatore Lupo that covers the origins and development of the mafia in Italy. The true story of the Mafia reveals both an organization and mindset dedicated to the preservation of tradition. It is no accident that the rise of the Mafia coincided with the unification of Italy and the influx of immigrants into America.
Salvatore Lupo teaches contemporary history at the University of Palermo. His research focuses on Italian history during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with a special emphasis on fascism and the Mafia. This is such a definitive history that it is certainly deserving to be in the category of the best books about the mafia.
Mafia and Antimafia by Umberto Santino
The book Mafia and Antimafia by Umberto Santino provides a new perspective on the mafia: as a polymorphic organization which encompasses crime, the accumulation of corruptly acquired wealth and power, the cultural code of omertà and consensus. Exploring the movements which strive to fight against the powers of the mafia, such as the campaigns of civil society organizations like the Centro siciliano di documentazione, the author also provides a fresh look at the mechanisms and struggles of the anti-mafia movement.
Umberto Santino is the founder and director of the Centro siciliano di documentazione in Palermo, which was the first centre for research into the mafia and was established in 1977. He is one of the most authoritative experts on the mafia and has been a leading figure in the anti-mafia movement over the past few decades. He has lectured at the university level and spoken at conferences, seminars and other events in numerous countries. Overall, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the mafia and its impact on Sicily and Italy.
The Butcher by Philip Carlo
The Butcher is a book by Philip Carlo that chronicles the life of mafia hitman Tommy Pitera. Tommy “Karate” Pitera was not like other mafiosi. He was not only a capo in the notorious Bonanno family but also a devoted student of crime and a deadly martial artist who’d been trained in Japan as a teenager. Highly skilled with knives and other lethal weapons, dressed entirely in black, Pitera murdered his way to becoming one of the premier assassins in New York City during the 1980s.
Philip Carlo was a bestselling author of multiple books about the mafia. When he was 16, Carlo was shot in the head in a gang war, and while recuperating, he read voraciously, discovering the magic of books for the first time. His intimate knowledge of Mafia culture—their walk and their talk—helped Carlo become a successful crime writer. By turns shocking and fascinating, The Butcher is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the mafia’s dark side.
Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi
This is the true-crime bestseller that was the basis for Martin Scorsese’s film masterpiece GoodFellas, which brought to life the violence, the excess, the families, the wives and girlfriends, the drugs, the payoffs, the paybacks, the jail time, and the Feds…with Henry Hill’s crackling narration drawn straight out of Wiseguy and overseeing all the unforgettable action.
Nicholas Pileggi is an American author, producer and screenwriter. He wrote the non-fiction book Wiseguy and co-wrote the screenplay for Goodfellas, its 1990 film adaptation, for which he received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Five Families by Selwyn Raab
Selwyn Raab’s Five Families is a masterful work of investigative journalism that chronicles the rise and fall of the mafia families in early twentieth-century New York City. Raab offers readers an intimate look at the inner workings of the mafia families, from the crime bosses to the rank-and-file members. He also paints a chilling picture of the mafia’s involvement in various crimes, from extortion to murder.
In addition, Raab sheds light on the mafia’s relations with politicians and law enforcement officials. Ultimately, Five Families is a compelling and essential work for anyone interested in understanding the history of organized crime in America. Selwyn Raab is a journalist, author and former investigative reporter for The New York Times. He has written extensively about the American Mafia and criminal justice issues and this book is definitely considered one of the best books about the mafia.
Mafia Prince by Phil Leonetti and Scott M. Burnstein
Mafia Prince is a book about Phil Leonetti, who was a high-ranking member of the mafia, in a first-person account of one of the most violent eras in Mafia history. The youngest-ever underboss at the age of 31, Leonetti was at the crux of the violent downfall of the traditional American Mafia in the 1980s when he infiltrated Atlantic City after gambling was legalized, and later turned state’s evidence against his own.
Mafia Prince is a fascinating look at the world of organized crime, and a must-read for anyone interested in this topic. Scott M. Burnstein is a true-crime author and staff reporter for the Oakland Press in Detroit. He has been a featured expert on organized crime on numerous TV shows including the History Channel’s hit show Gangland.
For the Sins of My Father by Albert DeMeo
For the Sins of My Father is a memoir written by Albert DeMeo. It chronicles DeMeo’s experience growing up in a mafia family. His father, Roy, was a high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family, and DeMeo often found himself in the middle of mafia activity. While his father’s lifestyle provided DeMeo with material possessions, it also exposed him to violence and crime.
As he got older, DeMeo began to question his father’s choices and ultimately decided to distance himself from the mafia lifestyle. For the Sins of My Father offers an insider’s look at the mafia world and its effects on families like DeMeo’s. Given the first-hand account, many consider this to be one of the best books about the mafia lifestyle.
Gomorrah by Robert Saviano
Gomorrah is a book by Robert Saviano that details the inner workings of the mafia. The book centers around the city of Naples, Italy and the Camorra, one of the most powerful mafia organizations in the world. Saviano offers a firsthand account of life inside the mafia, revealing the brutal realities of organized crime. He also chronicles the devastating effects that the mafia has had on Italian society, from environmental destruction to drug trafficking.
Since Gomorrah was first published in Italy in 2006, Roberto Saviano has received so many death threats that he has been assigned police protection in his native Naples. A groundbreaking study and a searing exposé, Gomorrah is the astonishing true story of the renowned crime organization the Camorra, known by insiders as ‘the System’. Despite its often grim subject matter, Gomorrah is a fascinating and eye-opening read that provides an intimate look at the mafia from someone who knows it all too well.
There is something both repelling and fascinating about the mafia. On one hand, they are a criminal organization responsible for countless murders, protection rackets, and other illegal activities. On the other hand, they have a long history and strange code of honour that sets them apart from other gangs. In many ways, they are an enigma. Their strange mix of violence and family values makes them both reviled and intriguing. For these reasons, learning about the mafia can be a captivating experience. It offers a window into a world that is both dangerous and bizarre. understanding the mafia can also provide insights into the human condition, and how power can corrupt even the most ordinary people.