Selwyn Raab, previously a New York Times crime reporter, delves into the history of the five families (Bonnano, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese) who controlled organized crime in New York City for most of the 20th century, examining their ever-changing relationship with law enforcement and with society at large. Although the Mafia's power has diminished significantly since the 1980s, the author remains convinced that, without sufficient vigilance, the mob could rise again.
A history of the mafia's infamous "Five Families" and the campaign to eradicate them traces events within the Genovese, Gambino, Bonnano, Colombo, and Lucchese clans; identifying their role in damaging American industries, their fierce rivalries with one another, and more.
A history of the mafia's infamous "Five Families" and the campaign to eradicate them traces events within the Genovese, Gambino, Bonnano, Colombo, and Lucchese clans; identifying their role in damaging American industries, their fierce rivalries with one another, and more.
Review 1:
"Raab sets a new gold standard for organized crime nonfiction with his outstanding history of the Mafia in New York City. Combining the diligent research and analysis of a historian with the savvy of a beat journalist who has extensive inside sources, the author succeeds at an ambitious task by rendering the byzantine history of New York's five families...easily comprehensible to any lay reader....This masterpiece stands an excellent chance of becoming a bestseller with crossover appeal beyond devoted watchers of THE SOPRANOS." (starred review)
05/30/2005
Review 2:
"Mafia nonfiction is not a genre given to rigorous documentation and sound sourcing. What makes Raab so wonderful is that he eschews legend and suspect anecdotage in favor of a Joe Friday-style just-the-facts ma'am approach....FIVE FAMILIES is the finest Mafia history we're likely to see for a good long while."
09/11/2005
Review 3:
"Swift-moving history with much news, even for well-read students of crime and punishment."
06/15/2005
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