American Mafia: A History of Its Rise to Power

American Mafia: A History of Its Rise to Power
by Thomas Reppetto

American Mafia: A History of Its Rise to Power
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Book Summary Information

Author: Thomas Reppetto
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-01-02
ISBN: 0805077987
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Holt Paperbacks

Book Reviews of American Mafia: A History of Its Rise to Power

Book Review: Good introduction to the history of organized crime
Summary: 4 Stars

Thomas Reppetto's American Mafia traces the rise of the Mob from the late 19th century to the 1950's Kefauver Hearings. According to Reppetto, the American Mafia didn't invent organized crime, but dominated because it was "tougher, smarter, and more daring" than rival gangs and the police.

At the dawn of 20th century the mob was nothing more than a few scattered Sicilian gangs in isolated city neighborhoods. When prohibition came along new opportunities arose. Bootlegging, with its huge profits, made the mob. By the time of the Depression, these once small gangs had consilidated their power, controlling cities and entire states. In the post-war years the mob emerged as a powerful national organization.

It's a familiar story with the standard rogue's gallery: Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Frank Costello, and many others. Reppetto covers all the milestones, from the free-wheeling days of prohibition, to the penetration of labor unions and Hollywood in the 1930's, and on to the creation of modern Las Vegas in the 1940's.

Reppeto argues that the Mafia was a product of American society, "Particularly corrupt local politics." He points out that the mob was neither ethnically exclusive, consisting of Jews like Arnold Rothstein and Meyer Lansky, and not as tightly controlled as some would believe. There was no top man in the mob. Instead, the Mafia is a loose association of regional organizations.

Men of Italian descent did dominate the syndicate, however. This is because they generally had a more business-like outlook, displaying exceptional organizational skills, and ruthless business instincts. They "built the mob along corporate lines," writes Reppetto.

He is also quick to note that the secret to the rise of the Mafia was its alliances with corrupt politicians. Starting with control of local ward officals, the mob eventually created a network of political influence that stretched all the way into the Truman White House.

American Mafia is an excellent introduction to the history of organized crime. It is well written and well paced. Reppetto has a light touch and easily jumps from one era to another with colorful portraits of the major players. Those familiar with the subject will find nothing new here. But, I highly recoommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about organized crime in America.

Summary of American Mafia: A History of Its Rise to Power

"Reppetto's book earns its place among the best . . . he brings fresh context to a familiar story worth retelling." ?The New York Times Book Review

Organized crime?the Italian American kind?has long been a source of popular entertainment and legend. Now Thomas Reppetto provides a balanced history of the Mafia's rise?from the 1880s to the post-WWII era?that is as exciting and readable as it is authoritative.

Structuring his narrative around a series of case histories featuring such infamous characters as Lucky Luciano and Al Capone, Reppetto draws on a lifetime of field experience and access to unseen documents to show us a locally grown Mafia. It wasn't until the 1920s, thanks to Prohibition, that the Mafia assumed what we now consider its defining characteristics, especially its octopuslike tendency to infiltrate industry and government. At mid-century the Kefauver Commission declared the Mafia synonymous with Union Siciliana; in the 1960s the FBI finally admitted the Mafia's existence under the name La Cosa Nostra.

American Mafia is a fascinating look at America's most compelling criminal subculture from an author who is intimately acquainted with both sides of the street.

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