Cosa Nostra: A History of the Sicilian MafiaThe Italian-American mafia has its roots in a mysterious and powerful criminal network in Sicily. While the mythology of the mafia has been widely celebrated in American culture, the true origins of its rituals, laws, and methods have never actually been revealed. John Dickie uses startling new research to expose the secrets of the Sicilian mafia, providing a fascinating account that is more violent, frightening, and darkly comic than anything conceived in popular movies and novels. How did the Sicilian mafia begin? How did it achieve its powerful grip in Italy and America? How does it operate today? From the mafia's origins in the 1860s to its current tense relationship with the Berlusconi government, "Cosa Nostra" takes us to the inner sanctum where few have dared to go before. This is an important work of history and a revelation for anyone who ever wondered what it means to be "made" in the mob. |
What people are saying - Write a review
Cosa Nostra : A History of the Sicilian Mafia
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictJournalist Dickie (Italian studies, University Coll., London) has written a fascinating history of the Mafia in Sicily from the 1860s through the early 21st century. Having emerged in and around ... Read full review
Contents
Prologue | 13 |
Introduction | 21 |
Men of Honour | 27 |
1 The Genesis of the Mafia 18601876 | 35 |
2 The Mafia Enters the Italian System 18761890 | 69 |
3 Corruption in High Places 18901904 | 87 |
4 Socialism Fascism Mafia 18931943 | 131 |
5 The Mafia Establishes Itself in America 19001941 | 161 |
8 The First Mafia War and its Consequences 19621969 | 241 |
9 The Origins of the Second Mafia War 19701982 | 259 |
10 Terra Infidelium 19831992 | 293 |
11 Bombs and Submersion 19922003 | 311 |
Acknowledgements | 339 |
Picture Acknowledgements | 342 |
| 343 | |
Notes on Sources | 355 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
American antimafia arrested asked association authorities became become began body boss brought building Buscetta called carried Chief claimed close Commission Corleone Cosa Nostra court crime criminal death early evidence explained face fact Falcone finally force four friends gang given hands honour important initiation interests island Italian Italy judges killed kind knew known later leader leading live looked mafia mafiosi magistrates means meeting months murder needed never offered once operation organization Palermo party peasants police political politicians prison protection reason response Rome rules Sangiorgi secret seemed shot Sicilian Sicilian mafia Sicily society story streets thing took town trial turned Verro victim Villalba violence whole witness York young
Bibliographic information
| Title | Cosa Nostra: A History of the Sicilian Mafia |
| Author | John Dickie |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan, 2004 |
| ISBN | 1403966966, 9781403966964 |
| Length | 370 pages |
| Subjects | › › History / Modern / 20th Century True Crime / Organized Crime |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |