We get a lot of requests asking for recommendations as to the best single Mafia book to purchase usually about the New York Mafia. When it comes to books about the Mafia opinions can vary greatly and everyone seems to have their own personal favorites as there are so many options available esp when it comes to the NY Mafia.
Many enthusiasts end up with vast libraries of mob books covering many aspects of Cosa Nostra from the past to the present, but not everyone has the resources to amass such a collection. Narrowing it down to a single book is difficult and we understand that no matter which recommendation we make there will be other options who many feel are just as substantial and fitting. That being said, we feel that one of the better overall books on the New York Mafia to date is Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires
The book Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires by Selwyn Raab covers many aspects of New York Mafia history right up to some of the more modern day stuff. It gets into the origins of the Mafia and how the mob took over New York and how the powerful organized crime empire began to lose its powerful grip in the 1980’s and 90’s. It contains various interviews with Mafia members, law enforcement officials, mob informants, and other providing an inside look into the inner workings of the mob.
The mob book has been called “the gold standard” of nonfiction organized crime writing and gives an outstanding look into the history or the Mafia in New York. Sure many can come up with various other options which can be compared to this book as great reads, but all things considered, for the enthusiasts looking to make a single purchase and get a lot of bang for their buck this is a great choice. The Five Families book can be purchased for a great price and in many formats on Amazon.
Definitely a great read and I agree there are quite a few options that could fit in along with this one but I also think its a good option esp for the person looking to get their first or just one single book on the subject and get as much info as possible out of it. Then one can move into the books about more specific area’s of the mob either in NY or elsewhere.
I would add The Tommy Piteri book to the list, pretty gruesome. I agree with the Gaspipe, Gravano comment. It’s funny to see both guys spin the same stories to their advantage. I liked Mob Boss, but man it was rambling at times. It’s great in terms of the wealth of knowledge D’Arco had, but lots of tangents. It’s been years since I read “quitting the mob”, but I might read it again. I tried to read the Tony Accardo book by the FBI agent, but man it was boring. I could not get into it.
I guess next on my list is the new JR book, and if that movie EVER comes out I’ll watch it.
Solid add!
I read the roemer book as well about Tony accardo….yes.. Dull.. But for all accounts Tony accardo was THE MAN!
Besides “Five Families” if one wants to see how hypocritical the Feds are when trying to get a single person “Underboss” is interesting. Then if you get the book about Gaspipe,you’ll see how different ppl,Sammy the Bull and Gaspipe,see the same crimes differently and how their sentences differed because of it. Just my two cents
Have yet to read the Gaspipe book but would agree that Underboss is definitely an interesting read. Need to add that Gaspipe book to list of gets.
I got well over 200 books on the American mob and Mafia prince and mob boss are two of the best I’ve read
Damn Dom that is a hell of a collection. I have probably around 30 or so. Liked those two as well.
mob boss is the best really interesting
From my private library i think my favourites are “Prince of Crime” (about Murray Humphreys) and “Super Mob” (about Sid Korshak) and of course the 2 classics: “Murder Inc.” and “The Big Bankroll” (about Arnold Rothstein)