Organized Crime, Criminals - General & Miscellaneous - Biography, General & Miscellaneous Biography - Reference

The Mafia Encyclopedia

Name: The Mafia Encyclopedia
Author: Carl Sifakis
ISBN: 9780816056958

by Carl Sifakis

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Overview

Over 75,000 Copies of the Previous Edition Sold

A bestseller in its first edition, The Mafia Encyclopedia is a complete reference guide to the history of the most powerful and wellknown criminal organization in the world. Written by a veteran crime reporter, this "Who's Who" of crime gives readers the full flavor and substance of Mafia culture, customs, and characters presented in more than 400 entries. More than 95 blackandwhite photographs (12 new to this edition) help capture Mafia history from the birth of the brotherhood and the major underworld figures who created it, to the law enforcement agents and organizations who have tried—and failed—to destroy it.

The Mafia Encyclopedia includes biographical entries of both well and lesserknown wiseguys, their criminal specialties, career highlights, friends and enemies, eccentricities, and frequently dramatic demises.

The book traces the great Mafia dynasties up to and including the current heirs apparent. The second edition includes 56 new entries as well as updates on:
John Gotti
John Gotti, Jr.
Sammy "The Bull" Gravano
Vinnie "The Chin" Gigante
Jimmy Coonan of Westies fame
Donnie Brasco
and many more.
Among the Mafia topics covered are:
The major families, such as the Gambinos, Colombos, and Genoveses
Sam Giancana's Youngbloods
Spending habits of the Mafiosi
Women and the Mafia
Mafia prison life
The "Parsley" racket
Superstitions, such as "Dead Man's Eyes" and the "Green Chair Curse"
Funerals of gangsters
and more.

Synopsis

Written by a veteran crime reporter, this bestseller is the most complete and up-to-date source available on this fascinating subject. In this "Who's Who" of crime, readers will find the full flavor and substance of Mafia culture, customs, and characters presented in more than 400 articles. More than ninety-five black-and-white photographs help capture Mafia history from the birth of the brotherhood and the major underworld figures who created it, to the law enforcement agents and organizations who have tried-and failed-to destroy it.

The Mafia Encyclopedia includes biographical entries of both well- and less well-known wise guys, their criminal specialties, career highlights, friends and enemies, eccentricities, peccadilloes, and frequently dramatic demises.

Denver Post

". . . the most comprehensive list of organized crime notables and sketches of their lives available."

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Editorials

Choice

An excellent introductory resource concerning the Mafia and its history. Recommended for all libraries.

Denver Post

". . . the most comprehensive list of organized crime notables and sketches of their lives available."

Library Journal

It has been six years since the last edition of this guide, edited again by former crime reporter Sifakis. More than 50 new entries (bringing the total to almost 500) include the Chinese Mafia, Russian Mafia, and Yakuza (Japanese organized crime), and there is updated information on such men as Joe Bonanno, Anthony "Tony Ducks" Corallo, and John Gotti, including details of their deaths. The book remains in alphabetical format, with entries running from a paragraph or two to several columns. See also references steer the reader well between people, nicknames, terminology, folklore and pop culture, places, and incidents. The prevailing lesson in this encyclopedia is that the Mafia made inroads in the United States because the federal government, especially the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover, would not take it on. The Mafia's existence became "public" in 1957 when the New York state police raided the Apalachin Conference, where 58 criminals, many Mafia leaders, were captured. It has been only recently that the FBI has had success with organized crime via the RICO laws, not to mention the infiltration of crime families. However, the Mafia is very much still with us, as this book shows. Aficionados may look for the occasional entry in vain, e.g., Edward O'Hare, Capone's personal lawyer, whose testimony helped bring him down; and Sonny Gibson, author of Mafia Kingpin, which allegedly provided an insider's view of how the mob operated. Bottom Line Sifakis provides detailed, informed, and colorful information. Recommended for all libraries and particularly for those lacking the previous edition.-Michael Sawyer, Rangeview Lib. Dist., Thorton, CO Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Booknews

New edition of an encyclopedia in which Sifakis (freelance writer, former crime reporter and longtime student of organized crime) reveals what the Mafia is, its role in organized crime, and its principal players, past and present. About 400 entries and 95 b&w photographs cover not only criminals, but also the crime fighters, the events surrounding each crime, crime techniques, myths, lore, and other issues surrounding what is most likely the single most significant and strongest criminal organization in the world. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)