The Complete Story Of The Five Families: The Rise, Decline, And Resurgence Of America's Most Powerful Mafia Empires

Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of organized crime. Written by renowned journalist and author Selwyn Raab, this gripping account delivers an in-depth look into the world of the five infamous Mafia families in America – the Bonannos, Colombos, Gambinos, Genoveses and Luccheses – from their rise to prominence during Prohibition to their decline following a series of federal prosecutions. Through extensive research and interviews with current and former members of the mob, Raab offers readers a unique perspective on the inner workings of these powerful organizations. From scandals to power struggles to murder, Five Families paints a vivid portrait of America’s criminal underworld.

Table of Contents

Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires Review

Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires is an unprecedented look into the secret inner workings of the world’s most powerful organized crime syndicates. Written by award-winning journalist and author Selwyn Raab, this book unveils a riveting history that spans more than a century. It explores how the five families—Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese—evolved from simple street gangs to multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprises.

Key Features:
1. Reveals the secrets behind the Mafia’s rise to power
2. Explores their complex network of international contacts
3. Exposes their lucrative schemes for illegal profits
4. Details dramatic court battles and turf wars
5. Shows how mobsters maintain control through fear and intimidation
6. Analyzes the impact of law enforcement efforts
7. Discusses new challenges posed by globalization

Whether you’re an armchair historian or a student of criminal justice, Five Families provides a compelling account of one of the most fascinating forces in modern history. Through meticulous research, Raab uncovers the stories behind the Sicilian immigrants who first brought organized crime to America in the late 19th century. He then traces its evolution over time as it adapted to changing circumstances such as Prohibition and economic recessions. He also examines its influence on politics, business, and culture in both Italy and the United States. Whether you’re an expert on organized crime or just curious about its origins and development, this book offers an illuminating look at one of the world’s most powerful criminal empires.

Product Details

Product Name	Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires
Author	Selwyn Raab
Published Date	October 8, 2019
Genre	Non-Fiction/History/Crime & Punishment
Language	English
Publisher	Henry Holt and Co.
Pages Number	656 pages
Format	Paperback/Hardcover/eBook
ISBN-10/ISBN-13	1250101700/9781250101701

Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires Pros and Cons

Pros:

A comprehensive and gripping account of the Mafia’s rise and fall in America, Five Families is an engrossing read that will captivate true crime fans.

The book is filled with detailed accounts of the iconic mobsters and their impact on American culture.

A must-read for anyone interested in the history of organized crime in the US, Five Families offers an insightful look into the inner workings of the mafia.

Written by renowned author Selwyn Raab, this book is sure to be a classic among Mafia enthusiasts.

Cons:

Some readers may find the sheer amount of detail overwhelming.

The book does not cover any events after 2005, so some readers may find it outdated.

The narrative style is somewhat dry, which may make it difficult to keep track of all the characters and events.

“Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires” provides a compelling account of organized crime in America. Written by renowned author Selwyn Raab, this book dives deep into the power struggles between five major Mafia families. From Lucky Luciano to John Gotti, readers will find themselves immersed in a world of intrigue and drama as they learn about the lives and legacies of these infamous gangsters. While advanced readers may find the sheer amount of detail in this book overwhelming, those looking for an authoritative overview of organized crime in America will appreciate its thoroughness. Despite being published in 2005, this book still stands as one of the best books on organized crime today.

Who are They for

Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires is a gripping and comprehensive account of the most notorious criminal organizations in American history. Written by renowned journalist Selwyn Raab, this book offers readers an intimate look into the inner workings of the five families that dominated organized crime in the United States from 1931 to the present day. Drawing on hundreds of interviews with mobsters, law enforcement agents, prosecutors, and associates, Raab provides an unprecedented look at the lives of mobsters and their families—their rise to power, their violent conflicts with each other, and their eventual decline as law enforcement cracked down on criminal activity. With a riveting narrative and vivid detail, Five Families tells the story of how these powerful empires were born, grew powerful, and ultimately fell. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding one of America’s darkest secrets.

My Experience for Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires

I was always fascinated by the mafia. Growing up, I heard stories about the Five Families, America’s most powerful and dangerous organized crime syndicates. But I never knew much about them – until I read Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires.

This book was an eye-opener. It gave me a detailed history of the five families – from their early days in Sicily to their eventual rise to power in New York City. I learned about their inner workings, how they controlled their territories, and how they dealt with law enforcement. I also got a glimpse into their glamourous lifestyle and their dark underworld dealings.

As I read through the pages of this book, I felt like I was part of the action – like I had been welcomed into a secret world and privy to its secrets. It was thrilling and sometimes frightening. And it made me appreciate just how powerful these families really are.

The author does a great job of presenting both sides of the story – showing not only the positive side of these families but also the often shocking criminal activities that some members have been involved in. This book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in learning more about the mafia and its mysterious history.

What I don’t Like

1. Lack of in-depth research: This book does not provide a comprehensive overview of the history, organization, and operations of the five families.
2. Limited scope: The author focuses primarily on the rise and fall of the New York crime syndicate, leaving out important information about other influential criminal organizations.
3. Limited sources: The author relies heavily on anecdotal evidence and secondary sources, rather than primary source material.
4. Lack of analysis: The book does not provide an in-depth analysis of the causes and effects of organized crime in America, or its impact on society.
5. Inaccurate information: There are some factual inaccuracies and outdated information in the book that may lead to misunderstandings about the Mafia’s history and operations.

How to Become a Master of Mafia History with Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires

If you’re looking to dive deep into the fascinating history of the mafia in America, then Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires is the perfect book for you. Written by award-winning author Selwyn Raab, this insightful book offers an inside look at the five most powerful mafia families in American history—the Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese crime families.

In order to become a master of mafia history with Five Families, here are several steps you should follow:

Step 1: Learn about the Early Years. Before delving into the current state of the mafia in America, it’s important to understand its origins. In Five Families, Raab traces the early days of organized crime in New York City from the late 19th century through Prohibition. You’ll learn about some of the earliest mobsters like Giuseppe “Joe the Boss” Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano—and how they set up structure and code of conduct that still exists today.

Step 2: Understand How Each Family Operates. To get a better understanding of each family’s operations, Raab dives deeper into their individual histories—from their rise to power to their eventual decline. With detailed accounts on how each family functions and interacts with one another, you’ll get an inside look at the inner workings of mafia life.

Step 3: Explore Contemporary Issues. As much as Five Families covers historical events, it also looks at more recent issues that have had an effect on organized crime over recent decades. You’ll gain insights into topics such as money laundering, international drug trafficking rings, and even terrorism.

By following these steps, you can become a master in mafia history using Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires. With this book as your guide, you’ll get an inside look at some of America’s most notorious criminal organizations—from their beginnings right up to present day.

Questions about Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires

What is the Five Families?

The Five Families is a comprehensive history of the five most powerful and influential Mafia empires in America. Written by Selwyn Raab, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, this book takes an in-depth look into the rise, decline, and resurgence of these crime syndicates, exploring their impact on our culture and society.

Who are the five families?

The five families are the Gambino family, the Genovese family, the Lucchese family, the Colombo family, and the Bonanno family. Together, they have been referred to as the “Commission” or “the ruling body” of organized crime in America.

What does Five Families cover?

Five Families covers the lives and legacies of each of these five Mafia empires, from their origins in Sicily to their current operations in America. It details their often-violent rise to power and their influence on politics, business, and popular culture. The book also examines how these criminal organizations have adapted to changing times and technological advancements.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.