Blood Brotherhoods: The Rise of the Italian Mafias - Softcover

Dickie, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0340963948 ISBN 13: 9780340963944

Publisher: Sceptre, 2012

Synopsis

MAFIA BROTHERHOODS (previously published as BLOOD BROTHERHOODS) is the enthralling new history of Italian organised crime by the author of the international bestseller COSA NOSTRA. The Sicilian mafia, or Cosa Nostra, is far from being Italy's only dangerous criminal fraternity. The south of the country hosts two other major mafias: the camorra, from Naples and its hinterland; and the 'ndrangheta, the mafia from the poor and isolated region of Calabria that has now risen to become the most powerful mob of all.Each of these brotherhoods has its own methods, its own dark rituals, its own style of ferocity and corruption. Their early history is little known; indeed some of it has been entirely shrouded in myth and silence until now. MAFIA BROTHERHOODS is a book of breathtaking ambition, charting the birth and rise of all three of Italy's mafias. It blends ground-breaking archival research, passionate narrative, and shrewd historical analysis to bring Italy's unique 'criminal ecosystem', and the three terrifying criminal brotherhoods that evolved within it, to life on the page.Previously published as BLOOD BROTHERHOODS.

About this title

About the Author:

John Dickie is Professor of Italian Studies at University College London and an internationally recognised expert on many aspects of Italian history. In 2005 he was awarded the title Commendatore dell'Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta Italiana.

Review:

BLOOD BROTHERHOODS is almost certainly the most ambitious true-crime assignment ever. The result is a stunning success: a sprawling, powerful historical narrative that is the definitive story of Sicily's Mafia, the Camorra of Naples, and Calabria's 'Ndrangheta. * The Adelaide Advertiser * Magisterial ... absorbing. * The Scotsman * 'enthralling ... chillingly charts the birth and rise of all three of Italy's mafias'. * Dr John Guy * By shining a light so powerfully into the darkest recesses of mafia mythology and history, Dickie's new book will certainly provide a concrete tool in the anti-mafia struggle to which many Italians and Calabrians in Australia and Italy are passionately committed. * Australian Literary Review * Chilling but essential reading if you want to understand the mindset of the darkest elements of Italian life. * RTE Guide * Combines his trademark of scholarly documentation with a rattling good read. * Matthew Fort * Both fine social history and hair-raising true crime, this account of the Italian underworld clans tells a grimly fascinating tale. * Independent * 'Exciting and well-written, it plays out like a 19th-century Sopranos'. * Shortlist * His narrative bowls along, powered by the sort of muscular prose one associates with great detective fiction. An exhilarating history. * Financial Times * REVIEWS FOR BLOOD BROTHERHOODS (THE HARDBACK EDITION): * . * 'Readable history'. * TLS *

About this edition

• Publisher: Sceptre
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0340963948
• ISBN 13: 9780340963944
• Binding: Paperback