The 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.
After Mario Puzo wrote his internationally acclaimed The Godfather, he has often been imitated but never equaled. Puzo's classic novel, The Sicilian, stands as a cornerstone of his work—a lushly romantic, unforgettable tale of bloodshed, justice, and treachery. . . . The year is 1950. Michael Corleone is nearing the end of his exile in Sicily. The Godfather has commanded Michael to bring a young Sicilian bandit named Salvatore Guiliano back with him to America. But Guiliano is a man entwined in a bloody web of violence and vendettas. In Sicily, Guiliano is a modern day Robin Hood who has defied corruption—and defied the Cosa Nostra. Now, in the land of mist-shrouded mountains and ancient ruins, Michael Corleone's fate is entwined with the dangerous legend of Salvatore Guiliano: warrior, lover, and the ultimate Siciliano. Praise for The Sicilian “Puzo is a master storyteller.”—USA Today “The Balzac of the mafia.”—Time “An accomplished and imaginative writer.”—Los Angeles Times
The Sicilian mafia is a subject of endless fascination, but few serious books have been written about it. In this provocative work, Christopher Duggan argues that the idea of the mafia is a fiction, born of political calculation and genuine misunderstanding of the behaviour of Sicilians. The first part of the book looks at the development of the idea of the mafia from the 1860s, when the term first appeared, to the Second World War. Although all serious observers realised that there was no organised criminal society in Sicily, Duggan explains why the idea was perpetuated. When the island became part of unified Italy in 1860, hostility to the new state was claimed by officials to be criminally inspired, and they spoke for the first time of 'the Mafia'. The distinctive values of the Sicilians, such as their belief in private justice and unwillingness to cooperate with the police, reinforced the idea of a secret criminal society. From then on, many of Sicily's political and social problems were attributed to this mythical organisation. In the second part of the book, to illustrate the general observations made in the first, Duggan provides a detailed study of the repressive campaign conducted by the fascist government against the mafia in the 1920s. Making use of private papers, police files, and trial proceedings, he concludes that the mafia was primarily an idea exploited for political ends, and that its use only strengthened many Sicilians' deep mistrust of the state. This lively book is a penetrating account of the origins of the mafia myth and the first study of the impact of fascism on Sicily. It will be of great interest to historians of modern Italy, to anthropologists, and to criminologists, as well as to those who are actively engaged in the fight against organised crime. Christopher Duggan was a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and Lecturer in Italian History and Director of the Centre for the Advanced Study of Italian Society at Reading University. He is co-author, with Denis Mack Smith and Moses Finley, of 'A History of Sicily' (1986).
Interior designer Kate is working on a room for one of her clients when she has a chance meeting with the son of one of Sicily's most esteemed families, Giovanni Calvelli. While his cold and arrogant disposition initially leaves Kate turned off, for some reason she can't take her eyes off the macho magnate. While Kate thinks she'll never see him again, just a few hours later Giovanni shows up at her home with a forgotten article, and with one foot in the doorway says, "You're into me, aren't you? You don't have to hide it. The feeling is mutual."
Three proud, fiery Sicilian men who won't be denied! Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride Kate Walker Dark, proud and sinfully gorgeous, Guido is determined to reclaim his wife! Amber looks untouchable, but Guido knows the passionate woman inside. One kiss and he's certain she ll give him whatever he demands! The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge Kate Walker Emily and Vito shared one night of passionate lovemaking. Then, in the cold light of day, her secret tore them apart. Now Vito has come back and he's determined to have his revenge! The Sicilian's Wife Kate Walker Cesare fell for Meg from the moment they met. He has waited for her to become an adult, but now Meg tells him she is pregnant by another man. Will Cesare still make her his bride?
Read this classic romance by bestselling author Sandra Marton, now available for the first time in e-book! Claimed by the Sicilian When it comes to women, Stefano Lucchesi thinks he’s known them all. But Fallon O’Connell is beautiful, wealthy in her own right and appears to need no one. So Stefano’s determined to have her, body and soul… And Fallon is determined to resist! Until an accident threatens her beauty and ends her supermodel career. Now she needs Stefano’s help, even if that means surrender. Because only the Sicilian’s passion can heal her body and restore her soul… Book 3 in The O’Connells miniseries Originally published in 2003
An obsessive mafia hitman. A smalltown girl in debt to the mob. A match made in hell.I owe a debt to a made man. I already knew he was powerful, mysterious, and dangerous. Now I know he's also a ruthless killer and I'm trapped with him. When he takes hold of me, I want to hate him but his touch is making my insides melt.I know I should run from this dark desire but he's just made me an offer I can't refuse. One weekend with him and I earn my freedom. Now I'm being drawn into a new world of delicious lust and burning passion. A world where I don't belong. His world.I need to get away from the coldblooded brute before the flames of desire consume us both. But how can I leave with ropes binding me? He's made it clear. We have an agreement. Two nights with him and my debt is paid.And Leonardo Rossi always collects his debts.In Debt to the Mafia is a standalone full length dark mafia romance novel. It stars a possessive mature hero and a sassy innocent heroine with a sharp tongue. You'll find no cheating and no cliffhangers. It ends with a guaranteed HEA. Be warned, some scenes are not for the faint-hearted.
In a society where trust is in short supply and democracy weak, the Mafia sells protection, a guarantee of safe conduct for parties to commercial transactions. Drawing on the confessions of eight Mafiosi, Diego Gambetta develops an elegant analysis of the economic and political role of the Sicilian Mafia.
