Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

After a little chat with the family, it appears we've watched a fair whack of gangster film / TV shows over the last few years. With all history I'm fascinated how one thing leads to another, ripples unraveling decades and centuries later.

My very basic knowledge of American crime begins from prohibition through:
Boardwalk Empire, Live by Night, numerous Al Capone movies, Bugsy (Siegal), the Godfather (never managed to get past the first half hour, as a film it doesn't work for me), Good fellas, Scarface, American Gangster and probably some more I've forgotten.

Any way, me Mum's been telling me about a new series called Godfather of Harlem (yet to see).

I'm not particularly concerned with focusing on the details of any one of the gangs / syndicates / mafias, but can anyone recommend any good books that give an over view of this topic?

I'd love to know what was happening before prohibition and get some details of the turning points that led to the fall of one with the rise of others.

Cheers.

Check out Hoodlum, which chronologically could be a prequel to American Gangster.

edit: oops, you were looking for books. My bad. Try Billy Bathgate for prohibition era, Public Enemies for during and a little bit after, Wiseguy for 70s, and Black Mass is a good one for modern.

Also, I can't help it, but swinging back to movies for a sec - Have you seen A Bronx Tale? Great movie.

Are you asking for actual history books or more popular, fictional representations of organized crime?

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Are you asking for actual history books or more popular, fictional representations of organized crime?

Factual - can't remember the last fiction book I read.

Like I say, my knowledge is founded on the fantasy of TV and film. When me Mum mentioned Godfather of Harlem she said it was about Bumpy and Malcom X was involved, which reminded me he was the mentor of Franc Lucas, which reminded me of the drug smuggling from Asia which is also how Good Fellas ended.

What I'm trying to say is I'd like to be more knowledgeable on the subject than relying on the sketchiness of "based on true events..."

"Way of the Wiseguy" by FBI agent Joe Pistone (aka Donny Brascoe) gives good insight into Mafia mentality, customs, and attitudes. Doesn't do much history, but it does touch on it from time to time. It's a good read.

Gangs of new York is a great book. I don't find non fiction books that easy to stick with, but this one is really fascinating.. It covers the crime scene in New York from the 17th century up until the early 20th. (was written in 1920s) and obviously the film takes a lot of inspiration from it. The same author also did gangs of new Orleans, which I have but haven't finished fully yet.