World Encyclopedia Of Organized Crime

By Jay Robert Nash

Book Overview

Organized crime reaches into almost every business worldwide, from the cleaning of restaurant tablecloths to the production of high-tech equipment; crime syndicates control entire neighborhoods, cities, and even nations. From its crude origins at the turn of the century to its present-day sophistication, organized crime has been marked by intimidation, corruption, and murder. World Encyclopedia of Organized Crime is an excursion into the underworld that uncovers the international scope--and historical roots--of today's organized crime. Brilliantly catalogued by the dean of American true-crime writers, Jay Robert Nash, this volume profiles the notorious gangsters, crime families, cartels, and gangland events that have shaped world history.Here are gangs such as the Dead Rabbits and the Whyos, who controlled nineteenth-century New York; gangsters such as Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky, Legs Diamond, and Dutch Schultz, who brought crime to new heights of money-making and bloodshed; and contemporary organizations such as the Medellin Cartel, the "Pizza Connection" gangsters, the Yakuza gangs of Japan, and New York's powerful Gambino family.With hundreds of alphabetically arranged entries, an international guide to organized crime, a rogue's gallery, and an extensive bibliography, World Encyclopedia of Organized Crime is the most comprehensive and authoritative source on the subject ever compiled.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306805359
• ISBN13: 9780306805356
• Release Date: August 1993
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 640 Pages
• Weight: 3.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 1.3" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Well Done and well organized!

Trying to find a good reference book about organized crime? Want one at a good price? Jay Robert Nash has created the perfect book for you with World Encyclopedia of Organized Crime from De Capo Press.The over 600 pages of the Who's Who in organized crime is covered in an A to Z format. From Joe Adonis, Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Bugs Moran and so many others, you'll find the fascinating stories and cross-references.You may find other books more detailed, but I have found this book to be complete in the overall number of people covered. The book is an easy read and the index makes it easy to look up anybody or any topic.You'll be hard pressed to find a better value for your money. About the only thing missing is a cd-rom software application.

Best reference for any organized crime afficcionado

I don't think there has to be much explanation here. I've been studying the American Mafia for a couple of years and I have never seen or found such a variety of information. I have movies and books alike and I have to say that this is probably my best investment in any book or movie I own.