On your way to Sicily?
Interested in a nonfiction historical book about the Mafia?
“Cosa Nostra - A History if the Sicilian Mafia”
By John Dickie
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
It's been a while since I read it, but I vaguely remember he could tell the history of sicilian mafia without writing a full page about the "mattanza", the mafia massacre of sicilian partisans, communists and trade unionists going back home between 1944 and 1948. A little too convenient since it all happened under the indulgent eyes of English and US army.
To explain Mafia He wrote more about lemons in the 19th century than the first post WWII free elections in Sicily.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32331 posts
On the same topic, there's also the book Gomorra about the Neapolitan Mafia, which has won several literary awards. The author, Roberto Saviano, is apparently under lifetime police protection as he's been threatened. I believe there was also a movie made from the book.
Regarding the Sicily invasion (Operation Husky), according to historical records the Mafia was involved in assisting the U.S. war efforts by providing maps and other information.