Cosa Nostra

The inspiration of far too much pulpy entertainment, the Italian mobsters under John Dickie's miscroscope in Cosa Nostra have long cultivated outsiders' tendencies to romanticize their supposed honor and loyalty. But Dickie demonstrates definitively that the centuries-old mafia has never been more than an illegal business and shadow state pursuing 'power and money by cultivating the art of killing people.' -- The Washington Post His is the first truly definitive English-language study of this myth-laden subject, and it is a pleasure to read...his book is notable for shrewd judgments couched in language that is vibrantly memorable. His acquaintance with the island and his immersion in the wider modern Italian culture also allow him to convey the noxious atmo-sphere of corruption with flair. --Christopher Sylvester, The Sunday Times (London) A serious contribution to modern Italian history . . . it can be safely predicted that Dickie's book will be a sensation, not least because it has a dozen potential movies in it. --Clive James, Times Literary Supplement I couldn't put it down. His archival sleuthing is yoked to his powerful, often coruscating storytelling to create a chilling account of the mafia's sinister, horrific reality. --John Guy, The Sunday Times Absorbing . . . He succeeds in being both opinionated and precise and has performed a necessary work of rebranding. -- Financial Times Riveting -- Sunday Telegraph Vibrant, muscular and highly readable. --Clare Longrigg, Guardian Lucid . . . grimly readable. -- Daily Telegraph A brave work. -- Mail on Sunday Highly readable . . . compelling. The narrative is entertaining and, at times, as chilling as the darkest crime fiction. It combines compelling horror with clear, rational analysis. -- Glasgow Herald Cosa Nostra overflows with wonderful vignettes about mafia codes of conduct . . . engrossing. --John Naughton, 0 Wor