The Italian Squad

An original and deeply researched book that challenges many of the myths distorting our understanding of organized crime in the twentieth century. Paul Moses gracefully conjures the gritty world of Italian policemen, the struggles of the immigrant community they served, the complex realities of NYPD politics, and the formation of a transnational underworld stretching from New York to Sicily. -- Daniel Czitrom, author of New York Exposed A thoughtful, enlightening, deeply researched exploration of the origins of organized crime in the United States. Moses brings to light the real-life origins of the Mafia and the attempts of Italian-American members of the NYPD to bring it to heel. The issues of ethnicity and criminality that Moses addresses are as timely today as they were a century ago. The Italian Squad is an engrossing read from first page to last. -- Peter Quinn, mystery writer, historian, and author of Banished Children of Eve: A Novel of Civil War New York In this absorbing tale of a New York City plagued by bombings, blackmail, and child kidnappings, the unsung heroes of The Italian Squad battle ruthless Black Hand thugs as well as fierce Italian-American prejudice. Moses skillfully tells the little known story of how a group of undercover cops risked their lives to help a vulnerable Italian immigrant population grow and thrive. -- Maria Laurino, author of The Italian Americans: A History In this impeccably researched book, Paul Moses does a masterful job bringing to life the brave men on the front lines of what was a new era in law enforcement. The Italian Squad is a must read for any student of history and organized crime. -- Matt Birkbeck, author of The Life We Chose and The Quiet Don Moses shows how the Italian Squad was one of the first examples of community policing. With a reporter’s eye for detail and a writer’s feel for the sweep of history, Moses brings to life not only Petrosino, martyred during an investigation in Italy, but those many men and women who continued his fight for law and order for nearly two decades. -- Helene Stapinski, author of Murder in Matera Moses provides the definitive account of a fascinating chapter in New York City’s law enforcement history. New York history nuts will be in heaven. * Publishers Weekly * A well-researched examination of a little-known corner of the NYPD’s past. * Kirkus Reviews *