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Cosa Nostra: A History of the Sicilian Mafia [Paperback]

John Dickie (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Publication Date: 8 Mar 2007
COSA NOSTRA is the compelling story of the Sicilian mafia, the world's most famous, most secretive and most misunderstood criminal fraternity.

The mafia has been given many names since it was founded one hundred and forty years ago: the Sect, the Brotherhood, the Honoured Society, and now Cosa Nostra. Yet as times have changed, the mafia's subtle and bloody methods have remained the same. Now, for the first time, COSA NOSTRA reconstructs the complete history of the Sicilian mafia from its origins to the present day, from the lemon groves and sulphur mines of Sicily, to the streets of Manhattan.

COSA NOSTRA is a definitive history, rich in atmosphere, and with the narrative pace of the best detective fiction, and has been updated to make it the most vital contemporary account of the mafia ever published.

The mob genre has finally grown up.

Frequently Bought Together

Cosa Nostra: A History of the Sicilian Mafia + Mafia Brotherhoods: Camorra, mafia, 'ndrangheta: the rise of the Honoured Societies + Gomorrah: Italy's Other Mafia
Price For All Three: £19.14

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Product details

  • Paperback: 528 pages
  • Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks; New Ed edition (8 Mar 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 034093526X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0340935262
  • Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 3.5 x 19.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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More About the Authors

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John Dickie
John Dickie

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Review

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)

Riveting (Sunday Telegraph)

A readable, highly informative, admirably systematic account of how the Mafia attained its hold. (Times Literary Supplement)

Highly readable...compelling. The narrative is entertaining and, at times, as chilling as the darkest crime fiction. At its best, it combines compelling horror with clear, rational analysis of the moral and political failings, which, even today, give the mafia a seat at many top tables in Italian society. (Glasgow Herald)

Lucid...grimly readable. (Daily Telegraph)

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 judgements couched in language that is vibrantly memorable. His acquaintance with the island and his immersion in the wider modern Italian culture allows him to convey the noxious atmosphere of corruption with flair. (Sunday Times)

Monumental and gripping (Andrew Marr, BBC Start the Week)

Combines scholarship with a rip-roaring read (Sunday Herald)

Well-written...his findings are supported by careful research and copious documentation. Racy...contains some powerful stories, scenes and surprises. (Irish Times)

About the Author

John Dickie is both an academic cultural historian and an advertising copywriter and researcher for some major international companies. He is Senior Lecturer in Italian at UCL and has written articles and books on many aspects of Italian history. In 2005 he was awarded the title Commendatore dell`Ordine della Stella di Solidarieta` Italiana.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and factual book on a shadowy subject 16 Feb 2004
By A. Victoria
Format:Hardcover
This fascinating book on the history of the Sicilian Mafia kept me up all night reading! It is rare for a non-fiction book--a historical one at that--to be so gripping while never falling into a sensationalized version of the facts. The book was an impulse buy, since the subject matter had never held great fascination for me. But it turned out to be one of the best books I've read in a long time. In addition to giving an obviously well-researched history of this shadowy organization, Mr. Dickie deals with many long-cherished myths about the Mafia--such as Lucky Luciano's fabled landing with Allied troops in Sicily during WWII--and gives solid reasons why we should, or shouldn't, believe them. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the subject matter--and also to those who think that they don't!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Introduction to the Sicilian Mafia 26 May 2009
By M. Irvine Walsh
Format:Paperback
I read one review here on Amazon claiming that this book is rushed and badly researched, and instead recommending Excellent Cadavers by Alexander Stille. I find these claims strange and irresponsible as Cosa Nostra is excellently written in fluid and engaging prose, Dickie's sources are as sound as a pound (the book features an extensive bibliography for a work of popular history), and Stille's (excellent) novel could not hope to fill the same niche as Dickie's.

Comparing Cosa Nostra to Excellent Cadavers is like comparing a Simon Schama book (ie, History of Britain) to an Alison Weir one (ie Henry VIII King and Court). Both relate to British History, but one is far more focused and specific than the other. Excellent Cadavers was an account of Falcone's maxi trial and it's fallout, whereas Cosa Nostra is a rounded history of the organisation. The clue's in the title (well, subtitle, but you know what I mean).

This is a novel worth reading. Don't be put off by the snobs who seem to deride everything accessible as being simplistic; this work is anything but, and yet eminently easy and enjoyable to read.

4.5 stars, so I'll round it to five, eh?
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Cosa Nostra The History of the Sicilian Mafia 15 Mar 2005
By M. Struthers
Format:Paperback
I bought this book to learn a bit more about the History of the Mafia in Sicily as I planned to go on holiday there & like reading about the places I am going. I expected the book to be a bit heavy in parts and possibly dry but good in other parts HOWEVER it was a total surprise it was a great book, totally absorbing from beginning to end so fascinating you wanted to keep reading and reading - I learnt so much I didnt know about this intriging subject. So dont be put off by the historical side of it - it is FASCINATING READ!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars something differant
very interesting it changed my understanding of the mafia and I will be purchasing more of the books written by this author
Published 3 days ago by Ray
5.0 out of 5 stars Superbly written
An extremely well researched true tale of the Cosa Nostra, from the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gandalf's Hat
5.0 out of 5 stars Cosa Nostra
I work in Sicily and this gave me an enormous amount of background information to pass on to my clients.
Published 3 months ago by Avid Readerr
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to the Sicilian Mafia
An excellent book, well researched and well written which plots the history of the Sicilian Mafia from its inception to about the early noughties. Read more
Published 4 months ago by David Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Costa Nostra
Great book hard to stop reading, Very detailed insight of the Mafia history and in recent times. diffidently worth the read.
Published 14 months ago by geoffa
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
An absolute brilliant read if you are interested in Italian Classic Mafia. Alot of facts but definately and iteresting read.
Published 16 months ago by Jordan HIll
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
I was recommended this book to read while I was heading to Sicily and once I started I never put it down. Read more
Published 22 months ago by ken
4.0 out of 5 stars FIlls in the gaps
A must have for any Sopranos, Godfather, Mafia fan. This book charters the 'behind the scenes' in a way about the Mafioso and their stories.
Published on 18 Jan 2011 by Cazrock
5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive
A complete history of the Sicilian Mafia. Explores the power,control and political dealings of the Sicilian Mafia. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2011 by Ss
4.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous but a little long winded at times
Overall a great book although at times it drags a little but not enough for you to put it down..
Published on 6 July 2010 by Neil Gibbs
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