- Hardcover: 400 pages
- Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan (30 Oct 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1403966966
- ISBN-13: 978-1403966964
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.3 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,502,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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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 ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
'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 ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Irish Times
'Well-written...his findings are supported by careful research and copious documentation. Racy...contains some powerful stories, scenes and surprises.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
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!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
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?
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?
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The praise given by critics and reviewers when this book was first published in 2004 are easily understood and justified when reading it in paperback format. While many earlier books have largely relied on a review of recent Sicilian history and events post WWII (Norman Lewis, Claire Sterling) or focussing on a very specific area (such as Alex Stille's "Excellent Cadavers" on the story of investigating magistrates Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino), this is the first real recent effort I know of in English to write a full history of the Sicilian Mafia under its correct name of Cosa Nostra. This is faciltated by the recent outpouring of Italian writings based on the vast amount of new information and evidence now available and which Dickie fully acknowledges in his book. In addition Dickie has also researched a number of historical sources and reports which have been largely ignored by previous English language writers.
What really places this book above the rest is:
Dickie has proven much better at covering the 19th century foundation of Cosa Nostra (and its earlier roots in Sicilian society) and then tracking this organisation's development of being a very tightly controlled killing machine exterminating any competition through the 20th century to date - the fact that nearly half of the book is devoted to the period before the end of WWII reflects this approach.
He has avoided the trap of spending too much time covering the US Mafia with its well known more public image and history, instead only referring to it as it actually impacts and helps our understanding of the Sicilian society's history.
Finally he has done a much fuller job than many prior books in tracking the Cosa Nostra linkage through Sicilian politics with Italian political history since Italian unification in late 19th century and especially since WWII, with the rise of Christian Democrats party who dominated Italian politics, especially under Andreotti. He makes a very strong case that without such political links and Rome's constant vacillation, Cosa Nostra would never have become as endemic and protected from the forces of law and order.
One ends the book feeling that the whole tragedy while not at an end is certainly moving into a model seen in many other countries, where criminal or terrorist elements have realised their best chances of survival are lower profile protection and corruption activities plus control of drugs, kidnapping and prostitution rather than seeking to always be in the public eye. This was almost wholly down to an almost public civil war started and executed by Leggio and Rinna with numerous public killings between 1970 and 1982. The murdering of a number of high profile police and anti-Mafia lawyers and politicians, ultimately created the environment where Falcone and Borsellino were able to achieve the maxi-trials in 1986 which used pentiti (defectors) such as Tomasso Buscetta. This led to many (but not all) leading Cosa Nostra old style heads being jailed for long terms under better enforced new Italian laws and those persons failing to date to obtain their freedom by political corruption in Rome.
The book is likely to be the classic text of the area for some time given all these strengths and with the organisation becoming more circumspect.
What really places this book above the rest is:
Dickie has proven much better at covering the 19th century foundation of Cosa Nostra (and its earlier roots in Sicilian society) and then tracking this organisation's development of being a very tightly controlled killing machine exterminating any competition through the 20th century to date - the fact that nearly half of the book is devoted to the period before the end of WWII reflects this approach.
He has avoided the trap of spending too much time covering the US Mafia with its well known more public image and history, instead only referring to it as it actually impacts and helps our understanding of the Sicilian society's history.
Finally he has done a much fuller job than many prior books in tracking the Cosa Nostra linkage through Sicilian politics with Italian political history since Italian unification in late 19th century and especially since WWII, with the rise of Christian Democrats party who dominated Italian politics, especially under Andreotti. He makes a very strong case that without such political links and Rome's constant vacillation, Cosa Nostra would never have become as endemic and protected from the forces of law and order.
One ends the book feeling that the whole tragedy while not at an end is certainly moving into a model seen in many other countries, where criminal or terrorist elements have realised their best chances of survival are lower profile protection and corruption activities plus control of drugs, kidnapping and prostitution rather than seeking to always be in the public eye. This was almost wholly down to an almost public civil war started and executed by Leggio and Rinna with numerous public killings between 1970 and 1982. The murdering of a number of high profile police and anti-Mafia lawyers and politicians, ultimately created the environment where Falcone and Borsellino were able to achieve the maxi-trials in 1986 which used pentiti (defectors) such as Tomasso Buscetta. This led to many (but not all) leading Cosa Nostra old style heads being jailed for long terms under better enforced new Italian laws and those persons failing to date to obtain their freedom by political corruption in Rome.
The book is likely to be the classic text of the area for some time given all these strengths and with the organisation becoming more circumspect.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Costa Nostra
Great book hard to stop reading, Very detailed insight of the Mafia history and in recent times. diffidently worth the read.
Published 2 months ago by geoffa
Awesome
An absolute brilliant read if you are interested in Italian Classic Mafia. Alot of facts but definately and iteresting read.
Published 4 months ago by Jordan HIll
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 10 months ago by ken
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 16 months ago by Cazrock
Comprehensive
A complete history of the Sicilian Mafia. Explores the power,control and political dealings of the Sicilian Mafia. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ss
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 23 months ago by Neil Gibbs
Compelling Stuff
This is one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. Dickie has the priceless combination of academic insight and genuine literary talent. Read more
Published on 13 April 2009 by Romanista
Cosa Nostra by John Dickie
This is the book to read if you want to find out the real facts about the beginning and developments of the Mafia. Highly recommended!
Published on 12 Mar 2009 by Duck Walk
In depth history of the Cosa Nostra
Bought this book as previously visited Sicily wanted to learn more about history. Took book on next two visits to Sicily and visited the actual places mentioned in book which... Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2008 by bookworm
this book is great, capisci.
by far the most interesting book I have read in ages, everything you wanted to know about the Mafia. And as everyone says, 'LEMONS!'?!?
Published on 17 Aug 2008 by Radley
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