The Mafia books
The Mafia books to start from. Open one to see books like it, or tell BookSense what you loved for four picks made for you.
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New to the genre? These 5 are the books to read first.
Cosa Nostra
John DickieA historian's overview of the Sicilian origins and later American branch, useful for context before the insider accounts.
The Valachi Papers
Peter MaasBuilt on Joseph Valachi's testimony, it was one of the first detailed public accounts of the American Cosa Nostra from a member.
Wise Guy
Nicholas PileggiFollows the career of Henry Hill, a mob associate turned informant, and served as the basis for the film Goodfellas.
A Man of Honor
Joseph BonannoA memoir by a former New York family boss, giving his own account of the organization's history and values.
Underboss
Peter MaasCovers Sammy Gravano's rise in the Gambino family and his cooperation with prosecutors.
Chosen and described with AI from our notes on the genre.
More the mafia books
- My Life in the Mafia
My Life in the MafiaVincent Charles Teresa - Casino
CasinoNicholas Pileggi - I Heard You Paint Houses
I Heard You Paint HousesCharles Brandt - Five Families
Five FamiliesSelwyn Raab - Mafia Kingfish
Mafia KingfishJohn H. Davis - In God's Name
In God's NameDavid A. Yallop - I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse
I'll Make You an Offer You Can't RefuseMichael Franzese - The Last Mafioso
The Last MafiosoOvid Demaris - The black hand
The black handChris Blatchford2008 - Murder machine
Murder machineMustain. Gene.1992 - The last testament of Lucky Luciano
The last testament of Lucky LucianoMartin A. Gosch1975 - Mafia
MafiaJo Durden-Smith2003