Introduction -- Prologue: the true extent of organized crime -- The birth of the mafia -- Crime rings -- Chicago: crime central -- New York: the night mayor and the big policeman -- Los Angeles noir -- Prohibition -- Racketeering -- Big business -- Organized crime fighters -- Chinese organized crime: the one that got away -- The slave trade -- The criminal fraternity -- Epilogue: organized crime, then and now.
Summary:
"Why do Americans alternately celebrate and condemn gangsters, outlaws and corrupt politicians? Why do they immortalize Al Capone while forgetting his far more successful, innovative precursor, Michael Cassius MacDonald? Drawing on historical accounts, the author analyzes the public's understanding of organized crime and questions some of our most deeply held assumptions about crime and its role in society"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.