Mafia : a global history / Ryan Gingeras.
A gripping and deeply researched exploration of the hidden influence of organized crime on the global economy that asks the question: How have mafias helped define the modern world?In Mafia: A Global History, Ryan Gingeras takes readers on a fascinating journey into the shadowy world of organized crime and its far-reaching impact on contemporary society. Drawing on over a decade of in-depth research into the global drug trade, Gingeras profiles legendary figures like Al Capone, Pablo Escobar, El Chapo, and Dawood Ibrahim, bringing their stories to life while exposing how these mafias have tested the boundaries of state power. By challenging the law, these criminal networks force governments to adapt, leaving an indelible mark on governance, society, and the global economy. Gingeras identifies three key spheres of transformation: the legal limits tested by mafias, their economic activities reflecting the Western bloc's dominance in global trade, and their undeniable presence in pop culture. As crime syndicates continue to evolve in the 21st century, Gingeras highlights the alarming blurring of lines between gangsters, corporations, and political leaders-a trend that threatens to destabilize the global order. For true crime fans and history buffs alike, Mafia is a must-read. With echoes of Mark Bowden's Killing Pablo and Sam Quinones's Dreamland, Gingeras delivers a masterful blend of storytelling and meticulous analysis that will leave you questioning just how much of the world around us is shaped by those operating in the shadows.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781668056424
- ISBN: 1668056429
- Physical Description: xix, 387 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm
- Edition: First Avid Reader Press hardcover edition.
- Publisher: New York, NY : Avid Reader Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, [2026]
Content descriptions
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 319-367) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- Foreword: The view from Zulette Avenue -- Introduction: 'The true princes who govern us' -- Part I: Genesis. The long scourge: Banditry and the prehistory of mafia -- Love and relaxation for sale: Vice and the roots of organized crime -- Part II: Consolidation. Origins: Mafias of the early twentieth century -- From booze to dope: The advent of global mafias -- Part III: Transformation. Godfathers: The high tide of old mafias -- Between decline and revolution: Mafias at century's end -- Conclusion. The great dilution: Making sense of the twenty-first century -- Acknowledgments -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Image credits -- Index.
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Organized crime.
Mafia > History. - Genre:
- Informational works.
True crime stories.
Available copies
- 13 of 19 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at McDowell County Public Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 19 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Library | 364.106 GIN (Text) | 37810460011389 | Adult New Nonfiction | Available | - |
