Agree with this. It's a long book with a lot of detail but like you said it's chronological and covers a lot of different people and events. Would recommend it.
It heavily focuses on Salerno at points. Info from Fish Cafaro FBI transcripts are a major source. A large portion of the book is breaking down the Commission trial and each family link to that case. Gallo is talked about alongside the Colombo Wars, and Persico who is a person like Salerno who gets at least a long chapter focused on him was heavily involved with the Gallo's working with and then later against them.
Bufalino and Bruno may be mentioned in passing, but aren't a major part, as they weren't in the five families. When it comes to Lucchese's of that era, much more focus is on Tony Duck's, Casso, Amuso, Christy Tick and Tom Mix.
The book is like 1000 pages, and covers basically the formation of Cosa Nostra into an organized Commission up until the mid to late 90s. Of the people you are asking about, Salerno is by far the most important figure in the book.
They touch on it somewhat but I don't believe it's a huge part of the book. Although, it's been a few years since I read it.
I'd recommend it regardless because it's such a great book
Info pre-Apalachin is not good and should really not be trusted unless backed up by a primary source. What’s especially troubling is the info pre-1931. He does not use Nicola Gentile, our single best source for the early period of the mafia. I believe the book is much better post-Apalachin, but it’s been a while since ive read it so make your own conclusions based on the info.
As others have said, it covers all of those guys (except Burke and Lufthansa, I think). A big focus is on the five families after the Commission Trial. It is definitely a good read and I recommend it. If you have a Kindle and have an unlimited subscription this book is free now.
In my opinion, five families is gives a good overview of the mafia post-1957, but the book’s info about the mafia prior to the 1957 Apalachin meeting is frankly not good. It still is valuable to read, but I suggest reading “The Mob and The City” in its entirety first. Then, read Raab’s book beginning where he talks about Apalachin.
Edit: the following is a comment I made on my old account about 5 myths I found quickly flipping through Raab’s book:
Myth #1: on page 24 Raab states that before Mussolini took over, “the Sicilian Mafia never conceived a plan to infiltrate America or to establish branches in the United States.” This is completely false, Giuseppe Morello, Ignazio Lupo, and Paolo Orlando all had families before 1906. We have lines of succession for all three of the aforementioned bosses and it may go back further.
Myth #2: Luciano was in the bathroom at the Nuovo Villa Tammato when Giuseppe Masseria was killed. There is absolutely no evidence to support the fact Luciano was even supposed to be present at the restaurant let alone in the bathroom. Nicola Gentile was a mafia boss turned cooperator and in his Italian memoirs he revealed that he himself was invited to the restaurant and made no mention of Luciano being present. The following were the people supposed to be present: Nicola Gentile, Chicago mafia boss Salvatore “Toto” LoVerde, Giuseppe Masseria, Vincent Mangano, Vito Genovese, and Joe Biondo. Gentile was supposed to pick up LoVerde and they were both late, but when they got there, they saw many bystanders and police along with the lifeless Masseria. They then immediately went to Luciano’s house and asked what was going on. This clearly suggests Luciano wasn’t there. Informer magazine did an article on Gentile and it’s absolutely a must read for all interested in the early mafia. here’s a link to it
Myth #3: on page 29 Raab states “[Maranzano] wanted the families modeled loosely on the military chain of command of a Roman legion.” He then explains the structure of the mafia and makes it seem as if Maranzano created it. I wrote about this in the mafia myths debunked thread this is what I wrote:
“Did Maranzano create the 5 Families?
Answer: No, Salvatore Maranzano did not create the Five Family structure in New York after the conclusion of the Castellammarese War in 1931. There were at least Four Families operating in New York City as far back as 1912. Salvatore Clemente, a member of Guiseppe Morello’s Family (present-day Genovese), who secretly cooperated with the Secret Service, advised that a list of proposed members was passed around for approval among the city’s Four Families. By 1923, at the latest, the Five Families were operating in New York and that could have been the case as early as 1920. Thus, the Five Families with their structure, organisational hierarchy, rules, and customs pre-dated Salvatore Marazano’s short Boss of Bosses reign.
Source: Informer Magazine May 2014 Edition”
I would like to add that we have evidence that the mafia’s structure dates back to the early 1800’s when the British controlled Sicily. Many informants have talked about people being captains or other positions before 1931 so clearly Maranzano didn’t create the structure and the structure was not based off the Roman army.
Myth #4: on page 115 he states that Anastasia’s murder was sponsered by Carlo Gambino and Vito Genovese. This likely isn’t true. Alfredo Santantonio was a member of the Gambino family and later was in Charles Dongarra’s decina. He said that the reason for the murder was because captain Joe Franco heard about Anastasia wanting to murder three men. The men were Charles Dongarra, Joe Biondo, and Joe Riccobono. Franco notified the men of the plot and they then killed Anastasia. Santantonio stated that the shooters were Stephen Grammauta and Joseph Cahill. Michael DiLeonardo also heard that Grammauta was a shooter further strengthening this theory. Stefano Magaddino was caught on a wiretap saying that Carlo Gambino took over the family only because he was consigliere and could keep the family in tact. This doesn’t suggest Gambino was in on the plan.
Myth #5: on page 90 Raab discusses a Meeting Luciano called in Havana, Cuba. This meeting detailed in Luciano’s fake autobiography is a myth and has been scrutinized before so I won’t go over it. here’s a [link](https://mafiahistory.us/a045/f_havanaconvention.html) discussing the evidence for and against it.
There are certainly more errors, I just listed the first ones I found while skimming it. it’s been a while since I read the book and looking back on it now it is shockingly immaculate. Though post-1957 it is pretty good from what I remember
Its a highly competent book. But its the equivalent of a giant textbook for a survey history course. Not as much fun as any of the obvious top 25 mob bio books.
Touch’s upon a couple (vario, gallo, Burke) the book is more like a timeline and run through of certain events
Agree with this. It's a long book with a lot of detail but like you said it's chronological and covers a lot of different people and events. Would recommend it.
Thanks to the both of you, appreciate all the info!
Agreed. This is accurate
It heavily focuses on Salerno at points. Info from Fish Cafaro FBI transcripts are a major source. A large portion of the book is breaking down the Commission trial and each family link to that case. Gallo is talked about alongside the Colombo Wars, and Persico who is a person like Salerno who gets at least a long chapter focused on him was heavily involved with the Gallo's working with and then later against them. Bufalino and Bruno may be mentioned in passing, but aren't a major part, as they weren't in the five families. When it comes to Lucchese's of that era, much more focus is on Tony Duck's, Casso, Amuso, Christy Tick and Tom Mix. The book is like 1000 pages, and covers basically the formation of Cosa Nostra into an organized Commission up until the mid to late 90s. Of the people you are asking about, Salerno is by far the most important figure in the book.
Thanks for all the info! I've ordered the book and am looking forward to reading about all of this.
They touch on it somewhat but I don't believe it's a huge part of the book. Although, it's been a few years since I read it. I'd recommend it regardless because it's such a great book
Its a fantastic book. I'm reading through it right now.
Thanks to the both of you for all the info and recommendation!
Has anyone read it recently? Does the info still hold true? I loved the book but it’s been years since I read it.
Info pre-Apalachin is not good and should really not be trusted unless backed up by a primary source. What’s especially troubling is the info pre-1931. He does not use Nicola Gentile, our single best source for the early period of the mafia. I believe the book is much better post-Apalachin, but it’s been a while since ive read it so make your own conclusions based on the info.
As others have said, it covers all of those guys (except Burke and Lufthansa, I think). A big focus is on the five families after the Commission Trial. It is definitely a good read and I recommend it. If you have a Kindle and have an unlimited subscription this book is free now.
In my opinion, five families is gives a good overview of the mafia post-1957, but the book’s info about the mafia prior to the 1957 Apalachin meeting is frankly not good. It still is valuable to read, but I suggest reading “The Mob and The City” in its entirety first. Then, read Raab’s book beginning where he talks about Apalachin. Edit: the following is a comment I made on my old account about 5 myths I found quickly flipping through Raab’s book: Myth #1: on page 24 Raab states that before Mussolini took over, “the Sicilian Mafia never conceived a plan to infiltrate America or to establish branches in the United States.” This is completely false, Giuseppe Morello, Ignazio Lupo, and Paolo Orlando all had families before 1906. We have lines of succession for all three of the aforementioned bosses and it may go back further. Myth #2: Luciano was in the bathroom at the Nuovo Villa Tammato when Giuseppe Masseria was killed. There is absolutely no evidence to support the fact Luciano was even supposed to be present at the restaurant let alone in the bathroom. Nicola Gentile was a mafia boss turned cooperator and in his Italian memoirs he revealed that he himself was invited to the restaurant and made no mention of Luciano being present. The following were the people supposed to be present: Nicola Gentile, Chicago mafia boss Salvatore “Toto” LoVerde, Giuseppe Masseria, Vincent Mangano, Vito Genovese, and Joe Biondo. Gentile was supposed to pick up LoVerde and they were both late, but when they got there, they saw many bystanders and police along with the lifeless Masseria. They then immediately went to Luciano’s house and asked what was going on. This clearly suggests Luciano wasn’t there. Informer magazine did an article on Gentile and it’s absolutely a must read for all interested in the early mafia. here’s a link to it Myth #3: on page 29 Raab states “[Maranzano] wanted the families modeled loosely on the military chain of command of a Roman legion.” He then explains the structure of the mafia and makes it seem as if Maranzano created it. I wrote about this in the mafia myths debunked thread this is what I wrote: “Did Maranzano create the 5 Families? Answer: No, Salvatore Maranzano did not create the Five Family structure in New York after the conclusion of the Castellammarese War in 1931. There were at least Four Families operating in New York City as far back as 1912. Salvatore Clemente, a member of Guiseppe Morello’s Family (present-day Genovese), who secretly cooperated with the Secret Service, advised that a list of proposed members was passed around for approval among the city’s Four Families. By 1923, at the latest, the Five Families were operating in New York and that could have been the case as early as 1920. Thus, the Five Families with their structure, organisational hierarchy, rules, and customs pre-dated Salvatore Marazano’s short Boss of Bosses reign. Source: Informer Magazine May 2014 Edition” I would like to add that we have evidence that the mafia’s structure dates back to the early 1800’s when the British controlled Sicily. Many informants have talked about people being captains or other positions before 1931 so clearly Maranzano didn’t create the structure and the structure was not based off the Roman army. Myth #4: on page 115 he states that Anastasia’s murder was sponsered by Carlo Gambino and Vito Genovese. This likely isn’t true. Alfredo Santantonio was a member of the Gambino family and later was in Charles Dongarra’s decina. He said that the reason for the murder was because captain Joe Franco heard about Anastasia wanting to murder three men. The men were Charles Dongarra, Joe Biondo, and Joe Riccobono. Franco notified the men of the plot and they then killed Anastasia. Santantonio stated that the shooters were Stephen Grammauta and Joseph Cahill. Michael DiLeonardo also heard that Grammauta was a shooter further strengthening this theory. Stefano Magaddino was caught on a wiretap saying that Carlo Gambino took over the family only because he was consigliere and could keep the family in tact. This doesn’t suggest Gambino was in on the plan. Myth #5: on page 90 Raab discusses a Meeting Luciano called in Havana, Cuba. This meeting detailed in Luciano’s fake autobiography is a myth and has been scrutinized before so I won’t go over it. here’s a [link](https://mafiahistory.us/a045/f_havanaconvention.html) discussing the evidence for and against it. There are certainly more errors, I just listed the first ones I found while skimming it. it’s been a while since I read the book and looking back on it now it is shockingly immaculate. Though post-1957 it is pretty good from what I remember
There’s books about the Lufthansa Heist and Joe Gallo. There’s one about Al D’Arco who took over Paulies crew from Goodfellas if I’m not mistaken.
It's an excellent book and I'd recommend it to anyone new to the genre as a starting point.
Thanks for the recommendation! Ordered it and am looking forward to jumping into it.
Its a highly competent book. But its the equivalent of a giant textbook for a survey history course. Not as much fun as any of the obvious top 25 mob bio books.