Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #537582 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-19
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 483 pages

Sunday Herald
'Combines scholarship with a rip-roaring read'

Financial Times
Dickie narrates the story with panache. He succeeds in being both opinionated and precise.

the Scotsman
A racy, sprightly work. . . . a valuable work.

Customer Reviews

Fascinating and factual book on a shadowy subject
This fascinating book on the history of the Sicilian Mafia kept me up all night reading! It is rare for a non-fiction book--a historical one at that--to be so gripping while never falling into a sensationalized version of the facts. The book was an impulse buy, since the subject matter had never held great fascination for me. But it turned out to be one of the best books I've read in a long time. In addition to giving an obviously well-researched history of this shadowy organization, Mr. Dickie deals with many long-cherished myths about the Mafia--such as Lucky Luciano's fabled landing with Allied troops in Sicily during WWII--and gives solid reasons why we should, or shouldn't, believe them. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the subject matter--and also to those who think that they don't!

Brilliant!!!!
A truely riveting history of the Mafia. From the title you can guess it focuses more on the Italian side of the mafia rather than the glamorised American version.

Takes you through a thorough history from it's inception to the modern day.

The book reads easily with out bogging down in dates and stats. I would recommend it to anyone! The best I’ve read in ages.

Thoroughly researched, a genuine history of the Mafia
I picked this book up on impulse while waiting for a flight to Sicily to visit my girlfriend. I expected it to be another typical Mafia book, with rumours and gangster confessions related as fact - enjoyable but ultimately worthless as a historical study. However, what Dickie has actually written is a real, academically convincing history of the Mafia. The bibliograpy is impressive, while Dickie has also studied large amounts of official records such as court and police documents, as well as interviewing leading Sicilian magistrates.

The result is a study that conforms to the high standards of books I used during my History degree - analytical and thorough. Despite this academic rigorousness, the Cosa Nostra is a fast paced, enjoyable read. Dickies prose style is entertaining, definitely provocative in a number of places, but the more contentious analysis is always backed with convincing evidence. The descriptions of links between the Sicilian and American Mafia are well balanced, explaining their significance without detracting from the emphasis on the Sicilian side of things. The topic of political corruption is also well handled, especially 'the sack of Palermo'.

All in all, I would recommend Cosa Nostra to anyone with an interest in Sicily, the Mafia, the seedy side of Italian politics or just looking for a damn good read. I can also recommend a visit to Sicily itself - it has a wealth of stunning architecture, beaches and culture.