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Vendetta: The Mafia, Judge Falcone, and the Quest for Justice
Vendetta tells the story of the Mafia murders that stunned Italy and how the killers were brought to justice.
On 23 May 1992, the Mafia murdered its 'Number One Enemy', prosecutor Judge Falcone, with a motorway bomb that also killed his wife and three bodyguards. Fifty-seven days later, the Mafia also murdered Falcone's friend and colleague, Judge Borsellino, with a car bomb outside his mother's home that also killed five bodyguards. These murders changed forever the way that Italy views the Mafia.
Based on interviews and the testimony of investigators, Mafia super grasses, survivors, relatives and friends, Vendetta recounts how the Mafiosi planned and carried out the murders and the police hunted them down.
On 23 May 1992, the Mafia murdered its 'Number One Enemy', prosecutor Judge Falcone, with a motorway bomb that also killed his wife and three bodyguards. Fifty-seven days later, the Mafia also murdered Falcone's friend and colleague, Judge Borsellino, with a car bomb outside his mother's home that also killed five bodyguards. These murders changed forever the way that Italy views the Mafia.
Based on interviews and the testimony of investigators, Mafia super grasses, survivors, relatives and friends, Vendetta recounts how the Mafiosi planned and carried out the murders and the police hunted them down.
334 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 22, 2023
The story of the 1992 assassination of the famous Sicilian anti-mafia prosecutor Giovanni Falcone (and the assassinations of a number of his colleagues) and the attempts to bring his killers to justice. Although this book focuses fairly closely on Falcone’s work and his subsequent murder, it also touches on the wider impact of the Mafia on Italian society.
It's fair to say that the book lionizes Falcone, but it does bring home to the reader the extraordinary level of dedication required to take on an organisation like the Mafia. Not only did Falcone live his life under continual threat, but his freedom of action was extremely constrained – he was not someone who could simply go for a walk or a night out at a movie. He was accompanied everywhere by numerous bodyguards and his every movement meticulously planned. The book suggests he was hurt by press attacks on his integrity, for example accusing him of excessive personal ambition. He commented that he had to protect his work and his reputation, since they were the only things he had. He said to friends that he had little time for ambition because he considered himself a “walking corpse”.
Falcone’s murder was ordered by Salvatore Riina, at the time the “boss of bosses” of the Sicilian Mafia, but the other main character in the book is the Mafia hitman Giovanni Brusca, who according to his own testimony murdered somewhere between 100 and 200 people on behalf of the organisation.
The background was the “maxi-trial” of 475 suspected mafiosi, which ran from 1986 to 1992, the largest ever trial of senior mafia figures. Riina reacted to the trial by unleashing a wave of terror across Italy, with the aim of intimidating the government into acceding to the Mafia’s demands. In this his strategy was similar to that adopted later by Al-Qaeda. However in targeting so many prominent people for murder, Riina set the Mafia into direct confrontation with the Italian state. Other Mafia bosses worried that challenging the State so directly would provoke the latter into cracking down, and this seems to have been what happened. The killings also turned public opinion against the Mafia, across Italy but even in Sicily itself. Mafiosi often pictured themselves as “men of honour”, but the book makes clear just how much their actual behaviour varied from this self-image. In the end, most of the convictions obtained were from mafiosi who turned state’s evidence against their former colleagues. This though, came at the cost of granting the informers reduced prison sentences. It’s a moral conundrum.
The author notes at the end that the Mafia is still with us of course, though arguably supplanted by other Italian crime networks. The main change is that they are now more discreet in how they go about their business.
I don’t know much about the author or how exactly he researched his book, but he seems to be a professional journalist. He certainly writes with clarity and in a lively style. The book is an easy read.
If you have romantic notions about the nature of organised crime, prepare to lose them if you read this.
It's fair to say that the book lionizes Falcone, but it does bring home to the reader the extraordinary level of dedication required to take on an organisation like the Mafia. Not only did Falcone live his life under continual threat, but his freedom of action was extremely constrained – he was not someone who could simply go for a walk or a night out at a movie. He was accompanied everywhere by numerous bodyguards and his every movement meticulously planned. The book suggests he was hurt by press attacks on his integrity, for example accusing him of excessive personal ambition. He commented that he had to protect his work and his reputation, since they were the only things he had. He said to friends that he had little time for ambition because he considered himself a “walking corpse”.
Falcone’s murder was ordered by Salvatore Riina, at the time the “boss of bosses” of the Sicilian Mafia, but the other main character in the book is the Mafia hitman Giovanni Brusca, who according to his own testimony murdered somewhere between 100 and 200 people on behalf of the organisation.
The background was the “maxi-trial” of 475 suspected mafiosi, which ran from 1986 to 1992, the largest ever trial of senior mafia figures. Riina reacted to the trial by unleashing a wave of terror across Italy, with the aim of intimidating the government into acceding to the Mafia’s demands. In this his strategy was similar to that adopted later by Al-Qaeda. However in targeting so many prominent people for murder, Riina set the Mafia into direct confrontation with the Italian state. Other Mafia bosses worried that challenging the State so directly would provoke the latter into cracking down, and this seems to have been what happened. The killings also turned public opinion against the Mafia, across Italy but even in Sicily itself. Mafiosi often pictured themselves as “men of honour”, but the book makes clear just how much their actual behaviour varied from this self-image. In the end, most of the convictions obtained were from mafiosi who turned state’s evidence against their former colleagues. This though, came at the cost of granting the informers reduced prison sentences. It’s a moral conundrum.
The author notes at the end that the Mafia is still with us of course, though arguably supplanted by other Italian crime networks. The main change is that they are now more discreet in how they go about their business.
I don’t know much about the author or how exactly he researched his book, but he seems to be a professional journalist. He certainly writes with clarity and in a lively style. The book is an easy read.
If you have romantic notions about the nature of organised crime, prepare to lose them if you read this.
April 27, 2013
The story of anti mafia magistrates Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, who were both gruesomely murdered by the mafia in 1992, and the subsequent hunt for the perpetrators.
It's pretty frustrating to read the story of such incredibly brave men who weren't just fighting organised crime, but also the failure of the Italian state to put in place the legal structures to be able to fight on a level playing field.
This book is really upsetting reading at times. It is hard to read of how Falcone knew the mafia would kill him, how he had resigned himself to being murdered, knowing that he was to be proved right, in the most vicious way.
The horrible, horrible savagery with which he was eventually killed is truly disturbing stuff to read. Once Falcone was dead, his close friend and colleague Borsellino knew he would be next, as the death of his friend, the number one target, pushed him up the list.
In the years following the assassinations, there was a marked increase in the number of 'pentiti' - mafia members agreeing to collaborate with the state.
Some of them said they'd made the decision to do so after seeing the widow of one of the bodyguards killed with Falcone speak at her husband's funeral about the circumstances under which she'd forgive them - “To the men of the mafia – who are here in this church too – I want to say something. Become Christians again. I ask you, for Palermo, a city you’ve turned into a city of blood. Men of the mafia, I will forgive you, but you will have to get down on your knees.”.
It was the evidence of these collaborators which led to the eventual conviction of those guilty of the murders.
As Falcone and Borsellino were killed, new, equally brave magistrates stepped forward to take their place. Follain quotes Pablo Neruda on this - "“you can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming" - but it's hard not to reflect that the same concept applies, albeit in a slightly different fashion, to Cosa Nostra, as many bosses and under bosses as may have been sent to prison in the following years, there's a sense that there were always more ready to step into their shoes.
A really engrossing, but disturbing book which brings home how such a small community can produce people so honest and good, yet also others so brutally evil.
It's pretty frustrating to read the story of such incredibly brave men who weren't just fighting organised crime, but also the failure of the Italian state to put in place the legal structures to be able to fight on a level playing field.
This book is really upsetting reading at times. It is hard to read of how Falcone knew the mafia would kill him, how he had resigned himself to being murdered, knowing that he was to be proved right, in the most vicious way.
The horrible, horrible savagery with which he was eventually killed is truly disturbing stuff to read. Once Falcone was dead, his close friend and colleague Borsellino knew he would be next, as the death of his friend, the number one target, pushed him up the list.
In the years following the assassinations, there was a marked increase in the number of 'pentiti' - mafia members agreeing to collaborate with the state.
Some of them said they'd made the decision to do so after seeing the widow of one of the bodyguards killed with Falcone speak at her husband's funeral about the circumstances under which she'd forgive them - “To the men of the mafia – who are here in this church too – I want to say something. Become Christians again. I ask you, for Palermo, a city you’ve turned into a city of blood. Men of the mafia, I will forgive you, but you will have to get down on your knees.”.
It was the evidence of these collaborators which led to the eventual conviction of those guilty of the murders.
As Falcone and Borsellino were killed, new, equally brave magistrates stepped forward to take their place. Follain quotes Pablo Neruda on this - "“you can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming" - but it's hard not to reflect that the same concept applies, albeit in a slightly different fashion, to Cosa Nostra, as many bosses and under bosses as may have been sent to prison in the following years, there's a sense that there were always more ready to step into their shoes.
A really engrossing, but disturbing book which brings home how such a small community can produce people so honest and good, yet also others so brutally evil.
August 16, 2012
I came across this book by chance at the local library. I knew of Giovanni Falcone and that he stood up to the mafia but nothing more than that. I can honestly say that after reading this book I not only know more about Falcone and his fight against the mafia, but I have gained an enormous amount of respect and admiration for him and Borsellino. In fact, I can no longer watch movies like The Godfather or Goodfellas with the same careless gusto I used to, because the author does an exceptional job painting a savage picture of the Cosa Nostra and infusing a dose of reality to the gunblazing, expensive suit wearing mafioso created by Hollywood.
The book reads like a crime novel, which was refreshing for me since I'm not usually interested in non-fiction. I couldn't put it down because I was hooked immediately. The author hits the ground running and gets right to the point. One thing I really liked was how the author gave only minimal, bare essential biographical details about Falcone. This built his "character" without becoming drawn out, boring and distracting to the overall subject of the book. While reading (especially at the beginning) I never once said to myself "Get to the good stuff already!"
The book is devided into 3 sections. It starts with with the events leading up to the famous maxitrial (since the trial itself was a catalyst to the deaths of Falcone and Borsellino), it goes into eerie detail about how the assassinations were planned and carried out, the fallout, and the subsequent investigations. Since the book has just recently been published it is extremely up to date and you are not left wondering to yourself "what are they doing now?" after reading it.
This book is incredible.
The book reads like a crime novel, which was refreshing for me since I'm not usually interested in non-fiction. I couldn't put it down because I was hooked immediately. The author hits the ground running and gets right to the point. One thing I really liked was how the author gave only minimal, bare essential biographical details about Falcone. This built his "character" without becoming drawn out, boring and distracting to the overall subject of the book. While reading (especially at the beginning) I never once said to myself "Get to the good stuff already!"
The book is devided into 3 sections. It starts with with the events leading up to the famous maxitrial (since the trial itself was a catalyst to the deaths of Falcone and Borsellino), it goes into eerie detail about how the assassinations were planned and carried out, the fallout, and the subsequent investigations. Since the book has just recently been published it is extremely up to date and you are not left wondering to yourself "what are they doing now?" after reading it.
This book is incredible.
December 2, 2013
A splendid book!
This book is categorized into 3 parts. First part is on the background of the ongoing in the Mafia and justice system in Italy. Second part is on the plot to murder Falcone and lastly on the hunt for the mafia and the murderers.
This layout is very detailed and gives any reader who have no idea on the mafia world in Italy an easy way to understand it and easily get into the book.
The book is also well written with very precise facts and details. Overall this is a very good book which a reader can hardly put down! A good read indeed!
This book is categorized into 3 parts. First part is on the background of the ongoing in the Mafia and justice system in Italy. Second part is on the plot to murder Falcone and lastly on the hunt for the mafia and the murderers.
This layout is very detailed and gives any reader who have no idea on the mafia world in Italy an easy way to understand it and easily get into the book.
The book is also well written with very precise facts and details. Overall this is a very good book which a reader can hardly put down! A good read indeed!
March 21, 2020
A Brilliant book, factual ,well written and enjoyable, a book about proper crims and the Hero's who dared to put their own lives at risk to stop them.
November 14, 2012
I got into the Cosa Nostra story when I started reading The Provenzano Code by Michele Prestipino, which I found to be one of the worst written books I've ever read (it might be the translation, but seriously not good). I came across The Vendetta at my local library and when I read the description, I knew it will be good. I was right: I read all the 300 pages in two days. Brilliant book, fascinating story.
January 25, 2013
After The Last Godfather, John Follain rerurns to the sad affair that is Organized Crimes in Italy. Gladly, he celebrates the life of some heros who have paid with their own life and those around them in the fight for ideals of Justice and fairness.
August 24, 2021
Nonostante il titolo non sembri azzeccato per niente - il libro comprende degli eventi di più di vent’anni - questo è un ottimo libro per chi vuole sapere perché della mafia siciliana si parli apparentemente molto meno oggi di una volta, e come e perché si è arrivati a questo. (Si capisce perfettamente che il titolo originale, che ricorda certe espressioni inglesi pseudo-italiane maccheroniche tipo “al fresco dining” per una cena in terrazza, andava cambiato. Ma tanto valeva cercarne uno meno banale.)
Scritto per un pubblico non italiano, il libro è dettagliato ma non perde mai il filo. Tantissime note al testo stanno a dimostrare che l’autore non si è risparmiato per esaurire le fonti a disposizione, e la lista dei personaggi che ringrazia personalmente fa capire che ha cercato molti protagonisti personalmente per farsi raccontare i loro ricordi personali. Ne risulta un racconto vivo e mai banale, e la lettura è piacevole (nei limiti del possibile quando l’argomento è cupo come qui).
Scritto per un pubblico non italiano, il libro è dettagliato ma non perde mai il filo. Tantissime note al testo stanno a dimostrare che l’autore non si è risparmiato per esaurire le fonti a disposizione, e la lista dei personaggi che ringrazia personalmente fa capire che ha cercato molti protagonisti personalmente per farsi raccontare i loro ricordi personali. Ne risulta un racconto vivo e mai banale, e la lettura è piacevole (nei limiti del possibile quando l’argomento è cupo come qui).
May 15, 2022
Meraviglioso. "L'11 settembre italiano" raccontato come se fosse un romanzo, ma che non potrebbe essere più vero. Tutti gli italiani, e non solo, dovrebbero leggerlo ed IMPARARE cosa sia la mafia, prendere consapevolezza di essa per fermarne il corso. Un po' come avrebbe voluto G. Falcone stesso e i suoi amici e colleghi Borsellino ed Ayala, sempre tanto attenti ai giovani e agli studenti.
"Chi resta deve andare avanti"
"Chi resta deve andare avanti"
May 20, 2021
Un libro che, nonostante l'argomento pesante, si legge molto facilmente grazie alla scrittura impeccabile. Consigliatissimo.
April 18, 2016
This is very interesting story about the mafia. Although easy to read, there is so much going and so many Mafiosi you are trying to remember who is who and everything that is going on. Its crazy to believe that the Mafia was so strong and what they were capable of doing. Yes the quest of justice to capture the mafia, but the fact that they are in protection programs, living rent free and provided a government allowance is just crazy.
August 15, 2013
E' stata una lettura interessante, soprattutto per il fatto che l'autore, corrispondente straniero per le notizie dall0italia, è riuscito a mantenere un buon equilibrio nel raccontare i fatti, senza mai scadere nel sentimentalismo. Un racconto lucido, purtroppo triste, di una delle peggiori pagine della recente storia italiana.
December 4, 2020
I wasn't aware of this assassination by the Mafia. I found it an enjoyable and
informative read. Worth the effort.
informative read. Worth the effort.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews