Borgata: Rise of Empire: A History of the American Mafia

Borgata trilogy #1

by Louis Ferrante

A riveting history of the Mafia's first one hundred years, from 1860's Sicily to 1960's America—narrated by a former high-ranking crew leader .

The culmination Louis Ferrante's exhaustive research delving deep into Sicily's socio-economic-political roots, Rise of Empire will finally reveal exactly how and why this infamous secret society formed inside Sicilian culture. Ferrante then engages in the art of storytelling by carefully selecting stories about the mafia in Sicily that allow him to follow the main characters to America, where most arrive as fugitives from Italian justice.

Across the Atlantic, the storyline picks up in places like New York and New Orleans, where the clannish Sicilians quickly realize the importance of diversity as they forge new alliances with other recently arrived ethnic groups as the borgata becomes the premier organized criminal network in the country. After planting their flags in cities across America, the adolescent American mafia realizes how to corrupt America's police and political establishment, and they become experts at bribing public officials, allowing them to extend their tentacles into every level of American society.

In this first volume, Ferrante traces the mafia's phenomenal "rise of empire" through larger-than-life characters such as Lucky Luciano, Vito Genovese, Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Seigel, Albert Anastasia, and other legendary mobsters as they provide alcohol to the American public during Prohibition, penetrate industrial labor unions, practically take over the island of Cuba and, with extraordinary vision, create the gambling mecca of Las Vegas.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Crime, True Crime, Audiobook, Historical, American History

384 pages, Hardcover

Published January 2, 2024

Reviews

[J M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having a light background with Chicago PD archival records and coming from a family of Italians from New York, New Orleans, and Chicago, I was already somewhat familiar with the public’s knowledge of the mafia’s operations in the 20th century. The author did a fantastic job of filling in the blanks and debunking many myths living within the mafia lore, while giving an incredibly thorough background of its founding. It’s especially notable to me that he spent a considerable amount of time in the first discussing the mafia’s values, which are scarcely acknowledged—protecting neighbors, funding community wellbeing, fidelity to one’s spouse.

Jumping from story to story gets can get confusing fast if the reader doesn’t play closely attention to the high number of individuals introduced in this book. I look forward to the rest of the trilogy.

[Matthew Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book of a trilogy providing a unique and comprehensive approach from the point of view of a well-read academic historian/writer as well as one who's actually lived and operated in the life of organized crime. Its incredibly involved, well researched and resourced, and incisive in scope without being overbearing. Anyone who takes interest not only in organized crime and its major players, but also the nuances, evolution, and influence of La Cosa Nostra in the formative years of 20th century America will be blown away and unable to put this one down. A must-read without a doubt for this subject matter.

[Steve Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read due to author's writing style - a mixture of prison erudition and mafia street language.

[Humbledaisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a mouthful of a book. It’s volume 1 of a potential 3 vol series. Lots of historical facts regarding medieval politics, Italian statehood and just how Sicily fits into this fact of the world.

Although it took me a while to relax into the author’s writing style (lots of five dollar words and an almost Victorian word count) and the same author’s stereotypical NYC accent (he narrates the audio book), I was happy with the final results. He’s telling the historical reasons for why people started, joined and respected the Mafia. The writing style reflects his self taught education and his voice is - well, it’s him.

This volume starts in medieval Italy and runs up to the gangsters of the 1950s & 60s. It appears that volumes 2 and 3 will cover the clashes off Bobby Kennedy with the Mafia as well as the more modern styling of organized crime in the United States

To be honest, I grew up in an Italian family where my grandparents spent a lot of time fighting Italian crime stereotypes and in a part of the country where crime sometimes seemed like getting your own back. What I really took away from this book was the crushing power of poverty. Many of the gangsters profiled here came up out of poverty so bad that they chose to break with family and make their own new “crime” brotherhood.

[Jodie Oddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ferrante says in his opening few pages that he wants the reader to feel like they are sitting chatting with him in a pub as he tells his story and that is exactly how I felt. I found the book so easily to follow, there are many important people who are mentioned so I expected to maybe get a little confused but Ferrante did an excellent job in simplifying something so complex.

I thought the chapters where quite disjointed, there was a lot of jumping between people, places and time periods. However, something I really appreciated was how flawlessly Ferrante led the reader into each jump. He did fantastic intertwining the chapters together. Finally, I thought Ferrante's little quips and injection of humour was great. There is a lot of descriptions of murder, death and betrayal which can be a lot of heavy topics for a reader to digest, but the little bit of humour made the book an enjoyable and easy read. I am looking forward to reading Volume 2 and Volume 3

[Pedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

جلد اول از ظهور مافیا در سیسیل شروع میشه و در مورد ریشه‌های عربی و جدایی طلبانه‌ی سیسیلیها و شکل‌گیری مافیا از دل فئودالیسم شروع میشه و با مهاجرت سیسیلی‌ها به آمریکا وارد بحث اصلی میشه، اونجا در مورد شکل‌گیری مافیا در گروههای حاشیه‌ای مهاجران چون همین ایتالیاییها و یهودیان بحث میشه که همراه تمام این بحثها نمونه‌های از افراد واقعی معرفی میشن. جلد اول تا ۱۹۶۰ ادامه پیدا میکنه که ما با چهره‌های اصلی مافیای اون زمان و رابطه‌شون با سیاستمداران و هنرمندان آشنا شدیم و با انقلاب کوبا و خروج مافیا از اونجا به پایان میرسه. نویسنده خودش از اعضای مافیا بوده که در زندان علاقه‌مند به مطالعه میشه و مدرک دانشگاهی میگیره و چند کتاب پرفروش مینویسه، همین امر ادبیات کتاب رو متمایز میکنه و خوندن کتاب رو جذاب‌تر میکنه، در جلد دوم و احتمال بیشتر جلد سوم که هنوز منتشر نشده احتمالا این خاطرات شخصی نویسنده کار رو جذاب‌تر میکنه هرچند احتمالش زیاده که در جلد سوم دست ‌ و پای نویسنده بسته‌تر بشه چون پای افراد زنده که خطرناک‌تراند وسط میاد.

[H. Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Story from the Villages of Sicily to the Sands of Cuba. I could not put the book down. Loaded with facts, brilliant insights, and extremely well researched. I learned so much that I had never known before about the birth of the mafia as well as the Italain-American experience which was, in so many ways, effected by the mafia. The author's insights were especially enlihghtening and he somehow manages to stay objective. I cannot wait for Volume Two and was already trying to order it; it will hopefully be out soon.

[Mike Mazursky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast and compelling read! I believe this is the first history book about LCN written by a former member. Think of the historical significance of that.. it is the equivalent of a book about the era of Napoleon written by a former soldier in his army!
In addition, due to the author's personal experience he is able to debunk certain long held "myths" about some of these figures. As he can see what is plausible and what is not.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the genre. You won't be able to put it down!

[Stefan Nordin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ferrante is a good storyteller and it’s clear he has a deep understanding of how the mafia works. He is not a historian though and it shows in the early chapters about european history in general and sicilian history in particular. This part can at best be called simplified and at worst chauvinistic and misinformed.
When he moves the story to the united states it’s obvious he is on firmer ground though the abundance of names sometimes makes the story a bit hard to follow.
At the end it was still an interesting and entertaining book and I will be back for the other volumes of the trilogy.

[Jay Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting history told in an authentic way.

The book is written by someone who has been there and speaks the same language. The author has unique understanding and insight into the origins of the American Mafia. He was literally part of it. The authors voice comes authentically through on every page. My favorite part: I loved how he broke it down to correct repeated historical falsehoods with clear mafioso logic and admits when a there is a loose theory it deserves scrutiny and in some cases multiple possibilities and interpretations of events.

[Angelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably not the most informative book I've ever read, but the arc from middle ages to post-war America is intriguing, there's plenty of tall tales and "let me set this straight," and I loved how the intermingling of the mob with legitimate life way pulled apart. Enjoyable read.

And, to be fair, I'm just too intimidated by the narrator's (and author's) voice to say anything bad about this book. Keep walkin', nuttin' to see 'ere.

[Sami Eerola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the American mafia (main focus on the Italian and Jewish), that goes on a deep dive on the origins and aspects of the mafia culture and their greatest moments. The most entertaining feature of this book are the cultural references that animate the story even more.

The most itnteresting aspect of this book is that Al Capone was just a small player in the US mafia. He is mentioned in passing a few times. Did not know that.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick impressions: In the end, I really liked this book. It is well written, interesting for the most part, and accessible. The Mafia really is a key part of U.S. history, and the author tells the story very well. I will be looking for the next volume.

(Full review with reading notes available on my blog soon.)

[Peter Panico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot say enough good things about this book. The author is absolutely 100% right when he says in his forward that most mafia histories don't come from the perspective of someone who A) is not a historian or civilian or B) is not a rat with a story to tell. Fascinating and funny, if you like history or true crime check this one out

[Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book to learn about the Mafia! It is a bit messy but what true mafia story isn't. Ferrante did a great job of bringing history to life and the added benefit of being a part of it all add to the reality. Looking forward to the next book.

[Thomas V Cipriano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Trilogy is amazing. Incredibly well researched and written in a way that it doesn’t feel textbook like. Recommend to many friends and family without no negative feedback. If you are interested in organized crime history look no further

[Scott Wozniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mafia show up in the movies and mythologies of America, but this is the first time I've read a serious history--and it's enhanced by the author being a former member of the mob. I found it fascinating (and appropriately disturbing).

If you're a history buff, you would enjoy this.

[Phillip Crawford Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding, and perhaps the definitive book on the early history of the American Mafia.

[Brett Reichel · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. It debunks a few popularly held beliefs.

[Brandy Cools · Rating 4 out of 5]

Organised evil and corruption well-described but at the same time the stories of the characters in this book make for a fascinating read. Very conflicting.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you could get beyond all the killings, it is interesting to learn about the history of the mafia. Do people learn to devalue life or are they born with the inclination?

[Joseph St Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most rigorous history written by a member of the Gambino family

[Patrick Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tying It All Together

You have probably seen mob movies that tell a portion of the story, but this novel gives you a complete picture of the early history of the Mafia.

[John Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: crude and foul language by author in addition to those he quotes. I started reading this because it was suggested by Al Mohler in his summer reading list.