Blood and Power: Organized Crime in Twentieth-Century America

by Stephen R. Fox

Drawing on such primary sources as manuscript collections, interviews, and congressional hearings, the author builds a history of American organized crime from the 1920s to the 1980s

Genres: History, True Crime, Crime, Nonfiction

512 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1989

About the author

Stephen Fox, an independent historian who did his PhD at Brown University, is the author of six previous books, including Transatlantic, a history of the steamship. He lives near Boston, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Checkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few books I've come across that traces the history of organized crime in the United States. It starts in the late 1800's and ends in the late 1980's. The book was published in 1989.

Now this is not a fast read. It's loaded with facts, dates and names.To say that it's a dense read is an understatement. It took me an entire summer to get through. That's not to say it's boring. I actually found it to be very interesting, but it isn't a novel. There is very little blood and thunder despite the rather lurid title. Fox shows how organized crime has become a part of everyday American life and especially how it has become very chummy with the rich and famous. Not surprisngly the Kennedys take up some pages. Difficult to "eradicte" a "scourge" when it's so friendly with those in charge.

What I found most interesting about this book is how it challenges the myth that somehow law enforcement and the courts were more effective before the 1960's when Due Process became the norm. If anything Blood and Power shows that since the 1960's the courts and law enforcement have had more victories.

Before the creation of the RICO act much of the response to organized crime was at the local level. And it was largely ineffective. While corruption played a part the biggest problem was that the American legal system made it very difficult to make any type of case against organized crime. There were simply too many hoops to be jumped through. The gangsters were better organized and had deeper pockets. Local law enforcement operated on tiny budgets and very little training. Not to mention that the various organizations would not work together. Far too interested protecting their "turf".

So while the book is not a fast read it will contribute to one's knowledge and challenge many preconceived ideas. Which makes for a good if not exciting read. That's why I have to give it four stars.

[Robert Kearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific read for all fans of true crime. This book is comprehensive, though written in a flowing style that keeps the reader captivated throughout.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dry, but seemed to be a well-researched, clear history of organized crime in America. The Kennedy chapter was outstanding!

[Spencer Willardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fascinating book that looks at the development of, and the reach of the Mafia. Secret combinations and conspiring men.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this read. One of the few books that takes about 100 years of Mafia history and frames it in a nice summary. It is a dense work which is full of good detail and checks out as accurate.

If you are a mafia or organized crime buff and want more of either a starter or summary work to tie your readings all together, this is not a bad place to start.

I give this roughly 3.5 stars. Not overly engaging but a solid work which does a good job of summarizing.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read this book, you will never see government and organized crime in the same ways — or as separate — again. If you ponder nothing else, try this: Why would anti-organized-crime crusader and Attorney General, Robert Kennedy, drop his crusading and never pursue organized crime again after his brother, John, was assassinated? Hint: The answer isn't in The Warren Report.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ran out of time to read, will pick up again later. Informative..

[Valentina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dense, but very worthwhile. There are a lot of names - too many sometimes - but the anecdotes and contextualization make for a fascinating read.

[Becky Belisle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

[Karen]

#history #truecrime #memoirs