Early Organized Crime in Detroit: Vice, Corruption and the Rise of the Mafia

by James Buccellato

Social scientist and crime writer James A. Buccellato explores Detroit's struggle with gang violence, public corruption and the politics of vice during the tumultuous first half of the twentieth century.
Though detectives denied it, the Italian mafia was operating in Detroit as early as 1900, and the city was forever changed. Bootleggers controlled the Detroit River and created a national distribution network for illegal booze during Prohibition. Gangsters, cops and even celebrities fell victim to the violence. Some politicians and prominent businessmen like Henry Ford's right-hand man, Harry Bennett, collaborated closely with the mafia, while others, such as popular radio host Gerald Buckley, fought back and lost their lives.

Genres: Crime

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2015

Reviews

[Stewart Sternberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for research and not enjoyment. While much of the book is a fascinating look at the underside of Detroit through Prohibition, it too often is a litany of names and crimes and lapses into tedium. However, it is worth persevering through the book.

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very thorough and detailed chronology of organized mafia crime in Detroit. In reading, you get to see and learn about some nasty violence that occured on home soil or in your backyard decades ago. I found it to be engrossing, and educational -- especially the sections covering Henry Ford's involvement with anti labor unions and the mafia. As an Italian American myself, this was deeply interesting and has me curious to know more.

I appreciate James Buccellato's intense research provided here, and the thoughtful manner it's laid out for the reader. At times though, it did feel quite repetitive and difficult to follow names and families, since crimes and titles of their warring groups are cyclical (but that's just the nature of the mafia).

A solid addition to your historical bookshelf