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The Outfit: The Role of Chicago's Underworld in the Shaping of Modern America
The never-before-told story of the great Chicago crime family called The Outfit.
It is a common misperception that all the true-life organized crime stories have been written. Yet perhaps the most compelling gangster tale is one that has been, until now, too well-hidden. This is the story of the Outfit: the secretive organized crime cartel that began its reign in prohibition-era Chicago before becoming the real puppet master of Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C.
The Outfit recounts the adventures and exploits of its bosses, Tony 'Joe Batters' Accardo (the real Godfather), Murray 'The Camel' or 'Curly' Humphreys (one of the greatest political fixers and union organizers this country has ever known), Paul 'The Waiter' Ricca, and Johnny Rosselli (the liaison between the shadowy world and the outside world). Their invisibility was their strength, and what kept their leader from ever spending a single night in jail. The Outfit bosses were the epitome of style and grace, moving effortlessly among national political figures and Hollywood studio heads-until their world started to crumble in the 1970s.
With extensive research including recently released FBI files, the Chicago Crime files of entertainer Steve Allen, first-ever access to the voluminous working papers of the Kefauver Committee, original interviews with the members of the Fourth Estate who pursued the Outfit for forty years, and exclusive access to the journals of Humphrey's widow, veteran journalist Gus Russo uncovers sixty years of corruption and influence, and examines the shadow history of the United States.
It is a common misperception that all the true-life organized crime stories have been written. Yet perhaps the most compelling gangster tale is one that has been, until now, too well-hidden. This is the story of the Outfit: the secretive organized crime cartel that began its reign in prohibition-era Chicago before becoming the real puppet master of Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C.
The Outfit recounts the adventures and exploits of its bosses, Tony 'Joe Batters' Accardo (the real Godfather), Murray 'The Camel' or 'Curly' Humphreys (one of the greatest political fixers and union organizers this country has ever known), Paul 'The Waiter' Ricca, and Johnny Rosselli (the liaison between the shadowy world and the outside world). Their invisibility was their strength, and what kept their leader from ever spending a single night in jail. The Outfit bosses were the epitome of style and grace, moving effortlessly among national political figures and Hollywood studio heads-until their world started to crumble in the 1970s.
With extensive research including recently released FBI files, the Chicago Crime files of entertainer Steve Allen, first-ever access to the voluminous working papers of the Kefauver Committee, original interviews with the members of the Fourth Estate who pursued the Outfit for forty years, and exclusive access to the journals of Humphrey's widow, veteran journalist Gus Russo uncovers sixty years of corruption and influence, and examines the shadow history of the United States.
552 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2002
63 people are currently reading
2412 people want to read
About the author
Gus Russo
24 books47 followersGus Russo is a veteran investigative reporter, musician, and author. His first book, Live By the Sword: The Secret War Against Castro and the Death of JFK (Bancroft, 1998), was praised by the New York Times as “compelling, exhaustively researched and even handed.” Kirkus Reviews called Sword, “Probably the last book on the Kennedy assassination you will need to read....Gripping and convincing!” The book was a Book of the Month Club and History Book Club Featured Alternate. Sword was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 1999, and has been scripted for a mini-series by Showtime Networks. Russo next authored The Outfit: The Role of Chicago’s Underworld in the Shaping of Modern America (Bloomsbury, 2002). It was described as “seamless” (Baltimore Sun), “a tireless read...a saga...550 pages of good journalism” (Chicago Tribune), and “one of the essential works on the subject of organized crime” (Los Angeles Times). The Outfit was also nominated for the Pulitzer, and was optioned before publication by USA Networks.
Russo’s next book, Gangsters and GoodFellas (June 2004, M Evans Pub.), was a collaboration with former NY gangster Henry Hill, a sequel to his 1985 biography Wiseguy, which was the basis for the hit 1990 movie GoodFellas, starring Robert DeNiro.
Russo followed with Supermob: How Sidney Korshak and His Criminal Associates Became America’s Hidden Power Brokers (Sept. 2006); Supermob film rights were sold before publication to CBS-Paramount, and is being developed as a television series. Regarding this book, Publishers Weekly stated: “Veteran investigative author and organized crime expert Russo's magnum opus is a compelling look at one of the last century's major power players. Russo's extensive research is amply evident, and he has made use of recently disclosed records to paint a fuller picture than predecessors such as Seymour Hersh and Brian Ross were able to...a worthy addition to the genre.” Chicago Sun-Times: “An exhaustive look at [Korshak’s] exploits… Russo does a masterful job… The amount of research in the book is staggering… Russo pulls plenty of substantive dirty deeds done by Korshak into the light. Korshak would have cringed.” Kirkus: “there are plenty of revelations in this absorbing book.” SF Chronicle: “[Supermob] adds up to a compelling picture of the exercise of power in the 20th century… Russo’s chapter on the shameless plundering of the assets of imprisoned Japanese Americans during World War II, presided over by a bevy of Korshak’s associates, is particularly stirring.”
In January 2006, Russo, as co-writer with Wilfried Huismann, delivered a breakthrough 90-minute documentary for the German public television network WDR. The film, “Rendezvous With Death,” clarifies the relationship between Cuba’s intelligence service and JFK’s killer. At this writing, the film has aired in fifteen countries. In addition, Russo is also an occasional consultant to Hollywood screenwriter Ron Bass. Russo’s fifth book (w/ Steve Molton), is Brothers in Arms: The Kennedys, the Castros, and the Politics of Murder (October 2008). This book was inspired by the “Rendezvous” film. Brothers was named Winner of the 2008 History Prize by the New York Book Festival.
In 2009, Russo produced and co-wrote Generation 9-11, a documentary feature film on the West’s misconceptions about Islam, for Academy Award-winning director Nigel Nobel. Most recently, Russo’s The Outfit was optioned by top Hollywood producer Joe Roth (Alice in Wonderland) as a television series, and his original feature script, Django, ¬is currently being read by Mick Jagger for possible purchase by his Jagged Films Production Co.
Russo released his sixth book, a memoir entitled Boomer Days, in May 2011.
Previously, Gus Russo has worked an investigative reporter for PBS’ Frontline series, as well as ABC News Special Reports w
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
May 24, 2012
An alternative history of America in the 20th Century. The book focuses on the heirs to Al Capone's criminal empire after he was sent to prison. Most of the shots were called by Joe Accardo, Curly Humphreys, Paul Ricca, Johnny Rosselli and Jake Guzik. The most fascinating one of the bunch, to me, was Curly Humphreys, the brains of the Outfit, so to speak. Along the way we're shown how the Outfit got footholds into the entertainment industry (Music and Movies), Gambling, Las Vegas, the service industry and politics. You end up having a grudging respect for the way these guys saw opportunities and pounced on them. But the real kicker to the book is Russo's final analysis of Organized Crime, or the Underworld, compared to the crimes that have mostly gone unpunished by the so-called legit Upperworld; being politicians, bankers, family dynasties, industrial corporations and religion.
Yes, the gangs participated in murder and mayhem. But they had great teachers. And if you think things are any better now, just consider the bank bailouts, for one example, and who benefited the most from it. Likely, it's no one you and I will be hanging out with this weekend...
Yes, the gangs participated in murder and mayhem. But they had great teachers. And if you think things are any better now, just consider the bank bailouts, for one example, and who benefited the most from it. Likely, it's no one you and I will be hanging out with this weekend...
March 10, 2017
Good god I relish Joe Kennedy! What gangster hubris! Let's piss off the Wasp elite, the Chicago mob, and the Texas oil barons, just because why not - and see what happens. Bullets in your sons. You tangled with the wrong folks.
January 30, 2017
This is a fascinating history of the mob in Chicago by Gus Russo. It covers the pre-Capone, Capone and post-Capone eras. I learned so much about the city of Chicago (the term underworld comes literally from the fact that Chicago was built vertically with the bourgeoisie on the upper half and the riffraff of society in the "underworld"). It is a terrifying look at the rise of organized crime and the battles that determined the fate of the Irish mob - effectively crushed and eliminated by the Italians - and how the influence spread to New York and Las Vegas. Well-written and highly entertaining.
February 11, 2016
Content: awesome. Delivery: meh.
It came as no surprise that Gus Russo is an investigative journalist for PBS - this reads just like a PBS special. Holding your hand the whole way through, Russo gently guides you from Capone's bootlegging to Nixon's election and never misses a step. Regularly reintroducing you to characters you may have forgotten (but probably didn't), Russo explains each of the gang's money schemes - you know, booze, the "new booze," the "new booze two," and so on. For all the focus on bootlegging and how successful it made the Outfit, the attention quickly swifts to the Outfit's control of Hollywood, racetracks, jukeboxes, labor unions, and the creation of Sin City. For all the topics covered, the structure left much to be desired, and the parting message felt more like a PSA than a meaningful conclusion.
The depth of research is truly exceptional, and witnessing the Outfit impact upperworld industry and politics was fascinating. I just wish it didn't assume I forgot everything during the commercial break.
It came as no surprise that Gus Russo is an investigative journalist for PBS - this reads just like a PBS special. Holding your hand the whole way through, Russo gently guides you from Capone's bootlegging to Nixon's election and never misses a step. Regularly reintroducing you to characters you may have forgotten (but probably didn't), Russo explains each of the gang's money schemes - you know, booze, the "new booze," the "new booze two," and so on. For all the focus on bootlegging and how successful it made the Outfit, the attention quickly swifts to the Outfit's control of Hollywood, racetracks, jukeboxes, labor unions, and the creation of Sin City. For all the topics covered, the structure left much to be desired, and the parting message felt more like a PSA than a meaningful conclusion.
The depth of research is truly exceptional, and witnessing the Outfit impact upperworld industry and politics was fascinating. I just wish it didn't assume I forgot everything during the commercial break.
August 10, 2025
Superbly researched. Incredibly comprehensive. Rather long.
September 12, 2014
This book is a revelation to me. I feel that I just woke up after reading this. How naïve to not consider the ramifications of the dark side making so much happen in our American history. The Volstead act brought these men together, but it was just the beginning. The underworld meshes with the upper world seamlessly. Together they elect presidents, governors, corrupt judges, bribe police and politicians and generally make things happen their way. The author puts it very well, "Without doubt, the best organized crime in the United States is a coalition of upperworld businessmen, pliant politicians, and corrupt law enforcement officers." "Corruption is as American as cherry pie"
; spoke former Senate staff member Nathan Miller...... This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Kudos to Gus Russo.
; spoke former Senate staff member Nathan Miller...... This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Kudos to Gus Russo.
September 25, 2007
How can someone make a book about the mafia boring? This one did. I read every word for about 150 pages and then found myself skipping whole paragraphs, then whole pages, then whole chapters - just because it was so boring and poorly written. The book just didn't flow and was badly in need of a stronger editor.
On the plus side, it was obviously thoroughly researched. I found the lengthy discussion (every discussion in the book was lengthy) of Joe Kennedy's mafia ties very interesting. I don't think there can be any doubt at all that JFK won the 1960 election in large part thanks to the Chicago Mafia.
On the plus side, it was obviously thoroughly researched. I found the lengthy discussion (every discussion in the book was lengthy) of Joe Kennedy's mafia ties very interesting. I don't think there can be any doubt at all that JFK won the 1960 election in large part thanks to the Chicago Mafia.
January 19, 2020
Excellent book, well researched. Having grown up in the Chicago suburbs where many of the latter day mafioso lived, I was surprised at only two things: 1) The emphasis the author placed on Curley Humphries, and 2) the depth of the corruption of the politicians going back to Capone days and continuing on to modern day.
Everyone in Chicago knows the big names: Accardo, Giancana, Aiuppa, but I had never even heard of Curley Humphries, yet this author almost makes it sound like he ran the show. The reason for his power was that he was the "fixer", the guy who figured out how to get the police and politicians to look the other way. And that was huge. Chicago police were told by Mayors and other politicians to leave the "boys" alone. In turn, they received pay-offs and "favors" from the men at the top of the Chicago Mob.
We all have heard the stories about how the Chicago mob made sure JFK got elected, but I had never heard that the same was true about Harry S. Truman. But it was. The syndicate's reach was far deeper than anything I had ever imagined. They controlled Vegas, horse racing, dog racing, every union imaginable, Hollywood, you name it. The Chicago bosses called the shots in New York, St. Louis, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Detroit, Miami and on and on and on.
Both Capone and Accardo wanted to diversify their business with an eye on eventually becoming "legit". And, to some degree, they succeeded via their investments in casinos, hotels, restaurants, etc. But the same government that used them to rig elections, and asked them for help in assassinating Castro, turned on them when it was politically advantageous. Life couldn't have been a bowl of cherries with the Feds listening in on every conversation.
The most interesting parts of the book for me were the Epilogue and the Afterword. In these chapters, the author gives a chronological summary of events and deaths and then draws a really interesting parallel conclusion: Organized crime power has shifted from the Outfit to Corporate America and Washington, D.C. "The monetary impact of white-collar crime surpassed all forms of street crime by a factor of ten. More important, the American system of justice consistently gives the flagrant white-collar offenders virtual carte blanche, while plastering the nation's front pages with tales of arrests of bank robbers, gambling bosses, bookies and labor racketeers. This feat of prestidigitation served the purpose of engaging the reader with tales of Capone and Accardo, while distracting them from the far bigger story of massive, routinely sanctioned white-collar crime". Keeping the lens pointed at the underworld allowed the upperworld to get away with whatever they wanted.
The same continues today. What we see on the news is what the upperworld wants us to see. Washington, D.C. today embodies the payola racket started by Capone in Chicago and fine-tuned into an amazingly efficient machine by Accardo. A sad state of affairs, but a really interesting story to read. (Note: The author's conclusion that the Chicago mob had nothing to do with JFK's assassination is not one agreed upon by other authors of books about the Syndicate and/or the Kennedy's. We each will need to decide which story we believe.)
Everyone in Chicago knows the big names: Accardo, Giancana, Aiuppa, but I had never even heard of Curley Humphries, yet this author almost makes it sound like he ran the show. The reason for his power was that he was the "fixer", the guy who figured out how to get the police and politicians to look the other way. And that was huge. Chicago police were told by Mayors and other politicians to leave the "boys" alone. In turn, they received pay-offs and "favors" from the men at the top of the Chicago Mob.
We all have heard the stories about how the Chicago mob made sure JFK got elected, but I had never heard that the same was true about Harry S. Truman. But it was. The syndicate's reach was far deeper than anything I had ever imagined. They controlled Vegas, horse racing, dog racing, every union imaginable, Hollywood, you name it. The Chicago bosses called the shots in New York, St. Louis, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Detroit, Miami and on and on and on.
Both Capone and Accardo wanted to diversify their business with an eye on eventually becoming "legit". And, to some degree, they succeeded via their investments in casinos, hotels, restaurants, etc. But the same government that used them to rig elections, and asked them for help in assassinating Castro, turned on them when it was politically advantageous. Life couldn't have been a bowl of cherries with the Feds listening in on every conversation.
The most interesting parts of the book for me were the Epilogue and the Afterword. In these chapters, the author gives a chronological summary of events and deaths and then draws a really interesting parallel conclusion: Organized crime power has shifted from the Outfit to Corporate America and Washington, D.C. "The monetary impact of white-collar crime surpassed all forms of street crime by a factor of ten. More important, the American system of justice consistently gives the flagrant white-collar offenders virtual carte blanche, while plastering the nation's front pages with tales of arrests of bank robbers, gambling bosses, bookies and labor racketeers. This feat of prestidigitation served the purpose of engaging the reader with tales of Capone and Accardo, while distracting them from the far bigger story of massive, routinely sanctioned white-collar crime". Keeping the lens pointed at the underworld allowed the upperworld to get away with whatever they wanted.
The same continues today. What we see on the news is what the upperworld wants us to see. Washington, D.C. today embodies the payola racket started by Capone in Chicago and fine-tuned into an amazingly efficient machine by Accardo. A sad state of affairs, but a really interesting story to read. (Note: The author's conclusion that the Chicago mob had nothing to do with JFK's assassination is not one agreed upon by other authors of books about the Syndicate and/or the Kennedy's. We each will need to decide which story we believe.)
October 22, 2017
O δημοσιογράφος Gus Russo έγραψε ένα πραγματικά εξαιρετικό έργο αναφορικά με την ιστορία της αμερικάνικης μαφίας. Μια ιστορική αλλά και δημοσιογραφική αναδρομή της ιστορίας της μαφίας μέσα από από την Οργάνωση του Σικάγου από το 1920 μέχρι και το 1990 οπότε πεθαίνει και ο τελευταίος πρωταγωνιστής της οργάνωσης. Οι κατά βάση ιταλικής καταγωγής οι μαφιόζοι (Κολοσίμο, Τόριο, Καπόνε, Αρκάντο, Νίτι, Ρίκα, Ροσέλι, Τζιανκάνα, Λουτσιάνο κα) παρελαύνουν από τις σελίδες του έργου αυτού οργανωμένοι κάτω από το διαβολικό μυαλό του Ουαλού Χάμφρυς και από την παρανομία και τις δολοφονίες αρχίζουν να εμπλέκονται στην διακυβέρνηση των ΗΠΑ ελέγχοντας πρώτα όλα σχεδόν τα εργατικά σωματεία και ακολούθως φτάνοντας να επηρεάσουν τις εκλογές προέδρων όπως οι Κένεντι, Τζόνσον και Νίξον.
Η γραφή του Russo δεν ωραιοποιεί καταστάσεις, αλλά δείχνει ότι η εξέλιξη αυτή ήταν αναμενόμενη δεδομένων των συνθηκών λειτουργίας της αμερικάνικής πολιτείας. Στο πολύ ενδιαφέρον "Εν Κατακλείδι" ο Russo αναφέρει ότι η μετάβαση από την παρανομία στην νομιμότητα είναι χαρακτηριστικό φαινόμενο της Αμερικάνικής κοινωνίας. Κολλοσοί της αμερικάνικής επιχειρηματικότητας όπως οι Βανερμπιλτ, Ροκφέλερ, Μόργκαν, Ντι Πόντ, Ινσούλ κα.) στήριξαν τις περιουσίες τους πάνω σε παράνομες ενέργειες. Ωστόσο όπως έγραψε και ο Εβραίος μαφιόζος Μάγιερ Λάνσκυ το πουριτανικό κατεστημένο αποκαλεί την εγκληματικότητα επιχειρηματικότητα, και στα πρόσωπα των πεινασμένων καθολικών μεταναστών από την Ιταλία και την Ιρλανδία έβλεπε έναν κίνδυνο που έπρεπε να οριστεί με έναν συγκεκριμένο τρόπο: Αν κλέψεις 25 δολάρια είσαι κλέφτης, αν κλέψεις 250.000 δολάρια είσαι καταχραστής, αν κλέψεις 2.500.000 εκατομμύρια είσαι μεγάλος επενδυτής.
Αν με ρωτάτε αν πρέπει να διαβάσετε ένα βιβλίο 700 σελίδων, σας απαντώ ναι. Το αξίζει.
Η γραφή του Russo δεν ωραιοποιεί καταστάσεις, αλλά δείχνει ότι η εξέλιξη αυτή ήταν αναμενόμενη δεδομένων των συνθηκών λειτουργίας της αμερικάνικής πολιτείας. Στο πολύ ενδιαφέρον "Εν Κατακλείδι" ο Russo αναφέρει ότι η μετάβαση από την παρανομία στην νομιμότητα είναι χαρακτηριστικό φαινόμενο της Αμερικάνικής κοινωνίας. Κολλοσοί της αμερικάνικής επιχειρηματικότητας όπως οι Βανερμπιλτ, Ροκφέλερ, Μόργκαν, Ντι Πόντ, Ινσούλ κα.) στήριξαν τις περιουσίες τους πάνω σε παράνομες ενέργειες. Ωστόσο όπως έγραψε και ο Εβραίος μαφιόζος Μάγιερ Λάνσκυ το πουριτανικό κατεστημένο αποκαλεί την εγκληματικότητα επιχειρηματικότητα, και στα πρόσωπα των πεινασμένων καθολικών μεταναστών από την Ιταλία και την Ιρλανδία έβλεπε έναν κίνδυνο που έπρεπε να οριστεί με έναν συγκεκριμένο τρόπο: Αν κλέψεις 25 δολάρια είσαι κλέφτης, αν κλέψεις 250.000 δολάρια είσαι καταχραστής, αν κλέψεις 2.500.000 εκατομμύρια είσαι μεγάλος επενδυτής.
Αν με ρωτάτε αν πρέπει να διαβάσετε ένα βιβλίο 700 σελίδων, σας απαντώ ναι. Το αξίζει.
May 29, 2020
Finally finished this book after putting it off for a while.
After getting through the kinda cheesy "mob-lingo" that pervades the books it turned out to be really good, well-researched, and informative. I was shocked to learn about the upper world connections that enables the Chicago mob to operate.
The only reason I didn't give the book 5 stars was because it ended in the early 80's with just a brief analysis of the "modern mob." Apparently, the author couldn't find a lot of information about LCN these days but that is designed because the heads keep a very low profile nowadays. I was interested in learning more about how the outfit operates today.
After getting through the kinda cheesy "mob-lingo" that pervades the books it turned out to be really good, well-researched, and informative. I was shocked to learn about the upper world connections that enables the Chicago mob to operate.
The only reason I didn't give the book 5 stars was because it ended in the early 80's with just a brief analysis of the "modern mob." Apparently, the author couldn't find a lot of information about LCN these days but that is designed because the heads keep a very low profile nowadays. I was interested in learning more about how the outfit operates today.
November 4, 2019
It seems the author needs to do a little more research. He keeps confusing unions with trade associations lumping them together. Calling the trade associations run by the bosses "unions"
when ever he wants to point out corruption. He can find many cases of crime in both but only wants to spoil the name of one and put blame on one group for the others crimes. It makes me wonder if he has a hidden agenda or was just to lazy to lay out the complex relationships and interplay. Surely in a book over 500 pages he could of added a few more pages to give a complete and honest picture.
when ever he wants to point out corruption. He can find many cases of crime in both but only wants to spoil the name of one and put blame on one group for the others crimes. It makes me wonder if he has a hidden agenda or was just to lazy to lay out the complex relationships and interplay. Surely in a book over 500 pages he could of added a few more pages to give a complete and honest picture.
October 20, 2018
An extremely in depth book on the Chicago mob with the beginning at Jim Colosimo to Al Capone and then the majority dealing with the heirs of Capone; Murray Humphrey, Paul Ricca and Anthony Accardo. It basically takes you chronologically thru the Chicago mob from the 20’s up to the death of Accardo, though the mid 70’s to the end comes kind of quick. The political payoffs, Vegas, Cuba and the other items are very interesting though at points the book drags a bit.
April 11, 2020
Very thorough and informative however written so that it was more chore than fun to read. It is unfortunate because this is kind of book all the people who blindly trust their government should read. The book is not eyeopening by taking off the lid of underworld's inner workings, but more importantly by how upperworld isn't shy to use "services" of underworld while trying to pose as moral authority.
July 27, 2017
The information is interesting if the writing is not.
December 26, 2019
VERY detailed. Interesting and insightful review of Chicago gangland.
However, VERY long and I lost interest after about 70%.
May revisit this at a lter date.
However, VERY long and I lost interest after about 70%.
May revisit this at a lter date.
March 22, 2020
A rare book that I passed on reading. Keeping it, because it's from my Dad's library. I've read enough mob stories.
June 9, 2020
Excellent. If i had read many 'organized crime' books it feels as though I would suggest just reading this one if someone asked if there was only one book to read about organized crime in the US.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
December 10, 2021
Gus Russo is one of my favorite authors and this book is a complete history of organized crime for over 50 years in Chicago. The characters are flamboyant as they are ruthless and powerful.
June 8, 2022
good book, only read for history though
November 29, 2022
DENSE but very informative, get ready for Name Salad
February 25, 2023
In-depth look at the Chicago Mob and its end.
March 20, 2012
I finally understand the difference between the Italian mafia and gangs after reading this book. There are obviously many similarities: crime, organization, code of conduct, simulated family, but the essential difference is that the mafia’s chosen crimes are white collar (racketeering, alcohol during prohibition, gambling, entertainment industry, POLITICS), whereas street gang crimes involve mostly drugs, petty thievery, and territorial violence. Actually, the mafia is vehemently against drugs (but not alcohol?), and won’t let members use drugs, let alone sell drugs…
This was a fantastic book; I learned so much. It reads a little like a textbook, but it was so fascinating that I would have been interested in reading about 1,000 more pages on the same topics. It chronicles the beginning of the Chicago Outfit from Al Capone to present day, including the major players and the major crimes and dramas.
Although the Outfit really encompassed the descendants of Al Capone, there was a nice intro/preface on Al Capone, who is a stunning character. Known as the real Robinhood, he famously said “nobody’s on the legit”…I love that dichotomy of a seemingly seedy character that cares more about underprivileged than the societal saints, and what a quote to describe politics/business/moneymakers/Chicago – no one is on the legit! However, Al met an absolutely frightening demise: at age 33, diagnosed with central nervous system syphilis, gonorrhea, and perforated septum due to chronic cocaine abuse, shanked in prison, and institutionalized due to dementia/delirium.
The “afterword” was just wonderful – it gave total perspective to white collar crime and Gus Russo hits on the roots of crime, which he suggests have nothing to do with members of the mafia that is merely made of immigrants just tryin to get by in a corrupt world. I LOVE the government contradiction he recognizes in the over-publicized mafia/white collar crime v. only arresting petty criminals (i.e. gangbangers): “Since its inception, the U.S. has routinely attacked crime from the bottom up, when, in fact, it is the free ride given the upper class that has inspired generation after generation of new arrivals.” For instance, the political reach of the mafia - infiltrating elections of Richard J. Daley (Chicago mayor), Harry Truman, JFK…Politics seem to be how mafia characters forayed into mainstream, such that today, the mafia still exists, but they blend in with powerful people such that they have BECOME businessmen and the lines between underworld v. society are not as stark! The mafia members ARE CEOs, etc.
There’s a wealth of material that I need to investigate further into (i.e. Al Capone, Mafiosi women, political reach of mafia, Chicago underworld). Also, Frank Sinatra…what the heck? He is a weasel and he strong-armed himself into fame. He was also a rumored user of Marilyn Monroe, one of the most tragic figures of the time (whose body CONTINUES to be abused via the large statute of her on Chicago magnificent mile where people can look up her skirt), which makes my stomach hurt.
This was a fantastic book; I learned so much. It reads a little like a textbook, but it was so fascinating that I would have been interested in reading about 1,000 more pages on the same topics. It chronicles the beginning of the Chicago Outfit from Al Capone to present day, including the major players and the major crimes and dramas.
Although the Outfit really encompassed the descendants of Al Capone, there was a nice intro/preface on Al Capone, who is a stunning character. Known as the real Robinhood, he famously said “nobody’s on the legit”…I love that dichotomy of a seemingly seedy character that cares more about underprivileged than the societal saints, and what a quote to describe politics/business/moneymakers/Chicago – no one is on the legit! However, Al met an absolutely frightening demise: at age 33, diagnosed with central nervous system syphilis, gonorrhea, and perforated septum due to chronic cocaine abuse, shanked in prison, and institutionalized due to dementia/delirium.
The “afterword” was just wonderful – it gave total perspective to white collar crime and Gus Russo hits on the roots of crime, which he suggests have nothing to do with members of the mafia that is merely made of immigrants just tryin to get by in a corrupt world. I LOVE the government contradiction he recognizes in the over-publicized mafia/white collar crime v. only arresting petty criminals (i.e. gangbangers): “Since its inception, the U.S. has routinely attacked crime from the bottom up, when, in fact, it is the free ride given the upper class that has inspired generation after generation of new arrivals.” For instance, the political reach of the mafia - infiltrating elections of Richard J. Daley (Chicago mayor), Harry Truman, JFK…Politics seem to be how mafia characters forayed into mainstream, such that today, the mafia still exists, but they blend in with powerful people such that they have BECOME businessmen and the lines between underworld v. society are not as stark! The mafia members ARE CEOs, etc.
There’s a wealth of material that I need to investigate further into (i.e. Al Capone, Mafiosi women, political reach of mafia, Chicago underworld). Also, Frank Sinatra…what the heck? He is a weasel and he strong-armed himself into fame. He was also a rumored user of Marilyn Monroe, one of the most tragic figures of the time (whose body CONTINUES to be abused via the large statute of her on Chicago magnificent mile where people can look up her skirt), which makes my stomach hurt.
October 24, 2016
The best part of this book was that it encompassed a wide range of material but stayed primarily about the Chicago Outfit. Many books of this type take a broader view that winds up distorting the readers impressions of what happened in Chicago. However, I was disturbed by the organization of the material, and had trouble following when events happened. As presented the material spanned time periods and jumped between then, often with poor transitions that required me to backtrack constantly to find out when something occurred (and sometimes I could not find it at all!). I also felt that the writer was too quick to point out conclusions that may have been suggested but certainly not proven, thus passing off his opinions as fact. There were also many spelling and grammatical errors, which were surprising based on the experience of the writer. However, it one is looking for a lot of information about the Chicago Outfit, this is perhaps the most comprehensive, almost encyclopedic, source I have encountered, and it is definitely worth reading on that basis.
June 14, 2012
Very interesting book that has it's most value when talking about the organization of Chicago-land and how the criminal's were able to gain so much control and act with impunity in that city. Also very eye-opening about criminal (read: terrorist) activity that would cause modern America to shudder to a paranoid stop, that was common place less than 100 years ago. You think urban crime is bad, or politicians are dirty? Read this book and see how much worse our history was.
The big weakness in this book is documenting the national moves of the criminal gang. Their activity in Las Vegas, with the Kennedy's, and in Hollywood is much less interesting and more widely known, which makes these chapters much less easily readable.
The biggest problem with the book is the epilogue, which is absolute self indulgent garbage. Without that, I would have said this was a great book. Some editor was scared by the Pulitzer on Russo's mantle.
The big weakness in this book is documenting the national moves of the criminal gang. Their activity in Las Vegas, with the Kennedy's, and in Hollywood is much less interesting and more widely known, which makes these chapters much less easily readable.
The biggest problem with the book is the epilogue, which is absolute self indulgent garbage. Without that, I would have said this was a great book. Some editor was scared by the Pulitzer on Russo's mantle.
January 18, 2013
"The Outfit" gives readers a detailed and fascinating look at what was, at one time, the most powerful organized crime group in the entire United States. Author Gus Russo focuses on what is arguably the Outfit's glory years, the post-Capone era into the early 1970s, and details how Paul Ricca, Tony Accardo (whom the author refers to as "Joe Accardo", a mix of his given name and the nickname he preferred and was usually used by his compatriots, "Joe Batters"), & co. had their hands into everything, from gambling to Hollywood to unions to politics (with at least 3 presidents, not to mention countless local politicians, owing some some portion of their political careers to the criminal underworld) and more. It's amazing to me to see just how far the Outfit had worked its way into so many facets of what the author refers to as the "upperworld". This is definitely recommended reading for anyone interested in organized crime as well as the underbelly of 20th century American history.
January 19, 2017
Enter the world of post Capone organized crime in Chicago, which extended its influence throughout the country. Russo begins with a detailed synopsis of early Chicago and discusses Chicago gangsters during prohibition. But the book mainly centers on organized crime after prohibition ended and how the Outfit survived. You will be impressed by the sophistication in which the Outfit ran its empire and the minds of those in-charge.
Russo does an excellent job at mapping the many connections the Outfit had to Hollywood, Las Vegas and Washington. He goes into extensive detail into the relationship between the Kennedy family and the Outfit.
If you want to learn more about the lesser known gangsters, albeit very influential, this book is a great read. Russo does his research and includes many nuggets of interesting information in the footnotes, that I found to be eye-opening and fascinating.
Russo does an excellent job at mapping the many connections the Outfit had to Hollywood, Las Vegas and Washington. He goes into extensive detail into the relationship between the Kennedy family and the Outfit.
If you want to learn more about the lesser known gangsters, albeit very influential, this book is a great read. Russo does his research and includes many nuggets of interesting information in the footnotes, that I found to be eye-opening and fascinating.
April 24, 2012
I read this hoping for some insight into the Chicago mob's current incarnation, and was disappointed- this is basically the story of Joe Accardo's forty-some years of control over the group, with a big fat healthy prelude to fill in how the organization got started in the first place, which means things pretty much stop once we get to the 80's. Russo's thesis, which he bangs like a drum repeatedly over the course of the book, is that the Outfit wasn't really any dirtier than the above-ground political and business worlds, and he's got anecdotes by the pound to make his point. He doesn't really do nuance when it comes to the ethics of what these guys got up to and who they got in bed with to do so. But for a broad look at all the players and who did what during the shockingly long height of the Chicago mob's power, you can't do much better than this.
December 4, 2015
Interesting, with a lot of tie-ins to popular culture. Like Havana Nocturne, you see what happens when one organization, be it an organized crime racket or political party, holds such power over a geographic area. As someone who already gets angry and nauseous when hearing about widespread government/political corruption and cronyism, and seeing it firsthand, this book really pissed me off at times. The funny thing is, as corrupt and nepotistic as some local governments are today, they're probably *better* than they were a half-century ago! That's right, Chicago/Cook County today is *more* accountable and *less* corrupt than it was a while back.
This book gave me even more respect for the honest folks in local government who can't be bought and give the finger to those who want to buy them, and those who are bought out.
This book gave me even more respect for the honest folks in local government who can't be bought and give the finger to those who want to buy them, and those who are bought out.
June 16, 2013
This well researched book details the history of the Chicago mob from early 1900 through the sixties. This is one of the best organized crime books written, and its revelations concerning the involvement and interplay of our politicians/government, and legit business with organized crime is stunning. Some of it, I saw for myself when I worked in government. The authors point that far more death and illness have been caused by business abuse than by gangsters is well taken. I think at times both can be reprehensible as both can be commendable. However, the most disgusting is our government who call themselves public servants, but too often takes advantage of its power such as is currently occurring with the horrendous IRS and other scandals.
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