The Mob and the City

The Hidden History of How the Mafia Captured New York

By: C. Alexander Hortis

Narrated by: LJ Ganser

Length: 9 hrs

Publisher's summary

Forget what you think you know about the Mafia. After listening to this book, even life-long mob aficionados will have a new perspective on organized crime.

Informative, authoritative, and eye-opening, this is the first full-length book devoted exclusively to uncovering the hidden history of how the Mafia came to dominate organized crime in New York City during the 1930s through 1950s. Based on exhaustive research of archives and secret files obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, author and attorney C. Alexander Hortis draws on the deepest collection of primary sources, many newly discovered, of any history of the modern mob.

Shattering myths, Hortis reveals how Cosa Nostra actually obtained power at the inception. The author goes beyond conventional who-shot-who mob stories, providing answers to fresh questions such as:

• Why did the Sicilian gangs come out on top of the criminal underworld?
• Can economics explain how the Mafia families operated?
• What was the Mafia's real role in the drug trade?
• Why was Cosa Nostra involved in gay bars in New York since the 1930s?

Drawing on an unprecedented array of primary sources, The Mob and the City is the most thorough and authentic history of the Mafia's rise to power in the early-to-mid 20th century.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2014 C. Alexander Hortis (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Finally Answers!

As an economics and business major, my interest in the Mob had never been satisfied. I always wanted to know more about how and why these organizations came to power. Finally, Mr. Alexander Hortis has delivered the answers to the questions that have plagued me.

WHAT A GREAT LISTEN!!!

Very informative with respect to how the mob began, and how it evolved over time. I will definitely listen to this one again! Thanks, Audible!!!

Interesting but redundant

Interesting but redundant. Needs editing. The story is meandering and incoherent. How many times do they think they need to repeat "Joe Bonono's autobiography, Man of Honor," before we get it? Oy.

Glad it was a freebie

Thought I was getting a history of the early days of the Mafia in NYC, especially since it started out with some interesting stuff explaining why the city was such an ideal and lucrative environment for the up-and-coming gangster class. But that narrative soon gave way to whole lot of anecdotes and thumbnail bios of pretty familiar characters. Most of the ‘hidden history’ referred to on the book jacket remains just that - hidden.

Insight into the MOB

tells how the MOB influence bootleg, drug traffic, developing organized labor for thier benefit, buying officials.

Hard one to rate....

This is a hard one to rate. I have read / listened to closer to 100 mafia genre books then to 1. So for me, this book was a 3. There was zero new information in the book. But I still enjoyed listening to it. Now, if you have never listened to a mafia genre book before, or you have only listened to maybe 6 or 8, then this is probably a 5 star book. It is a great overview. It doesn't get too deep into any one person. So you can get a overview,then go out and find more books on the topic you want. There are way more printed books in this genre then audio, so if you want the best ones, you have to actually read them.

Surprisingly informative

I am no expert on the mob but I have read and watched tons of material on organized crime. I thought this book would just be a recitation of things I knew but somehow, the way in which the author presented information, the individuals he discussed brought me quite a bit of increased personal understanding of the mob. Maybe it was the way in which he segregated criminal activities into strong-arm, gambling, drugs etc., that allowed me to better comprehend how individuals in the world of the mob do things. I very much enjoyed the short section on how mobsters made big amounts of money quick and just as quickly spent it all by showing off. At times I felt the author referenced Joseph Bonanno's autobiography too much but except for this, again, I found the book gave me quite an insight into the organized criminal activities of the Mafia and the individuals living the life.

In addition, this was a free listen for me as part of the Audible subscription so for those who want yet more info on the mob, this was for me a solid listen.

Interesting look at the early mob

Any additional comments?

The book focus on the formation of the early Italian mob and set out to debunk a few myths about the mob in general. It is in no way a comprehensive view of the mafia but looks the mobs early years and how it evolved and changed. Worth while book if you are looking for a fresh perspective on the inner gears of the mob.

Very interesting

This was my first time listening to a mafia centered book and it was a fun ride. Ganser does a great job narrating and it really brings the characters to life. If you are just sipping your toes into the early underworld, this book is a perfect start. Hidden gem of the membership included section.

A Good Text book

Good information, excellent reader, but the book reads like a textbook. It is just too dry in many chapters.