Best Mob Author ?

Who do you enjoy the reading? Mine would be Ovid DeMaris author of The Last Mafioso (Jimmy Frattiano) and The Boardwalk Jungle (all about Nicky Scarfo and Atlantic City/Philadelphia) and also the Green Felt Jungle (about Las Vegas).

For me, it's Peter Maas. The Valachi Papers and Underboss set the standard for informative and enjoyable mob books.

Bresslin

Unless I'm wrong I think most people here agree it's Selwyn Raab, along with others like Peter Maas, Jerry Capeci, George Anastasia, etc.

Tie.

Capeci for bringing weekly scoops 99% of people would never know about if they hadn't heard it there for 25 years (admittedly gone off game last couple..).

and Raab for THE definitive work (Five Families) on the NYC mob.

Allan May's books about Youngstown and Warren are pretty interesting.

Stephen Schenider's book "Iced" I think is the best book on Canadian organized crime ever, one of the few books that at the same time offer a general picture of history of crime and don't lack detailed descriptions of specific cases and examples. Usually, it's either detailed descriptions OR a general picture.

Daniel Waugh's book on Prohibition gangs in St.Louis are good too.

To be honest, in my opinion it's difficult to choose one or even several best authors, because usually each of them is specialized in history of a particular territory; Selwyn Raab in New York, Allan May in Ohio, Scott Deitche in Florida etc, each does a good job in my opinion.

Raab's Five Families is the mob book and its well written. its like 5 books in one. so i would go with him.

Evan Wright I feel goes under mentioned but I'd but him up there. With American Desperado and Mr. Untouchable he's a great researcher and writer.

ive read "five families" and raab had the knowledge, he was covering the mob for a new York newspaper for I think 30 years.this choice as a writer and the book, is going to be difficult to top.

I am reading Peter Lance right now.

His book, Deal With The Devil is one of the best I have ever read, but I will be honest....his writing style is confusing. He includes a massive amount of info into each sentence. The book is a long read because you might find yourself having to read the same sentence or paragraph over and over again 2 and 3 times just so you don't lose your place in the book. Very hard to follow. I wish he would simplify and/or categorize his data differently.

I know everyone around here is down on Philip Carlo, but I'm sorry....his book on Pitera is a masterpiece. Reading that book was truly an exciting escape. It's right up there with Murder Machine.

Capeci is on point. Nothing really needs to be said.

Edit: Just finished Peter Lance's Deal With The Devil. In that book Capeci is depicted as a possible recipient of illeal leaks from law enforcemtn. I would say that that was probably right. Capeci also used his medium to protect his law enforcement sources once they developed legal problems of their own. Capeci used his medium to try and shape public opinion in favor of a person invoking 5th Amendment priviledges. Look, if the guy is afraid to incriminate himself, don't tell me he is innocent in your news column.

For me it's George Anastasia..
Even though Capeci and Raab are brilliant too, but George just has a writing style that I find very appealing..

Agree.
The best-ever Mob bio is "Little Man - Meyer Lansky and the Gangster Life," by Robert Lacey. But, he's not a dedicated Mob writer.

Can't remember who wrote Mafia prince, but whoever it was definately deserves some credit on this thread.

I am also reading that. I am to the parts about Greg Jr and Devechio after Sr died.

The first half of the book was a lot better than this, so far. What do you think?

And yes, I do believe Capeci got several inside tips from Lin about arrests and such. Not sure if that is actually illegal to tell a reporter about an arrest though.

scott was one the authors for philips book mafia prince that was a very good read


capeci is the best ever without a doubt. His best book ever was the orginal 1996 gotti book. Still got it at home love that book a real insight into john gotti and that era not like the bullshit books geogre and others have written about gotti. I advise anyone to get it not capeci or anyone elses later versions that 1996 book was great though now looking back does betray sammy as a legend but that was before the guy got caught pushing ecatatsy in arionza

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gotti-Rise-Fall-Jerry-Capeci-ebook/dp/B007NZMTYK


here is a link for it

lost all respect for geogre when he wrote that book with alite but everyone already knows my point of view on that. I like Anthony DeStefano his writing is good. the book about massimo was good.

Jimmy Breslin for The Good Rat. That book is by far the most entertaining book I have read yet. He was not deep on the details, but his writing style and humor are second to none.

Raab for 5 Families. In depth and detailed, the de facto book for NY LCN history. I wish he would write more.

Outside of NY, big plus 1 for Daniel Waugh. Extremely well researched and written, heavy on the details and explanations or how / why events occurred.

Thank you - very kind.

TJ English is my favorite- easily the best true 'writer' of the bunch.

Breslin can be a bit hard to follow.

Re: Maas

Was Underboss not mostly just Gravano talking and Maas transcribing with little analytical insight?

Have to say "Brotherhoods" is probably the mob related book that I enjoyed most.

Capeci is always good.

Haven't read 5 Fams yet. Too expensive on Amazon and can never find anywhere else.

TJ English. Every book he writes is good.

Jerry Capeci gets my vote but there are many other great writers and I thank them for the entertainment

FF is the Bible, Breslin's Good rat highest quality read.

Coin toss for greatest piece. Apples and oranges. Both worthy.