Dawn of a New Era

The Rise and Fall​ of an American Saga

The Mafia has long ⁤stood as ​a paradoxical pillar⁢ of American culture, its allure enduring beyond its ⁤1970s heyday. Unlike bureaucratic fixtures like the DMV or TSA, the Mob commands⁤ a certain mystique among ⁤those it preys upon. Other sectors of organized crime—even⁤ lawmakers in Congress—pale in comparison, with a mere 13 percent public approval rate, ​starkly contrasted against⁤ the acclaim of iconic mob portrayals in Godfather films.

Empire’s Echo: A Mafia Chronicle

The spellbinding debut of Louis Ferrante’s Borgata Trilogy, Rise of Empire, shares a narrative structure akin to Coppola’s cinematic masterpieces and the rich historical tableau of John Julius ‌Norwich’s work⁢ on the Byzantine Empire. ⁢It ⁢captures the rise, glory,⁢ and eventual decline of the‌ Cosa Nostra, painting the Mafia’s story as a dark⁣ reflection of the American Dream.

A Wise Guy’s Wisdom

Louis Ferrante, a self-proclaimed “former mafia‍ associate and heist connoisseur,” lends ⁢authenticity to his ​trilogy ⁢with firsthand knowledge. His refusal to turn informant landed him a significant prison sentence, which he spent absorbing the wisdom of ‍historians like Cicero ⁢and Gibbon, shaping his⁢ outlook as the​ chronicler of ‍the underworld.

Ferrante’s ambition renders his Borgata Trilogy profoundly ⁤unique‍ – a series steeped in ‍the Mafia’s legacy penned by someone who lived ⁢through‍ its heyday. Imagine renowned historians⁢ suddenly embarking on a life of crime; Ferrante ‍bridges both worlds, ​sharing a perspective unparalleled by conventional⁢ writers:

‍ ⁢ “They have never encountered an actual ⁣historian who has lived in the mafia’s world…I am them, and I am also a historian.”

Mob⁤ Wisdom in‍ Modern Business

In his bestselling Mob Rules, Ferrante⁢ transposes Mafia‍ strategies to the business world, garnering‍ praise from associates of John Gotti ​and​ acknowledging how mob ⁤principles can‌ drive legitimate success. His insights might have even been a game-changer for the likes​ of Hunter Biden.

The Ethos of Omertà

At the heart of the Mob is a code ⁤of conduct whose roots run deep into ⁣Sicilian history, influenced by Arab occupation. The Mafia’s signature tactics,⁢ its societal role, and even the term ​”mafia” itself resonate with this storied ​past.

The Mafia’s Adaptation in⁤ America

The mob’s transplantation ⁤to American soil was necessitated by sociopolitical upheavals and immigration waves, curating ⁤a unique blend ⁣of Sicilian ⁤tradition and American⁣ opportunity. Amidst discrimination, Sicilian mobsters ⁣like Joseph Provenzano and Charles ‍Matranga wielded power and influence, notably ⁤in early hotspots like⁢ New Orleans.

Inter-borgata Conflicts and‍ New Alliances

Battles for dominance,⁣ like the one that ‍erupted in New Orleans, underscored the volatile nature of Mafia power struggles. Historical episodes like these showcased the somber reality beneath the Mafia’s romanticized veneer.⁤ Ferrante’s‌ narrative is punctuated​ by watershed moments—bloody conflicts, strategic partnerships, and the ironic melding of diverse immigrant⁤ experiences that would thrust the Mafia to the top of the American crime hierarchy.

The⁤ Evolution of Organized ⁢Crime

Prohibition was ‌an era that inadvertently sculpted the fragmented underworld into a well-oiled machine of organized⁣ crime. The transformation from ragtag gangs to sophisticated syndicates was hastened as mobsters like Lansky and Luciano morphed basic automobiles into smuggling ‌contraptions and united a sprawling national network for illicit ⁤trade.

Birth⁣ of the Mob Syndicate

During Prohibition, crime reached ⁣a level of organization that was inevitable, but perhaps accelerated by the‍ era’s constraints. It was a ⁢time when Lansky’s Model Ts became moving⁢ vaults for contraband and Luciano’s‍ far-reaching ‍connections paved the way ⁢for a booming underworld enterprise.​ As⁢ the hopeful end of Prohibition neared, they convened ⁤at the President Hotel in Atlantic City in 1929, humorously likened by Ferrante to​ an odd blend of professionals, to strategize their next lucrative venture: gambling.

The Atlantic City Conference: A Turning Point

This pivotal⁢ meet-up, attended by a multicultural mix of criminal masterminds, decided the ‍fate of‍ many vices yet to come. They discussed⁣ everything from territorial divides to the ⁢integration of⁤ slot machines and ⁢profit-sharing strategies, signaling the onset of a new era in organized ⁤crime.

Laying ⁢Foundations in a New World

In this new landscape, the criminal empire found its footing as stability ensued. Luciano reigned over his enterprise with a blend‍ of tradition and innovation,⁣ honoring​ the old ways while forging new paths in ⁢both his personal and criminal lives.

Political Parley and Progress

Deals with politicians like Senator Huey Long and investment in burgeoning⁢ industries like gambling fashioned the mob into a prevailing force in several sectors of ‌American life.⁣ The ingenuity and assertiveness of figures like Lepke Buchalter reinforced their grip ​on industries across the board.

Wartime Alliances and Accords

The Second World War catalyzed unprecedented cooperation between government and mob, with crises often becoming opportunities. A curious turn of‌ events led to a secret collaboration safeguarding ⁤New⁣ York’s⁢ docks, ⁣an alliance Ferrante describes as akin‍ to a “great white shark in ​a pinstripe suit” due to its predatory efficacy.

The Flamingo and Bugsy Siegel: A Cautionary Tale

The assassination of Bugsy Siegel serves as a stark reminder of the ruthless efficiency ⁢of the mob. Portrayed ​by Ferrante with chilling clarity, his demise was ​more of an ‍executive decision‍ than a mere act of violence within the ranks.

The FBI and‌ the Mob: A Complicated Dance

The Mafia’s infiltration of everyday American⁤ life was funded by their core business⁤ ventures ‌but facilitated by a complex network of ⁢corruption and reluctance from law enforcement, led by J. Edgar Hoover. Political connections too complex to untangle immediately prevented ⁣fast action against ⁢the​ burgeoning syndicates.

Corruption and Controversy

Ferrante alludes to the compromising positions​ of key political figures within the mob’s‍ sphere of influence, suggesting even the nation’s leaders were not immune to the Mafia’s reach.

The Downfall of a Golden Age

These alliances and silences unraveled with RFK’s “relentless crusade”​ against mob activity. The story, closing with JFK’s presidency, leaves the promising empire of organized crime dangling precariously​ by a thread,‌ turning the predators into⁣ potential prey.

Borgata: Rise of Empire: A History of the‍ American Mafia
by Louis Ferrante
Pegasus, 400 pp., $29.95

Dominic ⁣Green is a Wall Street Journal contributor and a fellow of⁢ the‌ Royal Historical Society.