Guest Author - Vance Rowe

Jerry Capeci has done it again. The Second Edition of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Mafia is outstanding and an excellent reference resource for Mafia buffs like me. I don’t even know where to start in reviewing this book here so I will start with the end and Appendix A. A Chronology of Major Events. In here, Capeci lists dates and a little blurb of things that happened. For instance, he lists: 1967-1976 Carlo Gambino of New York and Anthony Accardo of Chicago emerge as the two most powerful Mafia leaders in America.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Mafia exposes the myths of the Mafia, the families and their connection with the drug trade. There are interesting facts about Al Capone and the Prohibition Era as well as information about abuses from the FBI in their efforts to stop the Mafia. This reference book also has little boxes called ”sidebars”. There are four different sidebar categories: The Slammer. This sidebar talks about which Mafia members and associates spent time in jail. Another sidebar is called Mafia Speak, which gives explanations about Mafia practices, many of which come from direct quotes from the members themselves. A third sidebar is called, ”Fuhgeddaboudit”, and gives examples of Mafia life. The fourth sidebar is called, ”Big Shot” and give some important facts about mob hits.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Mafia talks about the many families from around the country; including some that you may have never heard of and how members were “made”. It covers everything from Joe Valachi to Jimmy Hoffa to John Gotti and even talks about our fascination with the criminal organization. The book talks about how the Godfather movies romanticized the Mafia and didn’t really reflect what the Mafia really was and how the movie ”Goodfellas” really captured the Mafia way of life.

I took a college special history class called “Exploration of the Mafia”, taught by a wonderful instructor and someone who is very knowledgeable about the Mafia named Jeremy Bond. Mr. Bond is employed by Central Michigan University’s Off Campus Programs and Mid Michigan Community College’s computer information systems and history departments. I only wish I had this book in that class.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Mafia is an absolute must have for any Mafia buff or anyone who has even the slightest interest in the history of organized crime.