Mafia: A Global History

From Capone to Escobar, the Hidden History of Organised Crime

Few forces have reshaped the modern world as significantly—and secretly—as the mafia.
The Cosa Nostra, the Medellín Cartel, the Yakuza, and the Five Families of New York are notorious, but official records and popular articles often overlook their true role in shaping nations, economies, and societies.
In his book, Ryan Gingeras draws on more than a decade of research to reveal the hidden history of the underworld. Spanning centuries and continents, he uses legendary figures like Al Capone, Pablo Escobar, and Du Yuesheng to map the rise of the gangster phenomenon. The book examines three key areas where the mafia has influenced the modern world: pushing the boundaries of the law, economic activities reflecting the dominance of the Western world in global trade, and the shaping of popular culture.
However, criminal syndicates are still evolving in the 21st century, and Gingeras points to the alarming blurring of lines between gangsters, corporations, and political leaders. After all, it is only governments that determine what constitutes a crime and who is a criminal.