Motor City Mafia: A Century of Organized Crime in Detroit (Images of America) (Paperback)

by Scott M. Burnstein (Author)
Key Phrases: surveillance photograph, local underworld, crime family, Motor City, Walter Reuther Library-Wayne State University, Detroit Mafia (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Motor City Mafia: A Century of Organized Crime in Detroit chronicles the storied and hallowed gangland history of the notorious Detroit underworld. Scott M. Burnstein takes the reader inside the belly of the beast, tracking the bloodshed, exploits, and leadership of the southeast Michigan crime syndicate as never before seen in print. Through a stunning array of rare archival photographs and images, Motor City Mafia captures Detroit's most infamous past, from its inception in the early part of the 20th century, through the years when the iconic Purple Gang ruled the city's streets during Prohibition, through the 1930s and the formation of the local Italian mafia, and the Detroit crime family's glory days in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, all the way to the downfall of the area's mob reign in the 1980s and 1990s.

About the Author
Crime writer Scott M. Burnstein was born and raised in Detroit and specializes in the history of organized crime in America. Burnstein has a law degree from the John Marshall School of Law in Chicago and a bachelor's degree from Indiana University in Bloomington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (October 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738540846
• ISBN-13: 978-0738540849
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #200,202 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #40 in

  Books > History > United States > State & Local > Michigan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, December 13, 2006

By	Charlie Burbank "Mob Buff" (Burbank Illinois) - See all my reviews

What John Binder did with the Chicago mob The Chicago Outfit, Scott Burnstein has done with this is an excellent pictorial history of the Detriot underworld. An must for anyone interested in Organized Crime.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Motor City Photo Fun, November 4, 2006

By	T. Jenkins "Serious" (West of Medical Center, South of Highland) - See all my reviews

An interesting topic for Images of America but nonetheless a fun book. A few of the images have been used in previous titles but this collection of photos is far and away superior to anything previously released on Detroit. The high point of the book is definately the photo collection but the labeling of some of the figures contained within leaves something to be desired. An example of this occurs on page 17 where a photo consisting of a collection of Bommaritos identifies one man as Sammy Millman brother of Purple gang enforcer Harry Millman when the man is clearly Dominic Licavoli the youngest of the notorious Licavoli brothers. Not alot of historical information contained within but this is an image book not a biography. Overall a worthy addition to the crime collection and a first of its type to be sure.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Pictures but not a lot of information, January 10, 2007

By	Dean Trombetta (Clinton Township, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The photos in this book are absolutely amazing and worth the price of the book. You will find it amazing that these photos have been preserved for all these years. There is very little actual information or history about the Detroit Mob. It would best be enjoyed in conjunction with a book that contained more of the history of the Detroit Mafia, Purple Gang, and Oakland Sugar House gang.