Busting the Mob: The United States v. Cosa Nostra (Paperback)

~ James Jacobs (Author), Jay Worthington (Author), Christopher Panarella (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This study of two warring entities, the U.S. government and the American Mafia, views the last 15 years of the struggle via five landmark cases brought against the Mob. Included is U.S. v. Local 560, in which the government filed civil suit against the largest Teamsters Union local in New Jersey, successfully charging that the local was essentially a Mob-run organization. It was in this case that the Department of Justice first used the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO). An appendix follows each case, containing all manner of court documents, with testimony and judges' opinions. In presenting such detailed information, Jacobs provides insight into the mechanics of investigation and prosecution. Interestingly, Jacobs asserts that it was the Reagan administration that reinvigorated America's prosecution of organized crime. Thoughtful analysis throughout. Brian McCombie --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"John Gotti's downfall is one of the five major criminal and civil cases cited in Busting the Mob which illustrate the grand strategy devised by the Federal Government to cripple, if not destroy, America's entrenched Mafia groups. . . Jacobs believes it is premature to prepare an obituary for America's Mob families."

- Times Literary Supplement

"In Busting the Mob, Jacobs proves that sound historical and analytical criminology are not incompatible with entertaining—often gripping—narrative."

- Freda Adler, Rutgers University,Former President, American Society of Criminology

"Busting the Mob by Jim Jacobs is both enlightening and entertaining. It is immensely refreshing that at long last scholarship, as distinct from sensationalism, comes to the analysis of Organized Crime—and scholarship with a sprightly style."

- Norval Morris, Professor of Law and Criminology, University of Chicago

"Busting the Mob is a must read on organized crime for academics, prosecutors, and concerned citizens, in particular because it includes the text of primary material: indictments, trial testimony, etc."

- G. Robert Blakey, Professor, Notre Dame Law School, author of Rico, the federal anti-racketeering statue

"Jacobs quotes . . . verbatim trial testimony and bugged conversations. . . . [T]renchant materials for budding prosecutors and investigators."

- Times Literary Supplement

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Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: NYU Press (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814742300
• ISBN-13: 978-0814742303
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,537,552 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that is hard to refuse!, January 1, 2000

By	Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

What mob figure is more famous than that of John Gotti? What was done to bring him down? How did the government finally manage to make the charges stick? Busting the Mob is a great insight into that very question.

While this book covers organized crime connection into the teamster union as well as other major mob bosses, it was the Gotti case that had me gripping the book tightly with a wealth of facts, witnesses and testimony.

Each case presented is in fact, well laid out, with actual trial testimony. There is actual court documents, investigation notes and so much more included. This book was well put together and an excellent read. What you read about the mob versus what is fact are usually two different things, this book may shock you in some cases, but it should open you eyes in all cases. Enjoyable and amazing and the price makes it hard for you to refuse!