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Rick Porrello

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The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia: Corn Sugar and Blood Paperback – August 10, 2004

by Rick Porrello (Author)

4.5 132 ratings

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First published in September 2004, one of Barricade’s best-selling true crime titles is coming back in print in paperback to coincide with the film release of “To Kill The Irishman”. With a new Introduction by the author, The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia is the fascinating chronicle of a once mighty crime family's birth, rise to power, and eventual collapse. The Cleveland crime family was third in power after New York City and Chicago, had influence with mega-mobsters like Meyer Lansky, and had a hand in the development of Las Vegas. Cleveland was also the site of the first known national meeting of the Sicilian-American Mafia that was hosted in 1928 by the author's grandfather and uncles—the notorious Porrello brothers. Although Danny Greene, "The Irishman," and La Cosa Nostra on the North Coast fall prey to this crime family, the central figure to The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia is Angelo “Big Ange” Lonardo. "Big Ange" boldly avenged his father’s death in 1929, and then rose through the ranks to become acting boss of the Cleveland crime family. He would serve two years of a life sentence before shocking family, friends, fellow mobsters, and the law enforcement community by cutting a deal with the Feds. He betrayed Omertà—the Sicilian code of silence—and his testimony helped put away mob bosses in New York City and across the country, and he provided a valuable and detailed education into the criminal society known as the Mafia.

About the Author

Rick Porrello is chief of a suburban Cleveland police department. He wrote The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia while researching the murders of his grandfather and three uncles—all Mafia leaders. Porrello is author of To Kill the Irishman, now a feature film starring Ray Stevenson, Val Kilmer, and Christopher Walken. Porrello is an accomplished jazz musician who traveled worldwide with the late Sammy Davis Jr., and he is host of the venerable organized crime history site: AmericanMafia.com.

Print length

240 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Barricade Books
Publication date

August 10, 2004
Dimensions

6.09 x 0.58 x 9.17 inches
ISBN-10

1569802777
ISBN-13

978-1569802779
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Barricade Books (August 10, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1569802777
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1569802779
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.09 x 0.58 x 9.17 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,238,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,811 in Organized Crime True Accounts
- #4,081 in Criminology (Books)
- #4,638 in Murder & Mayhem True Accounts

Customer Reviews:
4.5 132 ratings

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About the author

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Rick Porrello

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Rick Porrello, a former police chief with mob roots, has a knack for writing books that attract interest from filmmakers. Hollywood snapped up To Kill the Irishman—the War that Crippled the Mafia and adapted it to Kill the Irishman starring Ray Stevenson, Vincent D’Onofrio, Christopher Walken, and Val Kilmer. A motion picture based on Superthief—A Master Burglar, the Mafia, and the Biggest Bank Burglary in U.S. History is in development. Both books have also generated documentaries and Superthief has won two awards. Rick is also host of the venerable mob history website, AmericanMafia.com.

Rick’s first career was as a jazz drummer. At the age of 18, he got his first big break when he started touring internationally with Sammy Davis, Jr. Despite a skyrocketing music career, Rick decided to trade his sticks for a badge, which had been his dream since childhood. What followed was a 33-year career as a police officer in a Cleveland suburb with the last ten as chief of police.

As an organized crime historian, Rick Porrello’s perspective is an intriguing one. He began writing his first book during family research into the murders of his grandfather and three uncles, all of whom, he learned, were mob leaders killed in Prohibition-era violence. The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia quickly became a regional favorite and endures as a backlist title.

When he isn’t questioning a serial killer, hammering out his next book, or serving as a consulting producer, Porrello gives presentations on his books and on his writing and publishing journey.

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4.5 out of 5

132 global ratings

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Patrick Goldberg

Short and to the point

Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2021

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Heavily researched book. Had no idea about any of what was in the book. Turns out a gangland murder happened 3 miles from my house thought that was pretty cool and interesting. Although the author is related to The Porrellos mentioned in the book there isn't any bias towards which was really remarkable. Very good page turner. Kept it to the point without any bs narrative like other true crime books. I just purchased his other ones as well. Cool learning about local history no matter how macabre.

2 people found this helpful

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Fascinating Read!

Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2019

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Cleveland-born & raised, but never had an appreciation for the Mob's impact on Cleveland until I read this fascinating book!

I have read lots of 'true crime' books about the NY mob, the mob in Vegas, and the mob in Chicago under Al Capone. This book ranks up there with gripping stories, and with a good amount of depth from the author.

Any Cleveland history buff or Mafia enthusist would enjoy this book!

3 people found this helpful

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Chap

Book was damaged.

Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2023

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The book was water damaged and stunk of cologne.

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2021

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I bought this book for my uncle and he loved it!

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Michael Tucker

Great book on the history of Cleveland!

Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2019

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Amazing book. As a transplanted Clevelander, I was thrilled to read about the rackets in Cleveland. I saw pictures of mobsters that I would see on the local news and walking the streets as I was growing up. It lead me to other books on the same subject.

2 people found this helpful

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ruger4

Interesting read.

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2013

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Good book on the old school Mafia where if you made a mistake it costs you with your life.And if you were lucky enough to survive you abide by the code.Not like today's breed that will save their own skin at any cost.The Author did a good job.He made no excuses for the actions of his family but revealed it as a part of his family's history.

2 people found this helpful

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J. M. Lemon

Rise and fall of the Clevland Mafia

Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2007

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Great historical facts. Could have been better if it flowed better with less jumping around. Would have enjoyed learning the facts more if it had been done as a factual novel. A must read for any history buff interested in the Clevland area.

2 people found this helpful

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DLS

Very Insightful

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2013

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This book gives you a look at what life was like in Cleveland, Oh in the 1920's. Well written, it keeps you interested, however not interesting enough to not put the book down (a downside, since if you don't pick it back up again soon, you can forget what was going on, lol)

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The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia: Corn Sugar and Blood Paperback – August 10, 2004

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