The mafia is a criminal phenomenon that has existed around us for a very long time. We don't know precisely what it is or who belongs to it, but we perceive the consequences of its actions in the places where it operates—and beyond. Antonio Nicasio illustrates for us, in simple and concise terms, what we know about the mafia: What is it? How is it organized? How do we fight it?
The structure of short chapters helps readers absorb the concepts effectively. Each chapter answers a direct question—When did the mafia begin? What is a cosca?—turning the entire book into a kind of interview. This makes it more engaging and pleasant to read, which matters when the audience is young people.
The author has done well to synthesize difficult concepts into language a young reader can understand. More importantly, he provides a thorough analysis of how the mafia operates in its various forms, without overlooking the efforts and struggles of those who have challenged this phenomenon.
Recommended for anyone who wants to learn more—and especially for anyone who wants others to learn more: "because to fight the mafia, we have at our disposal the most powerful weapon of all: knowledge."
M.B., 2011