Mafia: A Global History

This is a rigorous non-fiction history of organized crime with a global frame. It traces how mafias emerged, evolved, and shaped politics, business, and daily life across continents. The book speaks to history enthusiasts, students of crime and power, and curious readers who want to understand the forces behind modern institutions. The tone is analytical yet engaging, blending sober scholarship with a sense of urgency about how hidden networks influence the world we inhabit. Presented as a global sweep, the narrative moves across centuries and places—from Sicily and Marseille to New York, Colombia, and Tokyo—anchoring big ideas in concrete contexts and profiles of iconic figures. It blends biography, social history, and case studies to show how industrialisation, globalisation, and technological change gave rise to and reshaped criminal networks. The writing guides readers through origins, consolidation, and transformation without losing nuance, inviting reflection on the uneasy intersection of crime, business, and state power. It translates complex history into accessible analysis that informs how we understand power, governance, and corruption today. - Global historical arc tracing the rise of organised crime from early banditry to modern networks - Profiles of legendary figures and the cultural landscapes that birthed them - Analysis of how industrialisation, globalisation,