The Mafia at War: Allied Collusion with the Mob

By Tim Newark

'An engrossing history that reads like a thriller. The Godfather meets Band of Brothers.' — Andrew Roberts

'Newark tells an extraordinary tale with pace and conviction, and impressively unravels what really happened from the pervasive myths.' — History Today

'A fascinating and compelling work on three of the most evil movements of the 20th century. It ought to be required reading for anyone looking for insights into the period.' — Richard Hammer

The Mafia is the most powerful criminal organization the world has ever known. This book tells the epic story of how the Mafia was nearly destroyed by Mussolini, prospered in the US, struck a secret wartime deal with the US government, and then backed a bloody rebellion that nearly turned Sicily into an independent Mafia realm.

It shows how Lucky Luciano won his freedom thanks to mobster help in World War II; how Jewish gangsters clashed with Nazis on the streets of New York; how Mafiosi nearly issued contracts to kill top Nazis including Hitler; how British bobbies patrolled the deadly streets of Palermo; and how Mafia-backed bandits conducted a guerrilla war for Sicilian independence.

The Mafia at War is a provocative account of how a criminal organization exploited the grim realities of World War II to revive its fortunes and dominate global crime.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen and Sword
• Release date: Jul 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781784388904

Tim Newark

Tim Newark is the author of several critically acclaimed military history books, including Highlander, The Fighting Irish, The Mafia at War, and Camouflage, which accompanied the Imperial War Museum exhibition. He was the editor of Military Illustrated for 17 years and has written seven TV military history documentary series, including Hitler's Bodyguards. He recently authored In & Out: a History of the Naval and Military Club for Osprey.