INFORMER: The History of American Crime and Law Enforcement

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 262 pages)
AVAILABLE NOV. 1, 2024

Focus: The Treacherous World of Joseph Valachi

• Growing up Valachi
• The Murder Stables (by Jon Black)
• Mafia minor leaguers (by Thibaut Maïquès)
• Mystery Victims
• How a mafioso is 'made' (by J. Michael Niotta PhD)
• 'Little Apples'; big lie (by Patrick Downey)
• Killing of off-dury officer linked to Valachi kin (by Thomas Hunt with Ellen Poulsen)
• Valachi and women
• Valachi and 'the French Connection' (by Fabien Rossat)
• Murder by Mistake
• Was Valachi insane?
• Valachi and the FBI rechristened the Mafia
• DOJ vs FBI
• 'It was a mixed bag'
• Minor characters in the Valachi epic (by Thomas Hunt and Steve Turner)
• Elusive Crime Figures (by Thomas Hunt and Steve Turner)
• Getting the story printed
• End of Days (by Thom L. Jones)
• Valachi's exit
• Last will and testament of Joseph Valachi
• Marie Jackson mysteries remain
• Valachi's life: the motion picture
• Historians review 'Valachi papers' movie
• New books

Learn more about Informer #34

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 174 pages)

Focus: Gangsters of New York's Lower East Side

• End of the Whyos gang
• Historic photo: Bandits' Roost.
• John H. McGurk and Bowery's Suicide Hall
• The death and life of hoodlum/hero Eastman
• NYC's first Mafia boss?
• Italian gang chief with an Irish name: Paul Kelly
• Sai Wing Mock and the New York "Tong Wars"
• Frank Lanza's New York firms may have been Mafia fronts (by Michael O'Haire and Matt Ghiglieri)
• In search of "Johnny Spanish" (by Justin Cascio)
• Racketeering future was molded in young Lansky's neighborhood
• "Death Avenue": Second Avenue, 1910-1924 (by Patrick Downey)
• 1964 narcotics report included mobster bios
• New facts about 1928 Mafia conventioneers (by Steve Turner)
• "Bill the Butcher" wasn't from the Five Points
• Book news.
• Plus sidebar articles: "Gambling" - "Eastman's killer Jeremiah Bohan" - "Mafia HQ on Mott Street" - "The Pelham and Irving Berlin" - "Sirocco and Tricker" - "Torrio and Vanella" - "Bellantonis of Broome Street" - "'Mutty,' 'Lucy' and 'Kitty'" - "'Dutch' Goldberg" - "'Gurrah,' 'Lepke,' 'Curly' and 'Bugsy'" - "'Red' Levine."

Learn more about Informer #33

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 188 pages)

Focus: Youngstown-area Mob

• Mafia or hysteria? Reports of Mafia in 1893.
• East Youngstown judge battled Black Hand in 1906.
• 1906 Black Hand killer wriggled free of law (by Thomas Hunt and Margaret Janco).
• Hillsville mobster Racco on trial for his life in 1908 (by Thomas Hunt and Margaret Janco).
• When the Mafia fed America: Society of the Banana (by Justin Cascio).
• Boss Falcone gunned down at saloon in 1921.
• 1924-25 murders of Dominic and Frank Barber (by Thomas Hunt and James Barber).
• Barber brothers allied with Sewickley mob (by Thomas Hunt and James Barber).
• Joseph DiCarlo at Youngstown, 1946-1953 (by Thomas Hunt and Michael A. Tona).
• Farahs partnered with mafiosi at Jungle Inn.
• Chief Edward Allen testifies.
• Cammarata the Untouchable (by Thom L. Jones).
• When Youngstown became 'Bombtown' (by Edmond Valin).
• Mallamo and Prato: last Calabrian bosses?
• Local boy makes very bad: Lenny Strollo.
• Other gangster biographies.
• Gangland violence timeline.
• Book news.

Learn more about Informer #32

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 96 pages)

Focus: California mobsters

• Trail of blood: Mafia murder of Barnett Baff linked Corleone, East Harlem and the ghettos of Los Angeles (by J. Michael Niotta PhD);
• Sam Streva and the 'San Pedro gang' (by Justin Cascio);
• Was Nick DeJohn a victim of Cheese War?
• Golden State often unfriendly to transplanted mobsters;
• San Francisco boss Lanza held key role with Colorado's Mafia (by Michael O'Haire);
• New Orleans connection to San Francisco Mafia (by Lennert van't Riet).
• Reinhold Engel: Forgotten leader of a big-time robbery gang (by Jeffery King);
• Another, other Gentile family;
• Police rarely appear on U.S. postage (by Thomas Hunt);
• New York revolutions in policing and crime.

Learn more about Informer #31

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 214 pages)

Focus: Nicola Gentile

• Biography of Nicola Gentile: Chronicler of Mafia history
• The man (men?) killed by young Gentile
• Gentile's other family in Rochester, New York
• Narcotics bust forced Gentile out of U.S.
• Gentile's pal, U.S. spy Mario Brod
• Biographies of those contributing to Gentile's life story
• Gentile's Pueblo, Colorado, connection
• Loprestos crossed paths with Gentile
• Nicola Gentile in context
• Book excerpt: Giuseppe Masseria and Frankie Yale
• Los Angeles 1906: Murder of George Maisano
• The Warner Files: How has coronavirus affected the Mafia?
• Just One More Thing...: Discrepancies, distortions, deceptions
• Obituary: Martha Macheca Sheldon

Learn more about Informer #30

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 84 pages)

Focus: Maranzano

• Researcher unearths supposed Salvatore Maranzano photo in 1931 Italian periodical (Note: photo later identified as a German murderer)
• Why was Maranzano significant in American Mafia history?
• What Maranzano did not look like (reprinted from July 2009)
• What was revealed about Maranzano by those who knew him?
• Locations linked with Maranzano's life and career
• Maranzano chronology
• How Maranzano has been represented in the movies
• Warner Files: Mafia warrior and boss of Trapani
• Just one more thing: Was there a post-Maranzano purge?

Learn more about Informer #29

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 68 pages)

• Baby Face Nelson and the 'Tape Bandits' by Jeffery S. King.
• Dope and duplicity in 1930s Albany by Ellen Poulsen.
• 'He's coming to take me to the chair' by Thomas Hunt.
• Interview: Christian Cipollini
• Book Reviews: Behind the Murder Curtain, Ghost: My Thirty Years as an FBI Undercover Agent.
• Book Notes: Inspector Oldfield and the Black Hand Society, Carmine the Snake, Chasing Dillinger.
• Warner Files: Who killed Sam Giancana? by Richard N. Warner.
• Just one more thing: Wherefore art thou, Romeo? by Thomas Hunt.

Learn more about Informer #28

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 104 pages)

• West Side Waterfront Warfare by Neil G. Clark.
• Frank Zito and the Little-Known Mafia of Springfield by Lennert van`t Riet and David Critchley.
• Capitano DiCarlo: Architect of Leggio's Mafia by Justin Cascio.
• Bonanno Member in South Florida Aided Federal Agents by Edmond Valin.
• Origins of U.S. Mafia Families by Bill Feather.
• Book Reviews of Axeman, Street Gangs, Petrosino.
• Warner Files: What's New in the Chicago Outfit?

Learn more about Informer #27

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 48 pages)

• Leftist Radicals Clash in Barre, Vermont, by Thomas Hunt.
• Family Business: The Corleone Fratuzzi by Justin Cascio.
• Warner Files: Author Herbert Asbury's Flawed History.
• The Galleanists' War of Terror by Thomas Hunt.
• Book Review of A Wiser Guy.
• 100 Years Ago: 1916.
• Just One More Thing: On the Trail of Frank 'Butsey' Morelli.

Learn more about Informer #26

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 54 pages)

• Rebel Buffalo Mobsters Eyes Rackets Colony in Florida by Thomas Hunt and Michael A. Tona.
• A Glimpse Behind the Curtain of People v. Luciano by C. Joseph Greaves.
• Silent Service law enforcement agency by H.K. Petschel.
• Warner Files: Reviews of Bugsy Siegel and Two Mafias.
• Dead Guys in Suits: October's Biggest Hits.

Learn more about Informer #25

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 76 pages)

• Lord High Executioner of the American Mafia: Albert Anastasia by Lennert van`t Riet, David Critchley and Steve Turner.
• How Mafia Became La Cosa Nostra by Edmond Valin.
• Book Review of Empire of Sin.
• Warner Files: Racism's Connection to Organized Crime.
• Just One More Thing: Just How Organized was Calabrian Organized Crime?

Learn more about Informer #24

(Digest 5.25" x 8.25" - 76 pages)

• Brooklyn's Swiss Cheese Prison by Thomas Hunt
• Pretty Boy Floyd's Double by Jeffery S. King.
• Lucky Luciano excerpt by Christian Cipollini.
• Religion and the Mafia 3 by Richard N. Warner.
• Book Review of The Mob and the City.
• Just One More Thing: Publishing Bias.

Learn more about Informer #23

(Digest 5.25" x 8.25" - 108 pages)

Single-subject issue

• The Early New York Mafia: An Alternative Theory by Richard Warner, Angelo Santino and Lennert van`t Riet.

Learn more about Informer #22

(Digest 5.25" x 8.25" - 116 pages)

• Brooklyn Miracle? The Regina Pacis Crowns by Thomas Hunt.
• The Ascent of Vito Genovese by Lennert van`t Riet, David Critchley and Steve Turner.
• Detroit Mafia Membership Chart by Bill Feather.
• Obituary: Vito Rizzuto.
• Fifty Years Ago: The Warren Commision, Oswald and the FBI.

Learn more about Informer #21

(Digest 5.25" x 8.25" - 68 pages)

• Ruffino and the White Slave Trade by Joshua R. Henze.
• Pandemonium in the Courtroom: An Excerpt from Diary of a Motor City Hit Man by Christian Cipollini.
• Los Angeles Mafia Membership Chart by Bill Feather.
• Book Review of Diary of a Motor City Hit Man.
• Book Announcement: DiCarlo Biography Revises Buffalo Underworld History.
• Warner Files: Religion and the Mafia, Part 2.

Learn more about Informer #20

(Digest 5.25" x 8.25" - 88 pages)

• The Life and Crimes of 'Diamond Joe' Esposito by Lennert van`t Riet and David Critchley.
• Bootleg Poison by Thomas Hunt and Michael A. Tona.
• Buffalo Mafia Membership Chart by Bill Feather.
• Gangland Profile: Frank Bonomo by J. Dugard.
• Warner Files: Oscar Being Oscar - An Interview with Oscar Goodman.
• Just One More Thing: Just When You Think It's Safe to Go Back to the Bookstore.

Learn more about Informer #19

(Digest 5.25" x 8.25" - 80 pages)

• An Informal Biography of Herbert Asbury: America's 'Chief Chronicler of Sin,' by Thomas Hunt.
• Gunmen of the Castellammarese War, Part 4: Salvatore "Sally Shields" Shillitani by Lennert van`t Riet, David Critchley and Steve Turner.
• Lucchese Crime Family Membership Chart by Bill Feather.
• Two Gambino Informants had very Different Fates by Edmond Valin.
• Warner Files: God and the Mafia.
• Book Review of Mafia Summit.
• In the News: Whitey Bulger.
• 100 Years Ago.

Learn more about Informer #18

(Digest 5.25" x 8.25" - 56 pages)

• Al Capone in St. Petersburg, Florida, by Scott Deitche.
• Al Capone Press Conference.
• Gunmen of the Castellammarese War, Part 4: Dominick Petrelli by Lennert van't Reit, David Critchley and Steve Turner.
• Tampa Mafia Membership Chart 1920s-1940s by Bill Feather.
• San Francisco Bay-Area Informants by Edmond Valin.
• Warner Files: New York Mobster Reading List.

Learn more about Informer #17

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 108 pages)

Focus on Wisconsin.

• Vito Guardalabene and the Early Milwaukee Mafia by Joshua R. Henze
• Underworld Interest in Wisconsin Cheese by Gavin Schmitt
• Counterfeiters Captured in Milwaukee, 1908-09, by Joshua R. Henze
• Milwaukee-Area Mafia Membership Chart 1920s-1950s by Bill Feather
• Gunmen of the Castellammarese War, Part 3: Girolamo Santuccio by Lennert van't Reit, David Critchley and Steve Turner
• Book Review of Legs Diamond
• Warner Files: New York Underworld Reading List by Richard N. Warner
• News: Henry Hill obit

Learn more about Informer #16

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 100 pages)

Focus on Charlie Luciano.

• Last Word on the Last Testament by Richard N. Warner
• Charlie Lucky's Life by Thomas Hunt
• Gunmen of the Castellammarese War, Part 2: Steve Rannelli by Lennert van't Reit, David Critchley and Steve Turner
• Philly Mob Informants by Edmond Valin
• Genovese Mafia Membership Chart 1950s-1960s by Bill Feather
• Warner Files: Capone Reading List
• Dead Guys in Suits: Soggy Sendoffs

Learn more about Informer #15

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 68 pages)

Focus on Profaci-Colombo Mafia.

• Profaci's Rise by Thomas Hunt
• Colombo Crime Family Profiles by Justin Dugard
• Colombo Violence Timeline by Justin Dugard
• Profaci-Colombo Mafia Membership Chart 1950s-1960s by Bill Feather
• JFK Plot Investigators Examine Profaci-Colombo Clan
• Gunmen of the Castellammarese War, Part 1: Sebastiano Domingo by David Critchley
• Interview of Sandra Harmon (Interviewed by Ryan Artis)
• Book Review of We're Going to Win This Thing
• Book Review of The Boston Mob Guide

Learn more about Informer #14

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 76 pages)

• History of the New England Mafia, Part 2, by Richard N. Warner
• The Crimes of Tommy Carroll by Jeffery S. King
• Raymond Patriarca, "The Man," by Thomas Hunt
• Profaci Mafia Membership Chart 1900s-1940s by Bill Feather
• Later Chicago Outfit Informants by Edmond Valin
• Warner Files: More Hoover Myths
• Dead Guys in Suits: Flaming Finales
• Mob Corner by Thom L. Jones
• Book Review of Al Capone and His American Boys

Learn more about Informer #13

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 56 pages)

• Mafia Denials Plague FBI's Hoover by Alex Hortis
• History of the New England Mafia, Part 1, by Richard N. Warner
• Social Clubs of Federal Hill by "Wisconsin Kid"
• New England Mafia Chart by Bill Feather and Thomas Hunt
• Roemer's Chicago Outfit Informants by Edmond Valin
• Warner Files: Hoover Myths
• Dead Guys in Suits: Brothers Killed
• Just One More Thing

Learn more about Informer #12

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 64 pages)

Focus on Northeast Pennsylvania.

• Men of Montedoro by Thomas Hunt and Michael A. Tona
• Daring 1870 Bank Robbery in Scranton
• Sicilian Miners Battle Black Handers by Thomas Hunt
• Capones Reach the Promised Land by Deirdre Marie Capone
• Northeast Pennsylvania Mafia Chart by Bill Feather
• Warner Files: Sources
• Dead Guys in Suits: Sack Murders
• Book Review of Young Al Capone
• Book Review of Lucky Luciano: The Real and the Fake Gangster

Learn more about Informer #11

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 84 pages)

• A Test of Resolve: The 1932 Murder of Pittsburgh Boss John Bazzano by Thomas Hunt and Michael A. Tona
• The Last Days of the Brady Gang by Richard Shaw
• Warner Files: Giuseppe Masseria
• Genovese Mafia Membership Chart 1930s-1970s by Bill Feather
• Interview of Bill Helmer (Interviewed by Ellen Poulsen)
• A Tribute to Rick Mattix

Learn more about Informer #10

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 60 pages)

• Al Capone's Long Stay in Philly by Thomas Hunt
• Eastern State Penitentiary by Gregory Peduto
• A Room for Two: Winkeler and Moran by Chriss Lyon
• FBI Investigates Counterfeit Capone Tale
• Pennsylvania Crime Syndicates
• Al Capone and Nucky Johnson Photo Controversy by Thomas Hunt
• Philadelphia Mafia Membership Chart by Bill Feather
• Interview of Arthur Nash
• Book Review of Sergeant Smack
• Television: Boardwalk Empire

Learn more about Informer #9

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 60 pages)

• DiGiorgio - First Crime Boss of Los Angeles? by Richard N. Warner
• The Mafia of Dallas by Thomas Hunt
• America's First Mafia War by Thomas Hunt and Martha Macheca Sheldon
• Texas Mafia Membership Chart by Bill Feather
• New Orleans Mafia Membership Chart by Bill Feather
• Book Review of Mr. New Orleans
• Book Review of Gangsters of Miami
• News: Rivals Move Against Rizzutos, Vegas "Mob Experience," Joseph Gato obit, Frank Colacurcio obit

Learn more about Informer #8

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 80 pages)

Focus on Morello Mob of NYC.

• Comito's Story by Antonio Comito
• Morello-Lupo Imprisonment Timeline
• Witnesses for the Defense (Counterfeiting trial)
• Mafia Boss of Bosses Despairs in Prison by Thomas Hunt
• Nemesis of Counterfeiters: William Flynn by Thomas Hunt
• Gambino Mafia Membership Chart 1910s-1940s by Bill Feather
• Ask Informer: Morello Mob Descendants

Learn more about Informer #7

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 56 pages)

Focus on Cleveland.

• To Kill the Irishman by Rick Porrello
• 1928 Mafia Convention by Thomas Hunt and Michael A. Tona
• The Masserias of Cleveland by Richard N. Warner
• Cleveland Mafia Membership Chart 1930s-1950s by Bill Feather
• Interview of Rick Porrello
• Ask Informer: Dr. Giuseppe Romano
• News: John A. Gotti Hung Jury, New England Mafia, Gregory DePalma obit

Learn more about Informer #6

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 56 pages)

• Castro and the Casinos by Thomas Hunt
• Jack Ruby Visits Havana
• Buccellato's Bushwick Crew by Justin Dugard
• Early Bonanno Membership Chart by Bill Feather
• Interview of Martha Macheca Sheldon
• Book Review of The Mad Ones
• Book Review of The Canary Sang But Couldn't Fly
• Ask Informer: William Flynn
• News: Lucchese Clan Clobbered, John A. Gotti, Anastasia Nephew, Anthony St. Laurent, Angelo Prisco, Gennaro Angiulo obit, Burton Kaplan obit

Learn more about Informer #5

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 48 pages)

• 1909 Mafia Murder in Danbury, CT, by Thomas Hunt
• Maranzano Muddle by David Critchley
• My First Dinner with Mickey Cohen by Steve Stevens and Craig Lockwood
• Pittsburgh Mafia Membership Chart by Bill Feather
• Interview of Patrick Downey
• Book Review of The First Family
• Book Review of Mafia Son
• Ask Informer: John Gotti
• News: Carmen DiNunzio Pleads Guilty, Bonanno Crew in Florida, Alfonso Tornabene obit, Donato Angiulo obit

Learn more about Informer #4

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 56 pages)

• The Dreaded D'Andrea by Richard N. Warner
• Chicago's Early Mafia Bosses by Thomas Hunt
• 80 Years Since the Valentine's Day Massacre
• Chicago Outfit Membership Chart 1920s-40s by Bill Feather
• Interview of Art Bilek
• Ask Informer: Chicago Heights Mafia
• Book Review of The Origin of Organized Crime in America
• News: Family Secrets Sentences, Charles Carneglia

Learn more about Informer #3

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 56 pages)

• Martyr: Joseph Petrosino by Thomas Hunt
• The Mob's Worst Year - 1957, Part 2 by Thomas Hunt
• Interview of Scott Deitche
• Kansas City Mafia Membership Chart by Bill Feather
• Book Review of Open City
• Book Review of The Last Undercover
• Ask Informer: Saverio Pollaccia, Society of the Banana
• News: Top 10 Stories of 2008, Frank Rosenthal obit, Salvatore Scala obit, Frank Valenti obit, Anthony Spero obit.

Learn more about Informer #2

(Standard 8.25" x 10.75" - 48 pages)

• The Mob's Worst Year - 1957, Part 1 by Thomas Hunt
• Capone's Triggerman Kills Michigan Cop by Chriss Lyon
• Newspaperman Reveals Lynch Mob Role by Thomas Hunt
• Interview of David Critchley
• Book Review of Frank Nitti
• Book Review of The Mafia and the Machine
• Book Review of The First Vice Lord
• Book Review of The Complete Public Enemy Almanac
• Ask Informer: Joe DiGiovanni
• News: John A. Gotti, James "Whitey" Bulger, John Bazzano Jr. obit, Frank Schweihs obit, Carl DeLuna obit.

Learn more about Informer #1