Bonnano Family: A History of New York's Bonanno Mafia Family

The Bonanno Family is a well-researched book on the 100-plus-year history of one of New Yorks infamous La Cosa Nostra organizations. It begins with an outline of the first Bosses and ends with Boss Mikey Mancuso demoting his Acting Boss and Consigliere.Some of the important events covered included the 1931 killing of Boss of Bosses Salvatore Maranzano the formation of the Commission and the dates of the national meetings of La Cosa Nostra. Among those was the infamous 1957 gathering of mob Bosses held at Boss Joseph Barbaras estate. Long-time leader Joseph Bonanno is profiled in this book as are all his successors. I examine Bonannos role in the killing of Salvatore Maranzano and Bonannos alleged kidnapping in 1964. The book covers the Commissions expulsion of Bonanno and his son Salvatore and their many years after that historic event.There are three chapters on the long-ignored Montreal Canada wing of the Bonanno Family. This group eclipsed any New York Family in terms of wealth and reach. Due to their deep involvement in the drug trade the Montreal crew operated worldwide unlike the New York Families. Most readers of La Cosa Nostra will recognize many of the characters from its history. The book provides details on well-known hoods such as Carmine Galante Dominick Sonny Black Napolitano Joe Massino Anthony Spero and Vincent Basciano. American Mafia followers will get to know Canadian Mafia powers like Nicolo Rizzuto Vito Rizzuto Vic Cotroni Paulo Violi and powerful Associates like Raynald Desjardins.