BOOK REVIEW: The First Family (Mike Dash)

The mafia has been a popular topic for many authors, filmmakers, and creative artists alike. A ton of books have been written on the topic, and dozens upon dozens of movies have been made exploring the underground. But few have touched on the early days, the birth of the American mafia, and the latest may just be the most definitive look at the start of the of Cosa Nostra. Mike Dash, the New York Times bestselling author, brings to us The First Family. Dash lets the reader know right off the hop, that much of what they’ve likely read about the topic is heresay, and lies and rumour that have simply been repeated enough that they become fact.

Dash lets you know that almost everything touched on in the book is derived directly from court documents or police reports, in other words, the words you read are from the people who’ve seen. The accounts and stories themselves are so intriguing and entertaining that as you flip from page to page, you wonder why noone has never touched on this era before. You know of the Gambino family, you know of the Gottis, the Capones. Who you probably don’t know about, and you probably should know about is Giuseppe Morello – known as ‘The Clutch Hand’. The book touches on everything from the origins of Morello and his associates in Italy to how they got their start once they touched down in the United States. What jumps out is the amount of detail, completely trustworthy detail too.

The title kicks off with a classic murder mystery that introduces Morello and one of the men who work tirelessly to fight against him, the Secret Service agent, William Flynn. All in all, numerous equally colorful characters come in and out of the story, and story opens into a fantastic period piece, and a tale of American history. Mike Dash delivers an absolute must read for any fan of the era, the mafia, or crime history itself.