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  • Five Families

  • The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America's Most Powerful Mafia Empires
  • Written by: Selwyn Raab
  • Narrated by: Paul Costanzo
  • Length: 33 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (119 ratings)

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Five Families cover art

Five Families

Written by: Selwyn Raab
Narrated by: Paul Costanzo
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Publisher's Summary

Genovese, Gambino, Bonnano, Colombo, and Lucchese. For decades these Five Families ruled New York and built the American Mafia (or Cosa Nostra) into an underworld empire. Today, the Mafia is an endangered species, battered and beleaguered by aggressive investigators, incompetent leadership, betrayals, and generational changes that produced violent, unreliable leaders and recruits. A 20-year assault against the five families in particular blossomed into the most successful law enforcement campaign of the last century.

Selwyn Raab's Five Families is the vivid story of the rise and fall of New York's premier dons, from Lucky Luciano to Paul Castellano to John Gotti and more. The book also brings the listener right up to the possible resurgence of the Mafia as the FBI and local law enforcement agencies turn their attention to homeland security and away from organized crime.

©2005 Selwyn Raab (P)2015 Tantor

What the critics say

"This masterpiece stands an excellent chance of becoming a bestseller with crossover appeal beyond devoted watchers of The Sopranos." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Five Families

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

very long and great history but boring at times

I love the mob history, the book informed me of alot of things I did not know. however although the information was great the narrator was very monotone and at times find myself drifting away. if you like mob history it is a great book. but I compare it to the boring history teacher.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen

I have always enjoyed Mafia lore. this book was great. The narrator did an excellent job of keeping my interest

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great book...comprehensive history of the mob

Really liked this book...it's long but really gives you a great picture of the history behind the mafia. #Audible1

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing, eye-opening.

Such an informative, and educational book on the rise and fall of the mafia in New York.

Any interest in the mafia. You'll love this book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Informative, but too long

Lots of detail here, but it was a chore to listen to at times. Too long

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

If you’re interested in the history of the Mob In America, this book is excellent. Well researched, interesting, and well narrated.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Tap
  • 2020-06-18

A Great Listen

This is hands down a must listen for people into looking at the history of the mob. Give it a listen. I can’t recommend it enough.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Modern History

Extremely well researched and presented.
Ties together headlines and historical lore into a compelling and important narrative!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Mafia Bible

The most complete history of the Mafia available. This is a must if you want to know about the complete story of the American Mafia.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very detailed and in depth

It’s a crazy amount of detailed information on all 5 families. Very well done & doesn’t portray the mafia in a romantic way like a lot of books. Just the facts but told from inside of each family & then like you are on the jury. Solid

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