Five Families cover art

Five Families

The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America's Most Powerful Mafia Empires

Preview

Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Five Families

Written by: Selwyn Raab
Narrated by: Paul Costanzo
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $33.40

Buy Now for $33.40

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

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
True Crime Inspiring New York Mafia
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

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
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    95
  • 4 Stars
    19
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    86
  • 4 Stars
    15
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    91
  • 4 Stars
    11
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

Loved it, very informative. Easy reccomded to any organized crime fans. Very good narration and pace

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderfully Researched and Written

An excellent book for those with interest in the history and potential resurgence of the Italian mafia.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

best book on the mafia!

It's easy to lose track on how bad those guys are when listening to a podcast or a YouTube video by Sammy the Bull Gravano or Michael Franzese. They're tugs and make victims among innocent people as well, contrary to what they try to make believe. This book offers a balance view on this world

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great info. Very detailed.

Wow. So much info. Really enjoyed it. All the classic stories and stuff you do know already plus so much more. 10/10.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • 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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!