Mafia and Antimafia: A Brief History

Description

The mafia is the impenetrable and seemingly infallible embodiment of notoriety and criminality. Umberto Santino, one of Italy's leading mafia experts, here provides a new perspective on the mafia: as a polymorphic organization which encompasses crime, the accumulation of corruptly acquired wealth and power, the cultural code of omerta and consensus. Exploring the movements which strive to fight against the powers of the mafia, such as the campaigns of civil society organizations like the Centro siciliano di documentazione, the author also provides a fresh look at the mechanisms - and struggles - of the antimafia movement.

Umberto Santino is the founder and director of the Centro siciliano di documentazione in Palermo, which was the first centre for research into the mafia and was established in 1977. He is one of the most authoritative experts on the mafia and has been a leading figure in the antimafia movement over the past few decades. He has lectured at university level and spoken at conferences, seminars and other events in numerous countries. John Dickie is Professor of Italian Studies at University College, London, UK.