The definitive history of the Mafias infamous Five Families, the campaign to eradicate them, and the Mobs refusal to diefrom a noted New York Times journalist Genovese, Gambino, Bonnano, Colombo and Lucchese. These Five Families built the American Mafia (or Cosa Nostra) into an underworld empire that stretched far beyond New York. For decades, they outwitted, outmaneuvered and outgunned the FBI and other police agencies and were seemingly immune from conviction. With insatiable greed and invisible influence, these families wreaked unparalleled damage to Americas vital business enterprises from construction, carting and shipping to Hollywood, Wall Street and Washington. Written by a New York Times reporter who has covered the Mob for decades, Five Families is the vivid story of the rise and fall of New Yorks premier dons and provides insight and answers to key questions, including: How the legendary Lucky Luciano ended internal wars and forged a new, largely impregnable type of criminal superstructure Why J. Edgar Hoover refused to investigate the mob and denied its existence How the Mafia was involved in the assassination of President Kennedy How Crazy Joey Gallo became a caf society pet, and how a penchant for clam chowder and scungelli led to his murder How John Gottis vanity undermined him and the almighty Gambino family How Carmine the Snake Persicos obsession to create a dynasty sparked a major mob war How the secretive Gaspipe Casso triumphed as the tyrannical and blood-soaked leader of the Lucchese family How Chin Gigante created the nations wealthiest crime family while feigning insanity How the 9/11 tragedy has led to a Mafia resurgence. Unprecedented detail on the inner workings of the Commission and how power and tribute flowed from places like New Orleans, Chicago and Miami back to New York.