'Secret Societies', a beautifully published book from Same Old, uses primary source material to illuminate a fascinating (and scantly documented) period on the history of American organised crime.
Focusing in on a thirty-year period from the 1890s to the 1920s, this richly illustrated book illuminates a period when the hierarchies of crime families were established and reinforced (as the publisher says, this is the Mafia origins story) and begins by tracing the origins of the Black Hand extortion rackets that preceded them.
A visually stunning document that, through its use of archival documentation, photographs, illustrations and articles, manages to bring to life a history that has remained largely hidden from view. Oh, and that exposed smyth sewn binding not only gives you a lovely 'lay flat' read but looks pretty awesome with it.
Size: 210 x 297mm (A4)
Pages: 176 (+8 300gsm cover pages)
Edition: 1st (1000 copies)
Publisher: Same Old
