The most comprehensive book written on New York City's underworld from 1900 - 1935. Its pages chronicle virtually every widely known (and lesser known) Mafioso, bootlegger, racketeer and thug who terrorised the City in the early 20th century. The murders of some 700 gangsters are profiled in detail. This veritable encyclopedia of the New York underworld explores the origins of Mafia initiation rites and uncovers the most important gang wars, many still unknown to average readers.