Mafia, A Global History

Ryan Gingeras's book examines the rise, evolution, and globalisation of mafia-style organised crime across the twentieth century, comparing groups such as the Sicilian Mafia, Yakuza, triads and camorra.

It situates these organisations within wider historical contexts—war, migration, political upheaval—and explores how they adapted to and shaped modern economies and states.

Gingeras analyses key moments like post‑World War II reconstruction, the drug trade, and cultural influences such as The Godfather to explain mafias' endurance and transformation.

The book blends archival research, case studies, and cultural history to show mafias' roles in politics, commerce, and social life around the world.

It argues that mafias are integral to understanding modern history, not merely criminal phenomena.