Carlos Marcello: The Swamp King of New Orleans Carlos Marcello rarely looked impressed. Not by politicians. Not by federal agents. Not by reporters asking dangerous questions. He sat heavily behind…
Carmine Galante: The Cigar, the Heroin Empire, and the Blood-Soaked Throne Carmine Galante looked like trouble even standing still. The heavy-lidded eyes. The permanent cigar hanging from his mouth. The…
Frank Costello: The Diplomat of the American Mafia There were gangsters who ruled with fear. Others ruled with chaos, bloodshed, and loud reputations built on public violence. Frank Costello ruled…
Harry "Pittsburgh Phil" Strauss: The Smiling Psychopath of Murder, Inc. Harry Strauss killed people the way other men changed cigarettes. Casually. Without visible emotion. And often without reason anyone sane could understand. Among the…
"Crazy" Joey Gallo: The Wild Prophet of Brooklyn Joey Gallo never behaved like a traditional gangster. That made him fascinating. It also made him dangerous. While older Mafia bosses operated…
Louis "Lepke" Buchalter: The Killer in the Tailored Coat Louis “Lepke” Buchalter did not look like death. That was part of the problem. He dressed neatly, spoke softly, and often carried himself more…
Louis Capone: The Ice-Cold Killer Behind Murder, Inc. Louis Capone had one of the most misleading names in organized crime history. No relation to Al Capone. No national celebrity status.…
Mickey Cohen: The Last King of Sunset Strip Mickey Cohen never looked like a traditional Mafia boss. He was short, sharp-faced, loud, flashy, and endlessly theatrical. He loved expensive suits,…
Thomas “Three-Fingers Brown” Lucchese: The Quiet Strategist of the American Underworld Thomas Lucchese rarely raised his voice. He did not need to. In a Mafia era crowded with flamboyant killers,…
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