Borgata: Autumn of Empire

A History of the American Mafia: Volume 3 of the Borgata Trilogy

Louis Ferrante

The explosive conclusion to Louis Ferrante’s epic trilogy about the rise and fall of the American mafia.

Borgata: Autumn of Empire is the propulsive conclusion to Louis Ferrante’s epic trilogy about the rise and fall of the American mafia.

Following the mafia’s golden age of prosperity—and triumphs over internal and external adversaries—we arrive at the final stirring volume of this trilogy, as the reader follows the American mafia’s descent into a murderous rampage, with lieutenants scrambling to lord over the remnants of a shrinking empire.

The story picks up with men—like Carlo Gambino—who are forced to cede power to a new generation of mobsters who lack the skill to steer the mob into a new era of prosperity. The painstaking art of diplomacy is replaced by murder, which becomes the answer to nearly everything. Family values, however twisted, are supplanted by individualism. And the old-world sanctity of omertá gives way to the age of the informant.

Facilitating the mob’s decline is law enforcement’s new resolve to dismantle organized crime by way of strike forces, the RICO law, and the Witness Protection Program. As a result of the legal spotlight, America’s police and political establishment shy away from bribes, and the mafia finds itself devoid of that deep layer of protection they had always relied upon.

With colorful characters taking center stage—such as John Gotti, Anthony “Gaspipe” Casso, Vincent “Chin” Gigante, Joseph Massino, and Carmine “The Snake” Persico—the American mafia is ruptured by cataclysmic changes that are beyond its ability to control; one borgata is beset by civil war as another undergoes an internal blood purge, and a third is toppled by coup. Labor unions that have been under mob control for decades are suddenly lost, opportunities are squandered, top earners are foolishly murdered, and the mob is expelled from industries that took a century for them to infiltrate.

This third volume of the Borgata trilogy follows the years of decline from 1975 to 2005—and is written by a man who knew many of the characters involved and experienced first-hand the external pressures and violent bloodbaths that finally sounded the mob’s death knell.

Louis Ferrante is a former Mafia associate and heist expert who served eight years in prison after refusing to incriminate his fellow Gambino family members. His last book, Mob Rules (HarperCollins), was an international bestseller, and his Discovery Channel Series, Inside the Gangsters Code, earned him a Grierson Award nomination for Presenter of the Year.

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Endorsements & Reviews

Praise for Louise Ferrante’s Borgata trilogy:

"In the second volume in his three-part history of the Mafia, Ferrante delves extensively into a tumultuous period, providing a wealth of background about key players and the struggles that played out in public and behind closed doors. Essential reading for historians of organized crime." Booklist

“The book reminds us how violent the mafia was. Borgata is a detailed work that covers the major events in American mafia history. The author produces some highly entertaining insights thanks to his background. Mr. Ferrante is justifiably proud of his research and of having taught himself 'the writer’s craft’ by reading and studying in his 'dark, dank prison cell' eighteen hours a day.” Bill Heavey, The Wall Street Journal

“Former mobster Ferrante supplies a fascinating inside look at the history of the Mafia. Ferrante’s familiarity with Mafia customs gives flesh and immediacy to what could otherwise be a rote historical tome, but he doesn’t draw his authority from affiliation alone: this is a well-researched history in its own right. True crime fans will be captivated.” Publishers Weekly

“Drawing on his experience as an ex-mobster, Ferrante peppers his stories with enlightening morsels about the conditions that facilitated the rise and impunity of organized criminals.” Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Mob Rules:

“Ferrante is the Mafia Management Guru.” BusinessWeek

"Leadership lessons from the mob. Ferrante's book is worth the read. Colorful tales of mob life.” Forbes

“Ferrante shares cogent advice. A colorful and surprisingly practical business primer.” Publishers Weekly

“One of the wisest and wittiest collections of reflections on life and business ever penned by a wiseguy.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram

“Pours out spicy tales of Mob lore to make its management points, an approach most execs couldn't refuse. Mob Rules lays out the ways the rules of the Mafia can be applied in pursuit of straight-world success, injecting historical parallels and real-life anecdotes along the way.” New York Post

"Wiseguy's Wisdom. Worthwhile, sometimes humorous tips on how to succeed in business.” New York Daily News