Informer - Nov 2024

A rare primary source into Castellammarese War-era Mafia history, Joseph Valachi described early gangland of East Harlem and the Bronx, and provided a unique soldier-level view of New York-area organized crime from Prohibition to Apalachin. An early FBI informant, he was the focus of a best-selling book, a popular movie, televised Senate testimony and a lengthy autobiography. Yet, a great deal of his true story has remained untold. Now, 60 years after Valachi put pen to paper to tell his story, a team of historians is revealing long hidden aspects of his life and investigating the individuals who influenced him. This Informer issue features articles on various phases of Valachi's existence in and out of "cosa nostra," bios of many who were important in his life and background of his time and place. It is illustrated with photos, documents, maps. In addition to print and electronic magazine formats, it is available in hardcover, paperback and ebook formats. For more info, visit informer-journal.blogspot.com