The Gambino Family: A History of New York's Gambino Mafia Family

The Gambino Family is a well-researched book on the 100-plus-year history of one of New York's infamous La Cosa Nostra organizations. It begins with an outline of the first Boss, Salvatore D'Aquila, and ends with the present leader, Domenic Cefalu.

Some of the essential details include the killing of Bosses Salvatore D'Aquila, Albert Anastasia, and Paul Castellano. Additionally, I provide a brief explanation of the formation of the Commission in 1931, as well as the Carlo Gambino–led conspiracy in the early 1960s that overthrew Joe Bonanno.

Some readers might find interesting the outline of a scam by Capo Joe Paterno, where he conspired to kill two relatives to hold on to the money they stupidly put in his trust.

There is a chapter on the Cherry Hill Gambinos, a Sicilian crew in the Gambino Family. The leader of this crew rose to be a Capo despite his extensive drug dealing. The crew's success proved that the La Cosa Nostra rule against drug dealing was a myth.

Another section deals with the little-known Baltimore crew. Joe N. Gallo, later the Family's Consigliere, used to make regular trips to Baltimore to pick up tribute from that crew's gambling operations.

Andy Petepiece has researched the Mafia for more than fifty years. During that period he worked with various organizations and individuals to provide accurate information on La Cosa Nostra.

Edmond Valin, author of chapter nineteen, is a veteran Mafia researcher with great credentials.