Gomorrah by Roberto Saviano Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Gomorrah
Book Review: Scarily accurate
Summary: 5 Stars
This is almost a documentary about an Italian Mafia nobody talks about, the one concentrated in Naples. The facts and the documentation are scarily accurate and, also, very enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this book!Book Review: Should be titled Saviano's Legal Deposition
Summary: 1 Stars
If you live here in Naples, you can imagine all the place names he mentions. But a very dull read.
The Conclusion was imbedded in the last chapter "land of fires" which he could have written so much more about.
Felt as if I were reading a legal deposition.
Book Review: The Violence of Organized Crime
Summary: 5 Stars
"The first paragraph of this book grabs your attention and keeps it. Taken everything together, this is not an easy read. For me personally there is the graphic details of violence that is described in detail. Putting that aside, this would be a book for those who are interested in organized crime and how it spreads its tentacles into every part of our life. I think that the author took his life in his hands to find out all he did and I also wonder if he is safe even now that the book is published. I would certainly recommend this book if you are interested in organized crime and taking into consideration the graphic details." --Patricia (San Antonio, TX) This book I also reviewed for Bookbrowser.com
Book Review: The only thing you learn in the black hole of Naples is how to die
Summary: 4 Stars
In going undercover, R. Saviano experienced at first hand the Mafia at work in the Naples region.
It is a story of savage infighting, bid-rigging, trafficking and relentless slaughtering of competition.
Economics
Mafia business is one of the most aggressive forms of neoliberalism. It is a naked struggle among clans in order to create monopolies and to maximize profits. Their activities cover as different sectors as real estate, construction, cement, garment, farming, sugar and trafficking of drugs, cigarettes, arms and waste. A clan cartel could generate as much as 30 billion euros of revenues per year.
The author also clearly explains the bidding contest for contracts in the garment industry, where small `illegal' factories with harsh working conditions are tailoring even unique pieces for the top names in the industry.
Ethics and creed
For the Mafia, ethics equal protection of the defeated. Justice and injustice have only significance as victory or defeat. The only thing that counts is the law of the strongest, are the means to rule.
Its members don't consider their activities as contradictory to the Christian message as long as those activities are good for the clan and its affiliates. Killing of enemies and traitors is seen as a legitimate transgression of the fifth commandment.
Lifestyle
Once in a commanding position, most bosses are confronted with the long arm of the law. They are always on the run and are not capable of enjoying their wealth. They become prisoners of their own business empire.
A big part of the book unravels a secession war between Mafia families and the killing of a priest. The relentless bestial slaughterings become rather boring and can only be fully appreciated by insiders.
Roberto Saviano wrote a courageous book exposing business empires built on monopolies, extortion and brutal power struggles. It is a picture of a lawless society.
Highly recommended.
Book Review: The other mobs in Italy
Summary: 4 Stars
Interesting overview of how integrated the mob is in Italian society. We hear all the time about the Sicilians - this book is strictly about Italian crime syndicates. Soon to be released as a movie...