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The American Mafia - www.onewal.com
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Feature Articles, Who Was Who, Rogues Gallery, Mob Chronology, Book Notes, Much More.

Informer print edition is on sale at MagCloud

We are happy to announce that the print edition of Informer's first issue is on sale through MagCloud.com. The printing service, a branch of HP, also provides an issue Table of Contents and an online preview. Issue 1 can be purchased for $11.60 plus $1.40 shipping (only to U.S. addresses at this time).

CLICK TO VISIT MAGCLOUD

Print edition ISSN: 1943-7803
Electronic edition ISSN: 1944-8139

Publishing calendar

Informer's tentative calendar for upcoming issues follows:

• Nov. 3 2008 - Article deadline for Vol. 2, No. 1.
• Dec. 23 2008 - Advertising deadline for v.2 n.1.
• Jan. 26 2009 - Publish date for v.2 n.1.
• Feb. 23 2009 - Article deadline for v.2 n.2.
• Mar. 27 2009 - Advertising deadline for v.2 n.2.
• Apr. 27 2009 - Publish date for v.2 n.2.
• May 25 2009 - Article deadline for v.2 n.3.
• Jun. 26 2009 - Advertising deadline for v.2 n.3.
• Jul. 27 2009 - Publish date for v.2 n.3.
• Aug. 24 2009 - Article deadline for v.2 n.4.
• Sep. 25 2009 - Advertising deadline for v.2 n.4.
• Oct. 26 2009 - Publish date for v.2 n.4.
• Nov. 23 2009 - Article deadline for v.3 n.1.
• Dec. 23 2009 - Advertising deadline for v.3 n.1.

Printed version of Informer available soon

In response to many reader requests, a professionally printed version of Informer will soon be available for purchase within the U.S. At this time, we are estimating a sale price between $11 and $12 per issue plus postage for U.S. mailing addresses.

This is an exciting development for Informer - one we hadn't anticipated happening quite so quickly. We remain committed to providing the low-cost electronic option for all Informer issues. But we agreed with readers that a printed version should also be available.

"Stay tuned" for updates.

Informer downloads total 150 in first week

Downloads of Informer: The Journal of American Mafia History have hit the 150 mark, according to statistics on Box.net. Issue 1 of the electronic journal has been available for free download for one week and will remain available (as a sample issue) for the foreseeable future:

Click here and then select the Download option to get your copy.
(Caution: the "Preview" option is not entirely compatible with Informer's Adobe PDF format.)

Informer will be distributed on a subscription basis beginning in January 2009.

Issue 1 now available for download

Volume 1 Issue 1 of Informer: The Journal of American Mafia History is now available for download: CLICK HERE and select "Download" option. You will require a free PDF reader in order to view the issue. For assistance view the Informer Distribution notes.

(Known issues: The Preview option may produce garbled and poorly formatted text. We recommend against using it. The Preview is based on "iPaper" technology, which is not entirely compatible with the Adobe PDF format used for Informer.)

Contents of Issue 1

• The Mob's Worst Year: 1957


• Capone's Triggerman Kills Michigan Cop


• Newspaperman Reveals Lynch Mob Role


• A Look Back: 100 Years, 75 Years, 25 Years


• Ask the Informer: KC's DiGiovanni


• Book News and Reviews


• In the News


• Deaths

Informer would like to thank the following advertisers for participating in the journal launch: The First Vice Lord: Big Jim Colosimo and the Ladies of the Levee by Art Bilek; The Mafia and the Machine: The Story of the Kansas City Mob by Frank R. Hayde; Deep Water: Joseph P. Macheca and the Birth of the American Mafia by Thomas Hunt and Martha Macheca Sheldon; Niagara Falls Mobtours (themobtours.com); On the Spot Journal of Crime and Law Enforcement History edited by Rick Mattix; The American Mafia History website (onewal.com). We also would like to thank our early subscribers for their support.

Don't miss upcoming issues! Subscribe using the link on this page

In the News

Vol. 1, Issue 1, Sept. 2008 Contents

In the News

• Gotti faces federal murder, drug charges
• Appeals court throws out NJ racketeer convictions
• Murdered restaurateur linked to Bonanno clan
• FBI doubles reward for Whitey Bulger info
• Bonanno Family members indicted for racketeering
• FBI supports mob museum
• Two Coloradans suspected of New Jersey gangland killing
• Caught: Giuseppe Coluccio

Deaths

• Pittsburgh's Bazzano Jr.
• Chicago's Frank Schweihs
• Kansas City's Carl DeLuna

Eight pages of articles
13 photos

This issue is now available for
FREE download - Click Here

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The Mob's Worst Year: 1957

Vol. 1, Issue 1, Sept. 2008 Contents
Feature article
Part 1 of 2

Fifty years ago, lawmakers, enforcement officials

and the American public finally became aware

of the depth and breadth of the Mafia underworld.

The Mob's Worst Year

by Thomas Hunt

Introduction:
"A single year changed everything for the American Mafia.
"Aided by vice and extortion income, by the arrival of vast numbers of Sicilian and southern Italian victims already practiced in deference to an outlaw class and by periodic rejuvenating shake-ups of its organization, the Mafia in the United States rapidly grew in wealth and power from its 19th Century origins through the first half of the 20th Century. The organization's resources and influence might have continued to grow unchecked but for the events of 1957."

Eight and a half pages article body
Three and a half pages of endnotes
13 grayscale photos.

This issue is now available for
FREE download - Click Here

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Capone's triggerman kills Michigan cop

Vol. 1, Issue 1, Sept. 2008 Contents Feature article

'Killer' Burke links Valentine's Massacre with Berrien County

Capone's triggerman

kills Michigan cop

by Chriss Lyon

Introduction:

"Strong links between the Chicago underworld and Berrien County, Michigan, came to light in the aftermath of the February 14, 1929, St. Valentine's Day Massacre. "Before that slaughter, Berrien County had little obvious connection with Chicago mobsters other than visits by Al Capone. The Chicago gang boss was known to reserve entire floors at the Whitcomb Hotel in St. Joseph, to attend functions at the Hotel Vincent ini Benton Harbor, to partake in the fare of Benton Harbor's "Little Italy" and to stay occasionally at various area residences."

Six and a half pages article body Half page of endnotes 11 grayscale photos.

(CORRECTION: In our sidebar story - Page 22 - on the victims of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, we reported that James Clark was the brother-in-law of gang boss George "Bugs" Moran. The relationship was reported in the press accounts of the period. However, crime historian Rick Mattix tells us Clark and Moran were unrelated.)

This issue is now available for FREE download - Click Here

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Book news and reviews

Vol. 1, Issue 1, Sept. 2008 Contents
Book news and reviews

The First Vice Lord: Big Jim Colosimo and the Ladies of the Levee
by Art Bilek.

Frank Nitti: The True Story of Chicago's Notorious 'Enforcer'
by Ronald Humble.

The Mafia and the Machine: The Story of the Kansas City Mob
by Frank R. Hayde.

The Origin of Organized Crime in America: The New York City Mafia: 1891-1931
by David Critchley.

The Complete Public Enemy Almanac
by William Helmer and Rick Mattix.

The Case Against Lucky Luciano
by Ellen Poulsen.

Deep Water: Joseph P. Macheca and the Birth of the American Mafia
by Thomas Hunt and Martha Macheca Sheldon.

(CORRECTION: The Informer review of Frank Nitti By Ronald Humble - Page 29 - repeats Humble's assertion that Nitti was a Sicilian. However, Nitti was born on the Italian mainland, in the village of Angri not far from Naples.)

Preview/Purchase this electronic issue through Scribd.

Preview/Purchase electronic/print issue through MagCloud.

Newspaperman reveals lynch mob role

Vol. 1, Issue 1, Sept. 2008 Contents
Short article

New Orleans newspaperman reveals

his role in 1891 anti-Mafia lynch-mob

Introduction:
"Sirs: I have read in the past many versions of the now famous Mafia affair, most of which were incorrect. I have never written anything about it, as I knew many of the squad were still alive and would resent it, but now that most of us are dead and I am 68, there is little chance of trouble."

Two pages article body
One grayscale photo.

This issue is now available for
FREE download - Click Here

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A Look Back

Vol. 1, Issue 1, Sept. 2008 Contents
A Look Back

100 years ago:
NYPD Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino keeps a watchful eye on vacationing Sicilian Mafioso Raffaele Palizzolo.

75 years ago:
Philadelphia mob leaders Salvatore Sabella, John Avena and A. Domenico Pollina are acquitted of the Cocozza and Zanghi murders.

25 years ago:
New Orleans Mafia boss Carlos Marcello heads to prison. Chicago and Kansas City mobsters are accused of skimming from Vegas casinos. Joseph Bonanno begins serving a prison term.

This issue is now available for
FREE download - Click Here

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Ask the Informer: KC's DiGiovanni

Vol. 1, Issue 1, Sept. 2008 Contents
Ask the Informer

Question:

"What can you tell me about the background and career of former Kansas City mobster Joseph DiGiovanni?"

This issue is now available for
FREE download - Click Here

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Introducing Informer

Informer: The Journal of American Mafia History is a quarterly publication scheduled to begin circulation in fall 2008.

The journal was created to satisfy two distinct needs. The first is that of readers like you for reliable information on the American Mafia criminal society. Much of what has appeared in print to date is poorly researched, drearily written or both. You look for and you deserve history that is both interesting and accurate.

The second need is that of superior Mafia historians for a forum worthy of their efforts. Gone are the many of the true crime periodicals of yesteryear, but the drive of historians to uncover and to convey the truth remains as strong as ever.

Along with expertly researched and written historical pieces, we will strive to put the American Mafia in its proper context by presenting a collection of important current events. These news items, based on the best available sources, will be written with an eye to the continuing evolution of the American Mafia.

Informer is edited by Thomas Hunt, a veteran journalist and award-winning author. Articles are written by individuals who have exhibited a determination to uncover the truth and a knack for delivering effective prose.

Distribution

Informer is published in electronic and print magazine editions. Both are sold and distributed through the MagCloud service. Subscriptions are not provided.

Readers of the electronic edition will need a free PDF format reader to open their issues. Free readers of PDF files are available for various computer systems. The more popular readers are shown below:

Adobe PDF Reader
(Windows, Linux, Mobile, Mac)
Foxit Reader
(Windows, Linux, Mobile)
Apple Safari Web Browser
(Windows, Mac)

Select issues of Informer are available as print paperback and hardcover books through Amazon and as ebooks (Kindle and EPUB formats) through Amazon and Google Play Books.