"The emergence of the mafia is closely connected with the emergence of the state of Italy," historian John Dickey is convinced.The history of Cosa Nostra confirms this: the name of the organization became a household name, it survived two world wars, withstood the onslaught of the dictatorship of Mussolini, spread overseas and continues to exist today.The strength and power of the mafia are supported by a special code of honor, careful selection and, of course, connections with politicians of the highest level.Thanks to this, Cosa Nostra, which began with the patronage of Sicilian fruit merchants, was closely intertwined with the political life of Italy and even gained influence in international affairs. Today, it still remains a formidable force and can compete for the title of one of the most dangerous criminal syndicates in the world.Based on the many testimonies of both anti-mafia fighters and the "repentant" mafiosi themselves, Dickie's book has become a real investigation into how one of the most dangerous and violent criminal organizations in the world is organized from the inside.