For decades, the names Genovese, Gambino, Bonnano, Colombo, and Lucchese cast a shadow over the streets of New York, shaping the city's underworld into an empire known as the American Mafia, or Cosa Nostra. But today, the once-mighty Mafia stands as an endangered species, battered by relentless investigators, plagued by incompetent leadership, and torn apart by betrayals and generational shifts that have produced volatile and unreliable leaders and recruits.

In "The Five Families of New York," Mafia Library presents a gripping account of the ascension and decline of New York's foremost crime syndicates, from the legendary Lucky Luciano to the notorious Paul Castellano and John Gotti, and beyond. Through vivid storytelling, the book chronicles the relentless assault waged against these five families over two decades, a campaign that stands as the most successful law enforcement effort of the last century.

However, as the FBI and local law enforcement agencies pivot their focus toward homeland security, the question looms: Could the Mafia be poised for a resurgence? Delving into the latest developments and shifting dynamics of organized crime, this book offers insight into once-dominant underworld powers. From the gritty streets of New York to the corridors of power, "The Five Families of New York" is a riveting exploration of the rise, fall, and potential resurgence of one of America's most infamous criminal enterprises.