Operation Underworld: How the Mafia and U.S. Government Teamed Up to Win World War II

Being a LCN history buff, I wanted to learn the full and detailed story around Luciano's work with Office of Naval Intelligence during WWII. Before reading Mathew Black's book on the subject, most of what I had read was not much more than innuendo, over-hyped speculation and terse discussion, non of which offered any real references. Black did a great job of going into detail while offering many references to back up this history. Where the references were vague or conflicted, he calls this out in the footnotes and explains his rationale for why he chose a particular assertion or point of view in the main body of the book.Using such resources as a detailed after-action investigation conducted on behalf of Thomas Dewey, then Governor of New York, who gave Luciano a pardon (and also deported him) at the end of the war -- and who also originally put him away when he was NYC DA -- Black reveals names, dates and actions of who was involved and even text from wiretaps amongst some of the principals. Here we learn who Luciano met with in prison to help ONI protect the East Coast docks as well as to provide intelligence for the invasion of Sicily.One of the things I came away with after reading this book was how well connected Luciano was with the NY underworld and how, through trusted friends and associates, he was able to reach out to the right people, to include not only members of his own Borgata, but members of other families and related associates. From these resources, he was able to scour the region for people with the right information to be of value to ONI. At the same time, the NYC naval officers involved were able to exploit this intelligence (as well as the valuable training they got in the process of gathering it) when they went overseas and effectively operationalize it in the invasions of both Sicily and mainland Italy.The work fully discredits Book, TV and Movies about this episode showing Luciano living in a lap of luxury in prison while he was helping ONI; instead, other than getting to meet his contacts for a half hour or so in private now and then outside the warden's office, he was treated just like any other prisoner. But Black also makes it clear that non ONI business, i.e. Cosa Nostra business, was also discussed in those same meetings, probably including some 'hits'. Moreover, the Navy man in charge of Operation Underworld, in dealing with the devil seems to also have been too tempted by some of the 'gifts' and 'benefits' -- before and after his Navy Career -- that his LCN friends provided as a way of appreciation.Lastly, I think this book has a lot to say about such later Intelligence work with LCN, including the CIA assassination plots against Castro and perhaps even JFK assassination: to avoid embarrassment, ONI had all of their records on Operation Underworld burned and shredded. Those who think Oswald was a US Intelligence asset, but could never get any specific data to show it from FOIA requests can appreciate that any such documents alluding to such a relationship would have also been destroyed.

Bought this for a gift. It was shipped loosely in a box and the front cover came slightly torn from all the movement. Otherwise, looks like a good book to have for that home library collection.

I admit that I am a history nut and I particularly like books about WWII. However most books deal with our participation in Africa, Europe or the Pacific. It was enlightening to read about some of our domestic affairs, not to mention how two opposing entities such as the US Navy and the mafia collaborated to increase the security of our war effort. I was impressed by the detail at which this book presented a page turner story regarding such an unlikely nonfiction event. I will keep this author’s name in my radar and will watch for additional works of his in the future. History nut

What a great read. The pacing, excitement, and drama of a bingeable streaming series, with the context, details, and poetic moments of a novel. The tension between the escalating events of WWII, with U-boats attacking Allied supply ships in the Atlantic, and the urgent need to protect America’s home front coastline makes for a gripping narrative.It's American history unfolding. Gritty low-life criminal elements, exploited and poor immigrants, brave and courageous entrepreneur/patriots and high level military intelligence—all playing a role in protecting the war effort.As a former New Yorker, I enjoyed the vivid portraits of an earlier version of the city and its people. The author captures well the contrasting moods of the culture at that time--the optimism of this land of opportunity with the ominous, fearful mood of impending sabotage.The controversial yet successful methods employed speak to the strength, resilience, and confidence of a younger nation finding its way in tackling a formidable enemy. A riveting and rewarding tale. Highly recommended.

I found this story to be absolutely astonishing. I hadn't known anything about the Mafia's role in aiding the United States Navy in World War II when I picked it up, and the painstaking details unearthed by Mr. Black in his research painted a rich tale of the odd couple that came together in this fraught moment in history. A must read for anyone interested in this era, or for anyone simply looking for a good read!

but i have to agree with other people what did the goverment get out of the mob .....very little

Overall, this wasn't a terrible book. For me, it simply seemed more filled with mini bios about mafia members involved, and how they came to help the U.S. Navy more than anything else. I suppose I wanted more U.S. Navy and Mafia defeat Hitler than was provided. The book does however provide several historical facts which could be expanded upon when looking for related research.

Although I have read countless books about WWII, the author has thoroughly researched and brought to light the fascinating true story about help being sought from a group of "characters" who you would feel would be the last people from who you would seek help, let alone have them agree, and proceed to help in ways that only they could. This book reads like a novel, but it is, in reality, the true factual story that, I believe, few have ever heard about, until now. This book is a "must read" for anyone interested in a unique, never-before-been-told story of vitally important contributions to our victory in WWII, by people you would never suspect would be responsible for making those contributions. Highly, recommended!

I had high hopes for this book. Its initial premise was that u-boats off the US mainland we're being resupplied by spies working on the docks. So the story was all about recruiting the Mafia dockers to root out the culprits. But half way through the book the author drops a comment saying it was bigger u-boats doing the resupplying. So all that waffle (and there was a lot of repetition and trivial stuff) was a total non-story. Tha latter third of the book was a bit more promising, about the crooks joining the war in Sicily, but by that time I was bored of it and gave up.