The Good Mothers: The Story Of The Three Women Who Took On The World's Most Powerful Mafia

You are born in it or marry in. Loyalty is absolute – bloodshed revered. You go to prison, your grave, or kill your relatives before betraying The Family. The 'Ndrangheta is the most powerful, stealthy organised crime network in Italy and worldwide, upheld by the omertà [silence] code. This is the story of the women who broke the silence. Founded more than 150 years ago by old shepherding families and orange farmers in the toe of southern Italy, the Calabrian mafia is one of the richest and most ruthless organized crime syndicates in the world. It runs 70% of the cocaine and heroin in Europe, manages billion-dollar extortion rackets, plunders the Italian state and the European Union and brokers illegal arms around the world. The industrial-scale money laundering required to clean hundreds of billions of euros – the Calabrians' own and other mafias' wealth that they process for a fee – ensures they are in all our lives. We live in their buildings, work in their companies, shop in... Number of Words in Auth: 2 Formats : EPUB Number of Formats : 1 Has Cover : Yes Single Author : Alex Perry Original Source : Mirc New Files 02 17 I A Sorted Author by LN, FN: Perry, Alex Title Length : 016 Title Parm D : The Good Mothers Title Parm F : The Good Mothers Title Parm A : The Good Mothers Title Parm B : ( Record ID : 7340 Uncomma Author : Alex Perry Num of Aut : 1 " As seen in The New Yorker An unprecedented look inside a deadly and obscenely wealthy branch of the Italian mafia and the electrifying story of the women who risked everything to bring them down. The Calabrian Mafia--known as the 'Ndrangheta--is one of the richest and most ruthless crime syndicates in the world, with branches stretching from America to Australia. It controls seventy percent of the cocaine and heroin supply in Europe, manages billion-dollar extortion rackets, brokers illegal arms deals--supplying weapons to criminals and terrorists--and plunders the treasuries of both Italy and the European Union. The 'Ndrangheta's power derives from a macho mix of violence and silence--omertà. Yet it endures because of family ties: you are born into the syndicate, or you marry in. Loyalty is absolute. Bloodshed is revered. You go to prison or your grave and kill your own father, brother, sister, or mother in cold blood before you betray The Family. Accompanying the 'Ndrangheta's reverence for tradition and history is a violent misogyny among its men. Women are viewed as chattel, bargaining chips for building and maintaining clan alliances and beatings--and worse--are routine. In 2009, after one abused 'Ndrangheta wife was murdered for turning state's evidence, prosecutor Alessandra Cerreti considered a tantalizing possibility: that the 'Ndrangheta's sexism might be its greatest flaw--and her most effective weapon. Approaching two more mafia wives, Alessandra persuaded them to testify in return for a new future for themselves and their children. A feminist saga of true crime and justice, The Good Mothers is the riveting story of a high-stakes battle pitting a brilliant, driven woman fighting to save a nation against ruthless mafiosi fighting for their existence. Caught in the middle are three women fighting for their children and their lives. Not all will survive"-- Provided by publisher You are born into it or marry in. Loyalty is absolute, bloodshed revered and you kill or go to your grave before betraying The Family. This code of omertà is how the 'Ndrangheta became the world's most powerful mafia. The Good Mothers is the story of the women who broke the silence. We live in their buildings, work in their companies, shop in their stores, eat in their restaurants and elect politicians they fund. Founded more than 150 years ago by shepherding families in the toe of southern Italy, the 'Ndrangheta is today the world's most powerful mafia, with a crushing presence in southern Italy, a market-moving size in global finance and a reach that extends to fifty countries around the world. And yet, remarkably, few of us have ever heard of it. The 'Ndrangheta's power rests on a code of silence, omertà, enforced by a claustrophobic family hierarchy and murderous misogyny. Men and boys rule. Girls are married off as teenagers in arranged clan alliances. Beatings are routine. A woman who is 'unfaithful' - even to a dead husband - can expect her sons, brothers or father to kill her to erase the 'family shame'. In 2009, when abused wife Lea Garofalo 'disappears' after giving evidence against her mafiosi husband, prosecutor Alessandra Cerreti realises the 'Ndrangheta's bigotry may be its great flaw. The key to bringing down this criminal empire is to free its women and allow them to speak out and testify. When Alessandra finds two collaborators inside Italy's biggest crime families, she must persuade them to cooperate, and save themselves and their children. The stakes could not be higher. Alessandra is fighting to save a nation. The mafiosi are fighting for their existence. The women are fighting for their lives. Not all will survive You Are Born Into It Or Marry In. Loyalty Is Absolute, Bloodshed Revered And You Kill Or Go To Your Grave Before Betraying The Family. This Code Of Omerta Is How The 'ndrangheta Became The World's Most Powerful Mafia. The Good Mothers Is The Story Of The Women Who Broke The Silence. We Live In Their Buildings, Work In Their Companies, Shop In Their Stores, Eat In Their Restaurants And Elect Politicians They Fund. Founded More Than 150 Years Ago By Shepherding Families In The Toe Of Italy, The 'ndrangheta Is Today The World's Most Powerful Mafia, With A Crushing Presence In Southern Italy, A Market-moving Size In Global Finance And A Reach That Extends To Fifty Countries Around The World. And Yet, Remarkably, Few Of Us Have Ever Heard Of It. The 'ndrangheta's Power Rests On A Code Of Silence, Omerta, Enforced By A Claustrophobic Family Hierarchy And Murderous Misogyny. Men And Boys Rule. Girls Are Married Off As Teenagers In Arranged Clan Alliances. Beatings Are Routine. A Woman Who Is `unfaithful' - Even To A Dead Husband - Can Expect Her Sons, Brothers Or Father To Kill Her To Erase The `family Shame'. Alex Perry. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 285-297) And Index. "An unprecedented look inside a ruthless and obscenely wealthy branch of the Italian Mafia and the electrifying story of the brave women who decided to fight back"--