The Outfit : the role of Chicago's underworld in the shaping of modern America

It is a common misconception that all the true organised crime stories have been written. In fact, perhaps the most compelling gangster tale is one that has been, until now, surprisingly well hidden. This is the story of The Outfit- the secretive organised crime cartel that began its reign in prohibition-era Chicago before becoming the puppet master of Hollywood, Las Vegas and Washington D.C. Along the way the gang pioneered many diversions now taken for granted- off track betting, casino gambling, Top Forty record listings and music videos. They also helped make blockbuster movies and elect presidents.The Outfit recounts the adventures and exploits of its bosses, Tony 'Joe Batters' Accardo (the real Godfather), Murray 'The Camel' or 'Curly' Humphreys (the greatest political fixer and union organiser America has ever known) and Paul 'The Waiter' Ricca (the ambassador to the New York Crime Commission). Their invisibility was their strength, and what kept their leader from ever spending a night in jail. Moving with purpose and panache, the Outfit blended effortlessly with underworld corporate heads, Hollywood moguls, and national political icons. It was only after a fifty-year run that their world started to crumble in the 1970s. This Is The Story Of The Outfit, The Secretive Organized Crime Cartel That Began Its Reign In Prohibition-era Chicago Before Becoming The Real Puppet Master Of Hollywood, Las Vegas, And Washington D.c. The Outfit Recounts The Adventures And Exploits Of Its Bosses, Tony 'joe Batters' Accardo (the Real Godfather), Murray 'the Camel' Or 'curly' Humphreys (one Of The Greatest Political Fixers And Union Organizers This Country Has Ever Known), Paul 'the Waiter' Ricca, And Johnny Rosselli (the Liaison Between The Shadowy World And The Outside World). Their Invisibility Was Their Strength, And What Kept Their Leader From Ever Spending A Single Night In Jail. The Outfit Bosses Were The Epitome Of Style And Grace, Moving Effortlessly Among National Political Figures And Hollywood Studio Heads-until Their World Started To Crumble In The 1970s. With Extensive Research Including Recently Released Fbi Files, The Chicago Crime Files Of Entertainer Steve Allen, First-ever Access To The Voluminous Working Papers Of The Kefauver Committee, Original Interviews With The Members Of The Fourth Estate Who Pursued The Outfit For Forty Years, And Exclusive Access To The Journals Of Humphrey's Widow, Veteran Journalist Gus Russo Uncovers Sixty Years Of Corruption And Influence, And Examines The Shadow History Of The United States. This is the never-before-told story of the great Chicago crime family called The Outfit, the secretive organized crime cartel that began its reign in prohibition-era Chicago before becoming the real puppet master of Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C. Moving with purpose and panache, The Outfit blended effortlessly with upperworld corporate leaders, Hollywood moguls, and national political icons. It was only after a fifty-year run that their world started to crumble in the 1970s. With extensive research including recently released FBI files, first-ever access to the voluminous working papers of the Kefauver Committee, original interviews with Outfit associates and members of the Fourth Estate, and first-time access to the journals of Outfit chieftain Murray Humphreys' long-in-hiding widow, Russo uncovers sixty years of corruption and influence, and examines the disconcerting shadow history of the United States