Green Collar Jobs: Environmental Careers for the 21st Century
by Scott M. Deitche
Foreword by Tim Center
My break from the wiseguys has hit the shelves. Well mainly it will hit library and university shelves, as this is Praeger's main customer base, but for anyone interested in the world of green jobs, it's a straight-ahead no-nonsense look at various career paths in alternative energy, science, environmental law, etc.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Happy Chanukah!
Just in time, Marked Card: Power Play in the New England Mafia, is available now. The book, written by Mark Silverman with me, details Mark's life in the New England underworld through the tumultuous 1990s mob war that rocked the Boston mob.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Relaunch.
Okay- time to get this blog back on track with regular updates and news.
Marked Card: Power Play in the New England Mafia will be available for purchase in the next few weeks, ahead of schedule. Keep an eye out here for the date. It'll be available through Amazon, B&N, Borders, etc.
Marked Card: Power Play in the New England Mafia will be available for purchase in the next few weeks, ahead of schedule. Keep an eye out here for the date. It'll be available through Amazon, B&N, Borders, etc.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Book Review: The Origin of Organized Crime in America - The New York City Mafia, 1891-1931 by David Critchley
Written by Scott DeitchePublished January 12, 2009
For those of us who peruse the Mafia forums, David Critchley is a familiar name. For over 30 years he has been amassing material about the Mafia in America, from his home in England. And for the last 10 years, he has been working on his magnum opus, a complete history of early organized crime in New York City. The project has finally been released. The Origin of Organized Crime in America: The New York City Mafia, 1891-1931 will certainly be an essential addition to any crime historian’s library.
The origin of the Mafia in America is certainly a topic that has been handled before, going back to the 1950s, and includes some seminal works like Stephen Fox’s Blood and Power. But the overwhelming majority of Mafia historical approaches often fall victim to less-than-truthful events and accounts that have become part of the American Mafia mythos. The main problem Critchley wanted to tackle was separating myth from fact, taking events and the overall concept of the Mafia’s origins and stripping away the layers to reveal the basis for the legends.
One of the pivotal events in Mafia history that has been given to fanciful conclusions and outlandish speculation was the Castellammare war, one of the more well-known gangland wars in the American underworld. Critchley re-evaluates the main players, and the real killings attributed to the war, versus those that were simply run-of-the-mill mob hits. He finally, once and for all smashes the myth of the Night of Sicilian Vespers, the mythical event where a new generation of mobsters supposedly killed off the reigning Moustache Pete’s, old world dons who ran the early Mafia. Critchley finds only two killings, as opposed to the purported 40 that took place in a single day. Origin also shows clearly that old-school Sicilian dons were in major ruling position through the 1960s.
Critchley also spends a great deal of time on the Neapolitan Camorra/Sicilian Mafia war that showed the intra-Italian ethnic divisions in early underworld gangs. It’s the most documented look ever at this little-known event, and paves the way for the full “integration” of Neapolitans, Sicilians, and Calabrians in later Mafia family structures.
Origin is written in a scholarly tone. This may initially put off the casual reader, more attuned to the street-level blood and guts of Mafia tomes. But in fact, the scholarly manner is really the only way this book can work the way its author intends. By choosing a pedagogically-influenced approach, Critchley brings the weight of his research down with full force. The writing is coupled with meticulous notes, a couple hundred per chapter. There are many interesting tidbits, that otherwise would divert the narrative, found in the Notes section.
Illustrations and photos are interspersed throughout the book. There are many photos that have never been seen before, from both the author’s personal collection as well as from relatives of mobsters featured in the book. Critchley also includes helpful charts showing, among other relationships, the business empire of the Gagliano family, and the leadership of the Masseria/Maranzano groups before and after the Castellammare War.
Critchley has succeeded in writing perhaps the most encompassing history of the Mafia’s development in America. The Origin of Organized Crime in America is devoid of any delusions of Mafia grandeur, instead relying on meticulous research to finally reveal the framework of Italian organized crime in America.
Written by Scott DeitchePublished January 12, 2009
For those of us who peruse the Mafia forums, David Critchley is a familiar name. For over 30 years he has been amassing material about the Mafia in America, from his home in England. And for the last 10 years, he has been working on his magnum opus, a complete history of early organized crime in New York City. The project has finally been released. The Origin of Organized Crime in America: The New York City Mafia, 1891-1931 will certainly be an essential addition to any crime historian’s library.
The origin of the Mafia in America is certainly a topic that has been handled before, going back to the 1950s, and includes some seminal works like Stephen Fox’s Blood and Power. But the overwhelming majority of Mafia historical approaches often fall victim to less-than-truthful events and accounts that have become part of the American Mafia mythos. The main problem Critchley wanted to tackle was separating myth from fact, taking events and the overall concept of the Mafia’s origins and stripping away the layers to reveal the basis for the legends.
One of the pivotal events in Mafia history that has been given to fanciful conclusions and outlandish speculation was the Castellammare war, one of the more well-known gangland wars in the American underworld. Critchley re-evaluates the main players, and the real killings attributed to the war, versus those that were simply run-of-the-mill mob hits. He finally, once and for all smashes the myth of the Night of Sicilian Vespers, the mythical event where a new generation of mobsters supposedly killed off the reigning Moustache Pete’s, old world dons who ran the early Mafia. Critchley finds only two killings, as opposed to the purported 40 that took place in a single day. Origin also shows clearly that old-school Sicilian dons were in major ruling position through the 1960s.
Critchley also spends a great deal of time on the Neapolitan Camorra/Sicilian Mafia war that showed the intra-Italian ethnic divisions in early underworld gangs. It’s the most documented look ever at this little-known event, and paves the way for the full “integration” of Neapolitans, Sicilians, and Calabrians in later Mafia family structures.
Origin is written in a scholarly tone. This may initially put off the casual reader, more attuned to the street-level blood and guts of Mafia tomes. But in fact, the scholarly manner is really the only way this book can work the way its author intends. By choosing a pedagogically-influenced approach, Critchley brings the weight of his research down with full force. The writing is coupled with meticulous notes, a couple hundred per chapter. There are many interesting tidbits, that otherwise would divert the narrative, found in the Notes section.
Illustrations and photos are interspersed throughout the book. There are many photos that have never been seen before, from both the author’s personal collection as well as from relatives of mobsters featured in the book. Critchley also includes helpful charts showing, among other relationships, the business empire of the Gagliano family, and the leadership of the Masseria/Maranzano groups before and after the Castellammare War.
Critchley has succeeded in writing perhaps the most encompassing history of the Mafia’s development in America. The Origin of Organized Crime in America is devoid of any delusions of Mafia grandeur, instead relying on meticulous research to finally reveal the framework of Italian organized crime in America.
Rush cover
I caught this amazing cover of Rush's Subdivisions on youtube. Hands down the best Rush cover I've heard. The singer is Jacob Moon, a folk singer/songwriter from Canuckistan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4vd9OVLO7Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4vd9OVLO7Q
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Latest reviews and news
Dropkick Murphys- The Meanest of Times
Portishead- Third
Morcheeba- Dive Deep
Had some recent book events, including the now-annual Author's Showcase at Ponce DeLeon Elementary school. It's always a fun event, helping the youts' of America hone their writing skills.
As for current projects, I have serious interest in a story that was brought to me a couple years ago, about an old -time Vegas bookie/gambler/casino worker/hustler. We (my co-author, OC expert Ken Sanz) will hopefully be signing the contract within the next month; the book is scheduled to be out in mid 2009. The working title is Balls: The Life of Eddie Trascher, Gentleman Gangster.
Marked Card, the Boston -based Mafia book that was planned for last year is close to finished. My co-author is hoping for release later this year.
I've written three articles in the past six months- one on Santo Trafficante Jr., one on the CIA, and one on the Chicago Outfit trial of 2007- for High Society magazine. You can check them out...behind the counter.
"We are all interested in the future for that is where you and I will spend the rest of our lives." --- Criswell
Future projects- I've been approached on doing a science-related book on green careers. I think it will be a nice change of pace and something unique to add to both my writing and career resume.
Portishead- Third
Morcheeba- Dive Deep
Had some recent book events, including the now-annual Author's Showcase at Ponce DeLeon Elementary school. It's always a fun event, helping the youts' of America hone their writing skills.
As for current projects, I have serious interest in a story that was brought to me a couple years ago, about an old -time Vegas bookie/gambler/casino worker/hustler. We (my co-author, OC expert Ken Sanz) will hopefully be signing the contract within the next month; the book is scheduled to be out in mid 2009. The working title is Balls: The Life of Eddie Trascher, Gentleman Gangster.
Marked Card, the Boston -based Mafia book that was planned for last year is close to finished. My co-author is hoping for release later this year.
I've written three articles in the past six months- one on Santo Trafficante Jr., one on the CIA, and one on the Chicago Outfit trial of 2007- for High Society magazine. You can check them out...behind the counter.
"We are all interested in the future for that is where you and I will spend the rest of our lives." --- Criswell
Future projects- I've been approached on doing a science-related book on green careers. I think it will be a nice change of pace and something unique to add to both my writing and career resume.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
New review up on blogcritics.org
I've added some recent reviews I did for blogcritics.org:
Book reviews - Angling and War and The Lost Fleet
Music reviews- Eccotonic, Blackmore's Night, and Jamiroquai
Book reviews - Angling and War and The Lost Fleet
Music reviews- Eccotonic, Blackmore's Night, and Jamiroquai
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Music Review
Music Review: Coheed and Cambria - No World for Tomorrow
Written by Scott DeitchePublished November 16, 2007
Coheed and Cambria are most often compared to Rush, mainly because of lead singer/guitarist Claudio Sanchez’s high-pitched wail. And now that the band has teamed with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who helmed Rush’s latest, the excellent Snakes and Arrows, those comparisons will likely stay around. But simple comparisons do not do this band justice. Through a twisting sci-fi tale that has spanned all the band's recorded work as well as Sanchez’s graphic novels, Coheed and Cambria has staked out a unique place on the modern music scene.
Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow is basically a companion piece, musically, to their previous CD Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness. They tone down the time changes, channeling the songs into a more streamlined structure. This gives the band the space to turn it to 11.While Coheed and Cambria are generally referred to as a prog rock band (and, inexplicably, an emo band) they bust out some serious metal chops on No World. The guitars on “Gravemakers & Gunslingers” could have come right out of the NWOBHM, “Feathers” stakes out the melodic metal route, and “Justice in Murder” starts off with a soaring Iron Maiden-like riff. The second half of the CD is “The End Complete,” and in true prog fashion they split it into five parts.
This is a consistently strong CD. Lyrically, though, it can get fairly pretentious in places. Carrying a story arc over four CDs might be pushing it.The fact that the music of an inventive band like Coheed and Cambria is played on the radio is surprising and welcome. This is music that rocks on the surface and gives a little more for those that dig deeper. No World will no doubt satisfy Coheed’s faithful, but for those that are not familiar with the band, this is a good place to start.
Written by Scott DeitchePublished November 16, 2007
Coheed and Cambria are most often compared to Rush, mainly because of lead singer/guitarist Claudio Sanchez’s high-pitched wail. And now that the band has teamed with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who helmed Rush’s latest, the excellent Snakes and Arrows, those comparisons will likely stay around. But simple comparisons do not do this band justice. Through a twisting sci-fi tale that has spanned all the band's recorded work as well as Sanchez’s graphic novels, Coheed and Cambria has staked out a unique place on the modern music scene.
Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow is basically a companion piece, musically, to their previous CD Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness. They tone down the time changes, channeling the songs into a more streamlined structure. This gives the band the space to turn it to 11.While Coheed and Cambria are generally referred to as a prog rock band (and, inexplicably, an emo band) they bust out some serious metal chops on No World. The guitars on “Gravemakers & Gunslingers” could have come right out of the NWOBHM, “Feathers” stakes out the melodic metal route, and “Justice in Murder” starts off with a soaring Iron Maiden-like riff. The second half of the CD is “The End Complete,” and in true prog fashion they split it into five parts.
This is a consistently strong CD. Lyrically, though, it can get fairly pretentious in places. Carrying a story arc over four CDs might be pushing it.The fact that the music of an inventive band like Coheed and Cambria is played on the radio is surprising and welcome. This is music that rocks on the surface and gives a little more for those that dig deeper. No World will no doubt satisfy Coheed’s faithful, but for those that are not familiar with the band, this is a good place to start.
Book Review: Black Gangsters of Chicago by Ron Chepesiuk
Written by Scott DeitchePublished November 08, 2007
With the recent release of the hit film American Gangster, the focus of organized crime has moved away from the Mafia and onto the inner city-born black gang leaders. Ron Chepesiuk, who previously chronicled Harlem’s gang bangers, turns his attention to Chicago and brings out a focused and satisfying effort.Black Gangsters of Chicago starts by examining the lives of some of the major policy kings of the 1920s. Working alongside Capone and the various other ethnic gangs in the city, these policy kings, like Daniel McKee Jackson, carved out a sizeable niche in the underworld, in an era of segregation and racism. The Outfit made its move to muscle into the policy rackets. Sam Giancana was especially instrumental in the Outfit’s attempts to bring the policy racket under their control, or at least to get a piece of the action. The last of the policy kings, Teddy Roe was gunned down outside his house.The book traces the de-evolution from the old style dapper policy kings to the street level thugs and drug dealers that populate the gangs of the modern era, especially as the neighborhoods declined and middle class blacks moved to the suburbs. One of the earlier of the new-style gangs were the Vice Lords. Moving through the rise and fall of numerous gangs, it becomes clear that some succeeded because of a highly structured system, while others were so fraught with internal dissention that they never reached a level past corner tough guys. But even gang bosses like Jeff Fort, who structured their gangs after the Mafia, were unable to keep a lid on internal dissention. Murder was commonplace.Though the presence of the gangs seems like an overwhelming tide of crime, Black Gangsters ends on an upbeat note, profiling former Vice Lords leader Bennie Lee, who has now turned his life around and is working to help kids on the brink of falling in with gangs.Chepesiuk focuses the story into a nice cohesive narrative. The chronological order is a given, but the author throws in interesting asides that enhances rather than derail the writing. This is another nice addition to the true crime canon.
Written by Scott DeitchePublished November 08, 2007
With the recent release of the hit film American Gangster, the focus of organized crime has moved away from the Mafia and onto the inner city-born black gang leaders. Ron Chepesiuk, who previously chronicled Harlem’s gang bangers, turns his attention to Chicago and brings out a focused and satisfying effort.Black Gangsters of Chicago starts by examining the lives of some of the major policy kings of the 1920s. Working alongside Capone and the various other ethnic gangs in the city, these policy kings, like Daniel McKee Jackson, carved out a sizeable niche in the underworld, in an era of segregation and racism. The Outfit made its move to muscle into the policy rackets. Sam Giancana was especially instrumental in the Outfit’s attempts to bring the policy racket under their control, or at least to get a piece of the action. The last of the policy kings, Teddy Roe was gunned down outside his house.The book traces the de-evolution from the old style dapper policy kings to the street level thugs and drug dealers that populate the gangs of the modern era, especially as the neighborhoods declined and middle class blacks moved to the suburbs. One of the earlier of the new-style gangs were the Vice Lords. Moving through the rise and fall of numerous gangs, it becomes clear that some succeeded because of a highly structured system, while others were so fraught with internal dissention that they never reached a level past corner tough guys. But even gang bosses like Jeff Fort, who structured their gangs after the Mafia, were unable to keep a lid on internal dissention. Murder was commonplace.Though the presence of the gangs seems like an overwhelming tide of crime, Black Gangsters ends on an upbeat note, profiling former Vice Lords leader Bennie Lee, who has now turned his life around and is working to help kids on the brink of falling in with gangs.Chepesiuk focuses the story into a nice cohesive narrative. The chronological order is a given, but the author throws in interesting asides that enhances rather than derail the writing. This is another nice addition to the true crime canon.
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