04 Sep 2006

Mattix: 'Marvelous objectivity"

Dear Friends,

Deep Water: Joseph P. Macheca and the Birth of the American Mafia has picked up an early endorsement. We happily share with you the review comments of author and organized crime historian Rick Mattix:

"An excellent and meticulously detailed and academic account of the birth of the American Mafia and a wonderful study of New Orleans from the Civil War/Reconstruction periods up through the famous mass lynching. Macheca comes across as a fascinating rogue ... and your account of his betrayal is highly convincing to me. For sure I'll need a copy of this book.

"I think you've filled a definite void for Mafiologists. We're all familiar with the Hennessey killing and the lynching, of course, but previous accounts leave a lot to be desired and more questions than answers ... Deep Water, in contrast, shows a marvelous objectivity and a close analytical reportage based on the best available evidence."

Mr. Mattix has coauthored historical works on the gangster era, including The Complete Public Enemy Almanac, and now publishes On the Spot, a quarterly journal of the history of crime and law enforcement.