Book excerpt: Inside the brutal world of the mafia The Mob. The Mafia. Organized crime. America's violent underworld has always fascinated us--the colorful criminals, dirty cops, crooked politicians and shady businessmen. It's a hard and high-stakes world, fueled by gambling, prostitution, extortion, graft, illegal booze and narcotics. Now you can explore the fascinating history of the Mob in America through the lens of a new special edition from TIME-LIFE, The Mob: Inside the Brutal World of the Mafia. Compelling photographs from throughout the past century combine with sharp biographies to reveal the key players and historical figures who loomed large. Plus: deep dives into the history of organized crime, the truth behind The Godfather, the power struggles, the roles of trigger-happy thugs and political bosses, and how the Mob is evolving in today's digital age.