Men of Honour: The Truth About the Mafia and the Judge Who Dared to Fight Them
True Crime Legal History Italian History Organized Crime Political Thriller Mafia History Crime Documentary
Men of Honour: The Truth About the Mafia and the Judge Who Dared to Fight Them is the landmark 1992 hardcover that first exposed the inner workings of Cosa Nostra to an English-speaking audience. Written by Marcelle Padovani—co-author of the international bestseller Excellent Cadavers—this book distills the explosive courtroom testimonies of Judge Giovanni Falcone, the Sicilian magistrate who masterminded the “Maxi-Trials” that convicted 475 mafiosi. Unlike later retellings, this contemporary account captures the raw urgency of Falcone’s fight before his 1992 assassination, giving readers the same adrenaline-charged perspective that made the original Italian edition a media sensation across Europe.
Collectors prize this first-year English release for its unfiltered narrative: Padovani weaves exclusive interviews, wire-tap transcripts and Falcone’s own case notes into a fast-paced chronicle that reads like a political thriller while remaining rigorously documented. The 400-page hardcover is packed with never-reprinted maps of Palermo’s clan territories, organizational charts of the “Cupola” ruling council, and a detailed glossary of Mafia terminology that predates later academic studies. Because the text was completed only months before Falcone’s death, it preserves the judge’s original theories on money-laundering pipelines and the links between Sicily and U.S. crime families—insights later validated by subsequent investigations.
This copy is ideal for historians, true-crime enthusiasts or anyone building a serious Mafia-studies shelf. The binding is square and uncracked, pages are free of marks or dog-ears, and the dust-jacket retains its original bold red-and-black artwork that has become iconic in mob lore. While a faint smoky aroma is present, the book has been stored upright in a dry environment, ensuring no page brittleness or sun-fade to the spine. For buyers seeking a readable, display-worthy first edition without the premium price of a pristine collector’s copy, this 1992 printing offers the best balance of authenticity and value.
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