Salvatore Maranzano is among the more well-known leaders in American mafia history despite the short period he held national stature from his base in New York City. This episode explores some of the lesser-known angles behind Maranzano’s quick rise and sudden downfall, hitting upon the politics surrounding this heavily-documented but at times confusing Cosa Nostra figure. As Joe Bonanno quotes Maranzano: “Only you understand me.”
For a detailed and comprehensive report on Salvatore Maranzano’s life and death, read the August 2019 issue of Informer, available here. Joe Bonanno’s autobiography, Nicola Gentile’s memoir, and Joe Valachi’s various accounts also help fill in many of the major details via sources who knew him personally. Dr. Melchiorre Allegra’s deposition also provides details on Maranzano’s high-level Palermo activities in the period before Maranzano entered the United States.
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