Mafia: The History of the American Mob

Description: This first video in a series from A&E seeks to document how organized crime took hold in the U.S. and how it changed with the times. Take a dark journey into the bloody history of American organized crime. It's a saga of ruthless men and soaring profits, legendary shoot-outs and smoke filled rooms and an organization that has survived power struggles and the constant attention of the law. Starting with the Prohibition years, this groundbreaking investigation traces the origins of the ethnic gangs that dominated criminal activities by turning them into family enterprises. Leading historians recall how they changed the face of crime in America. Meet legendary figures and trace their exploits through rare photos, footage and period accounts. Get the real story behind the Kennedy connection, and see how the Mob helped to win WWII and piled up huge profits at the same time. With bootlegging, racketeering and murder at its soul, this is a sweeping saga of bloodshed, betrayal, and big business. Episodes: The Prohibition Years - The program covers Prohibition and its profitability in America's big cities, and the arrival of the mob's first families from Sicily. Vintage newsreels and Hollywood re-enactments of mob life tell the story, with narration by Bill Kurtis. In addition, a series of flamboyant Mafia historians and enthusiasts give interviews, first-hand accounts, and analysis that fill in the gaps. This collection provides a broad overview of one of the most popular facets of criminology