Chapter 13 Summary and Analysis

Since Valachi's day, two of the Cosa Nostra bosses pass away from natural causes. Vito Genovese is in prison but is not replaced because he is too feared. In addition to Genovese, the other NY dons are Gambino, Bonanno, and Colombo. Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Buffalo, Philadelphia and New Orleans have bosses as well. Giancana in Chicago has been hounded by police so much that he is almost worthless. The others are either sick or aging or both. Genovese has lost credibility with the rest of the members since it was a member of his family who confirmed the existence of the Cosa Nostra.

After a failed power grab, Joseph Bonanno retires to Arizona for a while but then comes back to New York with guns blazing, causing more internal strife. The Angelo Bruno family of Philadelphia makes a power-grab in Reading...