When Corruption Was King: How I Helped the Mob Rule Chicago, Then Brought the Outfit Down – Robert Cooley

When Corruption Was King: How I Helped the Mob Rule Chicago, Then Brought the Outfit Down – Robert Cooley

This book is not just about Chicago, or even just about the Mob, but about how each of us is drawn into the patterns of insider privilege in life, and about the results of that when taken to its extreme.

Every section of this book is compelling, from the stories of Cooley’s childhood and early career as fixer and Mob lawyer, to the drama of the historic mole operation and trials. Only Cooley could have shared all of this in all of the specifics that make the book so rich. Levin cleans up the narrative and puts it out there straight and simple. You end up reading between the lines and thinking about Cooley’s perspective, which makes you think about your own perspective.

Should be read by anyone thinking about group dynamics, community behavior, or social change movements. I couldn’t put it down.