
Jersey Boss
The Rise of Mafia Power Jerry Catena
Scott M. Deitche(Author)
Rowman & Littlefield (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 6. August 2026
Book
Hardback
248 pages
978-1-5381-9460-7 (ISBN)
Description
Jerry Catena propelled up the ranks, becoming the first New Jersey mobster to lead a New York crime family, and his decades-long reign left an unparalleled legacy of crime, violence, and corruption.
Gerardo "Jerry" Catena was the boss of New Jersey. His reign lasted for decades, and he left an unparalleled legacy of crime and power and corruption. He was part of major moments of twentieth century America, from the mob's infiltration of labor unions to their control of Las Vegas and pre-Castro Cuba. Jersey Boss: The Rise of Mafia Power Jerry Catena is fast-paced and deeply researched look into the life of this enigmatic Mafia powerhouse. This book draws from law enforcement reports, interviews with former law enforcement and underworld figures, as well as people who knew Jerry personally.
Gerardo "Jerry" Catena was the boss of New Jersey. His reign lasted for decades, and he left an unparalleled legacy of crime and power and corruption. He was part of major moments of twentieth century America, from the mob's infiltration of labor unions to their control of Las Vegas and pre-Castro Cuba. Jersey Boss: The Rise of Mafia Power Jerry Catena is fast-paced and deeply researched look into the life of this enigmatic Mafia powerhouse. This book draws from law enforcement reports, interviews with former law enforcement and underworld figures, as well as people who knew Jerry personally.
Reviews / Votes
Jersey Boss offers a unique glimpse into the life of one of the notorious Genovese crime family's key figures. Deitche's writing pulls readers into the incredible story of Jerry Catena from the start. Through his incredible research and spellbinding storytelling, Deitche has produced one of the great mobster tales of our time. For anyone with even a modicum of interest in the history of mafia power in America, this is a must read. -- Matthew Beddingfield, author and whistleblower attorneyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Illustrations
17 bw photos
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5381-9460-7 (9781538194607)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2026
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€25.99
Available for download

E-Book
05/2026
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€25.99
Available for download
Person
Scott M. Deitche is the author of numerous books on organized crime, including Garden State Gangland: The Rise of the Mob in New Jersey and The Silent Don: The Criminal Underworld of Santo Trafficante Jr. He has also written dozens of articles on organized crime for local and national magazines and newspapers. Scott has been featured on The Discovery Channel, The History Channel, A&E, C-SPAN, Oxygen as well as dozens of national and local news and radio shows. Scott is on the Advisory Council for The Mob Museum in Las Vegas. He lives in St. Petersburg, FL.
Content
Acknowledgments
Prologue
1. Beginnings
2. Rise of the Racketeer
3. The Delmore Connection
4. Kefauver Comes Calling
5. Who Was Jerry Catena
6. Changing of the Guard
7. The Acting Boss
8. Eyes on the Wiseguys
9. The Companies of Catena
10. Bally
11. The Vegas Combine
12. Best Sales
13. The Real Boss
14. The Shift South
15. "Retirement"
About the Author
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Prologue
1. Beginnings
2. Rise of the Racketeer
3. The Delmore Connection
4. Kefauver Comes Calling
5. Who Was Jerry Catena
6. Changing of the Guard
7. The Acting Boss
8. Eyes on the Wiseguys
9. The Companies of Catena
10. Bally
11. The Vegas Combine
12. Best Sales
13. The Real Boss
14. The Shift South
15. "Retirement"
About the Author
Notes
Bibliography
Index