How to Recognize the Mafia Abroad

Reviews / Votes

'Extraordinary academic research that combines elements of the scientific essay with those of the journey, starting from the remote villages of Aspromonte, to reach overseas, describing the various faces of a multifaceted and continuously evolving criminal organization. The book has an open mind for new cultural discoveries, but with the experience of research professionalism.' Sara Amerio, Antimafia Public Prosecutor, Italy 'For all its strengths, the established criminological research on organised crime tends to focus-understandably-on structural and network matters rather than the complex interplay of human and (trans)cultural dynamics that characterise today's globalised criminal operations. Anna Sergi's new book provides a valuable corrective. By centring ethnicity, clannish bonds, and the deviant subcultures associated with translocalism in her analysis, Sergi opens new pathways for understanding how modern mafia-style networks actually work-adding crucial dimensions to our knowledge of these complex organisations.' Keith Hayward, University of Copenhagen 'In this remarkable work, Prof. Sergi reveals how the 'ndrangheta's influence extends far beyond organized crime, embedding itself deeply within cultural and social structures.


Treating it solely as a criminal issue allows it to persist; only by confronting its ideological, economic and societal dimensions can it be effectively dismantled.' Giovanni Aceti, Senior Executive Italian National Police





'This must-read mafia book brings the reader on an exciting journey, while asking difficult questions along the way. By utilizing various sources, the goal is to provide the reader with a deeper understanding of the mafia phenomenon in various contexts rather than simple answers to complex questions. The book makes connections between the ethnicity trap of the 'ndrangheta abroad and the prejudice against Calabrians, and effectively tackles topics such as migration, culture, criminal motives, technology and ethnicity as she discusses the external identity that sustains mafia groups such as the 'ndrangheta. An excellent read!' Jana Arsovska, The City University of New York





'Anna Sergi strikes again and hits a sore spot by critically exposing the myths of mafia, organised crime, and ethnicity. She unravels the complexities through theory, empirical insights, and self-reflection, challenging our perceptions of their entangled dimensions.' Yarin Eski, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam