Ruthless, cruel, and irresistibly cool: the Mafia has always appealed to the darker side of the imagination.But just what is the Mafia, how does it operate, and what can be done to combat it?In Mafia and Organized Crime: A Beginner’s Guide, James Finckenauer debunks the myths surrounding the Mafia to reveal the harsh realities of global organized crime from Japan and Russia to Mexico and Colombia.Despite their popular appeal, these incredibly complex organizations destabilize society on an international scale, perpetuating untold economic, physical, psychological, and societal damage. From pirating DVDs to human trafficking, this compelling introduction reveals the truth behind the world’s richest and most successful criminals, and asks what we can do to combat this blight on world society.