Sterling, Claire. Octopus: The Long Reach of the International Sicilian Mafia. New York: Simon & Schuster (Touchstone Edition), 1991. 384 pages.

Claire Sterling, an American reporter based in Italy, became prominent with the publication of The Terror Network (1981), a article in Reader's Digest on the plot to kill the Pope (1982), and an expanded version of the same theme, The Time of the Assassins (1983). Her general thesis -- that the Soviets are responsible for terrorism -- was endorsed by Alexander Haig and William Casey, but her critics charge that she relies heavily on CIA disinformation and her books are an example of "blow back."

"Octopus" doesn't suffer from any of these problems; it is the best book available in English on the Sicilian Mafia. Sterling has ready access to all the Italian literature on the subject, and has clearly done her homework. The history of Mafia families in Sicily and their wars with the authorities are covered in detail. More importantly, Sterling offers a glimpse of the Sicilian's international heroin and cocaine smuggling, from the Medellin Cartel and Japanese Yakuza to the "pizza connection" that was uncovered in a New York courtroom in 1986. This global reach -- through refineries, smuggling routes, money laundering, and deals with other organizations -- places law enforcement at a definite disadvantage. Put the squeeze on in one place, and the drugs ooze out somewhere else.
ISBN 0-671-73402-4

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