Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob

Best-selling author Russell Shorto writes about his own past, revealing the unknown world of a small-town mob boss in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The book explores the experiences of Italian Americans living in squalor and prejudice and the rise of Russ, who created a copy of the American establishment that excluded him.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 29 March 2022
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Best-selling author Russell Shorto, renowned for his insightful works of narrative history, never imagined penning his own memoir. Raised in the shadow of his grandfather and namesake, a small-town mob boss, he upheld an unspoken family vow of silence. However, an elderly relative's prodding sparked a thought: As a writer, what should I do with this story?

Enter Smalltime, a mob story straight out of central casting, yet with a unique twist. The small-town mob, spanning from Schenectady to Fresno, remains largely unknown to the public. The setting is the robust postwar factory town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Within this setting, Russ and his brother-in-law, "Little Joe," operate a gambling empire, effectively controlling the town. Smalltime is a captivating American immigrant tale that traces its roots back to Risorgimento Sicily, to the ancient, dusty, hill-town home of Antonino Sciotto, the author's great-grandfather. He leaves his wife and children in abject poverty, seeking a new life—and wife—in a Pennsylvania mining town. This narrative unfolds as a poignant exploration of three generations of American immigrant experiences.

Smalltime is a poignant, wryly humorous, and intricately detailed memoir penned by a master of historical narrative. It delves into the lives of Italian Americans living in squalor and prejudice, while also shedding light on Russ's journey, as he, like thousands of other young men, created a replica of the American establishment that excluded him. This urgent and intimate exploration offers a profound understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by immigrants throughout history.

Weight: 228g
Dimension: 138 x 209 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781324020172