Gomorrah

A Personal Journey into the Violent International Empire of Naples' Organized Crime System

By: Roberto Saviano

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

A groundbreaking major best seller in Italy, Gomorrah is Roberto Saviano's gripping nonfiction account of the decline of Naples under the rule of the Camorra, an organized crime network with a large international reach and stakes in construction, high fashion, illicit drugs, and toxic-waste disposal.

Known by insiders as "the System," the Camorra affects cities and villages along the Neapolitan coast and is the deciding factor in why Campania, for instance, has the highest murder rate in all of Europe and why cancer levels there have skyrocketed in recent years.

Saviano tells of huge cargoes of Chinese goods that are shipped to Naples and then quickly distributed unchecked across Europe. He investigates the Camorra's control of thousands of Chinese factories contracted to manufacture fashion goods, legally and illegally, for distribution around the world, and relates the chilling details of how the abusive handling of toxic waste is causing devastating pollution not only for Naples but also China and Somalia.

In pursuit of his subject, Saviano worked as an assistant at a Chinese textile manufacturer, as a waiter at a Camorra wedding, and on a construction site. A native of the region, he recalls seeing his first murder at the age of 14 and how his own father, a doctor, suffered a brutal beating for trying to aid an 18-year-old victim who had been left for dead in the street.

Gomorrah is a bold and important work of investigative writing that holds global significance, one heroic young man's impassioned story of a place under the rule of a murderous organization.

©2006 Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A., Milan (P)2007 Tantor

Again, with more feeling!

Mr. Kramer's tone and inflection are not contagious. Quite uninteresting. Mr Saviano could have written a better, more compelling story given the information he uncovered. No characters in which to relate. "Preachy" I wanted it to be better.

great listen

the reader was great and the book was amazing! will definitely listen it over and over.

Crazy good

Fantastic story, fantastic narration. One of my all time favourites. Pronunciation of the Italian was really good, kudos to Michael Kramer.

Interesting story with sleep-inducing narration

I couldn't finish it. The story was interesting, but the narrator sounded like he was struggling to stay awake. I know I was.

So good… Noir Naples and Dirty Vignettes

This is the story of Naples, told by someone whose options are limited by rampant criminality. It reads like a noir mystery novel, with insightful vignettes exposing the natural need for wealth diversion. I’ve lived among such people and circumstances, and I find this perspective gripping. Saviano is an author to know…

Camorra

I loved this book, it was easy to read and it not have a hard time following the book at all. i just wish they would have written it more about various Modern Sicilian Families.

Not Hollywood romanticism

The best book on the modern Italian criminal system ever written. Narrator is perfect for the subject. An intense and often upsetting account that may even change the way you view the world around you.

Soprano's Move Over

Six seasons of The Sopranos, plus three Godfather movies and a bunch of organized crime books have pretty much formed my views of the mafia. Organized crime as entertainment. Gomorrah tells what happens when organized crime infiltrates every aspect of the economy and social life, as it has done in Southern Italy. Saviano, a native son of Naples, provides an insider personal account of the social and human costs of living in a mafia dominated culture. The incredible levels of violence and corruption spawned by mafia control are shocking and eye opening, even more so given this story is playing out in the heart of Western Europe.

Not a hopeful book, not an entertaining book, but a fascinating exposition of a world both unknown and hidden to outsiders. An excellent companion to McMafia, filling in the details to Glenny's broad outlines. This book was apparently a sensation when published in Italy, although the author has had to go into hiding because of death threats. Are there places in the U.S. where organized crime continues exert significant control in aspects of the economy?

very good narrator

i am sure you can read more about the book itself somewhere else. it is chilling and brutal, but very engaging. sort of reminds me of 'the wire' in it's verite style. the narrator does an excellent job of staying out of the way and letting the story tell itself. his voice is clear and easy to listen to.

Shocked!

This is information not provided by the news media. This begs the question: Why not? This book tells you why.