Govs Library: Junior History Paper Topics: Crime/FBI/Mafia

Sources Elsewhere: FBI

Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI is an intelligence-driven national security and law enforcement agency.
FBI Records: The Vault
The FBI electronic reading room provides digital copies of documents.
FBI on YouTube
FBI on YouTube since 2005
FBI Records: Freedom of Information / Privacy Act
Learn all about FBI records, including how to find records already released and how to request unreleased records through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or the Privacy Act.
Church Committee Reports: Vol. 6: FBI (The Assassination Archives and Research Center)
Hearing transcripts from 1975 on FBI’s COINTELPRO operation, a counter-intelligence campaign directed at domestic dissidents during the period of civil rights and anti-war discontent

Find from Our Library: Books on the FBI

Below are just some examples of the library's materials on the FBI.

Enemies by Tim Weiner
Call Number: 363.25 WEI
ISBN: 9781400067480
Publication Date: 2012-02-14
Here is the hidden history of America’s hundred-year war on terror. The FBI has fought against terrorists, spies, anyone it deemed subversive—and sometimes American presidents. The FBI’s secret intelligence and surveillance techniques have created a tug-of-war between protecting national security and infringing upon civil liberties
The Bureau by Diarmuid Jeffreys
Call Number: 353 JEF
ISBN: 039567283X
Publication Date: 1995-02-01
Here recounted is the bureau's impressive accomplishments against organized crime, public corruption, espionage and terrorism since the 1972 death of J. Edgar Hoover, the first director.
The FBI by Athan G. Theoharis; Tony G. Poveda; Susan Rosenfeld; Richard G. Powers
Call Number: REF 364.25 THE
ISBN: 089774991X
Publication Date: 1998-11-09
This encyclopedic look at the Federal Bureau of Investigation takes advantage of changes in the Freedom of Information Act to move beyond the typical glamorized or sensational portrayal of this government agency to a scholarly, evenhanded account that places it within a greater historical context.
The FBI by Ronald Kessler
Call Number: 353 KES
ISBN: 067178658X
Publication Date: 1994-10-01
Based on inside access, the book presents revelations about the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound, the recent Russian spy swap, Marilyn Monroe's death, Vince Foster’s suicide, and J. Edgar Hoover’s sexual orientation. From Watergate to Waco, from congressional scandals to the killing of bin Laden, The Secrets of the FBI presents headline-making disclosures about the most important figures and events of our time.

From Our Library: Books on the Mafia

Below are just some examples of the library's materials on gangsters and the Mafia.

Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance between the FBI, and the Irish Mob by Dick Lehr; Gerard O'Neill
Call Number: 364.106 LEH
ISBN: 0060959258
Publication Date: 2001-05-22
A dark deal to trade secrets and take down Boston's Italian Mafia in exchange for "immunity" - that spiraled out of control, leading to murders, drug dealing and racketeering indictments.
The First Family by Mike Dash
Call Number: 364.106 DAS
ISBN: 9781400067220
Publication Date: 2009-08-04
Dash follows the rise of the Mafia in America from the 1890s to the 1920s, from the lawless villages of Sicily to the streets of Little Italy. Using an array of primary sources – hitherto untapped Secret Service archives, prison records, trial transcripts, and interviews with surviving family members – this is the first Mafia history that applies scholarly rigor to the story of the Morello syndicate and the birth of organized crime on these shores.
The Mafia Encyclopedia by Carl Sifakis
Call Number: REF 364.9 SIF
ISBN: 0816038562
Publication Date: 1999-05-01
In this "Who's Who" of crime, readers will find the full flavor and substance of Mafia culture, customs, and characters presented in more than 400 articles.
The Vendetta by Alston Purvis; Alex Tresniowski (As told to)
Call Number: 363.25 PUR
ISBN: 9781586487416
Publication Date: 2009-05-05
Purvis recounts the story of his father, Melvin Purvis, the iconic G-man and public hero made famous by his remarkable sweep of the great Public Enemies of the American Depression. Purvis’s successes led FBI boss J. Edgar Hoover to grow increasingly jealous, to the point where he vowed to bring down Purvis. Hoover smeared Purvis’s reputation, and tried to erase his name from all records of the FBI's greatest triumphs.

From Our Library: Books on Crime

Below are just some examples of the library's materials on crime and criminals.

Does Capital Punishment Deter Crime? by Steve Schonebaum (Editor)
Call Number: 364.6 BEN
ISBN: 1565100913
Publication Date: 1998-01-01
Proponents of capital punishment insist that criminals are dissuaded from committing murder if they know they will be executed. However, critics maintain that capital punishment's supposed deterrent effect is not supported by statistics, studies, and other sources.
Organized Crime by Ronnie D. Lankford
Call Number: 345.73 ORG
ISBN: 9780737741803
Publication Date: 2009-01-09
Removing organized crime from unions -- Organized crime and the international drug trade -- Allowing preventative detention of the accused -- Organized crime boss on trial.
Organized Crime by James D. Torr (Editor)
Call Number: 364.106 ORG
ISBN: 1565108906
Publication Date: 1998-09-01
A collection of articles, personal accounts, and case studies that discuss how organized crime threatens society.
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Crime and Criminology by Richard C. Monk
Call Number: REF 170 TAK
ISBN: 156134446X
Publication Date: 1995-11-01
Includes criminal behavior, rap music and crime, street vs. white-collar crime, biased justice system, pornography, death penalty, domestic violence, juveniles tried as adults, capital punishment, drug legalization, gun control, euthanasia, human rights.
The Encyclopedia of American Crime by Carl Sifakis
Call Number: REF 364.97 SIF
ISBN: 0871966204
Publication Date: 1982-01-01
More than 2000 alphabetically arranged entries chronicle every conceivable manifestation of crime in the U.S. from the Salem witchcraft trials to today's cash-machine rackets

From Our Library: Articles on Crime/FBI/Mafia

Among the PeskyLibrary databases, the ones listed below are most likely to be useful. Do not forget to have a look at our list of available databases, however, especially if you are writing about a unique topic!

U.S. History in Context This link opens in a new window
full-text journal and reference articles covering themes, events, individuals and periods in U.S. history from pre-Colonial times to the present

Media: Crime/FBI/Mafia

Check these resources for visual materials: photos, prints, maps, and sheet music. Also sound recordings and moving image may be available.

Origins of the Mafia (History.com)
Videos, speeches, and photos
The FBI Photo Gallery
Copyright-free FBI photos, no permissions are needed - just credit the FBI. High resolution images available for download.

Database Off-Site Access

Database Passwords for Off-Campus Access Use this link to access usernames and passwords if you are not on campus and cannot connect to a database directly. You must use your Govs Google account to access this document.