This post is part of an ongoing series featuring items from the newly acquired Santo Domingo collection.
Detailing the early 1970s mob scene Mafia at War is an interesting and thorough read. Published by New York Magazine, this book gives an in depth chronology of the mob bosses from the early 1900s to the early 1970s. Split into time segments with a focus on who was the current boss at the time, one can follow the violence and death that surrounds the mob. Mafia at War takes a decidedly negative view of gang warfare, specifically calling out the misconception that mobsters only kill other mobsters. Presented as a historical overview of mob warfare, this book includes everything from photographs of mafia members to crime scene photos, to beautiful paintings of famous mob hits. Also included in the back are maps of which mafia holds jurisdiction in each New York City borough as well as in the continental United States.
One of the most interesting sections of this publication is the artists’ depictions of famous mob murders. A collection of images by painters and illustrators active in New York City at the time, Mafia at War features such artists as Harvey Dinnerstein, James McMullan and Paul Davis. Each image is accompanied by a story about the murder and the background of the mob boss involved. 
The Mafia at war, by Thomas Plate and the editors of New York magazine. With contributions by Nicholas Pileggi [and others] New York New York Magazine Press 1972 is available in Widener Library Collection.
Thanks to Emma Clement, Santo Domingo Library Assistant, for contributing this post.