Outside the Law

Author : Mark Galeotti
Title :  The Vory Russia's Super Mafia
Published : 041/04/2018
Pages : 344
Genre : True Crime
Publisher : Yale University Press

     The vory-as the Russian mafia is also known-was born early in the twentieth century, largely in the Gulags and criminal camps, where they developed their unique culture. Identified by their signature tattoos, members abided by the thieves' code, a strict system that forbade all paid employment and cooperation with law enforcement and the state. Based on two decades of on-the-ground research, Galeotti's captivating study details the vory's journey to power from their early days to their adaptation to modern-day Russia's free-wheeling oligarchy and global opportunities beyond.

     Over the years I've read a fair few books about various Mafia groups from around the globe, From Sicily, to Tokyo, I have had a fascination with learning about them. These are groups of people who live on the outside of our normal world. Choosing to make a living by doing things we wouldn't dare do. From the big screen to the latest European crime series the mafia is big business in the world of both fiction and nonfiction. So with the release of this book I decide to take a tiny peek into the world of the Russian side of things. How would they live up to the myths that have spread across the globe, Are they, in fact, the boogeymen who lurk in the shadows ready to strike at any moment? 

     Galeotti does a great job of telling the tale of the Vory in broad strokes, He starts by giving us background on how various factions came into being and then goes on to deliver key point throughout there history up until the present day. He shows us the the big players that have strived to move the world of Russian crime forward. And while he doesn't go into great detail of each of the lives he does shows the effect each of these people has had and how most came to an untimely end. We also get insight into how each generation of Russian officials has tried to tackle organised crime and for the most part failed to really achieve anything. 

     The book is written in a fairly easy and straightforward style to get on with, You can tell in the reading of this book that the author is an expert in his field. He speaks to you from a place of knowledge and experience. And does this in a way that feels like you are having a conversation with the author rather than just page after page of dry facts. Quite often these sorts of books are written by people in the life and feel like they build things up, I guess in an attempt to make it sell to there audience. While covering a lot of ground he gave me a lot of information that I had no idea about, this is a good thing as it means I wasn't left feeling that I was covering ground from other books out there. The only downside with this is that we don't ever spend too much time with each of the things he talks about, so I was left wanting more. But I suppose the book doesn't claim to be a biography on any of these people individually but as the story of a whole group over many generations.

     This book in my opinion deliverers on what it promises in a quick and easy way. If you are looking to dip your toes into the world of Russian crime, this is the place to start your journey. It gives a good all-around view and also points you in the right direction if you wish to go a little deeper.