TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF THE MAFIA, STATES THE AUTHOR, IT IS NECESSARY TO STUDY THE HISTORY OF SICILY ITSELF -- ITS CENTURIES OF INJUSTICE, OF UNLAWFUL PRACTICE OF THE LAW, OF MISGOVERNMENT AND MISMANAGEMENT BY AN ELITE WHO FELT ONLY DISDAIN FOR THOSE THEY GOVERNED. IN DEFENSE, THE POOR JOINED TOGETHER IN A SECRET BROTHERHOOD DEDICATED TO MUTUAL SUPPORT AND SURVIVAL IN A SOCIETY WHOSE PROTECTIVE LAWS DID NOT EMBRACE THEM. OVER THE YEARS, SHE STATES, THE MAFIA HAS STRAYED FROM ITS BENEVOLENT BEGINNINGS. THE AUTHOR TRACES THIS TRANSFORMATION, AND INVESTIGATES THE INITIAL LINKS OF THE MAFIA WITH THE UNITED STATES. FINALLY, EFFORTS TO CURB THE GROWTH OF THE MAFIA ARE EXPLORED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...DMC