Dissertation Help Needed

[Wordsmiths]

Im going into my 3rd year in uni in september so I thought I would start my dissertation early. Im looking at 20th century organised crime in America and its portrayal.
So far Im looking at
Godfather Mario Puzo
Gangster Lorenzo Carcaterra (My favourite book ever !)
The Great Gatsby Scot Fitzgerald

So I was wondering if any1 has any tips for me as to what other books I could look at as I have the non fiction side covered im focusing on the fiction side here

Thanks for your help:D

[Drkshadow03]

"legs" by william kennedy. It's a postmodern fiction novel biography about a real gangster that is structured around Great Gatsby.

[EricP]

How about "Billy Bathgate" by E.L. Doctorow?

You should also check out Don DeLillo's novel "Underworld" and Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock".

[Karl Rommel]

LOUIS FERRANTE
"Louis Ferrante is a former Mafia insider who is now a professional writer. In his memoir Tough Guy he tells the story of how he made his reputation as a gang leader on the streets of New York and later, with the infamous Gambino crime family, pulling off some of the most lucrative robberies in American history. Tough Guy is published by Bantam Press."
Source BBC Radio 4 Midweek

[slobone]

A lot of famous gangster movies are based on pulp novels, especially in the 20's and 30's. Two I can think of off the top of my head are Scarface by Armitage Trail and Little Caesar by W.R. Burnett. Get a list of gangster movies and then check IMDB to see who wrote the original book.