Fred L Gardaphé

As the real American gangsters of yesterday recede into the history books, their iconic figures loom larger than ever. From Wiseguys to Wise Men studies the cultural figure of the gangster, and explores its social function in the construction and projection of masculinity in the United States. Gardaphe shows how the gangster can be seen as a 'trickster' figure. The trickster figure exists in many cultures and serves as a model of improper behavior....