George De Stefano

I am an author, journalist and critic whose work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, journals, and websites. My book, An Offer We Can’t Refuse: The Mafia in the Mind of America (Faber and Faber, 2006; paperback edition, March 2007.) explores some of my longstanding preoccupations as a writer: cultural mythologies and their social impact; ethnic identity and stereotypes; popular culture, especially film, and how such social categories as race, class, sexuality and gender interact in American society.

I also wanted to examine some related questions -- How are stereotypes of Italians as mafiosi like, and not like, other racial and ethnic stereotypes? What do the better entries in the mob genre -- the "Godfather" films, "Goodfellas" and "The Sopranos" have to say about America? And why are so many people so fascinated with Italian and Italian American organized crime stories?

According to critics "Offer" provides thought-provoking and often surprising answers to these and other questions about America’s long-running romance with the mafia.

Here's what some have said:
“De Stefano knows the gangster genre inside out, making it a pleasure to follow his thoughts on favorites like ‘The Sopranos,’ ‘Donnie Brasco,’ ‘Goodfellas’ and the ‘Godfather’ trilogy, as well as lesser-known films like ‘A Bronx Tale.’"
-- Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review

“Leave the potboiler junk, take the De Stefano - a detailed, textured meditation on what it all means... De Stefano provokes hard thought about why the Mafia, to the exclusion of almost every other dimension of Italian American life, stays lodged ‘in the Mind of America.’"
-- Carlin Romano, Philadelphia Inquirer

“De Stefano broadens his study in fascinating, unexpected ways. In the book's most provocative chapter, he tackles the prickly topics of race and racism as a ''recurring motif" in organized crime narratives… his discussion is…lively and compelling.”
-- Renée Graham, The Boston Globe

“A whip-smart meditation on the power of ethnic myth, in this instance the one that supposes that to be an Italian American is by definition to walk among the dons and the goombahs.”
-- Kirkus Reviews

“For anyone who's interested in the Mafia, An Offer We Can't Refuse is essential reading on the subject. Thoughtful, informative, entertaining, and most of all, even-handed...Finally, a book that helps to explain America's enduring fascination with the mythology of the Mafia."
-- John Turturro, actor/director

I am featured in a recent documentary, "Beyond Wiseguys: Italian Americans & The Movies," produced by Pacific Street Films & Beachcomber Films; Executive Producer: John Turturro. The film debuted on PBS in March 2008 and since has been shown in all the major PBS markets.

As a journalist, I also have written about the AIDS pandemic, American society’s conflicted relationship with gay culture, Latin American literature, Afro-Cuban, African, and other "ethnic" musics, and jazz. You can read some of my music reviews and essays at Rootsworld.com and i-italy.com.

I am deeply interested in food -- its cultural and social significance, its production and distribution, and the critical importance of preserving biodiversity in agriculture. The Slow Food movement, which began in Italy as a protest against corporate "fast food" and its attendant social ills, fascinates and inspires me.

Politics, culture and the arts (especially music, film and theatre), peace and social justice activism, social theory, travel, cuisine (especially cucina italiana) -- these are my passions. And writing, of course!

I currently am developing some new book ideas, as well as pursuing opportunities in feature writing, commentary, and cultural criticism.