GHOSTS OF SICILY
By Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll Jr
Publisher: Harper Select
The authors of “Ghosts of Honolulu” describe an alliance between the Office of Naval Intelligence and the mob during World War II.
Review by By The Books Reviewer
"Ghosts of Sicily: The True Story of the Naval Intelligence Agents Who Courted the Mob to Fight Nazis in America and the Battlefields of Italy" by Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll Jr. is an ambitious attempt to shed light on the clandestine collaboration between the U.S. Navy and organized crime during World War II. The narrative centers on Operation Underworld, a covert initiative where the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) enlisted the aid of notorious mobsters like Charles "Lucky" Luciano to combat Axis threats both on American soil and in the European theater.
The authors, leveraging their backgrounds—Harmon as a seasoned actor and Carroll as a former NCIS agent—endeavor to craft a tale that is both informative and engaging. However, the execution leaves much to be desired. The prose often veers into melodrama, with dialogue that feels more suited to a television script than a serious historical account. This stylistic choice undermines the gravity of the subject matter and may alienate readers seeking a more scholarly approach.
Critically, the book's structure is disjointed. The narrative meanders through various episodes without a clear throughline, making it challenging for readers to grasp the overarching significance of Operation Underworld. Key events, such as the recruitment of Italian immigrants to aid the 1943 Allied invasions of Sicily, are presented without sufficient context or analysis, leaving readers with more questions than answers.
Moreover, the authors' reliance on dramatized dialogue and speculative scenarios detracts from the book's credibility. While some may appreciate the attempt to bring historical figures to life, the lack of rigorous sourcing and the embellishment of events raise concerns about the accuracy of the account. As noted in a Publishers Weekly review, the operation was extensive but didn't achieve much; U-boats had their own resupply ships, and no spies were caught. ([publishersweekly.com](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781400252985?utm_source=openai))
In conclusion, "Ghosts of Sicily" falls short of its potential. While the premise is undeniably intriguing, the book's execution is marred by a lack of focus, over-dramatization, and insufficient historical analysis. Readers with a casual interest in World War II espionage might find some entertainment value here, but those seeking a substantive and reliable account of Operation Underworld would be better served elsewhere.
Recommendation: Not recommended.
written on: 4/23/2026