The documentary novel about the American mafia “The Confessions of Joe Valachi” caused a storm of responses after its publication. Joseph Valachi is the first representative of the mafia to publicly acknowledge its existence. In addition, it was he who introduced the concept of “Cosa Nostra” into use. It is difficult to remember another similar book in which the morals of the underworld would be shown with the same merciless truthfulness, which would keep the reader in suspense from the first to the last page. “The Confession of Joe Valachi” formed the basis of a television series that had great audience success in the USA, Canada and Western Europe, as well as the film “The Valachi Papers.”