Sons of two old countries, Ireland and Italy, two old and feared brotherhoods, the IRA and the Mafia. They come into violent conflict over the exploitation of Irish shopkeepers by violent extortionists. The Mafia Don has never experienced the frustration and exasperation the Irish leader, constantly quoting Irish philosophy and aphorisms, forces upon him. The FBI, the Boston police and the other crime families are drawn into the battle with all of the predictable violence, assassination, kidnapping and mayhem, seasoned by humor, drama, and two very unlikely romances. The denouement must be read to be believed.