|
|
|
() 
and dance during these times and even throws in Desi Arnez and babalu! 
It seems Havana actually followed through on the sin that Las Vegas only promised. An old timer I encountered while reading told me that “You could get anything you wanted in Cuba.” Remember “Superman” from the Godfather story? True! In fact, the lure of Havana put the hurt on Las Vegas to such an extent that the Nevada gaming Commison actually put forth regulations to discourage investment in Havana casinos.
The ending is pretty well done in this book. All the time the Havana mob was building and consolidating their shangri-la, the reader is kept aware of the approach of Castro’s forces. The final night of Havana before Castro’s takeover is actually pretty exciting. English draws on much eyewitness accounting in the whole story and the night Havana fell is filled with many amazing stories. George Raft ends up in charge of the Capri as the rebels roll in. No script for poor George. A truck load of pigs is let loose in the fanciest place in the city, the Riviera. The so-called “wise guys” grabbed as much cash as they could and headed to one of their big houses to await the New Boss. They really figured they could persuade the bros Castro that the casinos ought to remain open as before. Silly goons. Raul Castro actually did take a bribe and Che Guaverra actually was a dirtbag. The book has pictures too. One is of the Plaza Casino Hotel being looted by a mob and equipment being set afire. English doesn’t say what happened to the casino chips.
The mob took a gigantic hit with the loss of their Havana holdings. Meyer Lansky is always described as brilliant. And he ordered the hit on Bugsy? Lansky died of natural causes, after his orchestration of Cuba, that is the real mystery!
Finally at the end of the book we find a section of “Notes”. Sheesh! There were no footnotes in the book to steer you here. Very sad that. Valuable stuff contained here and if you do read the book don’t overlook this section and flip back to it as you read along. There is a very interesting speculation about Bugsy’s assassination that makes the Lansky/Luciano hit order earlier in the book come alive.
Why should your read this book? As I’ve found through the many excellent history works in our club magazine (got mine last Saturday in Portland, bulk rate) simply put… the more you know, the more you know! For instance, recently on TCB, the name Yorba City showed up. Since I was reading the book, I instantly thought, Yorba City, Cuban enclave in Tampa Florida, Santo Trafficante, mafia Don territory.
Another amusing connection: JFK – Trafficante- Havana- three prostitutes-two way mirror.
And please - if you have Cuban chips or post cards from this period please add them onto this post. Please. It would really enhance the review! Thank You!!!
I’ve lost the link but a beneficial way to purchase this book would be through the Amazon bookstore link that the Caribean Chip Collectors have. Help us out here Charles Kaplan?
|
|