Sin City Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Las Vegas

(Paperback)

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Sin City Gangsters is a whirlwind account of how the mob created Las Vegas, building and controlling gambling casinos and buying the favors of influential politicians. The book features such mobsters as Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky, Moe Dalitz, Sam Giancana, Tony Accardo, and Nick Civella, along with their agents and hired guns: Tony Spilotro, Lefty Rosenthal, and Donald Angelini. The casino owners transformed Vegas into an entertainment capital by building billion-dollar-plus resorts and hiring entertainers, such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Sin City Gangsters is the only book that charts Vegas from early mob-owned casinos to billion-dollar resorts; its cast of characters were exceedingly ambitious risk takers who created a glittering mecca of sin and pleasure.

Reviews

Unlike most books on "the City of Lost Wages," Jeffrey Sussman's Sin City Gangsters really does take us on an impressive journey from the tawdry beginnings of Vegas through to its current almost Disney World iteration. Mr. Sussman's narration is energetic, captivating. * East Hampton Star *
Extensively researched, including Sussmans own interviews and experiences with mobsters and insiders, Sin City Gangsters not only presents all the grimy details of how the mob took hold of the Vegas infrastructure but also how that grip gave way to the mega casinos and their high-flying moguls that run the town today. Chapters on bold-faced names like Howard Hughes, Frank Sinatra, and Jimmy Hoffa are especially compelling, but the salacious stories of lesser-known figures like Moe Sedway are just as provocative. Fans of Sussmans previous city-focused histories will welcome this outing, but even those without mob connections will be implicated in enjoying this book. * Booklist *
Sin City Gangsters profiles the various men who aided in molding Las Vegas into what it is today. Jeffrey Sussman (who also wrote Big Apple Gangsters) relates some colorful anecdotes in describing how his interest in writing about Las Vegas was piqued. The city where fortunes are made or squandered looms large on the paths of the men highlighted in this book, whether they be Benjamin Siegel, Meyer Lansky, Howard Hughes, or Steve Wynn. Sussmans exemplary chronology of Las Vegas brings the rise and fall of organized crime full circle. The evolution of Las Vegas from its mob-dominated past to a junk bond-backed glittery spectacle marketed as a family town proves readable in every sense. Sussman doesnt lionize his subjects, but never discounts their impact on the desert paradise. * Readers' Favorite *
For those who know about the Mob in the desert, Sussman provides a readable, reference-packed summary and update, some of it based on interviews with a few mobster relatives. He delivers some ugly facts about Sinatra as well as some apparently redeeming philanthropy by him and others. For all of us, however, the contemporary chapters would seem especially important as these present names in the newsbillionaire political fundraisers and well-connected lobbyists. Theres also the matter of the nations increasing violence and poverty which should give pause to those lobbying for more casinos. They come with baggage and with suppressed memory that, in the end, the house always wins. And collects. * The Southampton Press *
An absolute 'must read' for readers with an interest in Organized Crime in general, and the 20th Century history of Las Vegas in particular, Sin City Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Las Vegas is an inherently fascinating read that is further enriched by the inclusion of a four page Bibliography and a eight page Index. Exceptionally impressive and well written history, Sin City Gangsters is unreservedly and especially recommended for community and academic library American Criminology & Organized Crime collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. * Midwest Book Review *
Fascinating! Its all here! I learned a lot. -- Nicholas Pileggi, author of Casino and Wiseguy. (co-author of the movies, Goodfellas and Casino)
Sin City Gangsters presents the most factual and penetrating exposure of the relationships, dealings, and assassinations amongst the highest ranking members of organized crime. It is an exceptional book. -- S. M. Chris Franzblau, former federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney for alleged organized crime figures and professional boxers, in a career that has spanned more than 50 years
Jeffrey Sussmans research and attention to detail make this book the go-to source on the infamous relationship between the Mob and Las Vegas. The chapter on Sinatra alone makes it worth the cost of admission into the seamy yet enticing underbelly of Las Vegas. -- Gary Jenkins, producer/host, Gangland Wire Crime Stories podcast
With the publication of Sin City Gangsters, Jeffrey Sussman has proven himself to be one of the top mob historians in the country. The book is fascinating, his research is impeccable, and he presents the historical information in an entertaining way, somewhat like a novelist. I look forward to more mob books from Jeffrey Sussman. -- Ron Chepesiuk, author Bad Henry: The Murderous Rampage of the Taco Bell Strangler and other books, two-time Fulbright scholar, and host of the podcast, Crimebeat
Jeffrey Sussman takes readers on a fast-paced and fascinating journey down the dark road of Las Vegas casino history, from mobsters to moguls. -- Larry Henry, "Mob in Pop Culture" columnist for The Mob Museum in Las Vegas

Author Bio

Jeffrey Sussman is the author of 16 books, six of which have been published by Rowman and Littlefield. His most recent titles include Big Apple Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in New York (2022), Holocaust Fighters: Boxers, Resisters, and Avengers (2021) and Boxing and the Mob: The Notorious History of the Sweet Science (2019). Jeffrey lives in New York City.