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Bugsy Siegel

The Dark Side of the American Dream
Series: Jewish Lives
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Bugsy Siegel by Michael Shnayerson delves into the life of the notorious American mobster, exploring his rise to power within organized crime during the early to mid-20th century. The biography paints a vivid picture of Siegel's charismatic yet ruthless character, highlighting his significant role in the development of Las Vegas as a gambling hub. Through detailed research and storytelling, Shnayerson attempts to unravel the complexities of Siegel's influence and legacy.
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Format: Hardback
$4299
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this thrilling biography if you're fascinated by the glamorous yet gritty world of organised crime and the history of Las Vegas. With meticulous research and vivid storytelling, this book offers an intriguing look into the life of a notorious mobster and the era he helped to define.

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The story of the notorious Jewish gangster who ascended from impoverished beginnings to the glittering Las Vegas strip

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In a brief life that led to a violent end, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel (1906–1947) rose from desperate poverty to ill-gotten riches, from an early-twentieth-century family of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants on the Lower East Side to a kingdom of his own making in Las Vegas. In this captivating portrait, author Michael Shnayerson sets out not to absolve Bugsy Siegel but rather to understand him in all his complexity.

Through the 1920s, 1930s, and most of the 1940s, Bugsy Siegel and his longtime partner in crime Meyer Lansky engaged in innumerable acts of violence. As World War II came to an end, Siegel saw the potential for a huge, elegant casino resort in the sands of Las Vegas. Jewish gangsters built nearly all of the Vegas casinos that followed. Then, one by one, they disappeared. Siegel’s story laces through a larger, generational story of eastern European Jewish immigrants in the early- to mid-twentieth century.

Series: Jewish Lives

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The biography of Bugsy Siegel by Michael Shnayerson is described as fast-paced and thoughtful, offering a keen perspective on Siegel's life and crimes. Critics appreciate its engaging narrative, which provides a humanising portrayal without indulging too much in the lurid details. It is praised for its insightfulness, well-written style, and careful research, making it the most complete biography of this notorious figure. Part of the Yale University Press's Jewish Lives series, the book is seen as both absorbing and educational.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300226195

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 23 March 2021

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 1 b-w illus.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 146.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 248

About the Author

Michael Shnayerson became a contributing editor at Vanity Fair in 1986 and is the author of eight books on a range of nonfiction subjects, including Boom: Mad Money, Mega Dealers, and the Rise of Contemporary Art.

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