Bugsy Siegel

The Dark Side of the American Dream (Jewish Lives Series)

By: Michael Shnayerson

Narrated by: Steven Jay Cohen

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-20th-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-20th century.

©2021 Michael Shnayerson (P)2021 Tantor

Mr. Siegel

This is excellent. This man was not nice,but he was loyal and predictable. He played the game, paid for it with his life. Giant in Las Vegas. Should have lived a better life, but knew what he was playing with. Was bound to end up that way.

Started slow but blossomed

An well told story about not only Siegel, but the the Jewish criminals who led the way in the beginning of organized American thuggery. A very enjoyable listen and learning experience.

A Yiddish mobster? Yup!

Well written, well delivered. One of the better biographies in the Yale series.
I need a few more words.

Excellent

Great book. Lot’s of details and back story. Extremely well read. I may look for other books from this narrator. Highly recommend.

Excellent

In depth, apparently well sourced and riveting. Clearly flawed and violent Siegel is still an incredible visionary, charismatic figure and interesting man.