Tough Jews

Fathers, Sons, and Ganster Dreams

By: Rich Cohen

Narrated by: Rich Cohen

Award-winning writer Rich Cohen excavates the real stories behind the legend of infamous criminal enforcers Murder, Inc. and contemplates the question: Where did the tough Jews go?

In 1930s Brooklyn, there lived a breed of men who now exist only in legend and in the memories of a few old-timers: Jewish gangsters, fearless thugs with nicknames like Kid Twist Reles and Pittsburgh Phil Strauss. Growing up in Brownsville, they made their way from street fights to underworld power, becoming the execution squad for a national crime syndicate. Murder Inc. did for organized crime what Henry Ford did for the automobile, and Tough Jews is the first in-depth portrait of these men, a thrilling glimpse at the muscle that made possible the success of gangster statesmen such as Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky, and Lucky Luciano.

For Rich Cohen, who grew up in suburban Illinois in the 1980s taunted by the stereotype of Jews as book-reading rule followers, the very idea of the Jewish gangster was a relief; for once, a Jew in jail did not have to be a white-collar criminal. With a clear eye and a comic sensibility, Cohen looks beyond the blood and ultimately encounters each of these ruthless killers’ matzo-ball heart. Tough Jews shows what can happen when a member of the tribe combines brains, heart, and a dangerous determination never to back down.

©1998, 1999 Rich Cohen (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

Had the physical but wanted to listen.....

Good book. Worth the read.... The book has pics that the audio didn't have but all in all, well worth it....

Great book!

Very interesting and informative book that talks about past times and people that were extremely unique and a dying breed

Great story a little wordy

I loved the book and the performance. My only critique is that the author’s descriptions of almost everything dragged. They were colorful and entertaining but didn’t always add to the overall storyline.

Great book!

Rich Cohen is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I think he depicts Jews and Jewish culture in America through various generations so incredibly well. This book is fantastic. Interesting historical and personal takes and accounts.

A beautiful ‘remember when’

Hard to believe this time and these people ever existed, but Rich Cohen brings it all to life in vivid prose