Between 1952 and 1959 Havana was a city of spectacular growth with incredible casino and hotel development, tourist resorts, new highways and where the allure of organized gambling, fantastic nightclub acts and sexy beautiful women seduced many to invest, particularly the mob, which at the time was much under the influence of the notorious mobster Myer Lansky.
It is against this backdrop that T.J. English’s Havana Nocturne: How The Mob Owned Cuba…And The Lost It To The Revolution vividly captures the rhythm of a vulgar era when the mob thought they could do no wrong and that their dream of creating a gambling and tourist mecca would never be crushed. It was also a period in Cuba’s history that witnessed the combination of Lansky and the dictator Batista assemble a financial universe that would change the course of the country’s history. However, just a little digging below the surface would reveal that the wealth that was reaped from these ventures was not evenly spread around and was in the main used to fill the pocketbooks of corrupt politicians, the mob and their followers. The needs of the ordinary man on the street were never met and this ultimately was the recipe that proved to be the catalyst for revolution and, as we all know, Fidel Castro was able to cleverly capitalize on this discontent.
The inspiration to create this decadent world was initiated with a December 1946 Mob conference in Havana attended by some two dozen of the most well known underworld bosses including Luciano, Trafficante, the Cellini brothers, and Vito Genovese, who would play a vital role in the development of Havana as a corrupt playground for those who could afford it over the next several years. The brains behind the meeting was, without doubt, Lansky who believed that there was enough for everyone and his idea was to coalesce as a behind-the-scenes force in Cuban affairs thus enabling the mob to carry on without intervention or intimidation.
The result eventually led to Lansky becoming Batista`s gambling czar and he succeeded in overlooking a rapidly developing empire, dividing percentages and spreading the wealth, however, always with an eye toward peace and tranquility among the members. As noted in the book, representatives from New York, New Jersey, Miami, Tampa, Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Las Vegas, all received a piece of the action in Havana. Lansky was able to keep it all together and oversee the payouts with a minimum of discord. Nonetheless, there was some conflict with one of the members, Albert Anastasia, who eventually was brutally murdered. Until today, no one really knows who ordered his elimination.
Unfortunately for Lansky and his gang all was not as rosy as it appeared due to the fact that he and Batista had miscalculated and underestimated Fidel Castro. This in turn would turn the Havana Mob on its head resulting in the loss of millions of dollars of their own investments and the demise of El Presidente who escaped just on time in the night to Portugal without any prior warning.
Lansky never involved himself with Cuban politics nor did he understand the depth of disenchantment among the population. He always believed that no matter who was in power, and as long as payola would be a way of life, he and his underworld associates would still be permitted to continue business as usual. Castro had other plans.
Combining extensive research with a poignant narrative, English has crafted a book that is both informative and entertaining. He neatly balances keen historical analysis, biographical detail, and journalistic insight resulting in a compelling work of non-fiction that throbs with the feeling that you are actually in the middle of all that was happening during these exciting years in Cuba.
The above review was contributed by: The Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com, Norm Goldman, B.A. LL.L, Retired Title Attorney: Norm is also a travel writer and together with his artist wife, Lily, the couple meld Norm's words with Lily's art. To check out their travel site click on Sketchandtravel.comClick here to view Norm’s Reviews & Interviews.
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Reviewer: N. Goldman
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