false 1990430 1 Throughout the 1950s, as the Cuban people laboured under a violently repressive regime, the Mob-financed revelry in Havana never stopped. Tourists from around the world flooded in to gamble, go to the racetrack, see an elaborate floorshow at the Tropicana, hear some of the hottest music around and perhaps partake in the kinky sexual activities that flourished on the fringe of the most colourful and exciting nightlife scene of the twentieth century. It may have seemed like fun and games, but for the Havana Mob it was a deadly serious business. Led by Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano - and with the full compliance of President Fulgencio Batista - the Mob set out to create a financial empire that would rival the 'glory days' of Prohibition in the US. For a time, the plan seemed to be succeeding beyond their wildest dreams, but they were sowing the seeds of their own demise. Behind the scenes, Fidel Castro was building opposition to what he portrayed as the debauchery and corruption of capitalism run amok in Havana - the result was revolution. "The Havana Mob" captures a unique and exotic chapter not only in the history of organised crime but also in the history of the United States, and for the first time the story is told through interviews and the first-hand accounts of those who were actually there. 1994090 1 2007 The Havana Mob: Gangster, Gamblers, Showgirls and Revolutionaries in 1950s Cuba total:3|5:1|3:1|2:1| 3 10 5 1 3 0 false false Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Fri Oct 19 12:32:11 -0700 2007 Thu Nov 15 05:50:09 -0800 2007 0 0 false false Tue Jun 16 12:53:03 -0700 2009 Tue Jun 16 12:54:13 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Sun May 10 21:54:41 -0700 2009 Sun May 10 21:54:41 -0700 2009 2 0 false false Mon Apr 27 17:37:37 -0700 2009 Mon Apr 27 17:37:37 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Fri Jul 25 08:37:03 -0700 2008 Fri Jul 25 08:37:03 -0700 2008 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=1990430