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Lucky Luciano: Mysterious Tales of a Gangland Legend (Gangland Mysteries) by Christian Cipollini (2014) Paperback
“Award-Winning Finalist in the “True Non-Fiction” category of the 2014 USA Best Book Awards”Charles Lucky Luciano is one of the most researched, discussed and dissected American mobsters of all time. His name has become synonymous with NY City's high drama gangland days of prohibition bootlegging, the information of the infamous five families, and controversy over his alleged Last Testament. However, there exists many fascinating and lurid tales and theories regarding Lucky's rise and fall from the mobs top spot. Some of these stories are known, but still incited debate, such as the origins of his nickname and menacing facial scars. Other legends are not so well known to the general public. With information culled from rare news articles, government documents and numerous books written on the subject, this book will give readers a chance to discover Luciano in a way that engages the mystery of his pop culture status, while encouraging further debate over the facts that fallacies that exist about his true role in the history of the American Mafia structure.
- GenresNonfictionTrue Crime
Paperback Bunko
First published May 15, 2014
11 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Christian Cipollini
17 books11 followersChristian Cipollini has been a freelance journalist, writer, organized crime historian and designer for over a decade, covering everything from entertainment to human interest to gangsterism.
He is a graduate of Seton Hill University,the author of Diary of a Motor City Hit Man: The Chester Wheeler Campbell Story, Lucky Luciano: Mysterious Tales of a Gangland Legend, and Murder Inc.: Mysteries of the Mob's Most Deadly Hit Squad.
As an expert guest, he's appeared on episodes of Biography Channel Series "Gangsters: America's Most Evil," History Channel Series "United Stuff of America" and consulted on the critically-acclaimed National Geographic show "Drugs, Inc."
Recently, he's written & co-produced the documentary film Dopemen: America's First Drug Cartel and is preparing to release the long-awaited memoirs of cartel hitman El Mano Negra.
He is a graduate of Seton Hill University,the author of Diary of a Motor City Hit Man: The Chester Wheeler Campbell Story, Lucky Luciano: Mysterious Tales of a Gangland Legend, and Murder Inc.: Mysteries of the Mob's Most Deadly Hit Squad.
As an expert guest, he's appeared on episodes of Biography Channel Series "Gangsters: America's Most Evil," History Channel Series "United Stuff of America" and consulted on the critically-acclaimed National Geographic show "Drugs, Inc."
Recently, he's written & co-produced the documentary film Dopemen: America's First Drug Cartel and is preparing to release the long-awaited memoirs of cartel hitman El Mano Negra.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 15, 2017
Lucky Luciano: Mysterious Tales of a Gangland Legend will have you hooked upon the first page! Lucky's life of mystery, scandal, drama, Hollywood, and bootlegging will leave one begging for more, as well as implement an action-packed dream or two if read before bedtime! Christian Cipollini's thoughtful, acutely researched, and passionate edge of writing adds a visceral component and charm. Phenomenal and worthy read all around!
July 13, 2014
Why do very bad men make some of the best fodder for very good books? Christian Cipollini knows, and so will you after reading this book.
Living by the motto, “Harm none, do what ye will”, I have zero interest in violent acts and the men that perpetuate them (Granted, I am a newly minted true crime author, with subject matter involving the Colombian Mafia, but my book focuses on a “non-violent” offender). So imagine my surprise when I found myself fully enthralled by all things mobsters in Cipollini’s easy to read book. The author provides an informative, important, and very detailed look into underworld history, exploring everything from fact to folklore regarding the life and times of Charlie Lucky Luciano and his infamous cohorts. If you love gangsters, especially the one touted as THE “Top Mobster in America”, you’ll eat this up; and if you’re like me, just a good girl bewildered by bad boys, you may just find yourself mesmerized.
Charlie Lucky- the hoodlum- may have been known as a “shallow parasite”, but his alluring story by Cipollini runs deep in intrigue. Includes gobs of information, well-written, easy to follow. Enjoyed it while learning a lot. How could I have missed all this legendary stuff before? Thanks for the fascinating lowdown, Christian. Now I know.
Highly recommended.
Living by the motto, “Harm none, do what ye will”, I have zero interest in violent acts and the men that perpetuate them (Granted, I am a newly minted true crime author, with subject matter involving the Colombian Mafia, but my book focuses on a “non-violent” offender). So imagine my surprise when I found myself fully enthralled by all things mobsters in Cipollini’s easy to read book. The author provides an informative, important, and very detailed look into underworld history, exploring everything from fact to folklore regarding the life and times of Charlie Lucky Luciano and his infamous cohorts. If you love gangsters, especially the one touted as THE “Top Mobster in America”, you’ll eat this up; and if you’re like me, just a good girl bewildered by bad boys, you may just find yourself mesmerized.
Charlie Lucky- the hoodlum- may have been known as a “shallow parasite”, but his alluring story by Cipollini runs deep in intrigue. Includes gobs of information, well-written, easy to follow. Enjoyed it while learning a lot. How could I have missed all this legendary stuff before? Thanks for the fascinating lowdown, Christian. Now I know.
Highly recommended.
June 17, 2020
Wow, what a wonderful book
Lucky Luciano everyone has written about. In crime fiction, you can throw a rock and hit one. However, Christian tells of lurid details often overlooked by modern day true crime fiction writers. It's a litany of those he kept on his arm for a short or long while. It's a refreshing read that talks about the myths, and disproves many that are taken as gospel today. The narration style was fabulous. I say that because it read like the two of us were sitting in a pub talking about the figure. It wasn't a dry history lecture. It made you think... what if everything I ever thought about Luciano really was a myth. Read this book and find the answer to that question yourself. You will not regret it.
Lucky Luciano everyone has written about. In crime fiction, you can throw a rock and hit one. However, Christian tells of lurid details often overlooked by modern day true crime fiction writers. It's a litany of those he kept on his arm for a short or long while. It's a refreshing read that talks about the myths, and disproves many that are taken as gospel today. The narration style was fabulous. I say that because it read like the two of us were sitting in a pub talking about the figure. It wasn't a dry history lecture. It made you think... what if everything I ever thought about Luciano really was a myth. Read this book and find the answer to that question yourself. You will not regret it.
November 17, 2017
It's a short, accessible and factual story about highlights of Luciano's personal life. The author concisely discusses events and compares the perspective of multiple sources to provide insight into Luciano as pop culture legend. A nice approach, although I read it in a couple of hours (113 pages, spacious letters and some typos).
It would have been nice if he used the same perspective to describe his time as boss, the activities of his crime family, and his role in creating the impressively long-lasting organizational structure and rules of the American mafia. Other than that a nice compact read, but I assume Newark's biography is more informative.
It would have been nice if he used the same perspective to describe his time as boss, the activities of his crime family, and his role in creating the impressively long-lasting organizational structure and rules of the American mafia. Other than that a nice compact read, but I assume Newark's biography is more informative.
October 20, 2019
Thanks Christian for clearing some things up
Finally...a close and seemingly objective look at the life & (alleged) crimes of Lucky Luciano.
With the first half of the 20th century as a backdrop, Luciano's life is also a description of the
events that lay at the basis of today's society.
The myth de-bunking is great, and the education offered is a must for any mob afficianado.
Finally...a close and seemingly objective look at the life & (alleged) crimes of Lucky Luciano.
With the first half of the 20th century as a backdrop, Luciano's life is also a description of the
events that lay at the basis of today's society.
The myth de-bunking is great, and the education offered is a must for any mob afficianado.
January 23, 2020
The kindle version was full of spelling and grammatical errors. 😔 Otherwise a good read, does not delve into Luciano’s full story, but rather the author picked a few of the more famous stories and basically gave his own interpretation of events.
December 23, 2018
A must read
I would recommend this book for all crime story lover.it maybe good for you to start with lucky.
Enjoying the book and the contents.
I would recommend this book for all crime story lover.it maybe good for you to start with lucky.
Enjoying the book and the contents.
September 1, 2024
Decent little book about Lucky's life. Only complaint was there were some grammar and spelling errors throughout. The pictures presented by Cipollini and Jones were a great touch.
September 15, 2019
Very informational book on events and personal things that went on in the life of lucky. Gives you information on some of the other famous gangsters who lucky accocated with and females he had relations with. Also some good pics of lucky when he was being taken to court and crime scenes. Gohod read indeed! P.s. loved the comic
July 6, 2015
Good Read
Good Read. It reads like a novel. A b c d e f gay I j k lbs m n o PvP
Good Read. It reads like a novel. A b c d e f gay I j k lbs m n o PvP
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews