Lucky Luciano: The Man Who Organized Crime in America

by Hickman Powell

Father of Organized Crime, Lucky Luciano—born poor in Sicily, came to New York’s Lower East Side in the early 1920s. His pals were Irish, Jewish and Italian’s criminals.

During WWII, Lucky made a deal with the US Government freeing him from prison, returning to Italy, working for the Allies. At war’s end back in America his Cuban Casino connection made him persona non grata.

Lucky was behind the infamous Atlantic City gathering of top US mobsters including Al Capone, Meyer Lansky and Frank Costello. They ran crime as a business, structured by Luciano as the "Cosa
Nostra." Lansky’s statement, "We’re bigger than General Motors," became part of gangster lore.

An incisive portrait of then prosecuting attorney Thomas E. Dewey whose efforts resulted in Luciano’s conviction. This portrait of Organized Crime, was written by top reporter who followed the trial up to the jury verdict, interviewing Luciano, and the prostitutes and pimps who testified against him.

Genres: True Crime

341 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Grace Hooyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very interesting in the fact that it gave insights into who the key players were in getting Lucky Luciano locked up for racketeering. However, it spent little to no time detailing Charlie himself which was a bit of a disappointment.

[Jennifer Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a photo of Lucky Luciano on the cover. That's about it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written about the 1936 trial against Lucky Luciano with lots of good photos and udpates of what happened next. Superb writing by Powell in a real old fashioned newspaper manner. Very informatve. I learnt alot about the rackets, prostitution and how Organized works.

[Tammy]

A basic biography. This guy changed history.