Of Rats and Men: Oscar Goodman's Life from Mob Mouthpiece to Mayor of Las Vegas

by John L. Smith

For more than 35 years, Oscar Goodman was the country’s pre-eminent defense attorney for alleged gangsters. His endless client list included Meyer Lansky, Nick Civella, Anthony Spilotro, Frank Rosenthal, Jimmy Chagra, Natale Richichi, Nicky Scarfo, and Vinny Ferrara, along with many others. Though no further connect between Goodman and the Mafia has ever been proved, the famous litigator has often been accused of being more than just a mouthpiece for organized crime.

Was Goodman only what he claims, an attorney who defended his clients based on the simple principle that they, too, have constitutional rights? And if so, how did he manage to mingle with the mob for decades without becoming part of it?

After scores of unlikely courtroom victories, Goodman pulled off an even more unlikely career change. Twice elected mayor of Las Vegas, he went from legal spokesman for the most notorious crime figures of our era to political spokesman for the most notorious city in the country.

Of Rats and Men is the story of Mafia informants, made men, over-zealous government agents, a courtroom wizard, and the happiest mayor in America.” It’s the biography of Oscar Goodman.

419 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

A prize-winning journalist, John L. Smiths (1960- )column in the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the most widely-read newspaper feature in Nevada. In addition, John is the author of many books.

John lives in Las Vegas with his wife, Tricia, and daughter, Amelia, and carries the distinction of being a fourth generation Nevadan."

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See:

John L. (Lewis) Smith (1811-1899)
John L. Smith (1846- )
John L. Smith (1945- )
John L. Smith, Baptist preacher

Reviews

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good story about the history of Las Vegas. Oscar Goodman does his usual job of making himself seem like a defender of rights. It isn't hard to read between the lines though. Judges bought or forced off cases, and losses sold as wins because other outcomes could have been worse. If you ever start to doubt how deep the roots of corruption are in Las Vegas, read this book. Research some of the names. They are all still here, in one form or another.

[Richard Gruner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive Review of Oscar Goldman's Public Life

John L. Smith is a journalist with extensive knowledge of Las Vegas. His research of media and personal interviews are professional. He presents a three dimensional characterization of controversial Oscar Goodman, without obvious bias. Interesting and informative.

[Jazzmyn Jory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written very well, going on the journey for Oscar goodmans career was amazing! I couldn’t put down the book, reading about him defending some well known names and fighting the system that we still know today! 10/10

[Mark Bunch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this tale of the the guy from U Penn who foloows gambling where it leads as an attorney. The House the Mob Built- Oscar goodman's office.

[Micah Lewter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing what I can find for $2. Some years ago, I picked up this gem on my way out of the Kona Public Library. It was resting on the "Friends of the Library" shelf. The title caught my eye, a good riff off a piece of American literature (a bit overrated, but literature nonetheless).

The author does a good job of chronicling the subject of this biography, and of calling his lies. The subject, a mob lawyer for 30 years who became the mayor of Las Vegas. The book ends just before his reelection campaign in 2003.

This book will do nothing to make you like defense lawyers. Yet, there is a humanizing touch to the man in the book. Goodman (most ironic name I can think of off hand) was so in love with his celebrity, he appeared as himself in a mob movie. If you're weirdly fascinated by the Mafia, you will find this book interesting. Only drawback is the author is too in love with quotations. Three-paragraph quotations should only be used sparingly, and they are used too frequently here.

Overall, though, an interesting work.

[Witchdust]

While doing research for my own book on an infamous relative I ran across an excerpt from this book mentioning him. Naturally I bought it & plowed through Oscars life story to get to the goods about my relative. I give the book 3 stars because a lot of it is basically Oscars exploits, denials of who is or isn't in the mob, whether it even exists (it does trust me on that), and making himself seem much more important than he really is or was. If you want to see a lot of name dropping of famous & infamous criminal types then this is a good read. If you're not into that then pass it by. I'll give John Smith his kudos though for wading through the bullshit to get to the truth of some things mentioned herein. John is a journalist from Vegas who writes some interesting pieces but this one just left me feeling sad.

[Joe Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this day of slick, smooth talking politicians who are more likely to take their cues from public opinion polls and speak in politically correct press statements, Oscar Goodman is a refreshing throwback. Only in Las Vegas could the defense attorney of a reputed mobster not only build a successful legal career, but eventually serve three terms as mayor of Las Vegas--and John L. Smith does a nice job of showcasing Oscar Goodman's life and career. Good read.

[Fastorange · Rating 3 out of 5]

I live in Las Vegas so of course was interested to read the story of the previous mayor and current mayor's husband - Oscar Goodman. He plays himself in the movie Casino so naturally I had to find out the story. It is interesting and gives some insight into early Vegas, but if I didn't live here it might not have been that great.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

for those who always wondered about the seedy underside of vegas

[Charlie Burnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those like myself who are more interested in Oscar Goodman the lawyer than Oscar Goodman the politician, there is much to like about this book.