jjares reviewed Arnold Rothstein: The Life and Legacy of the Notorious Mob Kingpin Accused of Fixing the World Series on + 3270 more book reviews
It was the Roaring Twenties, old school mobster Arnold Rothstein was charming, well-spoken, wealthy, a sharp dresser, and often wearing a bowtie. However, he lacked the vices of other mobsters, he didn't drink, do drugs, or smoke. Friends called him the 'Cookie Monster' because of his insatiable sweet tooth.
From a wealthy, Orthodox Jewish family, Arnold became the family pariah because he rejected his Jewishness and abhorred school lessons. He dropped out of school at 16 and found a job in the garment industry. Before long, he was reeled in by the alleyway gambling and petty crime. His aptitude for mathematics helped him in the art of gambling. He idolized high flyers and dreamed of the day he would own high-class casinos and clubs, catering to only the creme-de-la-creme. It didn't take him long to reach that pinnacle.
Rothstein married but then proceeded to ignore his wife. His greatest con happened with the 1919 World Series. However, paying off 8 players was a good way to have loose lips. The word got around that the games were fixed. Although Rothstein was never indicted (the thought was that lower thugs used his name); he made $300,000 because he knew the fix was on.
It becomes clear that Rothstein was the godfather to people like Myer Lansky and Lucky Luciano. In other words, he tutored them in his business skills. Rothstein's fall came quickly; he was shot while attending a business meeting with someone he owed money. He refused to divulge who shot him (the belief was it was Dutch Schultze). Before long, his 'students' had divvied up Rothstein's businesses and moved on.
From a wealthy, Orthodox Jewish family, Arnold became the family pariah because he rejected his Jewishness and abhorred school lessons. He dropped out of school at 16 and found a job in the garment industry. Before long, he was reeled in by the alleyway gambling and petty crime. His aptitude for mathematics helped him in the art of gambling. He idolized high flyers and dreamed of the day he would own high-class casinos and clubs, catering to only the creme-de-la-creme. It didn't take him long to reach that pinnacle.
Rothstein married but then proceeded to ignore his wife. His greatest con happened with the 1919 World Series. However, paying off 8 players was a good way to have loose lips. The word got around that the games were fixed. Although Rothstein was never indicted (the thought was that lower thugs used his name); he made $300,000 because he knew the fix was on.
It becomes clear that Rothstein was the godfather to people like Myer Lansky and Lucky Luciano. In other words, he tutored them in his business skills. Rothstein's fall came quickly; he was shot while attending a business meeting with someone he owed money. He refused to divulge who shot him (the belief was it was Dutch Schultze). Before long, his 'students' had divvied up Rothstein's businesses and moved on.
