Big Bankroll PB

By Leo Katcher

Book Overview

Arnold Rothstein (1882-1928) was described in the newspapers of the 1920s as "a sportsman," "a gambler," and "the man who fixed the 1919 World Series." But he was much more than that. A bootlegger and labor racketeer, he corrupted politicians, promoted crooked stock sales, and imported narcotics. And, perhaps most importantly, he transformed organized crime from a thuggish activity practiced by hoodlums into a big business, run like a corporation, with himself at the top. For twenty years, the name of Arnold Rothstein symbolized money--big-time money, gambling money, racket money, illegal money, millions upon millions of dollars. His share was ninety percent of any deal; he was never indicted for a single crime; he always won at cards and horses. And, despite his involvement in dozens of murders and hundreds of other crimes, his luck never ran out. At least not until 1928, the year in which he was fatally shot. The perpetrators--and Rothstein's millions--were never found. The Big Bankroll is the definitive biography of the man known simply as Mr. Big. In it, Leo Katcher reveals not only sordid details of the life of America's most powerful gambler, but illuminates the whole era in which crime became king.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306805650
• ISBN13: 9780306805653
• Release Date: March 1994
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 369 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The grandfather of modern gangsters

Siegel, Lansky, and Luciano: all recognizable names. Rothstein, far less recognizable and a generation or so older, was their mentor.The book is the definitive account of Rothstein's fairly short life. I believe it serves as the source for most books that deal with him.An enjoyable read.

A true Sportsman

The Brain was a character I would of liked to have met. I read about him while doing research on my father, who probably played at his table.