The Lansky Legacy: The Life and Letters of Meyer Lansky

Summary

Meyer Lansky was more than a cofounder of the Mafia. He was a truly transformative figure, a key player who balanced criminal enterprise and legitimate business, ushering in a "Golden Age" of the Mafia that lasted half of the twentieth century. His impact lives on today—in the lavish casinos of Las Vegas, the offshore banking strategies of major global industries, and the countless Hollywood films like The Godfather Part II and Bugsy, with Lansky portrayed by actors Lee Strasberg, Ben Kingsley, Harvey Keitel, and others. He remains a legend in the annals of American crime. But even now, after decades of fictionalized accounts, historical conjectures, and larger-than-life mythmaking, the question remains:

Who was the real Meyer Lansky?

In this eye-opening account—featuring personal letters and stunning new details never before revealed—the grandson of Meyer Lansky dares to answer the most intriguing questions that have fascinated the public to this day: Why and how did a serious Jewish boy from Poland get involved with mobsters like Lucky Luciano and Bugsy Siegel? What was his role in the growth and consolidation of the Mafia, and why couldn't the Feds pin any crime on him besides illegal gambling? How many millions had Lansky amassed by the time of his death in 1983—and what happened to the money? But most shocking of all: Who really killed Bugsy Siegel, and can the truth finally be told?

Packed with surprising insights from the grandson and his family, The Lansky Legacy is a must-listen for crime buffs, Mafia enthusiasts, and anyone invested in the American Dream.