Big Apple Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in New York

The great founding figures of organized crime in the 20th century were born and bred in New York City, and the city was the basis of their operations. The mob became a major force and its tentacles reached into virtually every enterprise, whether legal or illegal. The men who organized crime were the sons of poor immigrants and were hungry for success. They were not interested in religious or ethnic identity and their syndicate of criminals was made up of Italians, Jews, Irish, and black gangsters. Their sole objective was always the same – money. Jeffrey Sussman's book Big Apple Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in New York reveals the origins of organized crime in the 20th century and how these entrepreneurial bosses supported successful criminal enterprises in other cities. He profiles many of the colorful gangsters who followed in the footsteps of ganglands original founders and provides fascinating portraits of a whos who of gangland. His narrative moves excitingly and entertainingly through the pivotal events and history of organized crime, explaining the birth, growth, maturation, and decline of various illegal enterprises in New York. He also profiles those who prosecuted the mob and won significant verdicts that ended many careers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 13 August 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

The great founding figures of organized crime in the 20th century were born and bred in New York City, and the city was the basis of their operations. Beginning with Prohibition and going on through many illegal activities, the mob became a major force and its tentacles reached into virtually every enterprise, whether legal or illegal: gambling, boxing, labor racketeering, stock fraud, illegal unions, prostitution, food service, garment manufacturing, construction, loan sharking, hijacking, extortion, trucking, drug dealing – you name it, the mob controlled it.

The men who organized crime in America were the sons of poor immigrants. They were hungry for success and would use whatever means available to achieve their goals. They were not interested in religious identity or ethnic identity. Their syndicate of criminals was made up, primarily of Italians and Jews, but also Irish and black gangsters who could further their ambitions. Their sole objective was always the same – money. It began with Arnold Rothstein, who not only helped to fix the 1919 World Series, but who also mentored and financed the individuals who would control organized crime for decades. Individuals such as Frank Costello, Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Siegel, Joe Adonis, and Meyer Lansky, who would then follow suit, setting up other criminal organizations. They established rules of governance, making millions of dollars for themselves and their cohorts. All the organized crime bosses and their cohorts had the same modus operandi: they were far-seeing opportunists who took advantage of every illegal opportunity that came their way for making money.

Big Apple Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in New York reveals just how influential the mob in New York City was during the 20th century. Jeffrey Sussman entertains and educates us with his book, which is based on extensive research and interviews with former mobsters and law enforcement officials. He provides a detailed account of the rise and fall of the mob, from its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to its peak in the 1950s and 1960s, and its eventual decline in the 1970s and 1980s.

The book begins with the story of Arnold Rothstein, a Jewish immigrant who came to America in the early 1900s. Rothstein was a successful businessman who became involved in the illegal gambling industry in New York City. He was known for his ruthless tactics and his ability to control the mob. He helped to fix the 1919 World Series, which led to the rise of the mob in New York City.

Frank Costello was another important figure in the mob. He was a Sicilian immigrant who came to America in the early 1900s. Costello was a skilled negotiator and a ruthless leader. He was involved in many illegal activities, including labor racketeering, stock fraud, and illegal unions. He was also known for his ability to control the mob.

Lucky Luciano was a Sicilian immigrant who came to America in the early 1900s. Luciano was a skilled criminal who became the head of the mob in New York City. He was known for his ruthless tactics and his ability to control the mob. He was involved in many illegal activities, including gambling, labor racketeering, stock fraud, and illegal unions.

Bugsy Siegel was a Jewish immigrant who came to America in the early 1900s. Siegel was a skilled criminal who became the head of the mob in Las Vegas. He was known for his ruthless tactics and his ability to control the mob. He was involved in many illegal activities, including gambling, labor racketeering, stock fraud, and illegal unions.

Joe Adonis was a Sicilian immigrant who came to America in the early 1900s. Adonis was a skilled criminal who became the head of the mob in New York City. He was known for his ruthless tactics and his ability to control the mob. He was involved in many illegal activities, including gambling, labor racketeering, stock fraud, and illegal unions.

Meyer Lansky was a Jewish immigrant who came to America in the early 1900s. Lansky was a skilled criminal who became the head of the mob in New York City. He was known for his ruthless tactics and his ability to control the mob. He was involved in many illegal activities, including gambling, labor racketeering, stock fraud, and illegal unions.

The mob in New York City was a complex and diverse organization. It was made up of many different ethnic groups, including Italians, Jews, Irish, and blacks. Each group had its own set of rules and regulations, and they often competed with each other for control of the city's illegal activities.

The mob's influence in New York City was immense. It controlled many of the city's businesses, including gambling, boxing, labor racketeering, stock fraud, illegal unions, prostitution, food service, garment manufacturing, construction, loan sharking, hijacking, extortion, trucking, and drug dealing. It also had a significant impact on the city's politics and government.

The mob's influence in New York City began to decline in the 1970s and 1980s. This was due to a number of factors, including the rise of the federal government's anti-crime efforts, the decline of the illegal gambling industry, and the rise of the internet. The mob's influence in New York City has since been reduced to a small fraction of what it once was.

Despite the mob's decline, its legacy continues to be felt in New York City. Many of the mob's former members have been convicted of crimes and have been sentenced to long prison sentences. The mob's influence on the city's culture and history is also still evident.

In conclusion, the great founding figures of organized crime in the 20th century were born and bred in New York City, and the city was the basis of their operations. The mob became a major force and its tentacles reached into virtually every enterprise, whether legal or illegal. The men who organized crime in America were the sons of poor immigrants who were hungry for success and would use whatever means available to achieve their goals. They were not interested in religious identity or ethnic identity. Their syndicate of criminals was made up, primarily of Italians and Jews, but also Irish and black gangsters who could further their ambitions. Their sole objective was always the same – money. The mob's influence in New York City was immense, and it controlled many of the city's businesses and had a significant impact on the city's politics and government. Despite the mob's decline, its legacy continues to be felt in New York City.

ISBN-13: 9781538171745