Havana Nocturne

How the Mob Owned Cuba...and Then Lost It to the Revolution

By: T. J. English

Narrated by: Mel Foster

Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

In Havana Nocturne, T. J. English offers a riveting, multifaceted true tale of organized crime, political corruption, roaring nightlife, revolution, and international conflict that interweaves the dual stories of the mob in Havana and the event that would overshadow it: the Cuban Revolution.

Bringing together long-buried historical information and English's own research in Havana - including interviews with the era's key survivors - Havana Nocturne takes listeners back to Cuba in the years when it was a veritable devil's playground for mob leaders Meyer Lansky and Charles "Lucky" Luciano. Thanks to strong ties with the island's brutal dictator, President Batista, the mob soon owned the biggest luxury hotels and casinos and launched an unprecedented tourist boom.

But their dreams collided with those of Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and others who would lead the country's disenfranchised to overthrow their corrupt government and its foreign partners - an epic cultural battle that English captures in all its sexy, decadent, ugly glory.

©2008 T. J. English (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"English's engaging narrative reads with the gripping quality of fiction: the dark underworld of Havana comes to life....Highly recommended." ( Library Journal)
"Crime writer English...unfolds a story whose main outline will be familiar to any fan of The Godfather: Part II, but whose twists and turns no screenplay could keep up with." ( Kirkus Reviews)

This is a very informative look at the behind the

I loved this book I finished it in 2 days I could not stop listening

A detailed and interesting history lesson

If you have an interest in the mafia look no further. I'll definitely be checking out more of TJ English's books.

if you like history and mob tales, it's great

Would you listen to Havana Nocturne again? Why?

no--I tend to only listen to books once

What other book might you compare Havana Nocturne to and why?

any mob history book....

What about Mel Foster’s performance did you like?

solid, even performance

If you could give Havana Nocturne a new subtitle, what would it be?

The Real Story of Godfather 2

Any additional comments?

Good listen, especially if you like history and the mob tales...

great story

very good narrative, much bigger story than I was aware of. A good book.

Loo-see-anno?

I'm really enjoying this audio book but GEEZ! Everyone I've ever known has pronounced "Lucky's" name as "Loo-chee-anno". I'm pretty sure that's the correct pronunciation, but this author / narrator pronounces his name as Loo-see-anno: a minor point but........REALLY?

Fascinating history of corruption

We are mostly familiar with the "evil" dictatorship of Fidel Castro but not so much the reasons that brought him to power. The man who ruled before Castro has been mostly forgotten. But this book tells of Batista's rise to power and the influence of organized crime in his regime. It traces the history of the mob bosses in the United States and their move to create a national government in Cuba that they could control. Through research and personal interviews the author weaves the tale and keeps it highly iteresting.

Excellent.....!

I really enjoyed the story of the mob and Castro. I was born and raised in Miami and remember my parents visiting Havana in the mid to late 50s. It was quite the place at one time and maybe one day will be a great vacation spot in the future for Americans again. A good alternative to Las Vegas maybe.

Fascinating American history

The book read like an engrossing novel. My husband and I read it together. Our dinner conversations became enjoyable mini-book club discussions. I highly recommend this book to those who are fascinated with the seamier side of Ameican history, and, of course, the American mob. Great book.

Mob in Cuba, and how they where destroyed byEl Che

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes the mobs payoffs to goverment

What was one of the most memorable moments of Havana Nocturne?

JFK's time in Cuba

Which scene was your favorite?

the meeting Charlie lucky and friends

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no

Any additional comments?

a great book about Cuba

Loved learning about Cuba

This is a well told historical narrative of the American mobs involvement in Cuba following WWII, and goes up until the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro. I enjoyed the entire book.