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)

Business Trouble In Paradise

Before this book I had, of course, heard that the Mob once had ties to Cuba, but I never realized the extent of that involvement. I found this historical account to be very engaging and, at times, even quite exciting. The most interesting element is the business acumen exercised by the mob bosses who ran the casinos in Cuba as lucrative profit making ventures; staying within the local laws and customs. Their skills, garnered through years of illegal operations in the United States, served them well in dealing with the warlords of the Cuban dictatorship. Had it not been for the revolution of Fidel Castro the mob may have built a Caribbean empire; a sovereign underworld nation.

Mel Foster’s narration is quite dramatic and many of the people are given accents that help to keep the figures straight.

Interesting story, VERY DETAILED!

Very detailed information, at times far too detailed. Some of the tangents are a little too distant from the story line.
The narration is a little too slow. But that's rectified by playing the book at x1.25 speed.

Excellent guide to the mob in Cuba

Havana was last vegas east….until it wasn’t.
Good stuff on Lansky, Batista, and Castro.

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.

Dope.

This book was dope. Learned a lot. Best deal of the day so far. Six words remain till the end.

Well written

Interesting and riveting. Well documented and. Researched. Thank you for great entertainment and truthful information.