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)

Interesting But Not Super Engaging

Intersting read but performance and story are a bit on the dry side. More history lesson than insider’s view. If you are a true mafia buff I would still recommend.

Havane Nocturne

“Havane Nocturne” is a very entertaining account of Havana mob and all intrigues that were going on in Cuba during the 50-es. It reads like Godfather. However, as far as political analysis of Castro revolution is concern, it is either very na?ve or misleading on purpose. There is no mention of the fact that revolution in Cuba was a communist revolution from the beginning. The author stubbornly avoids the reality that from the beginning Castro movement was supported by KGB both with money and arms and that Soviet advisors trained and advised Castro and his adherents. It is really indigenous that the author did not mention even once a huge role that the Soviet Union played in Cuban revolution. It is sad that the only word of wisdom in this book was spoken by old Meyer Lansky who realized right away that Castro regime would be a communist regime which would bring a lot of suffering, death, hunger, and economic disaster to the country. He said it based on his own experience.

fun read

Contrary to the bizarre assertions of one reviewer, who claimed this book suffered from some kind of pro-Castro bias, it actually makes one pine for the pre-revolutionary, hedonistic debauched party town that was havana in the 50's.
In fact, Castro is portrayed as a zealous, buffoonish ideologue.
As I read it, the most sympathetic character in the book was Meyer Lansky, who is portrayed as a wily entrepreneur, and mostly detached from the sleazy dealings of his mobster contemporaries.
Havana in the 50's was a hotbed of dance and musical innovation and the passages which describe the sorts of musical entertainment one could find at the great clubs of the era made me feel that the accompanying vices of gambling, prostitution, as well as the political corruption and oppression were worth it.

Excellent history

A fascinating alternate look at history from a perspective you dont often hear from. interesting to see the influences behind historical figures.

Covers both the Mob and Cuban history

Having just returned from a trip to Cuba I was interested in learning more about the country, particularly as related to the US. This book provided a fascinating look at both, with wonderful detailed digressions and details about the various characters, both Cuban and the American gangsters. I thought the narrator was perfect for this story- it deserves a deep, full voice. Great descriptions of the action, the people and the surroundings.

Havana daydream

Go on a trip to the golden days, swinging nightclubs, and luxurious casinos of Havana. The swirl of sex and music echo from the Tropicana, Riviera, and the Capri into the streets. The good times & money are flowing. Learn the true story of how the mob was behind the entire Cuban boom. Hear interesting stories of how Frank Sinatra, JFK, Pan Am airline, and Hilton all had connections to Lansky and his "Havana mob." - Interesting story that captivates the listener w/descriptions of a dazzling era, while still educating about the events leading to the revolution.

One history of Cuba

Full of interesting characters but a little repetitive and, while it may be accurate, a really jaded story of corruption in Cuba.

I would recommend for those of us who want to visit.

Fascinating Look at Another Side of the Story

There is a version of Cuba, and over all the players in this part of Cuba's history, that is crafted and told as gospel by US media and culture; this book peals back that story and looks at how it all went down in the eyes of those who were there.
Not in an overly sympathetic way, nor overly critical, but with fascinating characters and in a way that makes unique connections between events that I thought I knew about.

Best book about Cuba ever!!!

Non-partisan, this book really tells the story like it has never been told before. Awesome.

Doesn't get much better

A great story, well told. Very enjoyable reading and historically accurate. Seemed the right length also.