`I have killed no man in the first place that didn't deserve killing by the standards of our way of life . . . I had no alternative. It was either my life or their life.'
*Gripping story of infamous mobster Mickey Cohen
*Reveals his relationship with some of Hollywood's greatest stars and America's most influential politicians
*Provides startling insights into one of America's most vicious gangsters
This is a marvellously detailed biography of Mickey Cohen, the mobster who controlled the Los Angeles rackets during the 1940s and 1950s. From his early days as Bugsy Siegel's bodyguard, to blackmailing Hollywood stars, this book tells the full story of this infamous gangster for the first time.
The most social of any mobster in history, Mickey bridged the gap between Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Washington. Unlike many of his criminal predecessors, Mickey had unique and likeable attributes that
attracted movie stars, religious leaders, politicians, jetsetters, and international business moguls. Mickey had the ear of many powerful people, including Richard Nixon, Reverend Billy Graham, and Washington Post columnist Drew Pearson. Enemies like Robert Kennedy were relentless in trying to topple Mickey. Known as the master blackmailer of the stars, his targets included Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner, and department store founder Alfred Bloomingdale.
Groundbreaking and revelatory, Hollywood's Celebrity Gangster is a compelling portrait of organized crime through the eyes of one of America's most vicious gangsters.
About the Author
Brad Lewis is a novelist, biographer, playwright, screenwriter, and former actor. He co-wrote the bestselling biography of Milton Berle, with the actor's son William Berle. Lewis has advanced degrees from CUNY (Psychology) and New York University; a fellowship at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital. A popular talk show guest, he has appeared on numerous radio and television programmes.
- ISBN10 1929631650
- ISBN13 9781929631650
- Publish Date 1 May 2007
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 28 March 2016
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Enigma Books
- Format Paperback
- Pages 425
- Language English