Customer Reviews

The Big Bankroll: The Life And Times Of Arnold Rothstein

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Siegel, Lansky, and Luciano: all recognizable names. Rothstein, far less recognizable and a generation or so older, was their mentor.

The book is the definitive account of Rothstein's fairly short life. I believe it serves as the source for most books that deal with him.

An enjoyable read.

The Big Bankroll is a very good read about the life and times of Arnold Rothstein who set the stage for the likes of Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky and Frank Costello. Rothstein had a lot of "smarts" and never was convicted of a crime, even being involved with the heavy financing of narcotics toward the end of his career. He was killed, at age 46, subsequent to a big poker game where he was a heavy loser and hadn't paid off because the rumor was out that the game was fixed in order to fleece him. According to gambling author, John Scarne, who performed card tricks for Rothstein and his friends, this was indeed the case.
Get the book...I think you will like it.

The book was cool it portrayed Rothstein as a 'gambler' rather than a gangster..unlike Boardwalk Empire...Given the fact that the author lived during Rothstein reign...one believes the author's account of Rothstein.

The Brain was a character I would of liked to have met. I read about him while doing research on my father, who probably played at his table.