In My Own Words (Hardcover)

~ Mickey Cohen (Author), John Peer Nugent (Collaborator)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Prentice-Hall; First Edition edition (1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0135808529
• ISBN-13: 978-0135808528
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #858,776 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Account of the Los Angeles Underworld, February 8, 2005

By	Dr. Milo (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

If you ever do any research on the LA underworld, you'll see this book cited time and time again. It's the definitive source. Mickey Cohen tells his story in his own words, which only adds to the flavor of this colorful memoir. It's a must-have for anyone wanting to research the Mob in LA. My only gripes are very few -- the book jacket promises that Mickey names names, which he does most of the time, but not all of the time. He also brushes over details on certain events, such as the arrests and disappearances of Frankie Niccoli and Davey Ogul, which were probably common knowledge back when the book was written, but are largely unknown now. Perhaps if his co-writer had chimed in a bit more. Plus, Mickey passes himself off as a classy guy (who can blame him), when in reality he was still a bit of a hustler. What really impressed me about the book, though, was that after doing more research on certain events, I found that Mickey's memory was pretty accurate. For example, I compared his account of the "Snow White and the Seven Bookies" incident to a court indictment that described the incident in full, and Mickey's account (even after getting beat over the head with a pipe while in prison) was pretty spot on. This book is definitely worth tracking down.

2.0 out of 5 stars For The Era A Decent Fluff Piece, February 25, 2009

By	Reader/NY/LA (NYC/LA) - See all my reviews

John Nugent, of Santa Monica, wrote this bio for Mickey Cohen. It is fascinating in many respects and in others sorely lacking. There is no discussion of drugs or prostitution. Who would admit to that? Marilyn Monroe, for example, is never mentioned. Also odd, the entire book is lacking for CIA or FBI references and stories, something that played a great role in Cohen's life. However, at the time it was written, it followed the pattern of mob bios with one exception - Mickey Cohen was behind its publication, something unusual for a mob boss, almost unheard of and criticized by his cronies around the world. Still, it is often referenced as one of the only books available that pretend to show Cohen's voice, excepting Hollywood's Celebrity Gangster, The Incredible Life and Times of Mickey Cohen, by Brad Lewis, a newer take published in 2008.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In My Own Words, May 9, 2004

By	Andrew Landis (Palm Springs, Ca) - See all my reviews

This is a great book. Actually unbelievable. The authenticity of the California gangster really comes out in this book. Also exemplifies the true crime in the unknow world of the Mafia. Great for adult readers