Casino: The Book
Nicholas Pileggi’s 1995 book, Casino, is a true-crime story about the Las Vegas casino industry. The book chronicles the rise and fall of the Stardust Resort and Casino, as well as the criminal activities of its owners, Frank Rosenthal and Meyer Lansky.
The book was a critical and commercial success, and it was adapted into a film of the same name in 1995, starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone.
The book is divided into three parts. The first part, “The Players,” introduces the main characters of the story, including Rosenthal, Lansky, and Stardust owner Tony Cornero. The second part, “The Action,” chronicles the rise and fall of the Stardust, as well as the criminal activities of Rosenthal and Lansky. The third part, “The Fallout,” describes the aftermath of the Stardust’s collapse, as well as the prosecution and conviction of Rosenthal and Lansky.
Casino is a fascinating and well-written book that provides a unique glimpse into the world of the Las Vegas casino industry. The book is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and corruption.
Here are some of the key takeaways from Casino:
- The Las Vegas casino industry is a cutthroat business, and it is easy for people to get caught up in the greed and corruption that surrounds it.
- Criminal activity is often a part of the casino industry, and it can be difficult to distinguish between legitimate businesses and criminal organizations.
- The collapse of the Stardust was a major turning point in the history of the Las Vegas casino industry. It showed that even the biggest and most successful casinos are not immune to failure.
Casino is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Las Vegas casino industry. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and corruption, and it is a reminder that even the biggest and most successful casinos are not immune to failure.
The Players
- Frank Rosenthal: A former professional gambler, Rosenthal was hired by Stardust owner Tony Cornero to manage the casino. Rosenthal was a brilliant casino manager, and he quickly turned the Stardust into one of the most profitable casinos in Las Vegas. However, Rosenthal was also a corrupt and ruthless man, and he was eventually involved in a number of criminal activities, including money laundering and extortion.
- Meyer Lansky: A legendary mobster, Lansky was one of the most powerful men in the American underworld. Lansky was involved in a number of criminal activities, including gambling, prostitution, and drug trafficking. He also had a close relationship with Rosenthal, and he helped him to run the Stardust.
- Tony Cornero: A flamboyant and charismatic businessman, Cornero was the owner of the Stardust Resort and Casino. Cornero was a major player in the Las Vegas casino industry, and he was known for his lavish lifestyle and his criminal connections.
The Action
- The Stardust’s rise and fall: The Stardust was one of the most successful casinos in Las Vegas, but it was also a hotbed of criminal activity. Rosenthal and Lansky used the Stardust to launder money and to run other illegal operations. The Stardust’s criminal activities eventually caught up with it, and the casino was forced to close in 1992.
- The prosecution and conviction of Rosenthal and Lansky: Rosenthal and Lansky were eventually arrested and convicted of a number of criminal charges, including money laundering and extortion. Rosenthal was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and Lansky was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The Fallout
- The collapse of the Stardust had a major impact on the Las Vegas casino industry. It showed that even the biggest and most successful casinos are not immune to failure. The collapse of the Stardust also led to a number of changes in the way that casinos are regulated.
- Casino is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and corruption. It is a reminder that even the biggest and most successful casinos are not immune to failure.
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