'Mr. Mob' The Life and Crimes of Moe Dalitz

'Mr. Mob' The Life and Crimes of Moe Dalitz is easily the most comprehensive and detailed look at the major Las Vegas casino owner and mob boss ever produced. Author Michael Newton chronicles Dalitz' rise from a common street thug and rum runner to the most powerful man in the Nevada casino industry of the 1950's and 1960's.

Meticulously researched, Newton claims to have traveled 10,000 miles "in search of Moe's beginnings and the roots of the cartel he personified."

• The author interviewed and corresponded with attorneys, journalists and government officials while producing the manuscript, and collected records from the courts of seven states to verify the facts presented in the book.
• The book offers a fairly straight, chronological history of Moe Dalitz and his crimes.
• Dozens of Moe's associates are introduced through their interactions with the man who would become their boss by the late 1940's
• Complete bibliography and a full index are included

• Very little information about any home life or motivation towards crime is presented prior to adulthood or afterward is presented
• Those who want a detailed overview of American crime in the first half of the 20th century will be pleased, others may find it tedious and long for more information on Dalitz the man.
• Book closes with generous portions about the political campaigns and the subterfuge surrounding campaign contributions during the presidencies of Nixon and Reagan
• Cover price is $45

• Mr. Mob by Michael Newton was published in 2009.
• 293 pages before 20+ pages of bibliography and index
• Dozens of photos
• Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc. 800-253-2187

Mr. Mob begins with an overview of the "Promised Land" of America and where immigrants settled in their new country of the United States. This introduction is followed by a look at the tough times in Detroit, the school system, and prohibition.

This is necessary, because Dalitz and his young gang associates moved quickly to trafficking in illegal liquor to fill their wallets. However, his father was a partner in several laundry businesses, including one that handled over 100,000 pieces a day. It is obvious that Moe preferred the income that rum running produced, but was that all? Could it have been the thrill, the danger, the comradeship of his gang friends? No answer is not provided.

A good portion of the book centers on the Purple Gang's involvement in casinos, most notably in Cleveland and then Las Vegas. His casino partners make up a who's who of gangland's most notorious criminals and his Las Vegas casinos run from the Desert Inn to the Stardust and several others readers will know by name.

Newton provides a fascinating read, with details never presented in other publications. Readers will find more than they bargained for in this 300-page book, but may be a bit disappointed if they want details about the casinos themselves, such as layouts, table games offered, slot percentages, types, or interior photos. Some detailed income information is provided.