Gangsterismo

The United States, Cuba and the Mafia, 1933 to 1966

By: Jack Colhoun

Narrated by: Steve Coulter

Gangsterismo is an extraordinary accomplishment, the most comprehensive history yet of the clash of epic forces over several decades in Cuba. It is a chronicle that touches upon deep and ongoing themes in the history of the Americas, and more specifically of the United States government, Cuba before and after the revolution, and the criminal networks known as the Mafia.

The result of 18 years’ research at national archives and presidential libraries in Kansas, Maryland, Texas, and Massachusetts, here is the story of the making and unmaking of a gangster state in Cuba. In the early 1930s, mobster Meyer Lansky sowed the seeds of gangsterismo when he won Cuban strongman Fulgencio Batista’s support for a mutually beneficial arrangement: the North American Mafia were to share the profits from a future colony of casinos, hotels, and nightclubs with Batista, his inner circle, and senior Cuban Army and police officers. In return, Cuban authorities allowed the Mafia to operate its establishments without interference. Over the next twenty-five years, a gangster state took root in Cuba as Batista, other corrupt Cuban politicians, and senior Cuban army and police officers got rich. All was going swimmingly until a handful of revolutionaries upended the neat arrangement: And the CIA, Cuban counterrevolutionaries, and the Mafia joined forces to attempt the overthrow of Castro.

Gangsterismo is unique in the literature on Cuba, and establishes for the first time the integral, extensive role of mobsters in the Cuban exile movement. The narrative unfolds against a broader historical backdrop of which it was a part: The confrontation between the United States and the Cuban revolution, which turned Cuba into one of the most perilous battlegrounds of the Cold War.

©2013 Jack Colhoun (P)2014 Audible Inc.

A Good Sum of the Cold War in Cuba

During the start of the book you quickly learn a lot of issues in Cuba before the revolution I know I wasn't taught to school. Not as much time was spent on the mafia as you expect once you get past the overthrow of Batista, but they remain a constant shadow in the story that you wouldn't have known otherwise. If you want to know more about Cold War Cuba this is greatly recommended.

Good read.

Fascinating study but more politically-focused that I imagined. It makes a meaningful contribution to the study of organized crime even if the Mafia's role gets lost at times.

Ugly International Politics

Would you consider the audio edition of Gangsterismo to be better than the print version?
I brought both the Print and the Audio and followed the Narrative. This is the first time I did it this way. Frankly, For me that worked very well. Last point: I believe the "Title" Gangsterismo is not appealing to the broad audience who I think would find value in reading the book: I suggest "Cuba-Destined for an Overthrow"

What other book might you compare Gangsterismo to and why?
God's Bankers by Posner is the closest I can think of for comparison. Both are well researched and both present shocking insights.

What about Steve Coulter’s performance did you like?
The Performance was melodious, it did not get in the way of the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
"The Bad and the Ugly"

Gangsterismo Defined

A well written, extremely well researched telling of the tale of Castro's Cuba and how it got to be his.