The Lansky Legacy: The Life and Letters of Meyer Lansky - Hardcover

Meyer Lansky II; S. J. Peddie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 080654497X ISBN 13: 9780806544977

Publisher: Citadel, 2026

Synopsis

Written by Meyer Lansky's grandson, this definitive portrait of the legendary 'Mob's Accountant' chronicles the singular life of the business entrepreneur who built a gambling empire, perfected money laundering, established a more efficient Mafia, and changed the course of organized crime forever-featuring never-before-seen personal letters, photographs, and firsthand stories. Meyer Lansky was more than a co-founder of the Mafia. He was a truly transformative figure, a key player who balanced criminal enterprise and legitimate business, ushering in a 'Golden Age' of the Mafia that lasted half of the 20th century. His impact lives on today in the lavish casinos of Las Vegas, the offshore banking strategies of major global industries, and the countless Hollywood films like The Godfather Part II and Bugsy, with Lansky portrayed by actors Lee Strasberg, Ben Kingsley, Harvey Keitel, and others. He remains a legend in the annals of American crime. But even now, after decades of fictionalized accounts, historical conjectures, and larger-than-life mythmaking, the question remains: Who was the real Meyer Lansky? In this eye-opening account-featuring personal letters, rare and exclusive photographs, and stunning new details never before revealed-the grandson of Meyer Lansky dares to answer the most intriguing questions that have fascinated the public to this day: Why and how did a serious Jewish boy from Poland get involved with mobsters like Lucky Luciano and Bugsy Siegel? What was his role in the growth and consolidation of the Mafia, and why couldn't the Feds pin any crime on him besides illegal gambling? How many millions had Lansky amassed by the time of his death in 1983 and what happened to the money? But most shocking of all: Who really killed Bugsy Siegel, and can the truth finally be told? Packed with surprising insights from the grandson and his family, The Lansky Legacy is a must-read for crime buffs, Mafia enthusiasts, and anyone invested in the American Dream.

About this title

About the Author

Meyer Lansky II is the grandson and namesake of Meyer Lansky. He previously worked in the gaming and hospitality industries, and partners with Caesars Entertainment promoting Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse and officiating weddings at the Flamingo Las Vegas, the resort established by his grandfather and Bugsy Siegel. He has spent years watching his grandfather’s legacy mature to legendary, and formed Meyer Lansky II, LLC to support it. He has appeared on A&E’s Biography, AMC, and HuffPost Live, among others, and has been interviewed by more than two dozen publications including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the Toronto Star. He is in demand as a speaker and has appeared at the Las Vegas Film Festival, CrimeCon, and the Las Vegas Book Festival. Visit him online at RealMeyerLansky.com.

S. J. Peddie is an investigative reporter at Newsday Media Group and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for a series of stories on police misconduct. She has won more than 75 awards for her work, including two New York Emmys for documentaries. She has been a featured speaker at national conferences and has taught journalism. She is the author of Sonny: The Last of the Old Time Mafia Bosses, John “Sonny” Franzese and co-author with Meyer Lansky II of The Lansky Legacy: The Life and Letters of Meyer Lansky and Bugsy and Flamingo: The Tumultuous Life and Times of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and Virginia Hill.

Edition details

• Publisher: Citadel
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 080654497X
• ISBN 13: 9780806544977
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304