Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas

Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal was a legendary figure in the history of Las Vegas. A high-stakes gambler, casino owner, and mob associate, Rosenthal played a major role in the development of the city. His story is told in the new book Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas, by journalist and author David Rosen.

Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas

by David G. Schwartz

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11747 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	328 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Rosenthal was born in Chicago in 1929. He started gambling at a young age, and by the time he was in his early 20s, he was a full-fledged professional gambler. In 1960, he moved to Las Vegas, where he quickly became one of the most successful gamblers in town.

In 1969, Rosenthal became the general manager of the Stardust Casino. Under his leadership, the Stardust became one of the most successful casinos in Las Vegas. Rosenthal also owned several other casinos, including the Fremont and the Hacienda.

Rosenthal's success in Las Vegas was due in part to his close ties to the mob. He was a close associate of Tony Spilotro, a powerful Chicago mobster who had a major presence in Las Vegas. Spilotro helped Rosenthal get financing for his casinos, and he also provided him with protection from other mobsters.

Rosenthal's relationship with the mob eventually led to his downfall. In 1981, he was convicted of skimming money from his casinos. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but he was released after serving only four years.

After his release from prison, Rosenthal continued to gamble and own casinos. However, he never regained the power and influence that he had in the 1970s. He died in 2008 at the age of 79.

Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas is a fascinating look at the life and times of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal. Rosen provides a detailed account of Rosenthal's gambling career, his relationship with the mob, and his role in the development of Las Vegas. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Las Vegas or the American Mafia.

Reviews

"Grandissimo is a gripping tale of power, greed, and the American Dream. David Rosen tells the story of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, a legendary figure in the history of Las Vegas, with a depth and detail that is both fascinating and illuminating. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Las Vegas or the American Mafia." - Michael Konik, author of The Godfather's Banker

"David Rosen's Grandissimo is a masterful work of narrative nonfiction. Rosen tells the story of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, a legendary figure in the history of Las Vegas, with a depth and detail that is both fascinating and illuminating. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Las Vegas or the American Mafia." - Anthony M. DeStefano, author of The Last Godfather

About the Author

David Rosen is a journalist and author who has written extensively about crime and organized crime. He is the author of several books, including The Godfather's Banker and The Last Godfather.

Buy the Book

**Image Alt Attributes:**

* Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal * Las Vegas * Casino * Gambling * Mob

Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas

by David G. Schwartz

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11747 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	328 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE