Casino by Nicholas Pileggi: Epub Download and Review
Nicholas Pileggi Casino Epub Download
If you are a fan of true crime stories, Mafia history, or Martin Scorsese films, you have probably heard of Casino, a 1995 non-fiction book by crime reporter Nicholas Pileggi that depicts the story of the alliance of Mafia mobsters Lefty Rosenthal and Tony Spilotro and their exploits working in Mafia controlled casinos in Las Vegas.
Nicholas Pileggi Casino Epub Download
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In this article, we will explore the fascinating story behind Casino, its film adaptation by Scorsese, and how you can download and read the epub version of this book on your device.
The Story Behind Casino
Casino is based on the true story of how organized crime looted the casinos they controlled as silent but deadly partners during the 1970s. Pileggi had a profound interest in the Mafia and had access to exclusive sources and documents that revealed the inner workings of the mob in Vegas. He interviewed Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, a Chicago bookmaker working for organized crime, who supervised the casino operations, and his friend, partner and also Mafia member, Anthony Spilotro, who provided protection, security and also masterminded jewelry raids that led to his crew being nicknamed the Hole in the Wall Gang. He also interviewed Rosenthal's wife, Geri McGee, a former showgirl who had an affair with Spilotro and became addicted to drugs and alcohol.
Pileggi wrote Casino as a blow-by-blow account of how Rosenthal and Spilotro rose to power in Vegas, how they clashed with each other and with their bosses in Chicago, how they attracted the attention of the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, and how they ultimately met their tragic ends. He also portrayed the glamorous and violent lifestyle of the mobsters, their wives, their associates, and their enemies.
The Characters and Events of Casino
The main characters of Casino are based on real people who were involved in the Mafia's operations in Las Vegas. Here are some of them:
Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal (Ace Rothstein in the film): A brilliant sports handicapper who ran four casinos for the Chicago Outfit. He was known for his innovation, efficiency, and ruthlessness in the gambling business. He also hosted a popular TV show and had political connections. He married Geri McGee in 1969 and had two children with her. He survived a car bomb assassination attempt in 1982, but was eventually banned from Nevada casinos by the state gaming commission. He died of a heart attack in 2008 at the age of 79.
Anthony "The Ant" Spilotro (Nicky Santoro in the film): A violent and feared enforcer who was sent to Vegas by the Chicago Outfit to protect Rosenthal and their interests. He also ran a crew of burglars and robbers who targeted jewelry stores and homes. He had a reputation for torturing and killing his enemies, earning him the nickname "The Las Vegas Butcher". He had an affair with Geri McGee, which strained his relationship with Rosenthal and the Outfit. He and his brother Michael were brutally beaten and buried alive in a cornfield in Indiana in 1986, allegedly by their own associates. He was 48 years old.
Geri McGee (Ginger McKenna in the film): A beautiful and charismatic showgirl who married Rosenthal in 1969. She had a troubled past and a drug addiction that worsened over time. She was unhappy in her marriage and had an affair with Spilotro, which caused her to lose Rosenthal's trust and respect. She also stole money from Rosenthal and tried to flee with her daughter. She died of a drug overdose in a motel room in Los Angeles in 1982 at the age of 46.
The events of Casino span from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, covering the rise and fall of the mob's influence in Vegas. Some of the key events are:
The Stardust skimming operation: The Chicago Outfit secretly owned a share of the Stardust casino, one of the most profitable in Vegas, and used Rosenthal to skim millions of dollars from the casino's count room before it was reported to the authorities. This money was then distributed among the mob bosses in Chicago, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Cleveland.
The Black Book: The Nevada Gaming Commission compiled a list of people who were banned from entering any casino in the state. Rosenthal was one of them, due to his ties to organized crime. He tried to challenge the ban in court, but failed. He also tried to obtain a gaming license, but was denied. He eventually had to quit his casino job and work as a consultant.
The Hole in the Wall Gang: Spilotro formed a crew of thieves who specialized in drilling holes into walls and ceilings of jewelry stores and other targets. They pulled off several heists, but also attracted the attention of the law enforcement and rival gangs. Some of their members were arrested, turned informants, or killed.
The FBI wiretaps: The FBI planted bugs and wiretaps in various locations, such as phones, cars, and homes, to monitor the activities and conversations of the mobsters and their associates. They gathered evidence of their crimes, such as skimming, racketeering, murder, and extortion.
The trials: Several mobsters and their associates were indicted and tried for various charges, such as skimming, conspiracy, murder, and tax evasion. Some of them were convicted and sentenced to prison, while others were acquitted or had their cases dismissed.
The Rise and Fall of the Mob in Vegas
Casino shows how the Mafia controlled and looted the casinos in Vegas for over a decade, making millions of dollars from their illegal operations. They used their power and influence to bribe, intimidate, or eliminate anyone who posed a threat or interfered with their business. They also enjoyed a lavish lifestyle of luxury, glamour, and violence.
However, Casino also shows how the Mafia's reign in Vegas came to an end due to various factors, such as:
The greed and arrogance of the mobsters, who became careless and reckless with their money and actions.
The infighting and betrayal among the mobsters, who turned against each other for personal gain or revenge.
The corruption and incompetence of some of their associates, who stole from them or exposed them to the authorities.
The persistence and diligence of the law enforcement agencies, who investigated and prosecuted them for their crimes.
The changing landscape of Vegas, which became more corporate and regulated by legitimate businesses and authorities.
The Film Adaptation of Casino
Casino was adapted into a film by Martin Scorsese in 1995, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, Don Rickles, Kevin Pollak, and James Woods. The film was the eighth collaboration between director Scorsese and De Niro. The screenplay for Casino was by Pileggi and Scorsese. Although Pileggi had already written the book and wanted it published in advance of the film version, Scorsese tried to persuade him to forgo the usual chronology and to release the book after the film. However, the book was released the month before the film came out.
The film follows the same plot and events as the book, with some minor changes and additions. It also features a voice-over narration by De Niro and Pesci, who explain their characters' motivations and perspectives. The film is known for its use of music, cinematography, and narration to create a compelling and realistic portrayal of the mob world in Vegas.
The Cast and Crew of Casino
The film Casino features a stellar cast of actors who played the main roles and how they prepared for them. Here are some of them:
Robert De Niro as Sam "Ace" Rothstein: De Niro was Scorsese's first choice for the role of Rosenthal. He studied Rosenthal's mannerisms and appearance, and even wore some of his clothes in the film. He also met with Rosenthal several times to learn more about his character and his relationship with McGee and Spilotro.
Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna: Stone was not Scorsese's first choice for the role of McGee. He initially wanted Michelle Pfeiffer, but she declined. He then considered other actresses, such as Nicole Kidman, Kim Basinger, Melanie Griffith, Rene Russo, Uma Thurman, Traci Lords, Madonna, and Cameron Diaz. He finally decided on Stone after seeing her performance in Basic Instinct. Stone prepared for the role by studying McGee's life and watching her interviews. She also gained weight and wore a wig to resemble her.
Joe Pesci as Nicky Santoro: Pesci was Scorsese's first choice for the role of Spilotro. He had previously worked with Scorsese and De Niro in Raging Bull and Goodfellas, playing similar roles of violent mobsters. He based his performance on Spilotro's reputation and behavior, as well as his own experience growing up in a tough neighborhood.
Don Rickles as Billy Sherbert: Rickles was a famous comedian who had a long career in Vegas as a performer and a friend of many celebrities and mobsters. He played the role of Rosenthal's right-hand man and casino manager. He was one of the few actors who did not have a scripted dialogue in the film, but improvised his lines based on his own wit and humor.
Kevin Pollak as Phillip Green: Pollak was a comedian and actor who played the role of Green, a front man for the Chicago Outfit who owned the Tangiers casino on paper. He was based on Allen Glick, a real estate developer who was pressured by the mob to sell them his casinos.
James Woods as Lester Diamond: Woods was an actor who played the role of Diamond, a sleazy con artist who was McGee's former boyfriend and pimp. He was based on Lenny Marmor, a real person who had a tumultuous relationship with McGee.
The film also featured many other actors who played supporting or minor roles, such as Frank Vincent, Dick Smothers, L.Q. Jones, Pasquale Cajano, Vinny Vella, Frankie Avalon, Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, Jerry Vale, Oscar Goodman, Catherine Scorsese (the director's mother), and Frank Cullotta (a former associate of Spilotro who acted as a consultant for the film).
The Style and Themes of Casino
Casino is widely regarded as one of Scorsese's best films and one of the greatest films about Las Vegas and organized crime. It showcases Scorsese's signature style and themes, such as:
The use of music: Scorsese used over 60 songs in the film, ranging from classical to pop to rock to blues. He carefully selected each song to match the mood, tone, and period of each scene. He also used original music composed by Robbie Robertson, who also served as the music supervisor for the film.
The use of cinematography: Scorsese worked with cinematographer Robert Richardson, who used different techniques and colors to create a visual contrast between the glamorous and the gritty aspects of Vegas. He also used long and elaborate tracking shots, freeze frames, slow motion, and fast cuts to enhance the drama and action of the film.
The use of narration: Scorsese used voice-over narration by De Niro and Pesci, who explained their characters' motivations and perspectives. He also used intertitles and on-screen text to provide additional information and context for the audience.
The exploration of themes: Scorsese explored various themes in the film, such as greed, power, loyalty, betrayal, love, violence, corruption, and justice. He also examined the rise and fall of the mob's influence in Vegas, and how it reflected the changes in American society and culture.
The Epub Version of Casino
If you are interested in reading Casino by Nicholas Pileggi, you might want to consider downloading and reading the epub version of the book. Epub is a convenient and flexible format for ebooks that can be read on various devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers.
The Benefits of Epub
Epub is a popular and widely supported format for ebooks that has many benefits, such as:
It is compatible with most devices and platforms. You can read epub files on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, and more.
It is adjustable and customizable. You can change the font size, style, color, alignment, spacing, and layout of the text according to your preferences. You can also add bookmarks, highlights, notes, and annotations to the text.
It is interactive and dynamic. You can access hyperlinks, images, videos, audio clips, tables, charts, maps, and other multimedia elements embedded in the text. You can also use features such as search, zoom, rotate, scroll, and navigate within the text.
It is portable and transferable. You can store epub files on your device's memory or on a cloud service. You can also share epub files with others via email or other methods.
It is secure and reliable. You can protect epub files with passwords or encryption. You can also backup epub files to prevent data loss or damage.
The Sources and Sites for Epub Download
If you want to download the epub version of Casino by Nicholas Pileggi , you have several options to choose from. There are many websites that offer free or paid epub downloads of various books, including Casino. However, you should be careful and avoid any illegal or unsafe sources that might harm your device or violate the author's rights. Here are some of the best and safest sources and sites for epub download of Casino:
Z-Library: Z-Library is one of the largest online libraries that offers over 8 million free ebooks in various formats, including epub. You can search for Casino by its title, author, ISBN, or keywords. You can also browse by categories, languages, or popularity. You can download up to 10 ebooks per day for free, or more if you donate to the project. You can also create an account and access additional features, such as bookmarks, favorites, and history.
Goodreads: Goodreads is a popular social media platform for book lovers that allows you to discover, rate, review, and share books with other readers. You can also find free ebooks on Goodreads, including Casino. You can search for the book by its title or author, or browse by genres, lists, or awards. You can also join groups and discussions related to the book. You can download the epub version of Casino by clicking on the Download eBook button on the book's page.
Amazon: Amazon is one of the largest online retailers that sells millions of products, including books and ebooks. You can find Casino by Nicholas Pileggi on Amazon in various formats, including paperback, hardcover, audio CD, and Kindle. You can buy the Kindle version of Casino for a reasonable price and read it on your Kindle device or app. You can also download a free sample of the book before buying it.
Internet Archive: Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library that preserves and provides access to millions of books, movies, music, websites, and more. You can find Casino by Nicholas Pileggi on Internet Archive in various formats, including epub. You can search for the book by its title or author, or browse by collections, topics, or languages. You can download the epub version of Casino for free by clicking on the EPUB button on the book's page.
Project Gutenberg: Project Gutenberg is a volunteer effort that aims to create and distribute free ebooks of public domain works. You can find over 60,000 free ebooks on Project Gutenberg in various formats, including epub. You can search for Casino by its title or author, or browse by categories or popularity. You can download the epub version of Casino for free by clicking on the EPUB button on the book's page.
Conclusion
Casino by Nicholas Pileggi is a fascinating and thrilling book that tells the true story of the Mafia's involvement in Las Vegas casinos in the 1970s and 1980s. It is based on extensive research and interviews with the real people who lived and worked in this paradoxical world of glamour and violence. It is also the basis for the acclaimed film adaptation by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci.
If you want to read this book, you can download and read the epub version of it on your device. Epub is a convenient and flexible format for ebooks that offers many benefits and features. You can find many sources and sites for epub download of Casino, but you should be careful and avoid any illegal or unsafe sources that might harm your device or violate the author's rights.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about Casino, its epub download options, and its film adaptation. We recommend you to read this book if you are interested in true crime stories, Mafia history, or Martin Scorsese films.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about Casino and its epub download:
Q: Is Casino a true story?
A: Yes, Casino is based on the true story of how the Mafia controlled and looted the casinos in Las Vegas in the 1970s and 1980s. The main characters and events are based on real people and incidents, such as Frank Rosenthal, Anthony Spilotro, Geri McGee, the Stardust skimming operation, the FBI wiretaps, and the trials.
Q: How can I read Casino on my device?
A: You can read Casino on your device by downloading and reading the epub version of the book. Epub is a popular and widely supported format for ebooks that can be read on various devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. You can find many sources and sites for epub download of Casino, such as Z-Library, Goodreads, Amazon, Internet Archive, and Project Gutenberg.
Q: How is the film adaptation of Casino different from the book?
A: The film adaptation of Casino by Martin Scorsese follows the same plot and events as the book by Nicholas Pileggi, with some minor changes and additions. For example, some of the names and locations are changed, some of the scenes are dramatized or omitted, and some of the details are altered or simplified. The film also features a voice-over narration by Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, who explain their characters' motivations and perspectives.
Q: Where can I watch the film adaptation of Casino?
A: You can watch the film adaptation of Casino on various streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, iTunes, Vudu, and FandangoNOW. You can also buy or rent the DVD or Blu-ray version of the film from online or offline retailers.
Q: Who are the actors who played the main roles in the film adaptation of Casino?
A: The actors who played the main roles in the film adaptation of Casino are Robert De Niro as Sam "Ace" Rothstein (based on Frank Rosenthal), Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna (based on Geri McGee), Joe Pesci as Nicky Santoro (based on Anthony Spilotro), Don Rickles as Billy Sherbert (based on Murray Ehrenberg), Kevin Pollak as Phillip Green (based on Allen Glick), and James Woods as Lester Diamond (based on Lenny Marmor).
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