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Zali de Toledo
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They Called Him a Gangster: My Secret Life with Meyer Lansky, the Financial Genius Behind the Mafia Kindle Edition

by Zali de Toledo (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 126 ratings
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A powerful memoir about a secret life with the head of the mafia

Only few people are well acquainted with Meyer Lansky, known as the ‘Mob’s Accountant’ who, in his youth, managed the investments of the New York mafia and was considered one of the leading figures of the city’s underworld.

Most of the stories known to the public are related to his past illegal activities. But as we are all aware, there is more than one side to every story.

The Other Side of the Story is a captivating biography that sheds a positive new light on the character of the "Gangster".

Zali de Toledo was a teenager who arrived in Israel into a new culture, wishing simply to make a fresh start in her beloved country.

While working as a waitress in the "Dan" hotel lobby, the two met, as fate would have it. Soon, an intimate relationship developed between them and their secret love blossomed and flourished.

In this riveting unique memoir, de Toledo reveals the powerful love affair she had with Lansky, the hundreds of letters he wrote to her over the years, the other personality and sensitivity of the man who was, in the eyes of many, a criminal, the little things between him and her, and the tough decisions they had to make.

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  1. Print length
    250 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    August 5, 2020
  5. File size
    4114 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

They Called Him a Gangster

They Called Him a Gangster

They Called Him a Gangster

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Meyer Lansky always said that the truth has three realities: mine, yours and the truth's own. So many books and articles have been written and movies have been made about him, mostly based on the FBI files or hearsay. In the 70's, Gabriel Bach, former State Attorney and then Judge of the Supreme Court of Israel, brought these files over, and they found their way to Prof. Rockaway, a historian at the Tel Aviv University, who told me there was nothing for which Meyer could be put on trial.
I have written here my side of the story, the other truth, from Meyer's point of view, as per his own words in the many letters he wrote to me.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B088QMN6J5
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (August 5, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 5, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4114 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 250 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B088JM8Y1B
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 126 ratings

About the author

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Zali de Toledo

Zali de Toledo

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Zali de Toledo was born in Turkey and immigrated to Israel at the age of seventeen on her own, facing hardship and working in menial jobs due to her lack of formal studies.

As an autodidact, today she has mastered six languages, has held important positions such as Manager of the Talma Art Gallery, Public Relations Manager of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Cultural and Inter-religious Affairs Attaché in Turkey, Chairperson of the Association of Turkish Jews in Israel, and more recently, Turkish Media Researcher for the Middle East Media Research Institute, MEMRI.

Zali has a daughter, 3 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7 out of 5
126 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Menachem Nussen
5.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasant Surprise...More Than What Was Expected
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
When I purchased this book, I was interest in discovering the history of the "Jewish Mob". The author definitely, serves as a window into the thought process of Meyer Lansky. She reveals the many positive points to cull from the personality of Meyer Lansky. While rejected by some of his people, he had the strength of character to not wash his clothes in public.
What is also clear is that at the end of the day, what did him in was the public perception. There was no CONCRETE proof that would withstand a n objective judicial review.
The author did a good job presenting her case. She convinces us that isn't a simple case of Black and White. She relates to us how human and sensitive he really was.
Last but not least, I really purchased this book to know more about Meyer Lansky. However, I was inspired by the life of the author. Her personal story is inspiring and worth reading. There is much to admire how she overcame the different trials and tribulations in her life. She is to be commended for her openness, honesty and integrity. That is why, I said in the headline "More Than What Was expected"
One person found this helpful
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Deacon Tom
3.0 out of 5 stars Well Written but Deceiving
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2020
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2 1/2 Stars

This book was just OK! If you are expecting a book that tells about gangsters and all of that stuff from the roaring 20s. This is not the book. This is 90% about the author and her relations with Meyer Lansky but doesn’t really tell the details of his “real “life.

My Lansky was the financial wizard behind all of the criminal empires in the United States. He will launder money and do whatever it would take to keep their money safe. Of course this is money stolen it’s bribes it’s payoffs it’s all dirty money.

So whenever our author talks about his situation or that he couldn’t go certain places it was because he was a hardened criminal.

So in the end unless you’re looking for some PG stories about the kept woman of a high profile criminal and not the criminal. This is the book for you.

I can’t recommend this because the title sounds very very much different than what’s in the book.
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ron capstraw
4.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020
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Good book
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Ms. L
2.0 out of 5 stars A different perspective
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is the story of the relationship between Meyer Lansky and a woman who loved him. Their "affair"
of many years is revealed while portraying in detail the life of Lansky from the beginning when he and Zali met to his death. The writing is rambling and in need of editing. I remember events related to Lansky and criminal activities as I am the same age as his decades younger girlfriend. Why tell this
story now? It was a long time ago. In reading I appreciated the difficulty in separating the love story from the factual events. To quell doubt the appendix contains numerous personal letters used to write
The book. In the end I don't recommend this book.👎
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J. Plannette
5.0 out of 5 stars Truth
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2021
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An amazing book that tells the truth about Meyer Lansky.
Meyer Lansky and his life were complicated. The book, by the love of his life, reveals the real Meyer Lansky. Sali de Toledo has an incredible life and has overcome so much adversity to finally find a modicum of happiness.
Meyer Lansky’s letters to her are so revealing.
One person found this helpful
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Metin54
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
Simplicity and sincerity. These are the main features that struck me while reading this exciting book. The author did not use those fancy adjectives to impress the reader. A life story full of excitement. As to Meyer Lansky, a gangster not like any other gangster. Proud of his Jewishness, a fighter for his principles and against unfairness.
Worth reading.
One person found this helpful
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Debra
3.0 out of 5 stars Gangster
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2020
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Was not what I expected. Could not stay interested in the real life scenarios. It gave no real examples of the full gangster.
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Bev Thompson
1.0 out of 5 stars He WAS a Gangster
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2020
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At the risk of sounding sexist, this book was written BY a woman, FOR a woman, definitely NOT a man. I like the book a lot more than hubby, who, quite frankly, hates it. Thus, I'm reading it to myself. Hubby's main complaint is that the author, Zali, who is Meyer's lover, talks about the man as if he was a saint, constantly singing his praises, criticizing all the tales about him as the gangster that he was. Hubby describes the writing as "schmaltzy". Make no mistake, Lansky was a gangster, not God's gift to all mankind, and the book could be a bit unbelievable. If you're looking for "The Godfather", this book is not it. For a much more honest (and fascinating) gangster story, pick up "Wise Guy"; it's fantastic!
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

MIchael Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars l enjoyed the book very much very happy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2023
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lf you like this type of book you will really enjoy this very happy
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Seyithan Bayrak
5.0 out of 5 stars It was a great book with a great story!
Reviewed in Germany on August 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
A very fascinating book.
Her life story and her experiences in life inspired me!
This book is definitely will be in my library and I recommend everyone to read it.
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