Storming Las Vegas: How a Cuban-Born, Soviet-Trained Commando Took Down the Strip to the Tune of Five World-Class Hotels, Three Armored Cars, and Millions of Dollars Audiobook, by John Huddy Play Audiobook Sample

Storming Las Vegas: How a Cuban-Born, Soviet-Trained Commando Took Down the Strip to the Tune of Five World-Class Hotels, Three Armored Cars, and Millions of Dollars Audiobook

Storming Las Vegas: How a Cuban-Born, Soviet-Trained Commando Took Down the Strip to the Tune of Five World-Class Hotels, Three Armored Cars, and Millions of Dollars Audiobook, by John Huddy Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Stefan Rudnicki Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 8.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 6.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781483057316

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

36

Longest Chapter Length:

53:00 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:55 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

22:07 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Publisher Description

Immediately gripping and thoroughly harrowing,Storming Las Vegastells the story of a remarkable true-life crime spree—a story that was previously squashed so as not to disturb tourism—that ultimately proves the saying "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."

On September 20, 1998, a Cuban-born former Red Army lieutenant named Jose Vigoa launched a series of raids on the Las Vegas Strip. During a sixteen-month spree, Vigoa hit five world-class hotels, three armored cars, and one department store. The MGM, the Desert Inn, New York, New York, Mandalay Bay, and the Bellagio were the casinos involved.

Lieutenant John Alamshaw, a twenty-three-year veteran in charge of robbery detectives, was ordered to stop the robberies at all costs. He knew he was up against a mastermind—what he didn't know was that he was running out of time.

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"It's an amazing non-fiction story that seems too extraordinary to be real. Action mixed with a bit of humor, irony and mystery. Some parts really get you excited and you want to quickly read what's happening next. I can see a movie coming out of this book. "

— Davis (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Harrowing…Storming Las Vegas showcases Mr. Huddy’s fine reporting and deft storytelling skill.”

    — Wall Street Journal
  • “Revealing in what it shows about the criminal mind…[Huddy has] the perfect blend of skills and experience to tell the story of Vigoa.”

    — Seattle Times
  • “An amazing and absorbing story…[John] Huddy’s vivid, visceral prose and lean narrative make reading about this episode of extreme criminal violence much more than a guilty pleasure.”

    — Miami Herald
  • “A thought-provoking, demented Horatio Alger story.”

    — Entertainment Weekly
  • “A total page-turner…riveting from beginning to end.” 

    — Laura Ingraham, The O’Reilly Factor
  • “A gripping story of greed, violence, theft and public relations…A must for true-crime enthusiasts.”

    — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Storming Las Vegas Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.78125 out of 53.78125 out of 53.78125 out of 53.78125 out of 53.78125 out of 5 (3.78)
5 Stars: 10
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 13
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Quite an intriguing story, considering that it actually happened "

    — Charles, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Anyone living in Las Vegas; a must read! "

    — Patricia, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " True crime book - not the best I've read, not the worst. Some of the time it seems like the writer thinks the bad guy (Soviet-trained commando) is cooler than the police who catch him. "

    — Mark, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Really interesting book about an immigrant criminal. If you live in Las Vegas or are interested in law enforcement at all you will find this book VERY interesting. I couldn't really put it down once I picked it up and read it quickly. "

    — Tbone, 12/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting real-life story of high profile crime in Vegas. Good writing, interesting characters. "

    — Kerry, 12/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not my normal kind of book, but read it because it was written by a friend of a friend of mine. Pretty good and interesting. One tough criminal! "

    — Rhonda, 11/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Story was intriguing and true, but was poorly written in some parts. i still recommend as the main character wa and is a very intriguing person. "

    — Asantorelli, 11/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I thought this would be much more engaging and exciting, but was very bored quickly. Two stars because I learned some history about Cuba's history that I didn't know before. "

    — Brian, 10/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An excellent story, it's very involved, action packed, and the backing up that it may all be legit is very intriguing. Highly recommended. "

    — Steve, 9/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is the story of the real life Tony Montana. I read a lot of true crime and I have never encountered another story that caused me to go back and re-read entire sections because the story was so complex and unbelievable. People who are interested in true crime should definitely read this book. "

    — Billye, 11/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Its amazing the things that happen in real life that you don't hear about. As a person that travels to Las Vegas frequently, I find it amazing that these heists actually happened. I couldn't put this book down...read it in about 3 days "

    — Jon, 11/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " What I can't get over is how this story hasn't reached a wider audience. To me this book is the move "Heat" in novel form. Highly, highly recommended. "

    — Jordan, 10/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good book, especially if you're into "true crime" stuff. Author does a great job of putting together all the information and going into detail about the people involved. Would make a great movie. "

    — David, 8/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It's an amazing non-fiction story that seems too extraordinary to be real. Action mixed with a bit of humor, irony and mystery. Some parts really get you excited and you want to quickly read what's happening next. I can see a movie coming out of this book. "

    — Davis, 4/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book is about a commando turned bank robber became a modern day Butch Cassidy. "

    — Craig, 4/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " What a story...one of my top picks from the non-fiction genre. Action, adventure, brutality, justice. The title tells its premise. Amazing read. "

    — Simon, 11/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I enjoyed learning more about the Cuban culture. It was also interesting reading about the transition between the Casino mafia rule and corporate ownership in Vegas. The main character is unbelievably arrogant - which led to his demise. A good page turner. "

    — Julie, 10/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Pretty good read except when he goes off on long tangents that do not aid the story. "

    — Scott, 8/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was an interesting story of a Cuban immigrant who was, on the surface, the mastermind of several armored car and casino heists which netted millions of dollars, but may have actually been a Cuban or even Soviet sleeper agent. Somewhat graphic, but quite interesting and well written. "

    — Jesse, 5/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Anyone living in Las Vegas; a must read! "

    — Patricia, 5/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An excellent story, it's very involved, action packed, and the backing up that it may all be legit is very intriguing. Highly recommended. "

    — Steve, 3/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Pretty good read except when he goes off on long tangents that do not aid the story. "

    — Scott, 8/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good book, especially if you're into "true crime" stuff. Author does a great job of putting together all the information and going into detail about the people involved. Would make a great movie. "

    — David, 7/20/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was an interesting story of a Cuban immigrant who was, on the surface, the mastermind of several armored car and casino heists which netted millions of dollars, but may have actually been a Cuban or even Soviet sleeper agent. Somewhat graphic, but quite interesting and well written. "

    — Jesse, 6/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Its amazing the things that happen in real life that you don't hear about. As a person that travels to Las Vegas frequently, I find it amazing that these heists actually happened. I couldn't put this book down...read it in about 3 days "

    — Jon, 2/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book is about a commando turned bank robber became a modern day Butch Cassidy. "

    — Craig, 1/2/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I thought this would be much more engaging and exciting, but was very bored quickly. Two stars because I learned some history about Cuba's history that I didn't know before. "

    — Brian, 4/13/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " True crime book - not the best I've read, not the worst. Some of the time it seems like the writer thinks the bad guy (Soviet-trained commando) is cooler than the police who catch him. "

    — Mark, 2/3/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Really interesting book about an immigrant criminal. If you live in Las Vegas or are interested in law enforcement at all you will find this book VERY interesting. I couldn't really put it down once I picked it up and read it quickly. "

    — Tbone, 12/20/2008
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting real-life story of high profile crime in Vegas. Good writing, interesting characters. "

    — Kerry, 11/25/2008
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " What a story...one of my top picks from the non-fiction genre. Action, adventure, brutality, justice. The title tells its premise. Amazing read. "

    — Simon, 6/24/2008
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Quite an intriguing story, considering that it actually happened "

    — Charles, 6/18/2008

About John Huddy

John Huddy, a network producer and print journalist for three decades, has won two Emmys for editorial writing and on-air commentary and other national awards for producing, news writing, and documentary filmmaking. A former columnist and critic for the Miami Herald, he now lives in Granada Hills, California.

About Stefan Rudnicki

Stefan Rudnicki first became involved with audiobooks in 1994. Now a Grammy-winning audiobook producer, he has worked on more than five thousand audiobooks as a narrator, writer, producer, or director. He has narrated more than nine hundred audiobooks. A recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards, he was presented the coveted Audie Award for solo narration in 2005, 2007, and 2014, and was named one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices in 2012.