Nevada Books

Before heading out to Vegas, I read every Vegas guidebook on the local bookshelf. This one was different and useful. It named a number of off-beat and off-Strip locales overlooked by many of the other guides, places I might have missed. The author was more candid and opinionated than most, making the book useful and entertaining. You should purchase this book even if you find you do also have to purchase one of the larger, more mainstream guides for completeness.

this book was helpful only because it was the most recent book printed i could locate(and still not new enough). It is no better than any other book on las vegas i have read (which is about 4). i do like the size and shape however and the print is easy to look at. much of the information is repeated throughout the book 2 or 3 times as it is nicely cross-referenced.

I found this book pretty annoying. On the one hand, it gives a good overview of vegas and some interesting facts. But trying to use it while we were there, we found it almost never gave enough information to be useful. In particular, we tried to use the guide to find restaurants, and found the one-sentence-long reviews of restaurants severely lacking. If anything they sound like advertisements. Here's a random example: "At Samba Brazilian Steakhouse, skewered rotisserie meats are roasted over coals at the open kitchen, then carved table side with machete-like knives." That's the complete treatment of that restuarant! OK, so at a steak house they roast meats -- duh! Are they any good? Should I go there? Is it better than anywhere else? Is it expensive? This information is very typical of the level of detail in the book.

The book is more clever and more hip than the typical travel guides. My only complaint is than there are parts that get redundant when the same place has been reviewed by three critics that give the same information again and again only with a slightly different spin. Better editing could have resolved that problem.

This book is the only book I've seen on Vegas that intelligently asserts that the reader knows that there's kitsch is in Vegas as well as the writers. There is a down-to-earth style about this book which was refreshing after reading other travel books about Vegas that feel like they were written by shills for the casinos.

Las Vegas has never been a place that should be taken seriously in the least!

I liked this book considerably more than the usual tourist guide.

A wealth of info presented from a fresh and cheeky point of view. Jordan Simon clues you in to what Vegas' many promoters don't want you to know, but don't get the idea that this "Irreverent Guide" exists solely to take potshots at the excess that is the essence of Vegas' singular charm; the writer duly awards praise where he thinks praise is warranted. As it happens, I personally have not been to Vegas in about 30 years, but Simon's style pulled me in immediately and I have no doubt his offbeat guide will prove very useful when I do visit.

I have a couple of small quibbles - the info could be presented in more of an outline, organized form, but that's really a minor complaint, as the hip narrative style is very entertaining; and I'd love some photos, but one can get all the Las Vegas one could ever want various places online. If your preferences tend towards the unconventional, this is the Las Vegas guide to get.

Not that great. A far better read is "Sun, Sin And Suburbia: An Essential History Of Modern Las Vegas" by Geoff Schumacher.

When I first saw this book, I wondered--was there really an interesting history of casinos? I usually read about weightier historical topics (Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel, for instance), but every time I go to Vegas I'm struck by how the entire place seemed to have been built in the last five years.

So, seeing the generally positive reviews (and checking out the author's website which is quite interesting), I ordered a copy. I was expecting a fairly dense read--the author is a professional historian--but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get into.

There is a lot of great information about Vegas history in here, as well as Atlantic City, and a little on Indian casinos and riverboats too. I'd seen the movie Bugsy, but I had no idea that he wasn't the real founder of the Strip. Thanks to this book, I know now.

The author must have had a lot of fun writing this; even though it's a pretty serious book, there are some great one-liners in there. I actually laughed a few times.

The more I read, the more I realized there is to this topic, and I wish that the author had written more about Reno, for example, but for starters, this is a great introduction to the history of casinos, and a fun read. For anyone who's taken the trip to Vegas and wondered about where it came from, it's a welcome addition to your library.

Suburban Xanadu is a great book that really captures the history of Las Vegas. I took the class that was taught by Professor David Schwartz and it was well worth buying the book. I have had many of my friends and business colleagues read this book and they thought it was great. Suburban Xanadu is must read to truly understand Las Vegas past and how it all got started.

Don't be fooled. This is a purely pedantic and priggish book about Las Vegas. Not worth your time.

Any man that can write a book with a bright pink cover must be very secure in his masculinity.
Dr. Schwartz is also very secure in his knowledge of the "real" history of gambling, legalized or otherwise. Just when you think you know the truth, as it has been told for generations, here comes a maverick historian to turn your conceptions upside-down.
Seriously, does anyone have any respect for Senator McCarran before they read about his valiant battle to keep Nevada's peculiar peculiarity as peacefully peculiar as possible, without the wretched government interfering?
And would the world's FOREMOST AUTHORITY on gambling, Dr. William Eadington, make Dr. David Schwartz's book required reading for his class if it were not one of the leading texts on the subject?
His book is a true delight to read, and, as it is broken up into bite-sized sections with headings such as "The Californication of the casino resort" and "Requiem for a bootlegger", you can read a few pages and then ponder or nap without the guilt associated with reading only halfway through a chapter.
How's that for a review that sounds like it was poured straight from the fount of the commonfolk! Normal people DO read this kind of stuff too, so don't be afraid to crack it open!

Seems to cover a lot. Have never been to LV but this has been very informative and will come in handy for our first trip this summer.

IF YOUR THINKING OF GOING TO TO LAS VEGAS THIS IS THE NUMBER 1 BOOK TO BUY BEFORE YOU GO!!!!!

Yay! Finally a more comprehensive UNBIASED book on Vegas. The Unofficial Guide does not give every hotel a thumbs-up and rightly so. When we visit Vegas we want the real deal on places, like VegasADD.com or cheapov egas.com, not a fluffed-up description that looks like it was written by each hotel and restaurant.

I found this book to be a fairly good overview, but perhaps not as in-depth as I was hoping for. I have read many other Unofficial Guide books, and seem to prefer them among all the travel guides out there. The book is layed out well and easy to either read all the way through or just hunt for the information you are looking for. However, it was not as in-depth on some of the hotels and dining as I would have liked. It does have a great section on gambling that is perfect for beginners or those who have never had much luck. It tells you how to play it safe so that you don't lose your life's savings, as well as gives you tips on how to win at what you can. Basically its just practical and doesn't make you believe that its taught you some magic new way to win millions, which is really pretty rare in gambling advice. Overall, I would say that this book is perfect for anyone wanting to get a good overview of the city and all its available attractions, but perhaps not quite in-depth enough for the experienced traveler looking for insider information.

This book really wasn't as good as the other "Unofficial Guides" I've used. I thought the write ups about the hotels, shows and attractions were pretty good and very readable but there didn't really seem to be much "insiders" info. I feel like I could have gotten the write ups about the hotels, etc. from any other of the millions of travel books about LV but I wanted this one because I thought it would give us some inside scoop, which I didn't really feel it did. If you've used "The Unoffical Guide To Walt Disney World" you know it has these really great "touring plans" that weren't found in this book. It would be a great addition if they would like to make this book more useful.

I have recently become addicted to Linda Lael Miller's books. She has a style all her own. I read The Last Chance Cafe and they constantly reference the past ancestors who settled PrimRose Creek, so I decided this book would be a good book to read. Bridget's story is very romantic and it is an easy heartwarming read. It only took a day I was so wrapped up in her story. I plan on reading "Christy" next and will also leave a review for that Novel. Since I had read The Last Chance Cafe what happened w/ Bridget's story was no shock to me because they constantly refer back to it in The Last Chance, however, it was still a very nice read.

"Bridget" is the beginning of another frontier series by Linda Lael Miller. I enjoyed the previous frontier series "Springwater."

Bridget McQuarry is a young widow, who has lost her husband, Mitch, during the Civil War. Bridget, her son, Noah, and her sister, Skye, have moved to Primrose Creek to begin their new life. Bridget owns one fourth of the land they now live on. The other portions belong to Skye, and their cousins, Christy and Megan, who are living in England with their mother.

Trace Qualtrough, a friend of the McQuarry family and who was with Mitch McQuarry when Mitch died, comes to Primrose Creek in search of Bridget. Trace has always been attracted to Bridget and he lets Bridget know that his feelings are still alive and he plans to marry her.

Bridget, feeling guilty because Mitch has died and because of the feelings she had for Trace before she married Mitch, tries to deny her feelings for Trace. At first, Bridget refuses to marry Trace, but both realize that the West is not suitable for a woman alone, especially in a town with a lack of women.

Ms. Miller has not only touched on frontier life and its dangers, but she also showed the strength of pioneer women, who had the stamina to be strong and overcome the hardships of frontier life. Bridget McQuarry is one of those women.

"Bridget" is a compelling and romantic novel.

I just completed BRIDGET and disappointed the book was so "abreviated." There is no "time" to really get acquainted with the characters, setting, etc. Of course, I will read the following books in the series but hope Ms. Miller will write more in depth and not try to cover so much "territory".

Once again, beloved romance author Linda Lael Miller brings to life an exciting series of stories about a group of women who overcome incredible odds to find lives filled with happiness and love.

Readers who loved Miller's Springwater series should also enjoy this new line of tales featuring The Women of Primrose Creek. Set in the Frontier West, the four women all share strengths and passion that will make these characters unforgettable.

This first novel, which features Bridget McQuarry, sets the stage for the upcoming stories due to be released this summer. Miller defines the characters and situations, and all the reader has to do is just sit back and enjoy.

Sharon Galligar Chance

I just finished this book and liked it, but agree with the other reviewer that it's hard to establish a series story with one book. I'm anxious to read the other books in the series.

I read the "Springwater" series and loved it. I wish the author would have remained with this series instead of starting "Primrose Creek".

When I saw this book in my school library, I thought wow--gotta go! This looks like my idea of summer camp. The photos of people covered in mud are so cool and so is the biker in a tutu. The mushroom cloud looks so real and the truck with fins really rocks. Is this another planet? I will have to find out...

I've been to the event-- first as a citizen and later as part of the volunteer labor force, and I own this book. It's true (as other reviewers have stated) it is not "complete"-- in the sense that its focus is primarily visual. (There is so much more to Burning Man!) But it does a marvelous job with those visuals! Each page turned elicits one of the following thoughts: "Gad! I didn't see that! How could I possibly have missed that?" or something like "Ahhhh, I remember that evening on the Promenade-- and how mysterious the light was..."

The reader who found the images too "extreme," "surreal," and "fringe" has not been there-- or he/she forgot to look around, because this is what you will see if you venture out of your tent... It's easy to come up with remarkable images in this remarkable temporary city, and this book does a fine job of hinting at the world that is Black Rock City. Go ahead, whet your appetite...

Pseudo hipster chic is what is most notable about this book. The photographers try too hard to come up with images that seem "extreme," "surreal," and "fringe" -- and end up with what looks more like the vapid chronicles of juvenilia.

Let's face it, when they start making coffee table books about a really cool, artsy, ostensibly underground, non-commercial event, you know the writing's on the wall for said event's hip quotient. So needless to say, I had a real negative feeling about this book before I even looked at it. I was opposed to its existance purely on principal. "Wired is trying to make money off of Burning Man," I thought, incredulous. And the Burning Man people actually approved! Travesty!

I must admit it though -- it's gorgeous. Stunning really. Beautifully designed, with huge, full-bleed photos-both color and black-and-white-on every page. Flipping through the book, there seems to be a good representative sampling of Black Rock City culture circa 1990-1996: Clichéd images of naked, painted bodies dancing. That goddamned Java Cow. Art cars. Colorfully-costumed participants. Moody black-and-whites of the Man. The usual pics of naked people caked with mud. It's even presented in somewhat of an order, with all the daytime images slowly leading into photos taken at dusk. Then there's the requisite sixteen pages of editorial pontificating, before heading off into the book's "climax," which mirrors the climax of the event itself with its final eighteen photos all taken during Burn night.

The images, for the most part, are stunning--although anyone can tell you that it seems damn near impossible to take a bad photo out on the playa. I especially liked Barbara Traub's very artful, often-posed, black-and-whites. Instead of merely documenting the event, she seems to use the playa as her own photography studio, producing incredibly unique images.

As for the editorial content, it makes for a good, hour-long read. Naturally, everyone tries to explain what Burning Man is, without ever really nailing it down. Such is the nature of the event. Larry Harvey spells it all out in his oral history of Burning Man. Bruce Sterling describes his family's vacation at Burning Man, in his hysterical, and ultimately heartwarming piece, "Variation On a Theme Park (Taking the Kids to Burning Man)" Erik Davis' "Here is Post-Modern Space" is alternately intellectual jabbering and snarky commentary. But far and away my favorite piece was "Me, I Didn't Burn A Thing," a refreshingly different perspective of Burning Man from Janelle Brown. She tells it like it is, writing: "I'm stuck in a limbo-land of exhaustion: I can't sleep because I've hardly moved all day, and I can't move because I've hardly slept. I lie in the eerie blue shade of our plastic tarpualin in a semi-lucid state, spray bottle in one hand, gin and tonic in the other." That is so it.

While certainly it's a great conversation piece for suckering in friends to go out with you to Burning Man next year, the biggest reason I like the book is because it functions as sort of a high school yearbook for all the freaks who went to Burning Man in the early to mid '90s.

As a longtime participant in Burning Man, I looked forward to the publication of this book with eager anticipation. It's a lovely volume, and has plenty of dramatic and artsy images to show off to your friends who ask "What the heck is this Burning Man thing?"

What's missing however, are many aspects of individual challenge and participation that are central to life on the Playa. The Camps, the communities, the building and the clean up, and the daily life issues we all face living on a blank canvas in the desert are largely ignored in favor of the art aspect of the event. There are very few images of the Burn, the moment of release, and that makes it feel incomplete.

Now, don't get me wrong! This is a lovely book, well-photograped and well-made, it just feels to me more like a slick representation rather than an access point to the whole event. Though, with WIRED involved, that makes sense as well. I love having this book, and would recommend it to anyone who has lived in Black Rock City.

I wouldn't be without this volume on my shelves.

I couldn't put this book down. It is very well written and NOT one of those true crime books that you have to keep flipping backwards to clarify people and events. I have been going to Las Vegas since my grandparents moved there in the early 1980s and I am somewhat partial to non-fiction books set in familiar locations. The only thing that might be slightly negative about A Fire In the Desert is that the story is not yet over, so it left me feeling a little incomplete, but that is not Glenn Puit's fault (the book went to press before Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan pled guilty to various charges related to Melissa James' death).

Very simple read that i finished in 2 days. Basically gives an introduction to all the characters involved in this case and gives the actual details of the statements made by the accused and other persons of interest.

Mr. Puit is a very thorough journalist and a great writer, however many attorneys in Las Vegas felt that his book was premature because a jury had not yet decided the case.

However, the information provided in the book gives the reader the sense that a guilty verdict is inevitable. As in Mr. Puit's other book "Witch" he leaves some questions open for the reader to decide. In this book, we are left to ponder whether both the Husband and the Wife are responsible for the murder or whether the Husband is more culpable and the wife merely a pawn of her Husband's will.

Very, very well written book. My son grew up with and hung out with Craig. My kids claimed that Craig was cocky and arrogant but I never saw any of this. He was a good kid. However, after reading this book, I became firmly convinced that success brings out the worst in some people. His downfall can be roughly compared to the careers of Denny McLain and Mike Tyson. As a Born Again Christian, I pray for Craig and Kelly often. I feel like one of my own kids has, "bit the dust".

I'm sure there will be a final draft from this writer about the Titus-Ryan murder after the trial is over.

If you want to see a lot of raw data without much commentary or background, this book is definitely worth a look since it includes complete interviews and short summaries of official police reports. The manuscript is rife with weird indentations and sloppy typos, but you get the facts of this lurid and disturbing case.

I'd tell you to wait for the final draft but this book is definitely worth reading for a review of what's going to show up in the upcoming trial. Unless you live in Las Vegas and have access to regular reports, you'll at least this need this book to get an idea of the twists and turns going on right up to today!

The above title could be a subtitle for this terrific how-to book on saving money. This book makes sense. I had no idea there was any difference in how states treat corporations, but BOY did I find out otherwise. No wonder all the bigshots I play golf with have Nevada and Delaware corporations.

This book is a tad bit on the complicated side, but then, it has to be. This subject matter is VERY serious. Read it carefully and you can follow its directions like a recipe for making money. It works. I haven't made a million yet, but I'm well on the way, and this book helped.

Are you a business owner - perhaps own a home business? Looking for a smart way to cut your taxes and protect assets? While it is true that a corporation in Nevada is the way to go - don't think you are going to read through this book and do it yourself.

The author states you need to park yourself in libraries pooring over tax forms getting to learn all the tax system (get real). Once you have done that - you will most likely have to STILL hire a "Nevada corporation" sharp lawyer, a CPA and a tax specialist to help you set uo properly!

It may not be expensive to file the forms, but what will it cost you to get set up with a corporation after you paid the lawyers, Cpa's ect? You will probibly have to have a lawyer on retainer after that just to keep ahead of the IRS! Well hey - if you are a millionaire, no problem!

Having said that, this book is the place to start the process moving. Taxes and corporations are complicated. The future protection against lawsuits and tax savings are serious matters for everyone to consider. Just keep in mind that this book is not a "How to form a Nevada Corporation for dummies"

This book has nothing new. Everything I read here I read in Derek Rowley's book. Childers at least read Rowley's book, since he seems to regurgitate word for word what Rowley said.

I invest in the stock market and real estate and have my own home based business. I have talked to many lawyers, read many books and taken classes and seminars, but never have I read anything as complete as this great book by John V. Childers. But then of course you can't find this information anywhere else. Either others don't know or they won't share it in a $24 book. They would rather charge you $1,000 for a seminar for the same information. No thanks, I'll go with the $24 book.

Thank you Attorney Childers for sharing this information.

This was the first book I've read on creating corporations. I like how Childer's talks about the various business entities one could have and the pros & cons. It was a medium read book, not super easy, but not so difficult that someone with very little knowledge of corporations could understand.

I also read his other book on Asset Protection, which repeats some of the things in this book. It just further drives the point home because this can be a tough thing to understand.

I'm in the process of setting up my own Nevada Corporation through a lawfirm and through this book, I was able to help minimize my questions and ask reasonably intelligent ones. I'm anxious for the process to finish. Good book and I highly recommend this an his Asset Protection book. I have the Million Heirs book, too, but I haven't read it yet.

We've found this book useful and handy. It has given us a resonable alternative to hiking. We have found it accurate and helpful. It's well recommended.

We used this book to plan our trip to the area. We rented a 4WD, since we're experienced owners and planned to take advantage of what sounded like some wonderful adventures. However, we quickly learned that this book was a disappointment. We got lost several times, and found that the directions were not at all helpful. The reference to the USFS and USGS maps should have alerted us that the maps in the book are incomplete. We got straightened out only after visiting a ranger station and getting a totally different map and handout of drives from them. We took the drives they recommended and had a fantastic time. The fact that the bookstores at the ranger stations don't carry this book is a clear indication that it is not a useful purchase.

I just bought another copy of this book, this for my son's birthcay. My wife and I finally got to use ours last summer and found it very useful. Had no problems following it over about a week, and used the maps it recommended. I recommend it, and in fact this is the third I've bought. We have others in the series, and liked them also.

While this book doesn't provide all the information that you will need to undertake some of these 4x4 adventures, the author certainly gets you off to a running start. I use this book to learn about roads in an area I am visiting, then buy the appropriate maps and contact ranger stations, etc. to find out road conditions. It has brought several very cool drives to my attention that I otherwise wouldn't have known about. This book is a fixture in my glove box on trips to the Sierra.

To the customer who was "very disappointed in this book" it states plainly in the first few pages that it is not a difinitve guide to backroading and in fact recommends that you buy supplimentary maps and check with local (listed in the book also) resources for current road conditions as weather and local use may have altered the reliablility of the original map. Gentle readers, please realize that prefaces and warning pages are written for a reason and take advantage of the information provided in these often overlooked gems. This book is wonderful!

Experience Las Vegas is a must for anyone serious about Las Vegas. It is factual, neat, and well organized, and contains a comprehensive index, which helps you locate anything instantly. This big book contains detailed maps, photographs, seating charts, and even statistics on almost everything you can think of. ELV helps me plan my trips, and once I'm there, is an invaluable tour guide. Now I can check my concert seats while making reservations on the phone! The book also comes with hundreds of dollars worth of coupons that you'll actually use. I am a Vegas fanatic, and have not found a more complete, accurate, and up-to-date guide than this one.

I am from Ohio and and frequent Las Vegas often. When I first picked up this book, I thought that It would be like all of the others. I also thought that I knew all there was to know about LV because I have gone so much. There is so much information in this book in terms of dining, night life and entertainment, hotels, etc. It is totally amazing to me that I missed so much in Las Vegas. This book really lets you "experience" Las Vegas for what it really is. Whether you are a first timer or a frequent visitor, Experience Las Vegas is an invaluable guide to use for every trip.

THIS BOOK NEEDS UPDATING!!
Very disappointed; this book is NOT what it claims. Full of OLD INFORMATION and has not been updated. Prices are wrong, casinos not listed, attractions not listed, tours listed that are no longer available. Bought this book knowing nothing about Las Vegas; had a short time to spend, and wanted to make the most of the experience.

This book is like a super yellow pages of what is in Vegas. I bought it because I needed a book that listed every casino (not just the good ones) and every hotel and every resturaunt. This does it. Full pages are dedicated to the stip hotels complete with layouts of main floors. Where else can you find a book that will tell you if you have to walk through the casino to get to your room. The only problem I have with this book is that it is ONLY facts, very few reviews. However this book combined with another more "touristy" book makes a fantasic combo! I'm sure that this book is in every travel agent's collection.

This book is huge, almost telephone-book size. It contains valuable demographic information. Its disadvantage is that it is now out-of-date. The two very newest and finest casino-hotels are only listed as pictures of "things to come". This guide is out-of-date in other areas also. The public transportation prices are incorrect (too low), and trips to outlying tourist attractions like Hoover Dam or Bryce Canyon, or the Grand Canyon have been changed considerably from those listed. We left our copy in the hotel room, rather than carry it home.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I think it took me like 3 hours to finish it. The characters are so warm and freindly, that you get so involved with their stuggles. The best part was that i finally got a chance to sit down and enjoy a book that didnt have a God D*** in it. Which i am sure you all know what i am talking about.

I feel that the character of Skye was not as well developed as the previous characters in this series. It was a light, easy read, and amusing, but I was a bit disappointed. I am a great fan of Linda Lael Miller and was very pleased with the previous 2 books in this series, and am looking forward to the next.

Definately worth the wait. Devoured the book in one afternoon! Can't wait for the fourth to come out.

I feel that the character of Skye was not as well developed as the previous characters in this series. It was a light, easy read, and amusing, but I was a bit disappointed. I am a great fan of Linda Lael Miller and was very pleased with the previous 2 books in this series, and am looking forward to the next.

This is the second set of frontier series I have read written by Linda Lael Miller. "The Women of Primrose Creek" are truly courageous, bold, and intelligent. I am eagerly awaiting the fourth book to this series.

The main character, Skye, also the name of the book, was a feisty woman, but stubborn. Skye refused to admit her feelings for the man she loved and just waited so long to express her feelings to Jake Vigil. Everyone in the town could see that Skye and Jake were in love, except the two people it mattered the most to -- Skye and Jake.

Jake had been bitten by what he assumed was love on two other occasions, one time with Skye's cousin, Christy McQuarry, who later married the town's marshall, Zachary Shaw. Jake was a little shy at admitting his feelings now. Maybe not shy, but a little reluctant to fall into the trap again. Although in the end, he and Skye, could not deny their love. They marry; Skye becomes a mother to Jake's son, whose mother abandoned him and sent him to live with Jake. Later, Skye becomes an expectant mother, and Jake is to become a father a second time.

Each book in the series gets better than the one before. It is like a new chapter unfolding in the lives of the McQuarry women. "Skye" is about a woman who is determined, yet independent. Skye does not discuss her feelings with Jake, which sometimes causes confusion, as in the scene where Skye contacts the railroad company without telling Jake. He in turn thinks of this as an act of betrayal on Skye's part. Then the fire nearly destroys the town, but the people of Primrose Creek are determined to rebuild. All in all, love and determination win afterall.

I think it is wonderful the way Ms. Miller enfolds the lives of all the McQuarry women in each book of this series. The reader gets a view of what is happening to the others and how their lives are shaping up. The McQuarry women may be apart, but they are still one family. I am looking forward to the fourth book in this series.