Nevada Books

I swear that you're going to be very disappointed by this book. The short stories are mostly at the level of a college literary journal, and only one or two stories are memorable stand-outs that show off a modicum of creativity. (Who knew that reading about the highs and lows of gambling could be so unexciting? I gamble every time I go to Las Vegas, and I'm also a fan of contemporary fiction, yet I was bored to death by these stories.)

Buy Mike Tronnes' excellent anthology, Literary Las Vegas, instead.

I don't agree at all with the previous reviewer. This is, after all, a collection of short stories about the dreams, disappointments and odd-ball characters that make Las Vegas what it is. I found most of the stories delightful, with enexpected twists, and generally full of heart. If you're looking for Purlitzer Prize stories, look elsewhere. If you like to people watch and enjoy the unique, the unexpected, and the perverse that sometimes tickles our imaginations, you'll enjoy this collection - a collection that could only be crafted by those so intimate and loving of Vegas life and all of its bizarre permutations.

I am unable to surgarcoat it. This is a really bad book. There are 14 stories in this book and they are all undeserving of my money. This collection was a real disappointment. The stories are shallow, predictable and utterly fail at engaging the reader. However, in case you need to see for yourself, here is what you will get:

1. The Run
2. The G-d Gambler
3. Las Vegas Courtship
4. Bowling with the Christ Child
5. The Funniest Thing You Said All Night.
6. The Fish Magician
7. The Night Uncle Willy's Car Caught Fire on the I-95
8. Insufficient Funds
9. Easy Driving
10. Mr. Biondi and the New Dispensation
11. Golfers
12. Naked City
13. Big-City Dtective
14. You Saw Me Crying in the Chapel.

Ted Binion was a modern-day swashbuckler. Part owner of the Las Vegas Casino--- 'Binion's Horseshoe', he lived much larger than life. That is until he was (most likely) murdered by his beautiful live-in girlfriend Sandy Murphy and her conspiring lover Rick Tabish. Both are now doing bids of 20 to life pending a possible reopening of their case. Unfortunately, the above book doesn't do his tantalizing story justice. His is a cautionary tale about heroine addiction, immense wealth, fast women and shady characters. It includes buried treasure, hard partying and other vices that make eccentric people like him endlessly fascinating. This book however is too short, and honestly reads like what it is--- a compilation of newspaper articles put together by two journalists desperate to quickly cash in on a legend. For all appearances (too many pictures & not enough prose) it looks and reads like something thrown together on the way over to the local Kinko's Copies! It's truly unfortunate because there's enough intrigue in Ted Binion's life and controversial death for a book ten times the size of this one.

Smith does an excellent job of providing a concise summary of the events that lead to the Binion trial, the most notorious criminal trial in Las Vegas'colorful history.

However, he falls short in providing insight not already avilable in the archives of this story appearing elsewhere on the World Wide Web. In addition, character and event analysis fall woefully short of expectations, especially those of us familiar with Smith's other works.

You will enjoy this book if you are vaguely familiar with the trial,and want details. If, however, you know a lot about this case already, you will be disappointed.

The author does categorically and persuasively state his opinion of this case, which may take some of you by surprise. Sadly, that is the only major new revalation of this book.

After reading this book I feel it was RUSHED, and so much of the powerful 'inside' information was left out. I did enjoy the pictures, many not seen before. The story seems to leave out so much of the mystery involved, but is much better than the other book I read. The death of Lonnie 'Ted' Binion was something most people expected - he used and abused Heroin for 20 years, he was 'friendly' with the mob, he was entangled in a family that epitomizes DYSFUNCTIONAL. His father, Benny was one step ahead of the law when he left Texas to begin what ended up an empire his children fought over constantly. Ted was born into Las Vegas royalty, which afforded him every opportunity in life. But it came with a price. When he was younger, he was almost kidnapped. The plot was uncovered and those planning it were dealt with Benny Binion style. When Benny died, Jack and Ted were the 'Big Boys' at the HORSESHOE CASINO, and continued to operate the way Pappa B had in the past. The Gaming Commission was not happy that Ted was at the helm of the casino and didn't play by the rules. The was arrested in 1987, and this paved the way for Teddy's removal from the casino, which thrilled his sister Becky Behnen. She sued brother Jack for control and won. Ted felt he could return, but after continuing his pattern of not following the rules, the Gaming Commission removed him in March of 1998. When Becky took control of the casino, Ted had to remove his SILVER stash from the casino vault and had it placed in a vault on his ranch. Tons and tons of silver were placed in an underground vault that he had hired Rick Tabish to install. His girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, was there with Ted during his battles with drugs and the casino business. She was there when Ted's friend, 'Fat Herbie' Blitzstein was murdered and the FBI warned Ted of a 'hit' that had been placed on him as well. Who placed the hit? Did it have anything to do with Ted backing out of a promise to pay $50,000.00 to have his sister Becky 'whacked'? Who shot at Ted's house in 1997? Why was his sister and nephew dining with the person charged with the shooting after Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish were safely tucked out of the way in prison? Why wasn't ALL the information regarding Ted's life, Sandy's whereabouts, and Rick's lunch appointment on the day Ted died? What caused the attorneys to keep exculpatory evidence out of the trial? What exactly did Ted Binion die from on that day in September, 1998. Why wasn't the man who sold the 12 balloons of Mexican Black Tar Heroin ever indicted? We have the Prosecutor's own 'experts' disagreeing on what killed Ted. Was it the heroin he smoked? Was it the Xanax he asked his neighbor, described as Dr. Feelgood at trial, to call in and Ted himself picked up at the pharmacy? If the mixture of both these drugs didn't kill him what did? How can you prove murder when the victim himself purchased the 'deadly mixture'? You come up with "forced ingestion" and then add 'Burking' by Dr. Michael Baden. Proof of murder? Proof that the family money paid to have someone other than Ted Binion take the fall. It didn't matter that another sister had killed herself a few years back, that Ted had lost his license to run the family casino, even admitted that he was deeply depressed at the loss of his beloved Gaming license...it had to be ruled murder in order to keep Sandy Murphy's hands off of what Ted had left her in his will. Where was Rick Tabish going with the silver he dug up? Who else was supposed to take care of the silver? What attorney was in charge of this SILVER STASH? Whay did Ted keep the silver in a vault on his ranch? Why couldn't he use a bank? Was it due to the RICO charges he might be facing? Ted Binion will be remembered not by what he did in his life, but his death. What a sad story he was.

This is an above average field guide, but the writing is sometimes so dry that while reading you may feel as if you are hiking through death valley, not Mammoth or the Ritter Range. The map that comes with it is fantastic, although, it comes from the 1920's surveys of the area.

Yes, you read that correctly. This guide is so brittle and dry it's extremely frustrating. The Devil's Postpile area of Mammoth has a trailhead which leads you to heaven, literally. The Agnew Meadows and PCT criss-cross this area and these trails are as beautiful as any place in this hemisphere. Would you know it from this overly technical, ZZZZ-ville narrative? Nope. The authors take a place so astoundingly beautiful and reduce it to just another locale, a sort of ho-hum place you might encounter while strolling in the plains of Kansas. But Mammoth is not just any place, it's a spectacular place, a hiking paradise, a one of a kind wonder!

The map is excellent but doesn't justify the purchase of this book. The map itself is still current, even though it was produced in 1927. The mountains haven't changed, but boy, have the trailheads changed. There is also a shuttle system implemented in the past year and it will cost you $14 per couple to hit these trailhead, unless you want to ride the bus. This is vital information which is not included in this book.

To sum up: see Mammoth and hike it for yourself. Don't put any credence in this outdated, obsolete, dry-as-a-bone book.

The world is full of bad books written by amateurs. But why settle for the merely regrettable? High Sierra Climbing is a bad book written by experts. Gripping, squeezing, mashing, bashing, this book will give a man cramps and a woman a prostate. It delivers. Don't fail to miss it if you can. This book will draw readers like a magnet draws hungry flies!

This book is of typical SuperTopo quality; that is to say, quite good. You would be hard pressed to find the level of approach/route/descent and historical detail presented here in any other single source. One minor issue is some overlap with the SuperTopo Tuolumne Free Climbs book, but that is excusable.

Just east of Death Valley and ninety miles north of Las Vegas, Amargosa Valley is one of those dusty little desert towns. Located between Death Valley Junction and US 95, Amargosa Valley isn't even a blink-and-you-miss-it town since most travelers take more direct routes to and from the driest National Park. Those who aren't connected to the mining industry typically make their way out to the area to explore Ash Springs and Big Dune, one of the few 'singing sand dunes' in the world. "A History of Amargosa Valley, Nevada" is an examination of this place. This book is a result of the Nye County Town History Project. In addition to appreciating existing research, a focal point of the NCTHP is to conduct extensive interviews with residents who can add light to the area's story. Robert D. McCracken is uniquely qualified to document this project having experience in local mining and a degree in Cultural Anthropology. This title first looks at how Indians originally used the area. The key feature to the parched landscape is Ash Meadows. Great detail is given to how the Paiute and Shoshone were the first to use this oasis. Afterwards, the author examines the period of exploration, including a summary of the Forty-Niners' ordeal. Included are actual accounts by the brave men who traveled through this challenging land. Farmers and ranchers eventually worked the land with varying degrees of success. The reader meets such laborers, outlaws, homesteaders and miners. Included are pieces on Jack Longstreet and Dad Fairbanks. The railroads played an important part in connecting residents with the outside world. While agriculture and ranching has struggled in light of water issues, mining has been (and is) the area's primary money maker. Used to process petroleum based oils, clay has been one of the most profitable finds. McCracken looks at life in a small isolated town. The author describes how people lived in such a hot environment prior to electricity, local schools and good roads. The Amargosa Valley Improvement Association eventually led to the area's evolution as an unincorporated town. "A History of Amargosa Valley" looks at the roots of contemporary situations. Various sides are looked at with regards to the ban on large scale development in the hopes of protecting the endangered pupfish. Also, Amargosa Valley is about 30 miles from the Nevada Test Site. It seems that there was as little controversy then as there is now for the impending Yucca Mountain nuclear waste deposititory. At 110 pages, "A History of Amargosa Valley" is an enjoyable read on the area, especially when considering the larger, broader and more academically inclined "Death Valley and the Amargosa: A Land of Illusion." The only significant drawback to this book is the total absence of maps and images that would have been helpful in making connections between places and showing people. It seems that there is an alternate version of this book entitled "The Modern Pioneers of the Amargosa Valley" which includes all of this title's text and 70 photographs. While I haven't seen that book, it must be preferential to this abbreviation. All in all, "A History of Amargosa Valley" is a enjoyable read about this dusty yet vibrant town.

Poorly written. Not much research depth. Vanity press level stuff.

Get Lingenfelter's book, if you want the early history of Amargosa Valley. The more recent history has yet to be written.

I was disappointed with this book. I found the story so laden with trivial detail that it seemed to lack purpose or direction.

Was hesitant to read after the previous episode. Was pleasantly suprised. Evans made a contribution to this episode. Although the plot was not the greatest I found the edition to be fast moving and entertaining. Could not determine who the true villians were until end. Evans did an excellent job of recalling previous episdoes: The Wendigo, The Stalking Corpse, and The Omaha Tinhorns. Excellent descriptions and depth of characters in addition to graphic descriptions of scenery. Was a pleasure reading this episode.

Would like to see Longarm meet people throughout history as in some previous episodes: Teddy Roosevelt, Gentleman Jim Corbett and U.S Grant.

Shortly after this book came I sat down and read it. It does not contain a great deal of useful information. All the information in this book could be found in an afternoon browsing the internet. I was hoping to find some great new fishing spots, instead I was served up a list of places I already knew about. That said, It is nice to have all the information compiles in to one handy book. I will most likely give it to the next person I meat the is complaining about there being no ware to fish in Nevada. If you are new to Nevada I would recommend this book for a starting point.

I bought this book hoping to find out where to fish and how to fish Nevada waters. The book is very basic and might be good for an international tourist. However, for the serious angler you would be better checking internet sites. These will give you more information and nice pictures to top it.

How can Hyrum wallop Morphy with a skillet when he's on the trail for the white captive?

I enjoyed the plot of the book and the excitement of the expedition down the Colorado River. However, it was very long on stereotypical characterizations and situations ... hence the lower rating.

Sinning in the City is a Las Vegas travel guide that opens up Pandora's Box and shows the sinful pleasures of Sin City. It is wittingly split up into eight sections covering all the seven deadly sins with the final chapter dealing with repentance. The guides are up to date with all the latest and greatest sin's Las Vegas has to offer; lust can be found in the hottest dance clubs in the nation, and gluttony is appeased in the assortment of restaurants and buffets on and off the strip. It is a perfect gift for those visiting Las Vegas and for those who call Sin City home.

The info in this book is superficial at best. Repeat Vegas visitors will laugh at its naivete. First-time visitors can get much more value from any of the other guidebooks such as Fodor's or Frommers.

The global market for the sexual slavery of women and children is one of the great crimes of humanity in current time and past.
I cant say much more other then it is not a victimless crime: it's just that no one cares about the victims.

In the summer of 1998 I used this book as a guide when I traveled along I-80 in Nevada. I found the maps and directions excellent, and had a very nice trip as a result. Since then the Mustang Ranch has been closed by the IRS, and at least one place has changed its name. The guide deserves to be updated every year, and I would be happy to buy a new edition each year. The 1998 edition differs from the 1997 only in the date, as far an I could tell.