Nevada Books

I found this book to be generally pretty useful. My only real issue is that there are quite a few hot spring gems that I'm aware of in CA and NV that aren't featured in this book. I did a recent tour of the Black Rock Desert area in Nevada and I passed several spectacular hot springs that weren't listed in the book. I have also backpacked in to some hot springs in the southern CA area that weren't described.

If you're looking at doing a hot spring tour in NV and CA it might be worth looking into getting some other guide books (in addition to this one) or doing more research online or elsewhere. Once again this book did do a great job of describing in great detail how to get to some very out of the way places, but there are other springs that are well worth exploring that aren't mentioned.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1YSMB6ZYXFYYN Matt. C. Bischoff has clearly and concisely listed all the great hidden and publicly known hot springs in Nevada and California. It's a great regional hotsprings guide.

There have been many guides covering this subject in the past but this one is really the benchmark. Matt Bischoff includes interesting history, and geology notes for his subjects. I have visited a few of his springs listed in the book and found his descriptions to be complete and factual. His maps area really good too, as anyone who has searched for a hot spring just based on someone's verbal directions knows, they can be darn hard to find. Good job, Matt!

Very bland and writing without soul or true appreciation for the environment. Directions poor. Not worth your money. Prefer Gersh's Hot Springs book.

This guide is a great, very detailed instruction book that takes you to the best hot springs around. It lays out detailed directions on how to locate these springs, even down to physical landmarks, and exact distance. Without this type of direction springs like the one near Santa Barbara I would have NEVER found. I really appreciated the fact they tell you the current staus of the spring, if it has been renovated, or is in disrepair, it saves a trip to one that is too rundown to go to. Pay attention to the temperature of the springs also, they give you exact numbers on every spot, and some are too hot to swim in.

Can't say it enough. If you have kids, this book is a must have. Everything to do and see, locations, prices - it's all here. I let the kids choose what they wanted, mapped it out, and we're on our way. For kids of all ages!!

I live in Phoenix and my wife and I found this book very handy on our last trip with "the kids" - we've got four of 'em. I like Lynn Goya's lighthearted writing style and she did a good job of finding some great spots in Vegas that our whole family enjoyed. The only drawback is that I felt she could have touched on some more getaway trips just outside the city limits, but hey, that's being too persnickity! Really, this is the ideal book if you want to take your family on a vacation to sin city.

This book is a great way to find experiences in Las Vegas inside and outside of the casinos. There are lots of suggestions for fun things to do when gambling wears off, or the kids (or you) need more interesting activities. Our children are grown with kids of their own, but we like the book for suggestions for us. You don't need kids to get a lot of value out of the book. The writing style is personal, humorous and fun. One of the best travel books I've ever read. The organization makes it easy to read from cove to cover, or to jump to a specific interest. If you are headed to Las Vegas you need this book.

I think what I love about this book is Goya's sheer love of her subject matter. Her lightheartedness easily shines in her writing style that informs us so much about Las Vegas (but never gets bogged down in needless detail). I guarantee you, this book is worthwhile for anyone with an interest for roaming outside our city limits.

If you have any knowledge of Vegas, don't waste your money on this book. If you are looking for a book that will tell you the best places to stay with kids, or restaurants to go to, or activities to do, like I was, -- again don't waste your money on this book.

Instead of giving the reader a list of best hotels, restaurants, etc. it has something good to say about every place. Every hotel reads like a page out of the hotel brochure. I was thouroughly disapointed. I can honestly say I did not learn one thing from this rather short and dry book.

Also, watch some Travel channel specials.

If you need a book, the best I have read so far has been
"The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas"

This book was very informative. It changed my mind about some restaurants that I wanted to go to and helped me plan my trip without a travel agent.

Dummies books in general are nicely laid out, with easy to read text, informative highlights, and simple symbols to keep you in check. That all being said, this just isn't my favorite travel book about Vegas. The Dummies style works great for figuring out how your software works, but it doesn't seem to key in properly to what Las Vegas is all about.

I think the main issue here is that the Dummies book tries to cover a number of different topics in a very shallow manner. Let's start at the beginning. It dedicates the first two chapters on how to get to Vegas. It lists things like "surf the web" to find cheap airline rates. I really didn't need a book to tell me that. It tells you to bring a cell phone. Really, if I get a book on Vegas, I want to know what to do and see in Vegas, and where to stay. The rest of this intro stuff is just fluff.

OK, so we get to the actual "arrival" part of the book. Once again you have a ton of fluff about "look on the web to find hotel prices" and "avoiding hidden costs". They could almost have a cookie cutter travel book at this point, with no actual content about the city you are visiting. When we finally get to the actual hotel descriptions, there is a brief paragraph (or maybe 2) on each one. I would really have liked some sort of easy to use table listing them all and their features, rather than having to scan the paragraphs hoping they mentioned the items I was interested in.

The restaurant area is the same way, a paragraph on each, no real organization to help you out on making your choices. But don't blink - quickly you are into "gambling tips and tricks". Really, if I wanted to learn how to gamble, there are ample books on the topic. I need to know the details in Vegas to choose where to stay and eat, and I still really haven't gotten enough of that information.

You get some information on shows and nightclubs, but then you get lists of top 10 things that aren't in Vegas any more. This might be historically informative, and I might not have minded its inclusion if otherwise the book was chock-full of specific, useful information. But given how much of the rest of the book was already generic, it sort of rubbed that in my face. So now I know even more about things that aren't around any more :)

I do love Dummies books. I own many of them and think they're great. For some reason, the Vegas Dummies book is the worst book in my Vegas collection. I guess it just goes to show that no one system can fit every need.

The price of this book is very reasonable considering all of the information one can learn about Las Vegas. However, I felt as though it could have included more information such as a list of houses of worship and public transportation for those who don't feel comfortable driving around in strange cities. It really is a book for those who plan on renting a car and seeing the city by car. Nonetheless, I think everyone who plans to visit Las Vegas should read this book as it is well-written and the layout is great. It's a fun book to read and it's well worth the price. If I ever get out to Las Vegas, I will absolutely take this book with me as it has a lot of information about hotels and restaurants. It's definitely not stuffy or boring. Even young people would find it easy reading compared to some of the more lengthy, wordy travel guides.

I've never been to Las Wages, but will be going in July and this book should be very helpful. I cant wait to use the tips in the book. I was very impressed with the wealth of information and the easy and accessable format.

This is the second for Dummies book on travel I have purchased. I did not find it as helpful as the first book (on Hawaii), but it has some great basic information to start your research on if this is your first time to Las Vegas. The rest of my research was on the internet- mostly looking at pictures to get a feel of what I would like to see in person. You can narrow down quite a bit of your searching by reading this easy to read first half of this book, which is devoted to accomodations and attractions. It quickly gives you a summary of all you need to know.

The book was particurlarly helpful in summarizing what all the casinos on the strip offer to do besides gamble- shows, museums, etc. and there are a lot to sort through, and several are free! My family accused me of being to Las Vegas before because I had such a clear idea of where to go and what to see attraction-wise in what seems a chaotic city of entertainment, something this book is invaluable for.

Also helpful were tips on which casinos were connected to what if you want to beat the heat or not walk as far. This book needs to get updated though in that respect. The other half of the book gives tips and instructions on gambling for those going to do less looking and more gambling.

The best guide I have found so far, for anyone wanting to move to Las Vegas. As a Nevadan of 30 years I have to agree with a lot Mr. Smith says about our state -- it is a different world. People from out of state can really get an insight into the true city. Even a longtime Northern Nevadan can learn a few of the differences between North & South.

Yes, it is a bit dated, but things change so fast in this state it would be impossible for any book not to be dated. Map books can not even keep up with all the streets ... North or South.

This book cuts through the hype of coming to Las Vegas and gives newcomers a chance to see the place for what it really is. It's a land of opportunity and of opportunism. It's not an easy place to get settled and the book gives the straight story and also offers the usual list of clubs, relocation companies and so forth.

Despite a review to the contrary, this is an honest little book that gives people moving to the city an accurate background on how to survive there. It warns newcomers to stay away from casinos if they want to thrive in Las Vegas. Given that fact, it might be the best Las Vegas guide available.

I read the older edition of this book, but the newer one caught my eye and I gave it a try. It's a lot different and contains more helpful iinformation. I especially appreciated the inside information on schools and how locals live and what they do for fun here. I keep the book with me--it even helps me shop. It helped me choose a good neighborhood too. I would highly recommend this book to anyone considering a move or extended visit to Las Vegas.

I gave this to a friend who was moving. I borrowed it back from her and read it...it is a great comprehensive book about moving to las vegas with everything the new las vegan would need to know including how to register your car and get your driver's license, how to get a job quickly and information on all the schools in las vegas. It seems very comprehensive to me.

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.

Jake Vigil's heart is broken after being jilted by the tempestuous beauty Christy McQuarry. He swears to never give his heart again until he meets Christy's beautiful cousin Skye. He hardens his heart, but she stands up to him and his promise not to let love hurt him again. A business deal almost drives them apart but as their wills clash their hearts find true love. This third book in The Women of Primrose Creek series has many humorous moments in the contest of wills between Jake and Skye. It is a most pleasurable and romantic read. Ms. Miller continues to please and I cannot wait for the fourth book in the series, "Megan," ......

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.

This remarkable book betrays a genius for language in a variety of places. Poetic and fast paced, it is as if keats had sat down to write king.

The language is fast but takes on an emptiness that reflects the Nevada desert. The story is an interesting one with sudden twists (making crop circles, drag racing on the salt flats)and takes on a slightly religious tone towards the end, but not overly so that the author becomes self-indulgent. Funny, interesting, great characters, vivid descriptions. I highly recommend it.

I couldn't disagree more with the Kirkus review. This book breaks many conventions of fiction writing and sparkles because of it. From the moment those snakes are shocked out of their holes, this novel barrels forward with the breathless passion of its narrator, the old blackjack dealer. Anyone who knows writing knows from the richness and power in his voice that his love for Charlotte, though unexpected and selfish--as love often is--is real. I read the book in two rapt sittings. When the old man's mind's eye follows Charlotte and Keith through Las Vegas and the Nevada desert, I AM there with them, happily, sometimes eerily and in luscious discomfort. The novel's ending was entirly unsuspected and at once inevitable, which is perhaps a novel's highest praise; it takes an artist. But it's the passion and complexity of the old man's consciousness that makes this book the work of art it is, a book I would love to say that I had written. Rock is the man.

I gave this book to my mother, and she was reading it in her car while stopped at red lights. The book's philosophical and racy passages are equally engaging; the descriptions of the landscape open spaces in your mind.

The only persons I would recommend this book to are those who may be moving to Utah from out of state and want to better understand the unique (bizarre?) Utah culture. This is what the book is good at: describing the differences between Utah and Nevada cultures. The fact that I had to fight to finish it should be telling enough. The writing is alright but the characters are not compelling. It's not a great book but may be of use to some people.

You ever listened to one of those audio books that is so bad, yet you have find out how it ends? This is it. Maybe it's because I haven't listened to the other books, but the author gives a great recap that I didn't have to worry about that. My problem was that the characters were totaly unlikeable and there were tons of inconsistantces. First of all, the characters. I didn't like anyone, though Ruby wasn't too bad. Like parts of the story, some of them get a little inconsistant. At first Fanny is a strong-willed woman and then reverts to a pathetic figure when the plot demands it.

I also think Ms. Michaels wasted Celia. In the early parts, Celia seems like a decent woman who was intriuged by the fact her new husband was rich. I know Michaels was trying to make us hate the character from the start, but the way the supposingly "moral" Throntons treated her at the party made my mother and I feel sorry for her instead and made the family look like a bunch of self-rightous snobs. Then poof, she automatically turns into your run-of-the-mill femme fatale whose been schemeing from the start to destroy the family..

I know that I probably have made a lot of the fans mad, but continue to hear me out. That over, now the inconsistantcies. If this family is so rich, how come they act like they're poor? I'm no expert on rich folks, but I think that a family as wealthy as them wouldn't expect their wives to clean and cook and live in poorly-funished apartments. Also, Thronton Chickens is suppose to be a multi-million dollar business then why does it act like Ruby is doing all the work for what seems like it's described as a small farm. And Celia's baby at the end, I think Michaels was hinting that it was Birg's even though he hadn't touched since she they got back from that jungle.

There's some other things I'd mention, but I don't have the room. Let's just say the only reason this book doesn't fail is becasue of the great recap of everything and you still want to find out how it ends for some weird reason.

Vegas Sunrise was really great. Enjoyed the whole series of these Vegas books by Fern Michaels. They just keep getting better. Loved the way she did this one though. Would love another one. Onto Finder's Keepers next.

Vegas Sunrise was just wonderful, really loved how you wrote this one. Don't want to give it away to those that haven't read it, but it was really wonderful & different which is so nice to have something to read that isn't like everyone else's. Recommend it to everyone.

You ever listened to one of those audio books that is so bad, yet you have find out how it ends? This is it. Maybe it's because I haven't listened to the other books, but the author gives a great recap that I didn't have to worry about that. My problem was that the characters were totaly unlikeable and there were tons of inconsistantces. First of all, the characters. I didn't like anyone, though Ruby wasn't too bad. Like parts of the story, some of them get a little inconsistant. At first Fanny is a strong-willed woman and then reverts to a pathetic figure when the plot demands it.

I also think Ms. Michaels wasted Celia. In the early parts, Celia seems like a decent woman who was intriuged by the fact her new husband was rich. I know Michaels was trying to make us hate the character from the start, but the way the supposingly "moral" Throntons treated her at the party made my mother and I feel sorry for her instead and made the family look like a bunch of self-rightous snobs. Then poof, she automatically turns into your run-of-the-mill femme fatale whose been schemeing from the start to destroy the family..

I know that I probably have made a lot of the fans mad, but continue to hear me out. That over, now the inconsistantcies. If this family is so rich, how come they act like they're poor? I'm no expert on rich folks, but I think that a family as wealthy as them wouldn't expect their wives to clean and cook and live in poorly-funished apartments. Also, Thronton Chickens is suppose to be a multi-million dollar business then why does it act like Ruby is doing all the work for what seems like it's described as a small farm. And Celia's baby at the end, I think Michaels was hinting that it was Birg's even though he hadn't touched since she they got back from that jungle.

There's some other things I'd mention, but I don't have the room. Let's just say the only reason this book doesn't fail is becasue of the great recap of everything and you still want to find out how it ends for some weird reason.

I read this book without having read the 2 previous books in the series. It was fairly easy catching up on who the characters were. One thing I found annoying is that during conversations, characters would bring up things that other characters had done throughout the book, but there seemed to be no relevence to the conversation. It is almost as if Miss Michaels was trying to remind the reader what had happened previously. It seemed unnecessary to me. I am, however, looking forward to reading Vegas Heat and Vegas Rich.

Nevada Barr, Carole Nelson Douglas, Marcia Muller and other top names provide engrossing short stories of murder and mystery centering around the psyche of the housewife in a mystery gathering of new stories by big names. Anticipate stories which excel in strong characters and absorbing plots with plenty of mystery paired with women's issues and concerns as a side-dish.

On television the housewives are desperate, but in this page-turner collection of short stories by award-winning women mystery-suspense writers, the housewives are deadly.

Anyone who knows the mystery genre knows the authors in this anthology: Nevada Barr, Barbara Collins, Carole Nelson Douglas, Eileen Dreyer, Vicki Hendricks, Suzann Ledbetter, Elizabeth Massie, Christina Matthews, Denise Mina, Marcia Muller, Sara Paretsky, Nancy Pickard, S. J. Rozan, and Julie Smith.

Resist any temptation to ignore the introduction and head straight for the stories because the introduction sets the tone for the rest of the housewives you'll meet in the pages that follow.

Some of the housewives are bored, others are disgruntled, but all discover nasty ways to respond to what irritates them. I tried to choose a favorite tale, but couldn't. I recommend you read them all, just not necessarily in the order they appear in the book. "Trailer Trashed" makes reality television worse than you thought. "Joy Ride" gives prudent insight on knowing who you're dealing with. "The Next-Door Collector" makes anyone look at the new neighbors a bit differently. "Lawn and Order" shows new ideas about plants and pets-two things that are supposed to help reduce stress. Ten more stories await you, so make sure you block enough time to enjoy them all.

After you've finished the stories, you'll want to read the "little black book" containing extra entries of comments and recipes supplied by the authors. After seeing how these ladies think, however, I don't know if I'd actually allow anything from the recipes into my mouth without a food taster trying it first.

You're in for a real treat as you move from story to story. Be on the lookout for haunting humor, precious pets, hurtful husbands, naughty neighbors, and generation gaps. Enjoy the ride.

Armchair Interviews says: Wow, sounds like a fun read.

I have listened to many audio books and I must say that this is absolutely the worst. If I can really choose, I would rate this with negative infinity stars!! I am glad that this was not my first audio book; otherwise, I would have given up on audio books altogether. There are two stories in a single disc. The first story was read at a way too fast pace. Moreover, the lady sounded half drunk! I couldn't catch most of what she read. The lady who read the second story sounded like she was trying to outdo the first in terms of speed! There were no proper pauses (e.g. at the end of a sentence), intonations were wrong, and both stories were read in a dreadful monotone that almost put me to sleep. If you ever think of trying this CD, don't do it when you are driving. It almost drove me nuts trying to keep up with the stories. There was simply no pleasure in listening to their voices. Maybe it was because the producer was trying to squeeze everything into a single disk. So were the stories good? Guess what? I don't know. The readings were so bad that I simply could not concentrate on the story enough to truly appreciate them.

The Introduction sets the tone for this strong anthology. DEADLY HOUSEWIVES opens with letters asking for sage advice on spousal removal including a request from a woman who apparently killed her husband with his bowling trophy, but nonchalantly wants to know how to remove the bloodstains. Fourteen tales later complete what is one of the better compilations in several years. The authors are a female who's who going deep into what makes motivates the gentler sex to turn criminal and is some cases lethal. Each tale is well written as some of the best women mystery-suspense authors on the market provide their insight filled with twists. After reading this superb often amusing short story collection, the secret is out as to who dominates relationships especially family for estrogen rules.

Harriet Klausner

Fifteen authors band together to make one of the most deadly mystery anthologies ever! These are not unknown names either. Oh no! All fifteen are known in the mystery genre and all the tales are new, never-before-published.

**** Do not skip reading the book's humorous Introduction. Just by reading it I knew this was going to be a fun book. Many women have considered killing off someone, but these housewives follow through with their thoughts. A few of these stories have unexpected twists or surprise endings. This fun read is perfect for your mountain or beach vacation. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I found this book to be extremely information about life in the 1860s as I am into Civil War Re-enacting. There were so many interesting facts of everyday life, etc. that it was as if I had been transported back nearly 150 years.

A great book for students studying the Civil War (like myself). Gives amazing insight to the lives of people during the Reconstrucion era after the war. Pages of great information about soldiers' lives, homes, churches, schools, rites of passage, working life, daily woes, and enjoying life in the late 19th century. However, the info somewhat dry, and gets a little tedious at times, but the amount of details and great facts evens it out a bit.

This broad-ranging text covers daily life, customs, and technology in a variety of American settings during the Civil War and post-war periods. Inevitably, it doesn't give a whole lot of detail on each topic, but this is a very good place for general readers to start. The descriptions of farm life are particularly detailed and helpful. One complaint I do have is that the author does not footnote his quotes from primary sources, making it impossible to follow a reference up. Like most histories of daily life, this volume is short on information about mentalities and beliefs. Also, probably deliberately, it contains little information on political events and almost none on events in the South during Reconstruction. The effects of the Civil War on daily life and thought get rather short shrift. Nevertheless, this book does cover a lot of information and does so in a clear, useful fashion.

I bought this book because I had read "The Reshaping of Everyday Life : 1790-1840" by Jack Larkin. Both books were originally published in the 'Everyday Life in America' series. I really enjoyed "Reshaping" and hoped that "Expansion" would be of similar caliber.

Given the page constraints (170 pages of text) this book does a good job. However, given the vast increase in the size of the USA between 1840 and 1876, the coverage is necessarily thinner. Everything from the frontier to the South, to New York tenements to established rural districts is covered, the only exception being the extremely rich (who are well covered in other books).

The main problem is that so much is covered that a reader might feel that he knows all about living in the US during this time period, and that would not be accurate. Some areas are left out almost entirely. For example, the West Coast is almost completely ignored except for Virginia City. Unfortunately, the only solution I see is either a much bigger book, or several books covering each of the subtopics.

That is the reason this book only gets three stars: the coverage is broad but shallow. It is a good introduction to the time period, but that is all.

I think this is, perhaps, the finest book I have ever read on social history. I'm not kidding. After reading this "encyclopedia" (for that is what it truly is) on every aspect of life as it was during and just after the Civil War era, I actually feel as if I went back in time and visited the past first hand. Forget about "Everyday Life During the Civil War" and the other writer's guide books out there. "Expansion of Everyday Life 1860 - 1876" leaves no stone unturned, covering topics extensively such as the role of religion in the daily lives of the people, courtship, death, birth, clothing, prescription drugs of the era, what was eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, bathing, and schooling. Life in the city, in a town, and on the farm is covered pretty equally where the differences occur. The lives of the (freed) blacks is also mentioned throughout the text. Other topics covered include such taboo subjects as sex and abortion, homosexuality, as well as women's rights. But it is done not in the typical 21st century liberal PC style so prominent in current history books. One gets the impression that author, Daniel Sutherland, has a true passion for truth in social history and is not out to promote a political agenda. He does get a bit tedious at times (which I absolutely love - every detail of life is here!) but never dry, as another reviewer wrote. If you are a student of history, which I am, then I am sure you will feel the same as I.
There is not another history book of this era that I would recommend higher than this.

This fabulous book concentrated on the history and glitz of old Las Vegas, and I loved it! Very informative, and very exciting! I'm only 25 years old, so I especially loved comparing the glamour of old Las Vegas with the city that I know today. I gave this book to my dad to read after me, and he loved it for completely different reasons... mostly because he remembers those fabulous days from the 1950s. The photos and stories are unbelievable, including the Rat Pack, Mae West, and my personal favorite: Elvis performing with Liberace! This is a great book for anyone who loves Las Vegas, who wants to know the history of sin city, appreciates good entertainment, or who just likes to travel. The whole book is fun, and I even learned something from reading it! I'm telling everyone, young and old alike, to buy this book.

I've been to Vegas a dozen times, but the stores are always sold out of this fabulous book. So I was glad to get it here. It's a great, visual tour of old Las Vegas--the place my mom and dad used to go and bring me souvenirs. I like the pictures very much, as well as the artwork from the period, and the brief captions were enough to whet my appetite for more. I want to collect poker chips now! The fabulous shot of Elvis and Liberace, as well as the shots of Sinatra and Mae West are all unbelievable treasures. I don't know how these guys found all this stuff, but my hat is off to them. And actually reading Keely Smith's words after listening to her music for years was a great honor. I recommend this book whole heartedly

I'm sorry to be negative--I'm a big fan of some of Mr. Basten's other books--but this was a disappointment. I expected more (or at least some) text. Hardcover, but only 127 pages, and many of the photos are blown up so that their pixels or scanner artifacts show. The book's graphic style is "Annoying Fifties," which is appropriate, but the caption text is rendered in brush script. Another reviewer said that the first half was all about the early history of the first casinos--would that this were true.

There are lots of "mood" photos, and Charles Phoenix' collection of matchbooks and swizzle sticks are amply presented, but the text is filled with "mid-fifties" and "late 1940s." Call me obsessive, but I like a bit more precision in my history. The book starts with a mention of "Helldorado Day," a tradition that evolved into a four-day annual celebration. Wonder what time of year it occured or whether or not it is still occurring? Me, too.

So, if you'd like to see several dozen historical photos with reasonably good captions, here's your book. Keely Smith's introduction is entertaining. But as another reviewer mentioned, Alan Hess' Viva Las Vegas is better for a real history with actual, um, facts.

Great Book. Many old pictures of Vegas. Shows some awsome old Casino Chips Pictured. Talks about the behind scences life of vegas. One of the best books out there.

I was attracted to this book because it covers a period in American life that fascinates me. The text (basically captions to the photos) provides a superficial but exuberant look at Vegas. The first half of the book covers the origins of the major hotels and casinos, plenty of color photos, match book covers, postcards, menus etc presented in breezy layouts. The section on the entertainers I found dull as these people, looking at the photos, could have been performing anywhere. For what ia really a fun book it does have an index.

A far better coverage of Las Vegas can be found in 'Viva Las Vegas: after-hours architecture' by Alan Hess. This book is almost the oppposite of 'Fabulous Las Vegas', essentially text and some color photos but Hess has done a tremendous amount of research. The really keen could plough through 'Learning From Las Vegas' by the architectual team Venturi, Scott-Brown and Izenour, their controversial view was that Vegas, because of its popularity, should influence building design elsewhere...I think I would agrre with that.