Las Vegas Books

I enjoyed learning about immigrants when I was in school. The immigrants we learned about were from Europe and most of them settled on the East Coast. I was fascinated by these people who were so brave or desperate (or both) that they would abandon their homes, most likely forever, and start all over again in a new country where many of them didn't know anyone, or know how they'd support themselves. It was a terrific gamble but they came in droves. They still do.

While Las Vegas isn't known as a destination for immigrants, it has a population as diverse as Los Angeles or New York. How did this happen? The Peoples of Las Vegas, an anthology about some of the groups that populate Las Vegas, takes on this question. Essay by essay, it becomes clear.

We start by learning about the Southern Paiutes, the tribe that lived in Las Vegas before it was Las Vegas. Although the lessons in school about the Native Americans didn't hold my interest like the stories about the immigrants did, I found it eye-opening to read about how the Paiutes were captured and sold as slaves to the first European settlers by the Utes, who also lived in the Southwest. Like so many other Native Americans, they ended up on reservations in undesirable conditions, and in recent years have found some success by building and running a casino on their land. It's easy to see how Indian casinos in states without legal gambling are be a goldmine, but I was surprised to discover that the Paiutes' casino was also quite profitable, even so near Las Vegas.

Chapters on the Mexicans and the Chinese tell stories of hard work and assimilation. African Americans had to deal with segregation until 1960. We Westerners are often surprised to learn that there was segregation here as well, not just in the South. But while segregation was still the law until 1964, the casinos and hotels ignored the law when it no longer suited them. In other words, it was starting to affect their profits, and had to go whether the lawmakers were ready for desegregation or not. The lawmakers eventually followed the lead of the casinos, something that still holds true in Las Vegas.

The chapters on the Italians and the Jews go over familiar ground, since these groups pretty much made Las Vegas the gambling town it is and the stories of gangsters and ruthless businessmen have been told many times. I skimmed these chapters quickly, because it's the underdog aspect of the immigrant stories that always appealed to me. Italian and Jewish immigrants were certainly underdogs in many parts of America, but not in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is not typical (when is it ever?) when it comes to immigrants. For instance, few immigrants make Las Vegas their first U.S. home. Most settle elsewhere and then move to Las Vegas when they learn about the many opportunities it has to offer people who have little education or job skills and who may not yet speak English, but who are willing to work hard. A significant, if small, percentage of newcomers to Las Vegas are refugees from places like Bosnia and Sudan who settle wherever the government and the aid agencies tell them to. Imagine the double dose of culture shock that any refugee would get from being plopped down in Las Vegas.

Another atypical aspect of immigrant life in Las Vegas is that there are very few ethnic neighborhoods or geographic concentrations of nationalities, other than the African-American "West Side" (which, as a result of Las Vegas spreading out in all directions over the years, is more accurately the North Central Side.)

Essays about immigrants from Greece, Croatia, Poland, the Indian Subcontinent, El Salvador, Chile, and the Philippines round out the collection. The editors are hoping this will be the first edition of a series that explores the stories of many more of the groups that are populating Las Vegas. Although The Peoples of Las Vegas is a university press publication, written mostly by professors and academics, it is quite readable. Many of the authors are members or descendants of the groups they write about, so there is a personal touch to the writing that is engaging. I can't wait for the second edition!

"Portrait of America" was a popular video documentary series in the mid-eighties, a product of collaboration between Superstation/Turner Broadcasting Corporation and Ambrose Home Video. Well-researched, each video is divided into 5 segments covering most unique historical, social, and cultural aspects of each state. Watching such an interesting documentary, each being roughly about 50 minutes long, without advertisements and other interruptions seems to be a privilege in these days!

This book was a nice read. I like to know what to expect when I go on a vacation, especially those weekend trips because they are so short. Lake Tahoe and the red woods were my favorites. I will use the suggestions for future trips, too.

Perfect for the recreational hiker!!!

The details for each hike include just the right amount of information. The choice of described hikes is versatile and offers hiking opportunities for all the "hiking areas" surrounding the Las Vegas area. The book is a wonderful reference and the direction provided for hikes can be easily followed by novice hikers.

I initially obtained the book from the library but after a "quick review" decided I definitely needed to "own" a copy!!!

Thanks, Chris!!!

First-class! This map of Vegas is a must-have for the vacationer. All the casinos and shopping destinations on the Strip are clearly represented. No other Vegas map comes close, or is as fun to use.

Excellent book! Not only are the recipes well explained and directions easy to follow but the author gives a little information on each restaurant and chef as well. I made the grilled sea bass and after everyone ate the meal I felt like a celebrity chef myself.

It seems the musics of the Sahara have become very popular on the 'world music' scene of late. One of the World Music Network's most brilliant and spirited releases, this album aims to cover the vast open deserts stretching from Africa's Atlantic coast all the way to the Sudan, from the Arab cities of the Maghreb down to the nomadic Fulani of the Sahel... an immense, culturally (and linguistically) diverse land. And they succeeded in this effort beyond your wildest imagination.

The 'desert blues' of the nomadic Tuareg people, made world famous by the band Tinariwen, feature very prominently on this compilation. Tartit, Kel Tin Lokiene, Group Oyiwane, Chet Fewet of Libya and of course Tinariwen themselves all appear on this CD. Theres also Berber poetry from Sahraoui Bachir at the end of the album. Representing the Arab world are selections as diverse as a track from Malouma's most recent release, the formal Andalous sound of Compagine Jellouli & Gdih, gnawa music from Hasna el Becharia, and the vibrant Sahraoui traditions of Nayim Alal, Mariem Hassan and Aziza Brahim. Further into the African continent, the CD includes a track from Songhai pop singer Seckou Maiga of Timbuktu. With tracks from both well-known artists and rising stars from Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Sahra al-Gharibya (Western Sahara), Mali and Niger, this album spans much of the Sahara desert!

With the pulsing guitar riffs, strong rhythms, hand claps and stirring poetry, this CD will definitely appeal to fans of the 'desert blues' and North African Arab/Berber roots music alike. Fans of the blues and Flamenco will no doubt notice catch parallels between those styles and the musics of Toureg rock and traditional Sahraoui music as well. This is a great musical introduction to the diverse styles and cultures of the Sahara, with a very strong emphasis on the Tuareg and the cultures of the North. Well worth buying. For further forays into the Sahel, I'd recommend checking out compilations like 'Rough Guide to the African Blues,' 'Putumayo Presents: Mali,' and/or 'The Festival in the Desert.' Or, if your really adventurous, check out the deluxe two disc 'Ambiances du Sahara' boxed set!

Much more practical than typical travel guides, and completely unpretentious. This will be useful for regular folks looking for the most fun for their money; it would be especially great for Vegas rookies. Not aimed at really sophisticated or high end travelers.

Lots of good reference material and some solid gambling advice.

The writing style is entertaining and highly readable.

This is an aewsome book. I would like to become a police officer...so this is very inspiring. Italso gives detail on a police officer who everyday puts his life on the line and helps us. Good book!

Okay so it isn't as fancy as one of those units that talk to you in your car. It is low tech, but has sure kept us from getting lost so far. And we haven't found any streets not in it yet, which as fast as Las Vegas is growing is really saying something.