Nevada Books

Jay Fenster knows all there is to know for the visitor to Las Vegas. Having his book was like having the best possible tour guide right by my side.

I love Mr. Fenster's writing style, and the organization of the book, his grouping of attractions based on the visitor's length of stay. As a non-gambler, I was especially interested in what else we could do. Following Fenster's recommendations, we requested a high room with a street view (gorgeous at night!), had a buffet at the Rio (over 300 dishes), saw Cirque du Soliel `Mystere', and ventured off the strip to the Green Valley Ranch, Lake Las Vegas, and Red Rock Canyon Conservation area. We had two fabulous Thai dinners at Lotus of Siam. I can honestly say Jay Fenster's book really took our Las Vegas vacation to the next level.

This was a comprehensive look into Las Vegas for the average traveler. This book was very good at pointing out various hotspots and steering the reader clear of tourist traps. The one fault of this publication was that it contains no pictures of the area and only text and a few maps. Pictures would have enhanced the purpose of the travel guide by giving the reader visual cues to the Las Vegas when actually in the city.

Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins was the daughter of Northern Paiute Chief Winnemucca. Edited by Mrs. Horace Mann,Sarah Winnemucca provides more than a brief glance into the lives of the Northern Paiutes living on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation during the late 1800s. Winnemucca gives her voice to the plight of her people as they struggle to survive the effects of government Indian policy in the Western United States.

Sarah Winnemucca's autobiography enables the reader to examine how the US reservation system, assimilation policy and the BIA failed to provide adequately for the Paiute people. The author provides the reader with an opportunity to experience the feelings of hope and despair of the Paiute people during the late 1870s and 1880s. Her examples of the corruption by white settlers and Indian agents provides reasonable and believable evidence of what life was like for Sarah Winnemucca and her Paiute family.

Sarah Winnemucca's memories are bitter-sweet. She relates her actions to help not only her own people but the US army during the Indian wars of that era, including the Bannock War. Marrying US Army soldier Lewis Hopkins in the early 1880s, her story also includes events during their marriage. An advocat for her people, Sarah traveled to Washington, D. C. to speak with the President, and she traveled coast-to-coast publicly speaking about the plight of her people as well as her life as a young Paiute woman. Her daring escapades as an Army scout and participant in several Indian wars further illustrate her strength as a Native woman.

This book, written in Sarah Winnemucca's voice, is both a powerful and moving example of the active role some women played in the history of the west. I found her memories to reflect a side of history often overlooked by other authors, and I highly recommend her work.

This book is a little difficult to read and understand at times due to the archaic language, but is definitely a worthy read. It tells the story you never learned in your history class in school. From the beginning legend of how the Native Americans became estranged from their White Brothers who were banished across the seas to the Paiute Elder telling everyone to rejoice in the return of the White Brothers is fascinating yet heartbreaking. We all know it didn't turn out so well for the Native Americans. In reading Sarah's story, which is written from the heart, it is easy to see how the Native Americans were exploited, treated as less than human and moved around like pawns to suit the white man's interest. I have the utmost respect for Sarah and her courage to speak up for her people. I also have the greatest respect for those who have followed, speaking her truths. Wake up people, we are on the wrong track. Bless you Sarah Winnemucca for your wonderful book and your attempts to make things right!

Seen through the eyes of some of America's best writers, these 26 pieces include a 1964 piece which Tom Wolf wrote for Esquire, an excerpt from Hunter S. Thompson's book, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", a diary of Noel Coward's Las Vegas gig and a 1952 article from the New Yorker about atomic bomb testing when rooftop parties welcomed the flashes of light in the desert. There's a piece by John Gregory Dunne about the life of an obscure comedian, a piece by Joan Didion about the marriage chapel industry and lots of well written and interesting pieces about gambling and the changes that have occurred in Las Vegas right up to 1993.

My favorites pieces by far though were the personal recollections of two women who grew up there, both from very different backgrounds.

Susan Berman, growing up in the 1950s, is the daughter of the mobster Dave Berman. She describes how her father taught her math by giving her a slot machine to play with and the Sabbath meals that her grandmother used to prepare for her father's Jewish gangster friends.

Phyllis Barber also grew up during the same period of time and recalls how her family woke early one morning to drive out to see the atomic blasts and be part of history. Church-going religious Mormons, her mother disapproves when she joins the precision marching dance team at Las Vegas High School. Later she has to make a difficult choice between representing a casino in a parade and attending church on a Sunday afternoon.

I wished that some of these pieces could be longer. I would have liked to have delved deeper into some of the articles, especially these personal recollection pieces. But the tone of the book is a lot like Las Vegas itself. The lights keep flashing, the cards keep being dealt and the roulette wheel keeps spinning. All the reader can do sit back and enjoy!

Pretty decent read. Most of the writings reitereated the "Bugsy Siegel started Las Vegas" story and then went in different directions. I found the article/story on segregation in Las Vegas particularly interesting as Vegas is pretty diverse today and I for some reason thought Vegas being the rebel town that it is avoided the racial tensions of the 60's.

Each of the essays and stories reveal something you don't know about Vegas, but they also bring a sense of melancholy - Vegas isn't all giltter and glamour under the lights, even if you're a gangster's daughter, a comedian getting his big break, or a regular Joe.

Shaner takes you inside to the very center of the brothel from the women who work there, to the customers to the mundane but necessary operations that keep the whole thing afloat. She even dares to tackle the subject of systematic racism in this industry, which is something I have NEVER seen done in any other book on this issue. The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because in the beginning, Shaner uses a lot of obvious puns and one-liners that are irritating and distracting to read. Once you get past that,however, this is a very informative book.

A fantastic book! A book of insights and deep dark secrets, offering the reader the most sumptuous feast of a novel to ever emerge from this "other" side of life. A true roller-coaster of emotions evoking laughter and compassionate tears at the same time. I devoured each page, staying up 'til the wee hours of morning with this one-of-a-kind find. Where has this author been all my life?? Read this book and be prepared to discover stories which have never previously existed in the world of literature! They're delicious, funny, sensual, painful and some are outright unbelievable! Overall, it's an outstanding contribution to our real understanding of the deeper processes that shape all our lives, because it reveals the human side of prostitution. Like others, I thought of prostitutes as dirty, misguided and low-life's. Those who patronized them were just as despicable in my mind. But of course, I knew nothing of the real facts until I read Madam. I had never thought about the disabled, disfigured, paraplegics or the mentally retarded who may never experience the human touch, a hug or being held in a woman's arms,except when they visit bothels and the women/prostitutes who are with them emotionally as well as physically. Most women I know, myself included, would not have the level of compassion it would take to hold a severely retarded man in her arms, while he drooled and jerked all over her! The book paints both sides of the story, the good, the bad and the ugly. It's all so very fascinating and a real learning experience. I felt like I was watching the entire brothel operation through the Madam's eyes and heart. Thank you, thank you for an unforgettable experience and life-lesson!

In the 8th book of the Wagons West series, NEVADA, Whip Holt is called for his last chance in the sun as he leads a wagon train full of silver the Union desperately needs to Missouri, where it then goes via train to New York City. Along the way Confederates try to stop him. This is also our first look at Toby Holt, who would go on as the focal character for the rest of the series.

I like the different personalities among the group, as well as the struggle that the Englishwoman and the courtesan had in choosing what is right. Unfortunately, the Rebel treatment of the blacks that were helping Whip was based more on PC propaganda than historical fact. Also, Ross seems to forget the plot point of Whip feeling his age whenever its convenient.

Still, a pretty good book.

Dana Fuller Ross' panoramic saga of America's great expansion into the western territories is some of the most intelligent, well written historic fiction I have read. "Nevada" is Book 8 in a series of 24 novels which truly bring history to life during one of the United States' most important and fascinating periods. I have become addicted to this series and plan to read all twenty-four books.

The year is 1861. Abraham Lincoln has just been inaugurated as President of the United States. But the Union is breaking apart. States are seceding one by one, and a devastating War is about to begin. The Comstock Lode, the richest lode of silver ever found by prospectors, has been discovered near Virginia City, Nevada. The President has enlisted Major General Lee Blake, to carryout an urgent mission. He must ensure that the overland transport of millions of dollars of silver reaches the Union lines safely.

Lincoln and his generals are worried about financing an expensive war. The British are quietly aiding the Confederacy. Britain has made great strides with the Industrial Revolution. Cotton from the South will assure a continuance of their burgeoning economy. The Nevada silver, and gold from California and Colorado, are desperately needed to pay for munitions, uniforms, weapons and food. Whip Holt, Blake's dear friend and colleague from the days of the Oregon Trail, is called out of retirement, his commission as full Colonel reactivated, to assist Blake in this dangerous assignment.

This is one of my favorite books in the series. It is certainly one of the most exciting. The train bearing the silver bullion is sabotaged by British agents and captured by the Confederates. Both the capture and outcome are absolutely thrilling. Many of the characters from the former novels appear here and they continue to grow and develop, while a new generation, born on the Pacific coast, begins to assume responsibilities as they come of age.

The history, characters, plot and subplots in this novel are some of the best so far. I love history, and while I have read and studied this period in America's development, I have learned so much from reading these eight "Wagons West" books. I plan to continue until I read them all. A wonderful reading experience.
JANA

While these were abridged versions of the books, the editing was very well done. My only complaint were the occasional mispronounced word - suite pronounced as suit, for example. This is a very small thing, but it served to bring me out of the story. The biggest drawback was that I listened to these books in the car and didn't want to go in to work until the current exciting bit was done. Barr's descriptions of the parks, the people, and the events were very well done, crisp and clear, and brought you right into the story. Well done!

Joyce Bean brings Nevada Barr to life. This performance is brilliant. I lived inside Anna Pigeon's head (a great place to be) and felt like I was seeing the world through her eyes. Bean's delivery is matter-of-fact. This may sound strange, but I like the way Bean lets you hear her breathe. She is reading and it feels like you're sitting around a campfire with the best of them. On top of Bean, this is a fantastic plot. The long opening scene of the recovery in the cave is gripping. The first long third of this book takes place underground but Barr brings each room, tunnel, corkscrew and wormhole to life. The characters around Pigeon are interesting and diverse and while the action moves to the surface for the middle section, it's equally compelling. The wrap-up? One of the best. Great story of greed, brilliantly read by Joyce Bean.

I found this book to be an excellent reference source for points within the State of Nevada; both in the present and past. A very thorough work product.

I read this book as a father who wants to take his family on occasional trips around the state where I reside. I also like to know the meaning of names in our own area. Helen does an excellent job of research and concise, factual, and intriguing reporting of what is to be known about a Nevada name. It is alphabetically organized and even the introduction, as brief as it is, is rich in the equipping of the reader with Nevada history. This book is a treasure alongside a gazeteer and or atlas of the state of Nevada.

Out From Las Vegas: Adventures A Day Away by travel writer Florine Lawlor is an intriguing, informative, and "user friendly" guide to a wealth of interesting landmarks, getaways and scenic geographical significants within a day from Las Vegas, Nevada. Packed from cover to cover with fun and peculiar findings, Out From Las Vegas introduces the reader to a landscape and entity-based landmark world of Nevada never before known or recognized. Out From Las Vegas is very strongly recommended to all readers interested in travel to the Las Vegas area, or those already living in the area wishing to instill a new atmosphere or experience on their free days. Out From Las Vegas showcases the fact there there's more to do than visit the gaming tables of downtown casinos!

This book describes favorite off-road trips to the rugged natural beauty of the Las Vegas desert, including the Red Rock Canyon, an idyllic contrast of deep sandstone canyon forests and desert hills in spring bloom. Alas, though much of what is described still exists, the book is nearly thirty years out of date and requires revision. Hey, I can do that! Why? I've lived in the Radiant City for thirty-five of my forty-one years.

I am heartened that this book in the most popular purchase of the Las Vegas purchase circle. It means that those who have moved here truly wish to make Las Vegas home rather than the place they cashed in their Southern Californian real estate chips.

This book has a lot of nice shots of Vegas including a fold out panoramic view of the whole strip, however a few of the photos are a tiny bit out of focus. There is also a lot of interesting facts and history about the different hotels and the city. Other than those few pictures out of focus, I think it's a great book.

I purchased this book as a Christmas present for a friend that just made her first trip to Las Vegas. The book is filled with amazing photographs of all the popular sites in Las Vegas. The photography is absolutely beautiful. The book has some large fold-outs pictures of the strip. It makes you feel like you are right back in Vegas. This will truly be a treasured momento of fun times!!!!

By this third book, I really got close to the Skinner family and shouted cheers with the crowd at the finale. This family oriented western touched me with its poignancy and humor.

Dola and O.T. Skinner and their 4 children are in Goldfield, NV, still dreaming of raising grapes in Dinuba, CA.

One year has passed since they arrived in this gold crazed boom town. The Newcomer's Cafe has flourished especially since their motor car is lodged inside the front wall! Wall Walker is hired for new jobs and is probably the only really trusted man in town - however, he makes one big enemy while helping a woman regain her legal home. That enemy swears to do him in.

The two former feuding outlaw gangs have joined forces and made O.T. a seventh "partner" of sorts. Mexico gold lures them as soon as they can leave the voluptuous sister of Goldfield's most famous Indian, Fergus.

A serious, lifethreatening illness overtakes Dola Mae and for the first time, O.T. considers himself as greedy and as guilty as the men who lust and kill for gold. After all, he has literally run his wife into her sick bed in his quest for his dream of moving to California. Will his dream take his wife from him?

This third book in the Skinners of Goldfield series by Bly certainly contains the most action, adventure and intrigue of the three.