Nevada Books

A disappointing book, least to me, because I found the photos too broad in the coverage. Having looked through it several times I thought it kept on verging on one of those picture books found in tourist shops with titles 'A book to remember her by'.

It really is a mixed bag. The photos I liked best were those that showed the non-tourist parts of the city: the huge pole billboards along the highway, small retail units, decaying buildings and street scenes but turn a page and there's a spread of the interior of The Forum or maybe the characters in the Museum of Magic and Movies.

This really should have been two books. One a photo survey of the exuberant (and vulgar) hotels and casinos, interior and exterior and book two the rest of Vegas. I would definitely go for the second and Hancock has shown with the photos in this book that he has an eye for interesting compositions and subject matter.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

"American Byzantium: Photographs of Las Vegas" depicts the startling contrasts of a city that is larger than life. It is no mere "coffee table" adornment; it is ART and REALISM fused into one magical book. The brilliant photographs of Virgil Hancock chronicle "Sin City" in all its glitter and in all its waste. His artistic images range from the neon-studded hotels on the strip to wedding chapels to pawn shops to a group of ventriloquists attending a convention.

Gregory McNamee perceptively captures the mood of a city that defines 'extremism' with his superb narration. His essays are insightful and frank without the flowery superlatives. McNamee weaves the tale of a town that is a contrast in Life 101.

Las Vegas is one of my favorite cities. Every few months, we fly our plane to Vegas and less than 2 hrs. later, I am transported to another world: a kingdom of luxury, excitement, and fine dining. There are few sights that are more captivating than slowly circling over the vast menagerie of neon lights.

I'm a "down to earth" woman - I love hiking through forests and deserts, but there are times when I want nothing more in life than to be pampered at The Venetian and enjoy all my favorite gourmet restaurants in Vegas. There are few places that I would rather visit.

"American Byzantium" is a must read for those who love Vegas as I do - as well as for those who plan to visit Vegas for the first time. This book captures Las Vegas in a way that not only focuses on the stardust of luxury, but brushes away that dust to reveal the stark realities as well.

It's a smallish book with not quite the usual photos that we normally see and are familiar with. I love Las Vegas and love Las Vegas books. This one is just one of the bunch. Not really a stand out but all together not bad. Its a good to average read, photos interesting but not that memorable. Keep looking I think, there are better books out there.

"Basque Terrorism" got great reviews in the Spanish press. One notable exception was "El Pais" which devoteed nearly a full page to condemning it. (The paper was at the time a friendly conduit for the Gonzales government. During its time in power, 27 Basque activists were murdered by security agencies.)

The strength of the book is in the details. Different aspects of the life and history of the Basque nation are brought together with strong, simple logic. It shows how hopes of freedom took the only path left open.

This book is best counterargument yet written to the official media fallacy on terrorism. It is lucid, well worded, and--above all--sensible.

Frederick Packer

Zulakika's Basque Violence is a confusing and chaotic work which attempts to examine the cultural background to the question of why a terroristic form of violence haunts the Basque people. The works' shortcomings are abundant and ubiquitous throughout his writing. No one outside of the field of ethnography will be able to comprehend the overpowering amount of ethnographic jargon that inundates Zulakika's work. His work is also delinquent in the fact that very few readers outside of the Basque culture could understand or find the thesis of the work. The reader feels as if he or she is stuck the eccentric mind of a bedlamite, who is rattling off the hagiology of the Basque culture from the Paleolithic era to modern day. The book is structured in what would appear at first glance to be studies of different areas of Basque culture and its relation to the violence that has been occurring in the area; however, the book fails to accomplish this task as well. Readers will be greatly disappointed with this work because it does not realize any of the intended goals that the author set for himself work.

When I first purchased the book, it was only because it dealt with the mob and Las Vegas. Once I began to read the book, it really made me think and the really great part of the book is that it examines each person and the reasons that they were included in the black book. If you like the mafia and you love Vegas, then you ought to read this one.

(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

The authors, criminal justice professors at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, argue that the "Black Book", (the list of persons excluded from participation in legal gambling), is maintained by the State of Nevada for symbolic purposes, to assert an image of control and propriety.

The Black Book is further tainted by its focus on stereotypical ethnic types, largely Italian Americans, to the exclusion of others, like the Mormans, who actually wield great power in Nevada gaming but suffer no opprobrium as a result.

Interesting reading.

The book written to show prejudice and a white wash of Nevada's casino industry instead showed the lack of research of the authors. The question asked apparently is should Frank Rosenthal or Carl Thomas be in the "Black Book"? My answer is why are so few others included. A review of those included in the "Black Book" show an unusually high number of convicted skimmers and bookmakers. Wouldn't these be the people most likly to cause problems within the casino industry. As for the case of poor Frank Masterana-he ran the largest bookmaking operation in the Dominican Republic until he was closed down and then moved to Latin America where he continues to operate an illegal establishment. I agree that there is a high number of Italian-Americans in the "Black Book" but most bookmaking throughout the US is controlled by those of Italian desent so of course they would represent a high number of gaming offenses and the related extortion and loan-sharking.

Great stories related by chandler of the vegas high roller comp system and the clebs he incountered.Do not miss.

I have never submitted a review, but feel compelled to do so after reading this book. I am a huge fan of John L. Smith's writings and have purchased and read every one. This book, however is NOT, repeat - NOT - written by him! In the preface, the real author, Dan Chandler, says this book is written in his (Chandler's) own words and, clearly this book is. It is not up to the usual very high standard of Smith. It is a rambling, name dropping, everybody loves me chronicle of Chandler's relationships with known personalities and leaves the reader with a sense of how important Chandler thinks he is (or was - he's dead now). If you even think this is a biography (or autobiography) of Chandler's life you are wrong. Even though he brags about being employed by Caesers Palace seven times and working several other casinos as a casino host, there is not one sentence about how he got fired and rehired seven times. He only wants people to know how many of the rich and famous were his "best friends" or in his words "my man ..." What Smith's role in the book is unclear, except to think that he somewhat edited Chandler's words. Very disappointing book "authored" by a great writer with a biting, humorous way with words. I will still by Smith's books, but this one is a stinker!

In John L. Smith's latest book, Bluegrass Days Neon Nights, he travels through the life of Las Vegas casino host Dan Chandler. The son of Kentucky Governor and Baseball Commissioner Albert "Happy" Chandler, Dan Chandler often joked that he started at the top and spent his life working his way to the middle. His rise or descent can be argued but as a casino host in Las Vegas Chandler led a riotous life filled with the greatest celebrities of politics, sports, music and movies.

Ages 14-17. Father and son, Ivan a high school kid. Dad a proffesional violist not violinist.Mr.Zellner found a new job; Guess what comes after that?.Ivan sits at home eating pizza and watching baseball on the T.V.It's summer almost at the time were school is about to start. but unfortunately Ivan is not going to start his sophmore year with all his friends. They move to Carmony,Nevada thats right around the corner of Las Vegas,Nevada. Moving really changed Ivan he gets a job and is at the point that he is about to get a girl friend.The girl by the name of Caitlyn is a cowgirl, well thats what her costume at her job is.Gilda Ivans cousin is extremely stuckup she likes to make fun of peole and she isn't afraid to tell it to your face.As you know the state of Nevada has a lot of gambling. So then Ivan's dad gives it a try and he got lucky and he won one hundred dollars.The high school that Ivan is about to atart used to be a Casino that had a fire accident. The high school instead of having Math, Science and etc: it has College of Comedy, College of Gambling basically its a college form school having to do with the odds of gambling. at the end they stay put and Ivan makes two best-friends, he ends up going out with Caitlyn. He keeps his job as an Icecream Scoper.I really enjoyed the book except the whole naked women and gambling.
Maria Santana

this book is very hilarious, many teenagers would enjoy reading it, the common sense of the book is that Ivan Zellner is forced to move to Nevada because of his dad's job.. it continues with his friends and how they get together. Its a great book i would rate it as a 5 star but it doesnt make sense in some places.

this book made me almost fall out of my chair laughing. i would have gave it 5 stars but it didn't have much substance. but it was hilarious.

A good read! Gives a a nice over view of the regions history. However, it should be updated with a little spot on the Burning Man project, and other activities that have taken place out there. I read the book while I was in the Black Rock looking for a Geocaching.com project. A more perfect book, I think you couldn't find.

A good read! Gives a a nice over view of the regions history. However, it should be updated with a little spot on the Burning Man project, and other activities that have taken place out there. I read the book while I was in the Black Rock looking for a Geocaching.com project. A more perfect book, I think you couldn't find.

This book covers the history of the Black Rock Desert region near Gerlach, Nevada from roughly 10,000 BC until the early 1970s.

The writing style is a little stilted, but this book is a quick read. The longest chapter discusses the war with the Paiute Indians, but there is also discussion of some of the mining activity, and an excellent chapter about the ranchers of the area.

It would be nice to see this book updated to include more information about the founding of Gerlach, and to discuss some of the activities of the 70's and 80's.

If you've been to Burning Man, and are wondering about the history of the area, then this is the book for you.

"Searchlight, Nevada" illuminates the insider's world of Nevada's legalized brothels. Written with warmth and humor, the book jumps right in to the often complex and twisted lives of the women who work the sex trade and the men who visit---and often love--them. It shows that wherever women and men are thrown together, love will thrive even under corrosive conditions. The author says his story was carefully researched, and this is very obviously true. I highly recommend this compelling and wonderful book.

I enjoyed the sexy action, the humor, in this fun filled novel. No fake-n-phony TV-style prostitutes here. Vitale has captured the atmosphere to a T! The political correctness [read that: narrow minded] crowd might find offense [they always do]; but normal folk will appreciate it. The author knows and obviously values women.

For interesting insight into this book, look up the case Vitale v. Commissioner, 77 T.C.M. (CCH) 1869 (1999).

This book feels like a young adult book that doesn't quite make it. No one in my book club liked it. Hayden has some interesting ideas but she skips around--never finishing what she's started.

When Colette Died by L C Hayden

Debbie Gunther is in Las Vegas for her big break into the world of show business impersonating the Las Vegas singing star Colette who was murdered five years previously.

From the opening sentence it is clear that Debbie is being stalked and is surrounded by enemies. The fear is palpable and the reader is immediately catapulted into a world of distrust.

Smiling ambitious Jack Armstrong with the position of Casino General Manager in his sights. Her director Bill Davis who doesn't attempt to hide his animosity towards Debbie. Motherly Annie and the Casino owner, the legendary Ms Elizabeth. All have there own agenda. Beset by animosity on all sides Debbie is attracted by a reporter Dan Springer who initially seems to care, but does he?

As the murderer of Colette was caught, why is Debbie receiving threats against her life. Could this be related to her own difficult past? Who is the mysterious Boss.

Set against the glitzy background of the Las Vegas casino, this book is full of greed, family anguish and murder, and holds the reader to the end. If you relish suspense, this book is for you.

Lizzie Hayes 30 January 2000

Debbie Gunther had a dreadful childhood. When her mother died in childbirth, her father blamed her and would not take her to raise her. Debbie was raised for eight years by her grandmother, who let her know on a daily basis that she was not wanted there. So, at the age of eight, her grandmother got in touch with her father and told him to take Debbie, or she would have him brought up on abandonment charges. Debbie's father took her but he treated her badly the whole time that he had her.

After a choir teacher of Debbie's told her how much she looks like a famous Las Vegas singer named Colette, Debbie learns everything she can about Colette and becomes an impersonator for the stage. Debbie is hired at the Crystal Palace Casino--the very place that Colette was working and where she was murdered.

Debbie is apprehensive from the very beginning. She receives a note, which she tries to ignore, but the very dress that Colette is murdered in arrives for her and then roses arrive for Debbie--all yellow with one red rose in the middle, the same exact bouquet that Colette was given on stage just before she was shot. Debbie believes that the only one she can confide in is Dan Springer, a young reporter who is supposed to do a story on Debbie. Dan Springer has his own conflicts to deal with. There is a strong attraction between Dan and Debbie, but Dan is determined not to fall for Debbie. Debbie's problem is wondering if she can trust Dan to find out who wants her dead before it is too late.

This a top notch suspense story filled with a lot of fast-paced action along with more twists and turns than you have ever seen and an ending that is truly a surprise for the reader. The characters are real, and they all have their own agendas. The characters of Dan and Debbie are written with such rich details they feel like true friends to the reader. This book is set with Las Vegas as the background. L.C. Hayden has done it again. First there was "Who's Susan" and now "When Colette Died." I can hardly wait for her next book to come out.

This was a very good book, if you want to learn about politics in nevada.

Ok, so really, I haven't even read the book. I just wanted the 50 dollar gift certificate. So hahaha. Go read the book though.

I loved this book! Somehow, we missed it on our prior trips to DV. It covers all the basic hikes, plus a few more. The authors' clarity about length of hike, elevation gain, and optional additional hikes are all very useful. We carried it with us everywhere. I need to get my hands on their Utah book, Wild Utah!

The book is written well and very attractive.
But it is unreliable and potentially dangerous. For example, it encouraged taking a regular car (and driving carefully) on a road the National Park Service says is only good for SUVs or ATVs. This was risky advice. It was hard to find some of the trailheads the book mentioned, though that might simply be because this year 2000 book might already be out of date.