Customer Reviews

Las Vegas: The Fabulous First Century (NV) (Making of America)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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This book packs a lot of information in its short 160-some pages. It is well researched and presents the history of Las Vegas in human terms, not just those related to the gaming industry, entertainment or the mob.

Las Vegas has a unique and incredibly interesting history, and to tell it all would take a few volumes and a number of years to produce. This book, however, is a great primer for those who have heard the stories but want to know more of the truth and for those who, like myself, are fascinated by the genesis of the worlds amazing cities. Love it or leave it, Las Vegas is definitely one the more amazing cities on this continent or any other.

I would have personally liked more depth into some of the major characters of Vegas' history, but like I said the book would have to be much much bigger to make that happen. It also tends to read a bit much like a travel guide near the end. As resident of this city, I can forgive the authors some as I find myself becoming a travel agent whenever I try to explain this city to anyone who doesn't live here.

This is a truly wonderful book for anyone who has visited Las Vegas, or is, as I am, a native. Having lived here all my life, I have heard many of the names mentioned here, but few of the details. Once I started this book, I could not put it down! Very entertaining reading! I gave a copy of the book to my aunt, Rheco, a resident of Las Vegas for more than 60 years, having moved here during the start of Hoover Dam. She also found it very interestting and great fun to read. Taj and Judy left no detail out and really did their homework. This is the most interesting and entertainment book you could ever read on the "City That Never Sleeps". Congratulations, Taj & Judy: Well done!!

What is most impressive about this short (160-page) book is how much detail it includes. Not only do you get the usual railroad stop to casino city history, you also gain insight into the ethnic diversity of Las Vegas. It covers the Paiutes and early Hispanics and traces their stories right through the 20th century. The contributions of Mormons, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, the perspectives of pioneer women as well as men, the influence of the military...it's all here. And of course there are brief accounts of all the big names that put the "sin" in Sin City: Bugsy, Elvis, Sinatra, Hughes. This book is quite an accomplishment, and it's just in time for the Centennial celebrations coming up in May 2005.

A lot of information I already knew, but it was from different sources. This book condenses all the good stuff, and reveals a lot of new facts I was unaware of. I especially like the part about how Bugsy Siegel appeared to be a cat lover (another side of him) and how he protected a stray mother cat's kittens by not turning on the fountain and drowning them. And I didn't know that Billy Wilkerson was the real "brains" behind the Flamingo - not Bugsy. (As you can tell, I am interested in the Flamingo Hotel and its history, especially.) This book devotes a lot of time and space to the Flamingo, as well as a lot of interesting facts about the other "original" hotels too. This is a "must read."

P.S. Why is the cover that you show here different from the one I bought?