Vegas Books

Here's another pop for these books, both great reads...i actually read Whale Hunt on the 8hour drive to Vegas once, lol.

 

Couple of other suggestions that I don't think anyone has touched on:

License to Pawn - Rick Harrison (Pawn Stars)
My Week at the Blue Angel - Matthew O'brien (I haven't read this)

Thanks for all the other suggestions!

 

A couple more I really love....

Under the Neon Sky by Jay Rankin

Basically a book about being a valet/doorman at MGM Grand, just a fascinating read!

Also Hughes: the private diaries, memos, and letters by Richard Hack. Probably the most comprehensive biography I have ever read. What a great book, Hughes was probably the most eccentric man ever, and this book has all the ins and outs! Loved it!!!

 

Yes and yes. Super casino is my favorite vegas book. It's a little old now but it's a fantastic read.

 

I found that book soooo boring. It was like reading an extremely long trip report on this board except 99% of the TRs here are way better. I only lasted about 40 pages and gave up.

You can have my copy if you want it.

 

Not exactly a Vegas book... but the Titanic Thompson book (the man who bet on everything) was an excellent read.

He was probably the greatest unknown amateur golfer ever to play the game.

 

American Routette by Richard Marcus about one of the best cheaters in Vegas history. He's an interesting guy, I've emailed with him a few times over the years.

Running Scared: The Life and Treacherous Times of Las Vegas Casino King Steve Wynn by John L. Smith

No Limit: The Rise and Fall of Bob Stupak and Las Vegas' Stratosphere Tower also by John L. Smith

Another vote for Super Casino

 

If the offer is open to send to the UK, then please!

 

I too recommend "24/7" it was very readable, and even touched on that "Vegas Malaise" you can get, after staying too long.

I did read "My Week at the Blue Angel" and thought it was pretty good. When the author strays away from the Blue Angel crowd, it gets a little dull.

Another good one is "The Green Felt Jungle" by Ed Reid. It's kinda throwback, written in 1963, but there are some interesting profiles.

 

All of the above. For more on the past entertainment side of Vegas try;

"That Old Black Magic" byTom Clavin

"Cult Vegas" by Mike Weatherford

"Tropicana Nights" byRosa Lowinger and Ofelia Fox, mostly about late '50's Cuba with some Vegas connections.

and lastly, "Havana Nocturne" by T.J. English Once again, accounts of gambling and the Mob in 1957-59 Cuba and how Castro chased the gang to Vegas.

 

My first and still my favorite is Super Casino by Pete Early.

Other:
Grandissimo by Dr Dave Schwartz
Forgotten Man by Jack Sheehan. About Bill Bennett of Circus-Circus. Interesting story, though a bit odd to read as book is made up of chapters based on different people throughout his life.
Neon Sky by Jay Rankin. Interesting perspective of Las Vegas as seen through the eyes of someone working at the casino. Though by the end his personal negativity wore on me.

 

I'm about halfway done with the Sarno book, it's excellent. Very informative.

 

I can recommend:
When The Mob Ran Vegas by Steve Fischer
Bringing Down The House by Ben Mezrich
Under The Neon Sky by Jay Rankin

 

Have not read the entire thread so apologies if these have been mentioned.


Beneath the Neon by Matthew O'Brien

My Week at the Blue Angel by Matthew O'Brien


Beneath the Neon -- is one of those books you just can't put down. Its about the tunnels and life under Vegas.

My Week at the Blue Angel -- is a collection of short stories about the seedier side of Vegas. My wife forgot a book for the flight so I lent her this ............ she was absorbed the whole flight.

**** I highly recommend both

 

My all time favorite book about Vegas is "Literary Las Vegas" compiled by Mike Tronnes.

It contains historical articles, essays, and fiction all about Vegas. I've read my copy so many times that it's time to get a new one. I read it on the plane to Vegas, I read it by the pool in Vegas, and I read it on deployment when I need to take my mind somewhere fun.

If you don't like the book, I will buy it from you!.......not really. I just wanted to prove my point.

 

I also enjoyed this (Schwartz's "Grandissimo"). However, both this and his "Roll the Bones" could have used an extra proofread or two. And I felt that Dr. Dave really had to struggle to make Sarno even a little bit sympathetic--living and working with that guy would have driven me crazy. He may have had (occasional) moments of creative brilliance, but he really comes across as mostly unpleasant, selfish, and crude.

 

I just re-read Super Casino over the last two weekends while laying by the pool...still a great read.

Also just ordered the following on Amazon;

Under The Neon Sky
Bringing Down The House
Whale Hunt In The Desert
Winner Takes All: Steve Wynn, Kirk Kerkorian Gary Loveman & The Race To Own Vegas

 

Under The Neon Sky was a good window into 1990s Vegas. Hard to tell what was real and what was made up, but still a good read.

 

I've read this multiple times over the years and one of my favorites still.

"under the neon" is pretty good too about the homeless that live under the Strip.

I also enjoyed the Unauthorized biography about Steve Wynn.

 

I have Under the Neon Sky ready to read. Winner Takes All was expensive and I'll hold off for a Kindle edition. The others I've read.

While I enjoyed Whale Hunt, I felt like it sidetracked too much and got a little long-winded. I hope you enjoy it.

I also like Grandissimo. One of my favorite. And, the Frank Cullotta story... Hole in the Wall Gang. Fascinating read.

It's really a toss-up between Super Casino and Grandissimo for me though. Loved both of those very much.