Super Casino: Inside the "New" Las Vegas

by Pete Earley

Book Overview

Award-winning author Peter Earley traces the evolution of Las Vegas -- from the gaudy Mecca of the Rat Pack era to one of the country's top family vacation spots -- and explores the city's checkered... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553095021
• ISBN13: 9780553095029
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A GOOD LOOK INSIDE

Being a "Vegas Buff" for almost 40 years, I think I have read just about every-thing written about this very American, very strange town in the desert.The author has done a wonderful job of explaing what really goes on behind the scenes, and brings the reader into a new world rarely seen,by most of us.His detailed reporting is excellent, and truly commend his efforts. Can't wait to see his next story.

On the Inside

Earley has combined two books in one. In the first, as a cultural anthropologist, he examines the creation and evolution of what has become one of the world's most fascinating communities. In the second, as a journalist, he focuses on The Luxor to which he was given almost complete access. We are thus provided with an abundance of historical information which creates a frame-of-reference within which to examine virtually every component of a single casino. In so saying, I do NOT in any way want to suggest that Super Casino is in any sense dry, dull, etc. On the contrary, it is a page-turner. There are so many colorful "characters" ("players"?) portrayed, so many spell-binding plots and subplots, so many memorable moments. We tag along with Earley as he observes and interacts with a veritable "feast" of humanity and inhumanity. They're all here. Pioneers. Con artists. Celebrity entertainers. Pinstriped Samurai. Mobsters. Visionaries. Pimps and prostitutes. Bottom feeders. Victims. Victimizers. Perhaps not since ancient Rome was most glorious and most decadent has there been another community on this planet in which the best and worst qualities of the human race have been more in evidence than within the gaming segment of Las Vegas.Those who read this book may incorrectly conclude that the Strip and Las Vegas are the same. They are not. It has been my great privilege and pleasure to explore the metropolitan area and, in terms of its (non-casino) business climate and quality of life, I would rate it very highly. Indeed, superior to almost all other metropolitan areas. But that is not the subject of Earley's book. Who will most enjoy reading it? My guess is that they would include those who have already experienced Las Vegas and perhaps have asked "How did all this happen? What really occurs behind the scene? What is the inside story on all the changes which have occurred?" Also those who have never been to Las Vegas but have seen the movies (eg Ocean's Eleven and Casino), have heard about the antics of celebrities (eg Howard Hughes, Elvis, Sinatra and his Rat Pack, Liberace, Wayne Newton), have read about the extravagances (Steve Wynn's art collection), and ask "How much of this is true? Is it really like that?" This is a "great read."

A true taste of Las Vegas

I just bought this book (1/15/2000) and found it infectious to the point that I could not put it down. I read it in 2 days. This is an exciting book all the way through. The book moves quickly but offers an extensive view of how Las Vegas is not only excessive on the level of customers, but also the owners of the resorts who have strived to "out-do" each other in a match of "one-upman-ship" . I still marvel at the thought of the humonguos amounts of money that were spent on some of the resorts. I was in Vegas in early January, the first time since 1987, and I was amazed at how the city had changed! This book explained why. The book also includes some individual chats with dealers, prostitutes, and security folks. Circus Circus gave the author Carte Blanche and a back stage pass to the daily happenings in their Casinos. The result is whirlwind of adventures and experiences worth the price of the book. Lastly, I liked this book so much, I am going back to Las Vegas to experience again the opulence with a new understanding and insight. Thanks Mr. Earley

One of the Best Books on "Inside" Las Vegas

Fabulous book on the inner workings of the casino industry. The first half of the book is a short history of the city, detailing the exploits of such Vegas characters as Jay Sarno, Howard Hughes, and of course, Bugsy Siegel. The second half focuses strictly on Luxor. The author was granted complete access to meetings and was able to interview anyone he wished. He talked with everyone from management to dealers to cab drivers to prostitutes. If you want to read about the inner workings of a casino and how decisions are made, this is the book to read. Very entertaining from cover to cover.There has been a little criticism on why this book focuses on Circus Circus and not Steve Wynn and his Mirage Resorts. Wynn has been a bit "gun shy" in dealing with the press since the litigation over his biography a couple of years ago.

A GREAT HISTORY AND TASTE OF THE "NEW" LAS VEGAS

This book is fascinating. It really lives up to that old saying about "hard to put down." I especially like the author's concise re-creation of the "early Vegas" and his explanation of how the "new" Strip was born. I'd never heard of Jay Sarno, the mastermind behind Caesars Palace and Circus Circus who apparently spent millions bedding showgirls and gambling on golf games. Nor had I ever read anything before about Bill Bennett and Bill Pennington, who each made some $650 million and really were responsible for making the Strip "kid friendly." I thought the author also really captured Steve Wynn, who developed the Mirage and Bellagio, and is always making headlines. He is more interesting and appaarently more colorful than the old mob guys who used to control Vegas. The second half of the book proved to be even more exciting than the first because it really takes you inside the Luxor casino. Without giving his opinion about gambling, the author shows through the lives of several characters the good, bad, and ugly of Las Vegas. I found the chapters about Shawna Gray who is a teenage prostitute especially touching and I liked how the book described both a gambling addict and also Philip Freidman who is a senior citizen who plays poker every day at the Luxor and considers it his second home. When Freidman's wife gets ill, it is his poker playing crowd who comes to his rescue. What a twist. Usually these books only tell one side. This one tells it all and does it fairly. It is the most balanced, inside account that I've ever read and I would enthusiastically endorse it to anyone who wants to know why Las Vegas is the most popular vacation spot in America.