Category: History Publisher: Create Space
ISBN-10: 1479352659
Type: Non-Fiction
Pages: 182
Copyright: September 26, 2012
ISBN-13: 9781479352654
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
Nevada's casinos and their stories from 1931 to 1981 with over 70 photos.
Huge 8x11 paperback with over 70 photos highlighting the early stages of Nevada casino growth. 20-plus chapters allow the reader to enjoy the early days of Nevada, and the excitement of its casinos. Well-known gaming pioneers such as Bill Harrah, "Pappy" Smith of Harold's Club and Howard Hughes are highlighted along with some you may not have heard about like Barney O'Mailia of the El Capitan and Barney's Club. Easy and fun reading from a historical outlook.
Professional Reviews
Neil Baron, Reno Gazette-Journal
Albert Woods Moe knows gambling! He's been involved with the industry for more than 15 years, some as a professional blackjack and poker player. Great reading, great fun....Moe knows gambling!
William F. Roemer, Jr., Best Selling Author of Roemer, Man Against The Mob
Terrific, just what readers are looking for....a great concept for a book.
Les Gordon, Casino and Gaming News
Outstanding! More fun (and cheaper) than a trip to Vegas. Things I never knew about the clubs and their "known" and "unknown" owners. The photos are wonderful.
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Reviews for "Nevada's Golden Age of Gambling"
Reviewed by Laurie Franco
10/26/2012
Nevada's Golden Age of Gambling covers the gambling era of 1931-1981. This is my second time reading a book by this author and I am again impressed with all of the things I have learned. Just some highlights to whet the appetite: Mark Twain was a columnist at a newspaper in Virginia City. While I admit I love to read, I am ashamed to admit I am not a huge fan of the classics. Here in Connecticut, we even have one of Mark Twain's homes, yet I never knew the man was a regular old columnist prior to his Huck Finn days! The book also touched on the building of the Hoover Dam, which must have been awesome to witness during those times, as well as the real "beginnings" of the Las Vegas we hear about today.
There were references to mobster "Lucky" Luciano that I enjoyed since I attended middle and high school with a guy who claimed he was related to him....true??? Who knows, but it was kind of neat at the time. : )
I found it amazing that even in 1955, Liberace could command $50,000/week to be the opening act at the Riviera. That seems like a lot of money for those times, but I guess not if it helped get folks to gamble even more!
I really got a kick out of the part that talked about how Frank Sinatra was part owner of the Sands casino and when new owners took over, he was denied credit. When he argued with the casino manager, he wound up getting two of his front teeth knocked out, as well as a bloody nose! That scenario just doesn't go with the Old Blue Eyes that I picture in my head! The book later went on to discuss how Sinatra was heavily into the casino business until the state Gaming Commission met with him due to his partnership with Sam Giancana (who was permanently barred from ALL Nevada casinos). After the meeting Sinatra "decided to devote more of his time to the entertainment industry and divest himself completely" of his Nevada gaming involvement.
I also found it fascinating that in 1924, parcels of land around Lake Tahoe were sold for between $1-5/acre. Don't I wish I could've bought property there back then! There was also a reference to Lovelock, NV. While I have never had a chance to visit there, my aunt and her family lived there for several years before moving back East, and I look forward to mentioning the reference to her.
Another part worth mentioning(since I couldn't believe it when I read it) was regarding a poker game set up by Benny Binnion-mainly for his friends Nick "The Greek" Dandalos and Johnny Moss-both well known players from the 30's-60's, that went on every day for nearly FIVE MONTHS! Sometimes the action between the two would go on for 50 hours straight.....now as someone who is completely clueless about poker, that is amazing to me. And the fact that there was upwards of a half-million dollars on the table at all times.....wow. You'll have to read the book to see who won that amazing match up!
I also want to add that I really enjoyed the more personal references this book had from the author. Knowing that he partook in this story and was not just a spectator or researcher made it seem even better! And for anyone who has not had the pleasure of reading any of the other books by Al Moe, you can learn more about many of the men mentioned in this book, such as Nick Abelman, George Wingfield, James (Jim) McKay, Meyer Lansky and William (Bill) Graham to name a few in his book The Roots of Reno. Another book well done with even more fantastic pictures!
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