Las Vegas Legends: What Happened in Vegas...

by Greg Niemann

The “Entertainment Capital of the World” was forged by far sighted and tough characters of the Old West who created a town that worked for them. Back in the 1930s, while other areas suffered the pangs of the Depression, Las Vegas blossomed and grew, thanks to liberal divorce laws, nearby construction of Hoover Dam, and the pivotal dynamic force – legalized gambling. Relive the tragedies and triumphs of those who left their mark on Las Vegas ― from the early explorers, miners, and ranchers to the corporate giants and entertainers of today as they continue to shape this unique and exciting city. Las Vegas Legends has it all – sex, mobsters, casino moguls, gambling, world class attractions, myths, true stories, scandals, and even the dark side. Learn about the early days, the town under mob rule, and the decisions that made Las Vegas the largest city spawned in the 20th century. Discover the roles John C. Fremont, Helen J. Stewart, Queho (Kay-ho), Senator William Andrews Clark, George Hearst, “Pop” Squires, “Bugsy” Siegal, Johnny Roselli, Marshall Caifano, James McMillan, and Howard Hughes all had in the development and growth of Las Vegas. Learn how Las Vegas played a part in the lives of Liberace, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Wayne Newton, Elvis Presley, Tupac Shakur, Britney Spears, and Margaet Rudin. Many of the stories in this book are so electrifying they have even shocked the generally unflappable Las Vegans.

309 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the many different aspects of Las Vegas - a great overview of the city and the history, the issues, gambling.

[R.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wealth of knowledge

Las Vegas has truly been a place of wealth—from its mining days to its modern casino empire. Most of us are familiar with its gangster era and its development as “Sin City” but did you ever want to know how it emerged from being a convenient stop along an old dusty trail on a path to the Old West and California? …or how it morphed through the years from a collection of tiny eateries and low-budget downtown hotels to become “The Entertainment Capital of the World”? Las Vegas Legends: What Happened In Vegas by Greg Niemann won’t disappoint. What I love about this book is its wealth of information—to the tiniest detail—compiled into short, interesting capsules that capture the imagination.

If you’re a history enthusiast, you’ll love this chronicle of Las Vegas’ growth from its conception to its glory days and on to its neon footprint in the Nevada desert. Learning history was never so much fun.

Marty Olver Archer

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an account of Las Vegas from the early days of the Mormons and mining to the days of the Mob run town up to the days of the big theme hotels and becoming the entertainment capital of the world. A good history.

[Courtney Sheets · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry account of Vegas history but full of Vegas history. Good for research.