In Nevada: The Land, the People, God, and Chance

by David Thomson, Lucy Gray (Photographer)

Nevada is the place where Samuel Clemens became Mark Twain, Frank Sinatra became Chairman of the Board, divorce became an industry and gambling an institution. It was a place that Kit Carson could explore, where Bugsy Seigel could dream, and Howard Hughes might hide. It's the government's favorite place to test nuclear bombs and store nuclear waste. It's a place, in short, of an impossible amalgam and improbable history.

From David Thomson, the highly-acclaimed author of The Story of Orson Welles , has beaten all the odds with a stunning book that pieces this great state  together in all its mind-boggling contradictions. In Nevada is a rich and fascinating work inescapably necessary for any student of the American West.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads data base.

For the film critic, see https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[David Corleto-Bales · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like books that take a non-linear style, and David Thomson's book about the state of Nevada, its history and musings on modern life there, is done in a meandering, frustrating style. Even though it's a pain in the neck to plow through, he does provide some interesting sketches of the explorers, Indians, miners, rogues, charlatans and kingpins that have made the Silver State what it is. Nevada outside of Las Vegas and Reno is mostly obscure, and he does a somewhat adequate job trying to fill in the blank spaces on the map. Would have been more effective if he had followed a more reasonable timeline.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too too heavy on the "Vegas / Area 51 Sauce"...

Granted David Thomson provides an entertaining read with "In Nevada" but I share some of the other reviewers' distastes. For instance, a couple of chapters (e.g., "Frankly and "In the Cards") felt completely out of place and off topic. One about Frank Sinatra and the other about a bridge tournament. Instead of Frank and bridge tournaments, how about covering the raging battles over land use and the constant clashes between Nevada's cattle ranchers and the U.S. Government? The author does a respectable job of stirring clear of most of the cliches that surround Nevada, but unfortunately not all.

The first half of the book is loaded with interesting and useful history like the finding of Spirit Cave Man. However, I got the feeling the author is fixated on moving the story's focus to Las Vegas. Like a first time tourist, he gave into the lure of the city's neon lights.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this book is quite old now, and much has changed since many of the observations, I still enjoyed the perspective as someone who lived for a time in Las Vegas. I realize more-so now that I barely scratched Nevada's surface and I hope to return again someday and see some other pockets in this very strange indeed state.

[Nik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't bring myself to finish this. I've been trying for 6 months. The history is genuinely interesting but the format and presentation are so dull

[Jeff Garrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

As one who has devoted much time and effort into understanding the role religion played in the 19th century mining camps of Nevada, I was excited when this book came out. It was an enjoyable read, especially for one who loves the open space of Nevada. However, it seemed to me that Thomson places too much importance on the unique community of Rachel (see my blog article on Rachel), the Burning Man, and Art Bell. I also didn't feel that he did justice into linking Nevada's past with the present. Yet, I think he does understand the ironic contrasts you find in Nevada, which comes across in his writing. Thomson loves to contrast diverse ideas, like Vegas and the Atomic Test Site. I wondered why he didn't talk more about one of Nevada's most famous residents of Rio, Joe Conforte. This pimp, before running into IRS problems, ran the largest legal brothel in American (if not the world). Also, past politicians such as Sharon and Stewart and some of their dealings, along with some of the prompters of mines, would have fit in with Thomson's views, but he mostly ignored them. (For a good and somewhat humorous introduction to fraud in mining promotions see George Graham Rice’s “My Adventures with Your Money,†written while under indictment by one of the great promoters worthless mines).

Thomson focuses much of his attention on Southern Nevada. He even bemoans the fact that Reno did not have a novel set there during the 1930s (136). Had he done more research, he might have learned that the Walter Van Tilburg Clark, the author of "The Oxbow Incident" did publish a novel set in Reno at that time (“The City of Trembling Leavesâ€). Also, he misses Paul Laxalt's wonderful novels set in Carson City and the hills that surround Nevada's capital.

Thomson seems intrigued with Steve Wynn, one of the most successful develops in Las Vegas, quoting Wynn as saying, "it's what God would have done 'if He'd had the money.'" (164) Luckily, Thomson isn't seduced by Vegas nor Wynn's blasphemy, referring to the city's architecture as "your nightmare in concrete." (279)

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Publishers Weekly:
It may come as a shock to learn that there's more to Nevada than Reno and Las Vegas. As Thomson's compulsive meanderings through the Sagebrush State make clear, there's a whole other Nevada out thereAeven if it's mostly just empty space. Not unlike the dense historiography of John McPhee, this impressionistic series of sketches gives readers the feeling of having a well-informed sidekick riding shotgun through sage-strewn stretches of Highway 376...

(ME: I LIVE IN KINGSTON, NEVADA, 2 MILES WEST OF HWY 376 UNDER THE MIGHTY TOIYABE RANGE IN BIG SMOKY VALLEY).

...Thomson augments his observations with judicious bits of local history, showing how the desolate region has paradoxically become the most rapidly growing state in the union. Drawing gamblers, real estate barons and UFO enthusiasts by the busload, Nevada boasts a long history of rough-edged prospector types looking to strike it rich. A concurrent tradition of off-handed violence has lingered ever since the newborn Nevada Territory built a prison as one of its first official acts. Thomson (Rosebud: The Story of Orson Welles) clearly has an appetite for the gritty stage machinery behind the glossy showmanship. Thumbnail sketches abound of Steve Wynn, Frank Sinatra and lesser-known impresarios, alongside historical riffs on such places as Reno, the self-proclaimed "Biggest Little City in the World." To the crowded gaming tables and the stark mountains that surround them, Thomson brings an appealingly philosophical frame of mind, an ability to throw sophisticated musingsAabout transience, history, placeAout into the landscape as if waiting to see if they will take root.

[Steve A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating historical overview of a unique State. not like ly to be of Greta interest without some firsthand knowledge of Nevada and/or the West..

The author has a clear bias about nuclear issues and is inclined to pontificate quite a bit about past events. That being said there is no doubt that Area 51 is a significant part of understanding Nevada.

Well written with interesting anecdotes on some really unique characters making up the fabric of Nevada.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A state equally influenced by Mormons, cowboys, UFOs, the Mob, the Bomb, and Burning Man. All in a low-tax environment. Find out what this combination hath wrought.

[pjr8888 · Rating 3 out of 5]

i grew up there... this book tells the story, but doesn't capture what the place is all about..
i still prefer harold smith's "i want to quit winners"