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The Vapors: A Southern Family, the New York Mob, and the Rise and Fall of Hot Springs, America's Forgotten Capital of Vice
The incredible true story of America's original—and forgotten—capital of vice
Back in the days before Vegas was big, when the Mob was at its peak and neon lights were but a glimmer on the horizon, a little Southern town styled itself as a premier destination for the American leisure class. Hot Springs, Arkansas was home to healing waters, Art Deco splendor, and America’s original national park—as well as horse racing, nearly a dozen illegal casinos, countless backrooms and brothels, and some of the country’s most bald-faced criminals.
Gangsters, gamblers, and gamines: all once flocked to America’s forgotten capital of vice, a place where small-town hustlers and bigtime high-rollers could make their fortunes, and hide from the law. The Vapors is the extraordinary story of three individuals—spanning the golden decades of Hot Springs, from the 1930s through the 1960s—and the lavish casino whose spectacular rise and fall would bring them together before blowing them apart.
Hazel Hill was still a young girl when legendary mobster Owney Madden rolled into town in his convertible, fresh off a crime spree in New York. He quickly established himself as the gentleman Godfather of Hot Springs, cutting barroom deals and buying stakes in the clubs at which Hazel made her living—and drank away her sorrows. Owney’s protégé was Dane Harris, the son of a Cherokee bootlegger who rose through the town’s ranks to become Boss Gambler. It was his idea to build The Vapors, a pleasure palace more spectacular than any the town had ever seen, and an establishment to rival anything on the Vegas Strip or Broadway in sophistication and supercharged glamour.
In this riveting work of forgotten history, native Arkansan David Hill plots the trajectory of everything from organized crime to America’s fraught racial past, examining how a town synonymous with white gangsters supported a burgeoning black middle class. He reveals how the louche underbelly of the South was also home to veterans hospitals and baseball’s spring training grounds, giving rise to everyone from Babe Ruth to President Bill Clinton. Infused with the sights and sounds of America’s entertainment heyday—jazz orchestras and auctioneers, slot machines and suited comedians—The Vapors is an arresting glimpse into a bygone era of American vice.
Back in the days before Vegas was big, when the Mob was at its peak and neon lights were but a glimmer on the horizon, a little Southern town styled itself as a premier destination for the American leisure class. Hot Springs, Arkansas was home to healing waters, Art Deco splendor, and America’s original national park—as well as horse racing, nearly a dozen illegal casinos, countless backrooms and brothels, and some of the country’s most bald-faced criminals.
Gangsters, gamblers, and gamines: all once flocked to America’s forgotten capital of vice, a place where small-town hustlers and bigtime high-rollers could make their fortunes, and hide from the law. The Vapors is the extraordinary story of three individuals—spanning the golden decades of Hot Springs, from the 1930s through the 1960s—and the lavish casino whose spectacular rise and fall would bring them together before blowing them apart.
Hazel Hill was still a young girl when legendary mobster Owney Madden rolled into town in his convertible, fresh off a crime spree in New York. He quickly established himself as the gentleman Godfather of Hot Springs, cutting barroom deals and buying stakes in the clubs at which Hazel made her living—and drank away her sorrows. Owney’s protégé was Dane Harris, the son of a Cherokee bootlegger who rose through the town’s ranks to become Boss Gambler. It was his idea to build The Vapors, a pleasure palace more spectacular than any the town had ever seen, and an establishment to rival anything on the Vegas Strip or Broadway in sophistication and supercharged glamour.
In this riveting work of forgotten history, native Arkansan David Hill plots the trajectory of everything from organized crime to America’s fraught racial past, examining how a town synonymous with white gangsters supported a burgeoning black middle class. He reveals how the louche underbelly of the South was also home to veterans hospitals and baseball’s spring training grounds, giving rise to everyone from Babe Ruth to President Bill Clinton. Infused with the sights and sounds of America’s entertainment heyday—jazz orchestras and auctioneers, slot machines and suited comedians—The Vapors is an arresting glimpse into a bygone era of American vice.
382 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
November 4, 2020
No real complaints with this one, it just didn't have any qualities that stood out to me. Solid writing, solid research, and interesting enough to keep me coming back, but with no sense of urgency. I appreciated the author's efforts to bring some personalization to the book by including his family's experience in Hot Springs, but I found Hazel's account to be low on intrigue. If one had to identify the book's strong suit, I would praise Hill's ability to provide the reader with a glimpse into how the local and state political machines operated in those days. The corruption in those days was a little less discrete than it is today. Although one can debate on that as well.
A pretty good book but I can't say people should rush out to read it. Really dig the cover though. Low three stars.
A pretty good book but I can't say people should rush out to read it. Really dig the cover though. Low three stars.
July 6, 2020
The whole idea of Hot Springs—a small, free-wheeling gambling town in the midst of conservative Arkansas (where gambling was illegal)—fascinated me. Hill tells this story through the lens of a few 'key' players in Hot Springs history—Owney Madden, an ex-New York City mobster, Dane Harris, who Owney takes under his wing and becomes the boss gambler in Hot Springs, and Hazel Hill, the author's grandmother, who serves to represent what life was like for the everyday inhabitants of Hot Springs.
The novel is chronological, beginning in the 1930s when Hazel and Owney wound up in Hot Springs, and following their narrative thread (and looping in Dane) as the decades pass. We also learn a bit more about Hill's father and uncles, who were Hazel's children.
While I appreciated this perspective, I wish there had been more research into Hot Springs Black residents. Hill mentions that Hot Springs was relatively tolerant of their Black residents (lmao for the time.. segregation was still publicly practiced, both in business and housing). I would have appreciated learning more about some of the prominent Black figures in Hot Springs, as it was clear they held a lot of influence, especially politically. Hill goes into the depths of politically maneuvering that had to be done to keep gambling running in Hot Springs, and the votes of the Black residents made a big impact in these power plays. It would have been great to highlights some of the important figures and learn a bit more about them.
Even so, this is quite an interesting book. So much had to be done by Owney and Dane to keep gambling running, from electing local officials who would look the other way, to bribing the governor and even Congressional representatives to look the other way. And, as the subtitle suggests, the national mob kept trying to get involved, and it was wild to read about their attempts to get involved in Hot Springs, especially as Las Vegas was in the midst of being constructed. The competition between Las Vegas and Hot Springs was fascinating to read about, especially in the beginning, as Las Vegas was being literally constructed out of nothing and no one thought much of it.
This is a great piece of historical non-fiction with lots of interesting tidbits, and a strong overarching narrative. If you're at all interested in any of the subjects mentioned in the subtitle, definitely give this one a try! Thanks to FSG for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The novel is chronological, beginning in the 1930s when Hazel and Owney wound up in Hot Springs, and following their narrative thread (and looping in Dane) as the decades pass. We also learn a bit more about Hill's father and uncles, who were Hazel's children.
While I appreciated this perspective, I wish there had been more research into Hot Springs Black residents. Hill mentions that Hot Springs was relatively tolerant of their Black residents (lmao for the time.. segregation was still publicly practiced, both in business and housing). I would have appreciated learning more about some of the prominent Black figures in Hot Springs, as it was clear they held a lot of influence, especially politically. Hill goes into the depths of politically maneuvering that had to be done to keep gambling running in Hot Springs, and the votes of the Black residents made a big impact in these power plays. It would have been great to highlights some of the important figures and learn a bit more about them.
Even so, this is quite an interesting book. So much had to be done by Owney and Dane to keep gambling running, from electing local officials who would look the other way, to bribing the governor and even Congressional representatives to look the other way. And, as the subtitle suggests, the national mob kept trying to get involved, and it was wild to read about their attempts to get involved in Hot Springs, especially as Las Vegas was in the midst of being constructed. The competition between Las Vegas and Hot Springs was fascinating to read about, especially in the beginning, as Las Vegas was being literally constructed out of nothing and no one thought much of it.
This is a great piece of historical non-fiction with lots of interesting tidbits, and a strong overarching narrative. If you're at all interested in any of the subjects mentioned in the subtitle, definitely give this one a try! Thanks to FSG for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2022
I love when books are showing me that the things I considered uninteresting can be in fact quite fascinating. The micro cosmos of Hot Springs pulled me right in from the page one and told me a story of a small town that was dreaming of becoming a spa destination for the whole world. There are three main points of view - one belonging to Dane Harris, one of the main bosses of gambling operation in Hot Springs, one belonging to Owney Madden - a New York mob big fish that moved to Arkansas after being released from prison and last voice belonging to Hazel Hill - author's grandmother. Thanks to this split we are getting some really interesting glimpses into how living in Hot Springs looked like in the first half of XX century not only from the perspective of wealthy people but also from those struggling to get by.
Arkansas never legalized gambling and yet Hot Springs had couple casinos that were operating in broad daylight for multiple years. For a brief period of time it was even outshining Las Vegas. Corruption was widespread and the political machinations to keep gambling dens working were quite brilliant which in turn made this book difficult to put down. Unfortunately it ends up somewhat abruptly and the closure of the story was a bit disappointing. Add a few bizarre stylistic choices that author made and from enthralling 5 star read it fell down to solid and enjoyable 4 stars. I would recommend this book to anyone and especially to people that, like me, are usually not into politics.
Arkansas never legalized gambling and yet Hot Springs had couple casinos that were operating in broad daylight for multiple years. For a brief period of time it was even outshining Las Vegas. Corruption was widespread and the political machinations to keep gambling dens working were quite brilliant which in turn made this book difficult to put down. Unfortunately it ends up somewhat abruptly and the closure of the story was a bit disappointing. Add a few bizarre stylistic choices that author made and from enthralling 5 star read it fell down to solid and enjoyable 4 stars. I would recommend this book to anyone and especially to people that, like me, are usually not into politics.
July 16, 2020
I picked this book up because I grew up in Hot Springs and was curious about this part of Hot Springs's past. I was vaguely aware that there had been mob connections, but I didn't know much about the details.
It was an interesting story about a time when the town rivaled Las Vegas and corruption was everywhere. He used his own family's experience during this period to contrast the life lived by those running the casinos.
It was interesting to read about places I know and how different they were in the past. Like other reviewers, I think more information about the Black community in Hot Springs would have been very interesting. The details that were in the book were really fascinating, and I would have loved to read more.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was an interesting story about a time when the town rivaled Las Vegas and corruption was everywhere. He used his own family's experience during this period to contrast the life lived by those running the casinos.
It was interesting to read about places I know and how different they were in the past. Like other reviewers, I think more information about the Black community in Hot Springs would have been very interesting. The details that were in the book were really fascinating, and I would have loved to read more.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2022
Great story, and very well researched. The only thing I could have used is a little more closure on the author’s family.
August 9, 2020
Loved the parallel story of the author's family trying to get by in Hot Springs. Hazel and the boys were the real people living real lives amidst the history and the high-rolling insanity. And I think the central story taught me once and for all how much power the mob had in this country at one time--it's kind of jaw-dropping despite all the movies we've all seen. Dane felt like a missed opportunity in terms of a character. On the page he felt like an outline of a man. Owney was better written, but his story just wasn't as interesting as Dane's; he was just some old mobster. I had a lot of trouble keeping track of all the other main players in the gambling racket--they weren't even outlines, just names on paper. There was clearly so much impressive research done for this book, but sometimes it felt like a litany of summarizing paragraphs. Worth reading, learned a lot, story could have been told better.
January 17, 2021
3.5 stars
No, this is not a book about people who enjoy e-cigarettes.
December 19, 2022
This is a good book about about vice and corruption in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I chose to read this to further my knowledge on the subject of mafia/gangsters/organized crime.
I was surprised to learn how the mafia didn't have as much involvement in Hot Springs' gambling as I expected. Impressive when you think about how long gambling went on in Hot Springs with it being illegal in the state of Arkansas. The people we get to meet in this book are all enthralling which helped to keep my interest throughout. It's clear the author did an outstanding job in researching for this book. It's definitely packed with information! I felt like the ending got a little sad. Even though gambling was illegal, it did create many jobs in the town. It also generated huge amounts of revenue in Hot Springs. Once they finally cracked down on the gambling, all that went away.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the history of vice and corruption.
I was surprised to learn how the mafia didn't have as much involvement in Hot Springs' gambling as I expected. Impressive when you think about how long gambling went on in Hot Springs with it being illegal in the state of Arkansas. The people we get to meet in this book are all enthralling which helped to keep my interest throughout. It's clear the author did an outstanding job in researching for this book. It's definitely packed with information! I felt like the ending got a little sad. Even though gambling was illegal, it did create many jobs in the town. It also generated huge amounts of revenue in Hot Springs. Once they finally cracked down on the gambling, all that went away.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the history of vice and corruption.
February 17, 2021
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. The historical narrative of Hot Springs, an erstwhile gambling Mecca in the heart of the bible belt, has plenty of interesting characters and sagas to detail, all while painting a picture of a time in American life that couldn't feel more foreign. Hill does a good job of weaving in his own family's history in with those of the gambling bosses that ran the town into ruin in the mid-1960's. That said, he focuses quite a bit on the seemingly hundreds of names of those involved in the town, with biographical details and asides, and not enough on a consistent narrative that felt like it contained a logical throughline. I had to flip back many times to understand whose first name he was referencing, and wait a few pages to understand how important a character truly was to the broader story. Got lost a bit too much to enjoy it thoroughly in that way, but still, a book that I don't regret spending the time reading.
June 28, 2020
I knew nothing about Hot Springs, Arkansas prior to picking up this book, which is shocking because I’m a sucker for mob stories. I like the way the author told the story by focusing on a couple of main characters who lived through the time period discussed, and he showed how each was involved in or impacted by the lifestyle and the effect it had on other areas of their lives. The story appeared to be an amalgamation of a lot of anecdotes, so some things weren’t very clear and there isn’t a strong narrative to the book, but it’s a good story to dip in and out of. I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in American mob stories. Bill Clinton makes a brief appearance but not enough to justify reading just for that.
August 2, 2020
The Vapors tackles the history of gambling and the mob in Hot Springs, from the 1930s through the 1960s. The subject matter of the book is extremely interesting, especially since Hot Springs is a town I visit often. Hill adds a lot of depth to the stories by including tales of his grandmother and father, and how they related to what was going on at the time.
The only downside to the book is that he seemed to want to use all the information he gathered, whether it really added to the story or not. Removing some of these dead end stories could have helped the flow of the book.
The only downside to the book is that he seemed to want to use all the information he gathered, whether it really added to the story or not. Removing some of these dead end stories could have helped the flow of the book.
August 11, 2020
I just finished this amazing book about the days of gambling in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It's nonfiction but reads like a fiction story. If I wasn't aware of the gambling and mob history, I might easily believe this is fiction because the true stories in this book are what you see from Hollywood. The book is more than just about gambling, it's about living, greed, corruption, and the culture of the time.
July 21, 2020
the unknown history of a little-known town has its interesting points and its gee-whiz moments but in the end, the characters just seem to be dropped into the middle of this gambling story and, other than reminding you that life is full of hard luck, you never really know why they're there
December 31, 2021
Paused reading August 2021
35%
Very interesting history I had no idea about. The springs sounds like a place to visit.
35%
Very interesting history I had no idea about. The springs sounds like a place to visit.
January 13, 2021
Very much wish I had read this before we went to Hot Springs, which still ranks as one of the oddest towns I've ever visited in every sense of the word. Good stuff.
August 4, 2020
Really entertaining and informative non-fiction book that reads like pulp detective fiction. Anyone interested in gambling, crime, and politics should give this book a read. Highly recommend.
June 29, 2020
I could use a long series of adjectives but I want to cut it short: this is a great story, well written and gripping.
I didn't know anything about Hot Spring and was fascinated by the story and the well rounded characters.
The author is a talented storyteller and this story kept me hooked till the last page.
I can't wait to read another book by this author.
An excellent book, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I didn't know anything about Hot Spring and was fascinated by the story and the well rounded characters.
The author is a talented storyteller and this story kept me hooked till the last page.
I can't wait to read another book by this author.
An excellent book, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
January 17, 2021
I really like it when the old folks in my family tell me stories from days past. Even when they talk about tough stuff, it is in a light manner like “dope” for drugs or “messing around “ as a stand in for unfaithfulness. Dave Hill takes his own family’s stories and the stories of Hot Springs heroes and villains and makes them family stories too. He brings tons of research to back up the stories and newsworthy events from Hot Springs and gambling’s past. Do yourself a favor and listen to the family stories from a not so old folk about the history of illegal gambling in the spa city
August 8, 2020
My cousin David does a splendid job telling Hot Spring's story. I learned a lot about my birth city.
November 28, 2021
This was a fun, fast read with some depth. Hill did a great job blending the myriad topics of the title into a cohesive whole.
I think what struck me is how willing the men in power were to take advantage of illegal monies to further themselves and their political agenda (which was mostly to stay in power at any cost, enrich themselves, and sometimes build public works for the community, again mostly to stay in power). Like, gambling isn't necessarily "wrong," but it was illegal, and being illegal didn't stop it from expanding. I don't think I'm saying this right. Like, so many of these politicians portrayed themselves as on the side of right, but they used illegal gambling to cement and grow their power anyway. Or they didn't even care about illegality BECAUSE they didn't see gambling as "wrong," so why not just ignore a law they don't agree with? Having power and money was obviously always more important. We like to pride ourselves on being a functioning democracy, but scratch the surface just about anywhere and you'll see the limits of that and the manipulations of the system. This is just one example, one WAY men did that.
Hill traces out the chess match of rival factions very well. It's all about winning elections (with stuffed ballot boxes and paid-off poll taxes and backroom deals) and mediating between local, state, and national forces that are at odds with each other and have different interpretations of what gambling means and represents and whether it should be allowed to stand. There's a huge cast of characters, and I got lost sometimes, but I guess that's my fault.
I really liked how Hill wove the story, including his grandmother and his father as they navigated this world created by the movers and the shakers. And I also really liked how even if we know the story (clearly, Vegas is going to win, because Vegas won and we all know it), the dreams and machinations of the Hot Springs folks matter. He renders them in all their glory and complexity, the luxury and the foibles and the successes and the failures. He makes the rise AND fall interesting.
The story ends abruptly with the shutting down of gambling in Hot Springs. I understand that. I'd have liked more epilogue on what happened to his grandmother and dad moving forward--their lives had been so shaped by Hot Springs life, what was it like for them after? There are only hints for Hazel. I'd have liked more epilogue on the town itself.
I think what struck me is how willing the men in power were to take advantage of illegal monies to further themselves and their political agenda (which was mostly to stay in power at any cost, enrich themselves, and sometimes build public works for the community, again mostly to stay in power). Like, gambling isn't necessarily "wrong," but it was illegal, and being illegal didn't stop it from expanding. I don't think I'm saying this right. Like, so many of these politicians portrayed themselves as on the side of right, but they used illegal gambling to cement and grow their power anyway. Or they didn't even care about illegality BECAUSE they didn't see gambling as "wrong," so why not just ignore a law they don't agree with? Having power and money was obviously always more important. We like to pride ourselves on being a functioning democracy, but scratch the surface just about anywhere and you'll see the limits of that and the manipulations of the system. This is just one example, one WAY men did that.
Hill traces out the chess match of rival factions very well. It's all about winning elections (with stuffed ballot boxes and paid-off poll taxes and backroom deals) and mediating between local, state, and national forces that are at odds with each other and have different interpretations of what gambling means and represents and whether it should be allowed to stand. There's a huge cast of characters, and I got lost sometimes, but I guess that's my fault.
I really liked how Hill wove the story, including his grandmother and his father as they navigated this world created by the movers and the shakers. And I also really liked how even if we know the story (clearly, Vegas is going to win, because Vegas won and we all know it), the dreams and machinations of the Hot Springs folks matter. He renders them in all their glory and complexity, the luxury and the foibles and the successes and the failures. He makes the rise AND fall interesting.
The story ends abruptly with the shutting down of gambling in Hot Springs. I understand that. I'd have liked more epilogue on what happened to his grandmother and dad moving forward--their lives had been so shaped by Hot Springs life, what was it like for them after? There are only hints for Hazel. I'd have liked more epilogue on the town itself.
September 22, 2020
THE VAPORS, written by Dave Hill, is the true story of how illegal gambling came and went in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and how the author’s family lived through the years 1931-1968.
The Vapors club was a late edition to the buildup of casinos, opening in 1960. Dean Harris, who started in bootlegging and was now the “boss gambler” in Hot Springs, built it to be a showcase of gambling, dining, and entertainment. He had the stars of the day performing: the Andrews Sisters, Pearl Bailey, Tony Bennett, and Ray Charles were among dozens of big-time celebrities putting on shows.
The details of the behind the scenes shenanigans is fascinating. Even though the Federal government was shutting down illegal gambling across the United States, Hot Springs was wide open and never seemed to court major trouble. At least not anything they couldn’t bounce back from. Why? Because most of Arkansas’ politicians were in the pockets of the “boss gambler”.
From chapter Owney MARCH-JULY 1961:
Funny thing about Senator McClellan’s book, it’s all about him helping to weed out the illegal casinos. There’s even a picture of him examining a deck of marked cards. Now we know he was taking bribes the whole time!
In a few years the mobs from Chicago, New York, and New Orleans, (or maybe it was someone local?) turned more violent with bombings of buildings and cars. The lawmen finally broke things up for good.
Hill almost makes you want to root for the, well, criminals, with all the danger and excitement. There is another story going on at the same time, weaving in between the chapters of the high life. It’s his family’s story. Not a real happy tale, lots of alcohol and child neglect, working at the horse races or waitressing at a diner. The change back and forth between the chapters isn’t so bad. Hill’s writing makes both stories interesting.
All of this Hot Springs history was new to me and I really enjoyed learning about it. Recommended for Arkansas history buffs.
The Vapors club was a late edition to the buildup of casinos, opening in 1960. Dean Harris, who started in bootlegging and was now the “boss gambler” in Hot Springs, built it to be a showcase of gambling, dining, and entertainment. He had the stars of the day performing: the Andrews Sisters, Pearl Bailey, Tony Bennett, and Ray Charles were among dozens of big-time celebrities putting on shows.
The details of the behind the scenes shenanigans is fascinating. Even though the Federal government was shutting down illegal gambling across the United States, Hot Springs was wide open and never seemed to court major trouble. At least not anything they couldn’t bounce back from. Why? Because most of Arkansas’ politicians were in the pockets of the “boss gambler”.
From chapter Owney MARCH-JULY 1961:
[Senator] McClellen was feeling the heat, but Owney and Dean did all they could to keep the senator happy, from buying Mrs. McClellan a brand new Buick to ordering fifteen thousand copies of McClellen’s book, Crime Without Punishment.
Funny thing about Senator McClellan’s book, it’s all about him helping to weed out the illegal casinos. There’s even a picture of him examining a deck of marked cards. Now we know he was taking bribes the whole time!
In a few years the mobs from Chicago, New York, and New Orleans, (or maybe it was someone local?) turned more violent with bombings of buildings and cars. The lawmen finally broke things up for good.
Hill almost makes you want to root for the, well, criminals, with all the danger and excitement. There is another story going on at the same time, weaving in between the chapters of the high life. It’s his family’s story. Not a real happy tale, lots of alcohol and child neglect, working at the horse races or waitressing at a diner. The change back and forth between the chapters isn’t so bad. Hill’s writing makes both stories interesting.
All of this Hot Springs history was new to me and I really enjoyed learning about it. Recommended for Arkansas history buffs.
July 1, 2022
Another random library book, pulled from the shelf because of its arresting cover. I enjoyed this a lot. It's sort of like reading fiction where the hitman is the protagonist: you want the 'bad' guys to win, or at least a subsection of the 'bad' guys. Unfortunately, nearly everyone featured in this book was corrupt at some level; in a lot of ways, this tale, set from the 1930s to the 1960s, doesn't really differ much from the general shithousery still going on today. Wanna run your business with a minimum of fuss? You gotta grease more than a few palms - mobster and politician alike - and have some top notch security for when someone decides they'd just as soon bomb you as look at you.
It's ultimately a sad story, because everyone loses in the end: the town of Hot Springs dries up when their illegal casinos are shut down in the mid-60s. A lot of it was intertwined with civil rights, racism, religiosity, corruption, unrelated political machinery, and domestic espionage. The author tells this story by focusing on 3 people in particular: the rousted (and infamous) New York mobster Owney Madden; his young protégé, Dane Harris; and the author's own grandmother, Hazel Hill. All 3 represent lives in the different local social strata, and you can see how the flow of illegal gambling around town affects everyone, from the highest high rollers to the lowest guttersnipes. I thought all three came to life quite well, and rather missed a final epilogue, telling us what happened to them over the course of their lives.
There is something distinctly country/rural/Southern in the narrative voice, a distinct undercurrent of dialect that made reading this book akin to listening to an old-timer, sitting on the front porch, whittling idly while he tells tales out of school. I enjoyed it, but it may put some people off, so fair warning.
It's ultimately a sad story, because everyone loses in the end: the town of Hot Springs dries up when their illegal casinos are shut down in the mid-60s. A lot of it was intertwined with civil rights, racism, religiosity, corruption, unrelated political machinery, and domestic espionage. The author tells this story by focusing on 3 people in particular: the rousted (and infamous) New York mobster Owney Madden; his young protégé, Dane Harris; and the author's own grandmother, Hazel Hill. All 3 represent lives in the different local social strata, and you can see how the flow of illegal gambling around town affects everyone, from the highest high rollers to the lowest guttersnipes. I thought all three came to life quite well, and rather missed a final epilogue, telling us what happened to them over the course of their lives.
There is something distinctly country/rural/Southern in the narrative voice, a distinct undercurrent of dialect that made reading this book akin to listening to an old-timer, sitting on the front porch, whittling idly while he tells tales out of school. I enjoyed it, but it may put some people off, so fair warning.
July 27, 2020
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Back in the days before Vegas was big, when the Mob was at its peak and neon lights were but a glimmer on the horizon, a little Southern town styled itself as a premier destination for the American leisure class. Hot Springs, Arkansas was home to healing waters, Art Deco splendor, and America’s original national park—as well as horse racing, nearly a dozen illegal casinos, countless backrooms and brothels, and some of the country’s most bald-faced criminals.
Gangsters, gamblers, and gamines: all once flocked to America’s forgotten capital of vice, a place where small-town hustlers and bigtime high-rollers could make their fortunes, and hide from the law. The Vapors is the extraordinary story of three individuals—spanning the golden decades of Hot Springs, from the 1930s through the 1960s—and the lavish casino whose spectacular rise and fall would bring them together before blowing them apart.
This was an enjoyable read. I knew nothing at all about Hot Springs - in fact, I know very little about Arkansas in general. I certainly know a lot more now!
The best thing about this book is that the author didn't try for too many "characters" - really, we focus on three individuals who bring the story from the early days in the 1930's through to the fall of the 60's. It was easy to keep the story firmly at the front of my brain as sometimes history writers tend to think that cramming as many people into the narrative shows how much research they have done. This condensed "cast" works perfectly for this story.
Really, there isn't a lot more to tell but to say if you have an interest in those days in the South; in organized crime; or in well-written works of US history, then I have no trouble recommending this one!!
Paul
ARH
Back in the days before Vegas was big, when the Mob was at its peak and neon lights were but a glimmer on the horizon, a little Southern town styled itself as a premier destination for the American leisure class. Hot Springs, Arkansas was home to healing waters, Art Deco splendor, and America’s original national park—as well as horse racing, nearly a dozen illegal casinos, countless backrooms and brothels, and some of the country’s most bald-faced criminals.
Gangsters, gamblers, and gamines: all once flocked to America’s forgotten capital of vice, a place where small-town hustlers and bigtime high-rollers could make their fortunes, and hide from the law. The Vapors is the extraordinary story of three individuals—spanning the golden decades of Hot Springs, from the 1930s through the 1960s—and the lavish casino whose spectacular rise and fall would bring them together before blowing them apart.
This was an enjoyable read. I knew nothing at all about Hot Springs - in fact, I know very little about Arkansas in general. I certainly know a lot more now!
The best thing about this book is that the author didn't try for too many "characters" - really, we focus on three individuals who bring the story from the early days in the 1930's through to the fall of the 60's. It was easy to keep the story firmly at the front of my brain as sometimes history writers tend to think that cramming as many people into the narrative shows how much research they have done. This condensed "cast" works perfectly for this story.
Really, there isn't a lot more to tell but to say if you have an interest in those days in the South; in organized crime; or in well-written works of US history, then I have no trouble recommending this one!!
Paul
ARH
September 16, 2021
I won a copy of this historic non-fiction book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you!
David Hill has expertly woven his family’s memoir and history with that of the town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, bits of mob/organized crime history and personalities, a few mentions of well known names such as Robert Kennedy and Bill Clinton, who either impacted the town or were impacted by it, and more, as he uses extensive historic research, oral interviews, and more to build the landscape. Hot Springs was more Vegas than Vegas before Vegas came to be, and this is the story of its rise and fall, over a handful of decades. It’s not dry and boring, but reads like a novel as he follows 3 specific figures through the story, and how various events involved or impacted them and their own histories. Well written and well worth the read. Highly recommended!
David Hill has expertly woven his family’s memoir and history with that of the town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, bits of mob/organized crime history and personalities, a few mentions of well known names such as Robert Kennedy and Bill Clinton, who either impacted the town or were impacted by it, and more, as he uses extensive historic research, oral interviews, and more to build the landscape. Hot Springs was more Vegas than Vegas before Vegas came to be, and this is the story of its rise and fall, over a handful of decades. It’s not dry and boring, but reads like a novel as he follows 3 specific figures through the story, and how various events involved or impacted them and their own histories. Well written and well worth the read. Highly recommended!
July 29, 2021
Having been to Hot Springs I was really intrigued to learn about this history I knew nothing about. There are very good parts to this book - I appreciated the focus on key individuals as a way of telling the story of how gambling in this town impacted people in different ways, and the mob history was really interesting. But this book could really have benefited from more editing. There are way too many proper nouns (unless you live in Hot Springs it is not useful to read a street name that never appears again, it just bogs down the reader) and the author sometimes refers to the same person by first name, last name and nickname in different paragraphs, which gets really confusing if it’s not a primary character. Worth a read but I found myself skimming some sections.
January 31, 2022
This book is about the rise and fall of the US’s first Las Vegas strip homegrown in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The author is from Hot Springs, and his grandmother is one of the central characters in the book. The book spills all the juicy details from the mob, bootleggers, illegal gambling, quick riches, the poorhouse and the revelers who couldn’t let the party end.
This book brings out the best of a good Southern story; it’s true by strange, dichotomous (Pentecostal churches standing next to illegal casinos novel), and Americana. It will leave you wondering why this story was left untold. During this time, gambling was illegal, but Hot Springs was bringing in 5 million visitors a year and building massive hotels before anyone knew Las Vegas was a possibility.
Hill does a great job of creating a story out of historical facts. I enjoyed how he brought the characters to life and the description of downtown Hot Springs. His detailed accounts of three characters illustrate the action at the time. I couldn’t put the book down.
This book brings out the best of a good Southern story; it’s true by strange, dichotomous (Pentecostal churches standing next to illegal casinos novel), and Americana. It will leave you wondering why this story was left untold. During this time, gambling was illegal, but Hot Springs was bringing in 5 million visitors a year and building massive hotels before anyone knew Las Vegas was a possibility.
Hill does a great job of creating a story out of historical facts. I enjoyed how he brought the characters to life and the description of downtown Hot Springs. His detailed accounts of three characters illustrate the action at the time. I couldn’t put the book down.
August 31, 2023
I absolutely loved this, and my biggest regret is that there wasn’t even more to read! The historical research that grounded the book is incredibly detailed, and is such a rich and unique perspective. But it is the familial memoir at the core of this book that provides powerful emotional resonance, and paradoxically, the foundation for broader social analyses. The stories of Hazel and of Hot Springs are unquestionably sad—full of hopes to inevitably be dashed. But how could they be anything else? The very foundation of their world (of our world) is nakedly corrupt, transactional, and listless. This is one of the best attempts that I’ve seen to articulate this uniquely American state of being.
September 28, 2020
I was a bit disappointed by this book. I personally just couldn’t connect with the writing style. Reading it you definitely feel how the author gathered information from many different sources, and the way all this various information is put together feels piecemeal and choppy to me. I noticed other (positive) reviews mentioned having similar thoughts.
I think I might have enjoyed more of a focus on how the mob presence affected author’s family. The chapters that focused on Hazel felt more like a cohesive story to me and I really enjoyed reading them.
I think I might have enjoyed more of a focus on how the mob presence affected author’s family. The chapters that focused on Hazel felt more like a cohesive story to me and I really enjoyed reading them.
March 11, 2022
An incredible and gripping tale of Hot Springs, Arkansas and its divisive history with gambling. David Hill has long been one of my favorite writers, and this book truly cements his status. He makes honest to God true events seem like perfectly strung along fiction. I don't know many other books that could convince me to take a trip to the place the source material is about, knowing that near-nothing still stands from that era. But I hope to find myself in Hot Springs someday, if not just to gaze at the Vapors and the history they contain.
December 26, 2023
This is a great book if you like random bits of history. It appears very well researched with tons of references noted for each chapter.
The story is told in a way that keeps you wanting to turn the page. Once in awhile in got a little in the weeds with the details about some of the political corruption and the various players at different levels of government.
But it also told a great story about many "every day" people including the author's grandmother.
I want to go to Hot Springs now and get a feel for what the town is like 60 years later.
The story is told in a way that keeps you wanting to turn the page. Once in awhile in got a little in the weeds with the details about some of the political corruption and the various players at different levels of government.
But it also told a great story about many "every day" people including the author's grandmother.
I want to go to Hot Springs now and get a feel for what the town is like 60 years later.
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