Las Vegas: An Unconventional History

by Michelle Ferrari, Stephen Ives

From Mormon missionaries to mega-casinos, from Bugsy Siegel to Wayne Newton, and from natural springs to atomic blasts, this companion book to a three-hour PBS "American Experience "documentary presents 100 years of sin, gin, and din. 250 images.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 20, 2005

Reviews

[Jennifer Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vegas holds a special place in my heart since that is where I married my love. It is fascinating that it started as the gateway to the Boulder Dam, which went on to become the Hoover Dam. Why would you go out of your way to see a damn? Even today, I was baffled by the tours out there. It's a big wall to hold up water. >?
A place that was rough & tumble with the gangsters is now marginally a family destination, another thing that baffles me. Why take a kid to Vegas? I would love to see the PBS special that this book was a companion to!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've recently gotten really interested in the history of Las Vegas and as other reviewers have mentioned, books about it are for some reason very hard to find! This was a good one and had a ton of great pictures, too.

[Rhoda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all the pictures and stories! Scored it for a buck at the thrift store!

[Anubis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up in the Las Vegas airport on my way back from visiting the city. After walking up and down the strip and touring the Neon Museum (a photo of which is in the book) I really wanted to learn more about the history of the city and was surprised (though maybe I shouldn't have been) that I couldn't find any books in the stores on the Strip or downtown. After scouring every store that sold books in the airport, I finally came across this one and bought it. I am so happy I did. It was very well-written, full of interesting facts, and contained hundreds of photos that helped me understand many of the signs I saw at the Neon Museum's Boneyard. For a city that has such an interesting past, it is sad that so few books on Las Vegas history can be found. Thankfully, "Las Vegas: An Unconventional History" fills that gap.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the companion to a PBS three-part series on the history of Vegas. Lots of pics of items collected (swivel sticks from various casinos) that wouldn't have worked in the video format plus short pieces on side topics (like the history of poker) that were great fun and truly informative. Certainly Strip/Downtown focused, but did cover the city's growth independent (and dependent) on the gaming industry.

[Jim Rossi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I earned a master's in history at UNLV, so I've read and lived a lot of Vegas history. This book is a solid illustrated overview. Many other good ones, including my professor Eugene Moehring's "Resort City in the Sunbelt," Michael Green's work, and Pileggi's Mob history "Casino," and Repetto's two-volume history of the Mob.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about Vegas. Lots of facts that I didn't know!

[Warner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great book on the city and it's history

[AngelaGay Kinkead · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the book that accompanies the PBS American Experience show by the same name. A year after visiting Las Vegas, I'm still curious about it, so reading/watching what I can.

[Andrew Doran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic glossy overview of the key events in Las Vegas' history. A very quick read. Enjoyable. Not comprehensive.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little on the light side but a good read

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the history of Las Vegas from the Mormons, to the mob and Bugsy Siegel, to the Rat Pack, to Steve Wynn rebuilding Las Vegas and everything in between.