Las Vegas: A Centennial History (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780874176155)

The meteoric rise of Las Vegas from a remote Mormon outpost to an international entertainment center was never a sure thing. In its first decades, the town languished, but when Nevada legalized casino gambling in 1931, Las Vegas met its destiny. This act--combined with the growing popularity of the automobile, cheap land and electricity, and changing national attitudes toward gambling--led to the fantastic casinos and opulent resorts that became the trademark industry of the city and created the ambiance that has made Las Vegas an icon of pleasure. This volume celebrates the city's unparalleled growth, examining both the development of its gaming industry and the creation of an urban complex that over two million people proudly call home. Here are the colorful characters who shaped the city as well as the political, business, and civic decisions that influenced its growth. The story extends chronologically from the first Paiute people to the construction of the latest megaresorts, and geographically far beyond the original township to include the several municipalities that make up today's vast metropolitan Las Vegas area.

Author: Eugene P. Moehring, Michael S. Green
ISBN-10: 0874176158
ISBN-13: 9780874176155
Publisher: University of Nevada Press
Language: English
Published: 03/16/2005
Pages: 284
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.09lbs
Size: 9.02h x 7.14w x 0.74d

Review Citation(s):
Univ PR Books for Public Libry 01/01/2006 pg. 1 - Recommended/Regional General
Choice 02/01/2006 pg. 1075