The Money and the Power : The Making of Las Vegas and Its Hold on America

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: This should be recommended reading for every American who cares at all about their history and/or considers themselves to be patriotic. And anyone who cares to visit Las Vegas after reading this book, proves that America is still full of suckers. It is a scathing, enlightening read that unfolds as more of an American history than anything else. While some of it gets too preachy and paranoid and a little short on solid facts (especially in the second half), occasionally relying on quotes from journalists for example, it is for the most part a thoroughly researched and documented smack in the face of America. Along the lines of "Fast Food Nation", it takes an American beacon, and debunks every single myth that everyone is suckered into believing about it, and does so in a real, documented, way. It dissects the false images and glorification of the Mob, Teamsters, presidents, congressmen, governors and all the rest. It spares no one, Democratic or Republican, and reveals a different modern American history from what we all learned from school texbooks that were blissfully ignorant of the truth as much as anyone else. Gets wordy and bit confusing with all of the names involved at times. All in all, a faantastic, engrossing read. Unfortunately, it makes you want to leave the country. :-)

Rating:
Summary: Outrageous
Review: While I'm sure many of the accounts in this book are true, the authors' attempt to turn Las Vegas into the shadow capital of the United States is ultimately too outrageous to merit serious consideration. Certainly early casino operators had a lurid past, and these companies continue to use their profits to influence the government, just as nearly every other profitable industry does. I would not be surprised if the wholesale corruption that is described still takes exists today (up to a point), in spite of corporate ownership. However, to make assertions that Kirk Kerkorian, Steve Winn, Meyer Lansky and Benny Binion now have or have had the kind of far-reaching influence suggested by the authors is a flight of fancy. These men pale in comparison to power brokers in New York, Washington, Texas and California. Las Vegas, compared to financial centers and industrial capitals, is nothing more than a popular resort destination built on catering to vices, first-rate entertainment, and separating tourists from their money. That politicians have found a way to separate casino owners from their money tells us the far-reaching influence Washington has on our capitalist society.