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

Rating:
Summary: In Nevada: a Disappointment
Review: David Thomson's "In Nevada: The Land, The People, God, and Chance" was a disappointing read, owing only in part to its misleading title. The book consists primarily of parallel descriptions of the development of gambling & entertainment in Las Vegas and of nuclear-weapons testing at the Test Site. These are important topics, but their predominance is not suggested by the book's title. Substantial discussions of Lake Tahoe, Area 51/UFO-mania, and the Burning Man festival have very little to do with Nevada. Tahoe is geographically and culturally much more California than Nevada, and the Burning Man silliness and UFO-obsession have their origins outside of the state. Reno ("really the only city in Nevada," in Thomson's words) receives a scant 12 of the book's 320 pages. The treatment of the state's mining and political history is spotty and shallow. The author's sources are apparently restricted to a few standard references. There is no evidence of detailed research or thoughtful insight.

But the most disappointing aspects of this book are Thomson's descriptions (or lack thereof) of Nevada's rural interior (that 80% of the state that is neither part of a military reservation nor within 50 miles of the California line). He claims that this vast, sparsely populated region is his first love in Nevada, but if this is true, it is a strangely distant, sterile, and uncomprehending love. He provides vague and general descriptions of the landscapes, with mountain elevations seemingly taken from a road map. The only rural Nevadans that he describes in any detail are a young couple that he observed in a cafe in Fallon. He freely assumes that they suffer from sub-standard education and desperate isolation despite the fact that he has not spoken with either or them, or even overheard their conversation. In fact, Thompson reveals precious little evidence that he has ever spoken to ANYONE in rural Nevada, and his ignorance seems virtually complete in other ways as well. He relates a story of driving on I-80 toward Winnemucca, with the wind blowing "round balls of sage" across his path. He doesn't even recognize a tumbleweed, that icon of the American West, much less know that it is Russian Thistle, not sage. His descripion of Elko consists entirely of the menu of cable TV channels available in the Holiday Inn (along with a gratuitous swipe at Dave Thomas, of the Wendy's hamburger chain-What does this have to do with Nevada?). He was trapped in the motel at the end of March by a "late snow." Anyone who has spent any time in northern Nevada knows that snow is common and expected through Memorial Day. "Late snow" doesn't come until June. The author is simply oblivious to the many interesting aspects of the geography, natural history, industry, and people of northern and central Nevada.

In conclusion, "In Nevada" gives the reader very little insight into The Land, The People (other than Las Vegas mobsters and entertainers), or God. Chance (gambling) is pretty well covered. It reveals the author's fascination with Hollywood characters, distrust and loathing of the military, and ignorance & disdain for rural Nevada.

Rating:
Summary: In Nevada: a Disappointment
Review: David Thomson's "In Nevada: The Land, The People, God, and Chance" was a disappointing read, owing only in part to its misleading title. The book consists primarily of parallel descriptions of the development of gambling & entertainment in Las Vegas and of nuclear-weapons testing at the Test Site. These are important topics, but their predominance is not suggested by the book's title. Substantial discussions of Lake Tahoe, Area 51/UFO-mania, and the Burning Man festival have very little to do with Nevada. Tahoe is geographically and culturally much more California than Nevada, and the Burning Man silliness and UFO-obsession have their origins outside of the state. Reno ("really the only city in Nevada," in Thomson's words) receives a scant 12 of the book's 320 pages. The treatment of the state's mining and political history is spotty and shallow. The author's sources are apparently restricted to a few standard references. There is no evidence of detailed research or thoughtful insight.

But the most disappointing aspects of this book are Thomson's descriptions (or lack thereof) of Nevada's rural interior (that 80% of the state that is neither part of a military reservation nor within 50 miles of the California line). He claims that this vast, sparsely populated region is his first love in Nevada, but if this is true, it is a strangely distant, sterile, and uncomprehending love. He provides vague and general descriptions of the landscapes, with mountain elevations seemingly taken from a road map. The only rural Nevadans that he describes in any detail are a young couple that he observed in a cafe in Fallon. He freely assumes that they suffer from sub-standard education and desperate isolation despite the fact that he has not spoken with either or them, or even overheard their conversation. In fact, Thompson reveals precious little evidence that he has ever spoken to ANYONE in rural Nevada, and his ignorance seems virtually complete in other ways as well. He relates a story of driving on I-80 toward Winnemucca, with the wind blowing "round balls of sage" across his path. He doesn't even recognize a tumbleweed, that icon of the American West, much less know that it is Russian Thistle, not sage. His descripion of Elko consists entirely of the menu of cable TV channels available in the Holiday Inn (along with a gratuitous swipe at Dave Thomas, of the Wendy's hamburger chain-What does this have to do with Nevada?). He was trapped in the motel at the end of March by a "late snow." Anyone who has spent any time in northern Nevada knows that snow is common and expected through Memorial Day. "Late snow" doesn't come until June. The author is simply oblivious to the many interesting aspects of the geography, natural history, industry, and people of northern and central Nevada.

In conclusion, "In Nevada" gives the reader very little insight into The Land, The People (other than Las Vegas mobsters and entertainers), or God. Chance (gambling) is pretty well covered. It reveals the author's fascination with Hollywood characters, distrust and loathing of the military, and ignorance & disdain for rural Nevada.

Rating:
Summary: In Nevada: a Disappointment
Review: David Thomson's "In Nevada: The Land, The People, God, and Chance" was a disappointing read, owing only in part to its misleading title. The book consists primarily of parallel descriptions of the development of gambling & entertainment in Las Vegas and of nuclear-weapons testing at the Test Site. These are important topics, but their predominance is not suggested by the book's title. Substantial discussions of Lake Tahoe, Area 51/UFO-mania, and the Burning Man festival have very little to do with Nevada. Tahoe is geographically and culturally much more California than Nevada, and the Burning Man silliness and UFO-obsession have their origins outside of the state. Reno ("really the only city in Nevada," in Thomson's words) receives a scant 12 of the book's 320 pages. The treatment of the state's mining and political history is spotty and shallow. The author's sources are apparently restricted to a few standard references. There is no evidence of detailed research or thoughtful insight.

But the most disappointing aspects of this book are Thomson's descriptions (or lack thereof) of Nevada's rural interior (that 80% of the state that is neither part of a military reservation nor within 50 miles of the California line). He claims that this vast, sparsely populated region is his first love in Nevada, but if this is true, it is a strangely distant, sterile, and uncomprehending love. He provides vague and general descriptions of the landscapes, with mountain elevations seemingly taken from a road map. The only rural Nevadans that he describes in any detail are a young couple that he observed in a cafe in Fallon. He freely assumes that they suffer from sub-standard education and desperate isolation despite the fact that he has not spoken with either or them, or even overheard their conversation. In fact, Thompson reveals precious little evidence that he has ever spoken to ANYONE in rural Nevada, and his ignorance seems virtually complete in other ways as well. He relates a story of driving on I-80 toward Winnemucca, with the wind blowing "round balls of sage" across his path. He doesn't even recognize a tumbleweed, that icon of the American West, much less know that it is Russian Thistle, not sage. His descripion of Elko consists entirely of the menu of cable TV channels available in the Holiday Inn (along with a gratuitous swipe at Dave Thomas, of the Wendy's hamburger chain-What does this have to do with Nevada?). He was trapped in the motel at the end of March by a "late snow." Anyone who has spent any time in northern Nevada knows that snow is common and expected through Memorial Day. "Late snow" doesn't come until June. The author is simply oblivious to the many interesting aspects of the geography, natural history, industry, and people of northern and central Nevada.

In conclusion, "In Nevada" gives the reader very little insight into The Land, The People (other than Las Vegas mobsters and entertainers), or God. Chance (gambling) is pretty well covered. It reveals the author's fascination with Hollywood characters, distrust and loathing of the military, and ignorance & disdain for rural Nevada.

Rating:
Summary: Too heavy on the "Vegas / Area 51 Sauce"
Review: Granted Daid 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.

Rating:
Summary: Too heavy on the "Vegas / Area 51 Sauce"
Review: Granted Daid 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.

Rating:
Summary: Too heavy on the "Vegas / Area 51 Sauce"
Review: Granted Daid 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.

Rating:
Summary: For all lovers of Nevada, this book is a must!
Review: Great book. It sinks into self-indulgence several times but it's well worth putting up with those moments. Wonderful writing style, superb anecdotes, pithy history.

Rating:
Summary: Part travelogue, part history book
Review: While Thomson does give reasonable coverage to the history of Las Vegas, most of his book is about the rest of the state - places like Reno, Carson City, the not-so-secret "Area 51," and the sparsely-populated northwest corner of the state. Thomson's book is part history and part travelogue, although it is arranged in neither chronological order nor in any particular geographical sequence. If there is a theme to this book, it's the effect of atomic bomb testing and nuclear waste disposal on the state, a topic to which Thomson returns repeatedly. The book includes one map and about thirty photos. The book's drawback is that the author seems to be stretching for material to fill the pages. It's as though a student has to write a 5,000-word essay but has only 1,000 words of material. Thomson frequently lapses into empty rhetoric as though to meet some requirement regarding number of pages. Most travel writers interview local people to give their books a human tone, but Thomson seems to have talked to surprisingly few actual Nevadans. This is unfortunate, because Nevada is one of the more interesting states, and there should be no shortage of interesting characters and places to discover.

Rating:
Summary: Part travelogue, part history book
Review: While Thomson does give reasonable coverage to the history of Las Vegas, most of his book is about the rest of the state - places like Reno, Carson City, the not-so-secret "Area 51," and the sparsely-populated northwest corner of the state. Thomson's book is part history and part travelogue, although it is arranged in neither chronological order nor in any particular geographical sequence. If there is a theme to this book, it's the effect of atomic bomb testing and nuclear waste disposal on the state, a topic to which Thomson returns repeatedly. The book includes one map and about thirty photos. The book's drawback is that the author seems to be stretching for material to fill the pages. It's as though a student has to write a 5,000-word essay but has only 1,000 words of material. Thomson frequently lapses into empty rhetoric as though to meet some requirement regarding number of pages. Most travel writers interview local people to give their books a human tone, but Thomson seems to have talked to surprisingly few actual Nevadans. This is unfortunate, because Nevada is one of the more interesting states, and there should be no shortage of interesting characters and places to discover.