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

Rating:
Summary: The undermining of democracy in America.
Review: This is could be the title of this book. As a firm supporter of our country, I found this book helpful in filling in many details about subjects that I have read in other books. What I liked most about this book was that it gave a brief history of each major player in the building of Las Vegas and how they got where they are today. Then it shows how these major players worked either with or against the powers that be. It also helped me understand many of the major political events in this country, especially why Nixon was forced to resign. The basic theme of this book is that the Mafia--the Syndicate-- controls our goverment by giving huge amounts of money to those running for office, not just in Nevada but in our presidential elections. It also tells how these Mobsters work hand in hand with the CIA in drug running and have helped in assissinating legimate leaders of other countries or trying to assissinate them. Money speaks and it speaks loudly. Unfornuately those who control the money are not working in our best interest. I lived in Las Vegas in the early to mid 80's. I saw how the Synidate ran things and how the locals just accepted it as a fact. I also worked with people who were addicted to gambling--who sold their blood so that they could win big time at a game where only the house wins. Because Las Vegas has done such a good job at promoting itself as a place for families to have innocent fun, some may have a hard time believing that what is said in this book is true. However, anyone who will take the time to do further research can substantiate what is written in this book. It is well written, but I had a difficult time reading it. It made me cry to think that the citizen's of this country have let corruption take over this country because people want to have a good time. I think this is a must read for every American.

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.