Sun, Sin, Suburbia: An Essential History of Modern Las Vegas

For 50 years, Las Vegas has been a magnet for great writers, from Tom Wolfe and Hunter S. Thompson to Mario Puzo and Nicholas Pileggi. In addition, dozens of lesser-known scribes have flocked to the city in search of juicy material for newspaper stories, magazine articles and books. Yet, with few exceptions, what these writers have said about Las Vegas bears little connection to the community that residents experience every day. These "parachute journalists" have largely failed to capture the true essence of Las Vegas, refusing to see past the neon and discover the multifaceted community beyond.

People all over the globe know Las Vegas as gambling's Mecca, Sin City, the Entertainment Capital of the World, a resort destination that attracts more than 35 million visitors per year. But that's just one piece of the story of this fascinating metropolis of 1.5 million people - and counting. It's the other parts of the story that veteran journalist Geoff Schumacher tackles in Sun, Sin & Suburbia: An Essential History of Modern Las Vegas.

This carefully documented history focuses on the most exciting and chaotic decade in Las Vegas history: the 1990s. While Las Vegas has been the fastest-growing place in America since World War II, nothing before compared with the explosive growth of the '90s. With more than 6,000 people rushing to the valley each month, Las Vegas responded to the influx with enthusiasm and a can-do attitude, all the while coping with enormous economic, social and political challenges.

The '90s saw themed mega-resorts rise on the Strip, enticing tourists with a variety of new attractions and amenities beyond the casino floor. Resort giants such as the Mirage, Luxor and MGM Grand, to name just a few, took the place of the casino icons of the '50s and '60s. Schumacher traces the history of the Strip from the early '40s to the present, debunking myths and highlighting key players and trends along the way.

Schumacher also profiles the visionaries behind Las Vegas' best-known communities, from billionaire recluse Howard Hughes, who secured the land that became Summerlin, to maverick newspaper publisher Hank Greenspun, the man behind Green Valley. He explores the origins of Henderson and North Las Vegas, which have shared Las Vegas' breakneck growth. He details the decline of downtown Las Vegas and efforts to redevelop the city center.

Throughout, he provides his own insights about Las Vegas' recent history in an effort to put it all in proper perspective. He even gets out his crystal ball to deliver an array of educated guesses about how Las Vegas will grow and what it will look like five, ten and twenty years from now.

Sun, Sin & Suburbia is required reading for newcomers who want to learn about their new home, and it's an essential addition to any old-timer's library of books about Las Vegas.


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