Explore these Titles: Books Delving into the Criminal Subculture of Las Vegas
Unveiling the Criminal Underworld of Las Vegas Through Literature
Las Vegas, a city known for its glitz and glamour, has a darker side that has been vividly portrayed in numerous novels and narrative non-fiction works. Here, we delve into some of the best books that offer a gripping exploration of the criminal underworld in Sin City.
One such book is "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" by Hunter S. Thompson, published in 1971. While primarily a gonzo journalism novel focusing on drug culture and the failure of the 1960s American Dream, it vividly captures the chaotic, lurid atmosphere of Las Vegas, touching indirectly on its dark side.
Another notable work is the two-volume true crime series "When the Mob Ran Vegas", which delves into the actual history of organized crime controlling Las Vegas casinos, reviving stories of mob influence that shaped the city's underworld.
The real-life story of Allen Glick, a casino tycoon with deep ties to organized crime, inspired the movie Casino. His involvement with the Stardust and Fremont casinos and connections to the mob provide a rich backdrop often explored in literature and film about Vegas's criminal world.
Among the fictional works, "Take Down" by James Swain stands out. This crime novel is the first to feature the character Billy Cunningham, a master of scams who operates in the casinos of Las Vegas. In "Take Down", Billy Cunningham must stop a group of thieves from hitting a casino while also hatching a plan to ensure he and his team can get away safely once the job is done.
"Take Down" is not the only book to feature Billy Cunningham. In this series, Cunningham finds himself caught up in the Las Vegas underworld, seeking the biggest score of his life while keeping a dangerous drugs dealer, a ruthless casino owner, and a fiendish gaming agent on his side.
Another intriguing character is Sal Cupertino, who becomes Rabbi David Cohen after undergoing face surgery and moving from Chicago to Las Vegas in "Gangsterland". The first of a quartet written by Tod Goldberg, "Gangsterland" follows Rabbi Cohen as an FBI agent pursues him for the murder of three undercover agents in Chicago.
In "Cold Desert Sky", reporter Charlie Yates becomes obsessed with the disappearance of two girls, Nancy Hill and Julie Desjardins. This novel, written by Rod Reynolds, takes place in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas and paints a vivid picture of Las Vegas in the 1940s, making it a must-read for fans of Las Vegas crime stories. The investigation into the girls' disappearance leads to Mob boss Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel.
These novels offer a captivating glimpse into the criminal underworld of Las Vegas, each providing a unique perspective on the city's darker side. Whether it's the stylized narrative of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", the authentic historical accounts in "When the Mob Ran Vegas", or the gripping stories of characters like Billy Cunningham and Rabbi David Cohen, there's a book for every reader interested in the criminal underworld of Sin City.
An e-reader filled with books like "Take Down" by James Swain and "Gangsterland" by Tod Goldberg could provide endless entertainment, giving insights into the fictional and real-life characters of the Las Vegas criminal underworld. Moreover, novels such as "Cold Desert Sky" by Rod Reynolds offer a captivating exploration of the city's darker side in the 1940s, weaving tales of Mob bosses and missing girls.
