Cult Vegas: The Weirdest! the Wildest! the Swingin'est Town on Earth!

What a swelligant book! The detail and the insight from Weatherford are well worth the price. Any hipster who understands how much Frank Sinatra and Las Vegas mirror what American society really pines for should read it well, know it well and take note to preserve and protect all that is Cult Vegas. My only complaint is that I'd like to see a Volume II. Las Vegas is a misunderstood town, but not in Weatherford's hands as an author who plies his trade well. Las Vegas matters to America and Weatherford explains why.

I have just finished reading Mr Weatherford's book and am profoundly impressed with the style, content, and flow of his book. Having lived in Las Vegas in the early 1990's, I had a special interest in reading about the early days of the Rat Pack and many other entertainers and future stars who got their starts in Las Vegas. "Cult Vegas"is incredibly well-researched and is an easy and very fun read for anyone interested in Las Vegas!

This book is outstanding! I've been waiting more than a year for it to be printed and believe me, it was well worth the wait. I haven't heard comedian Pete Barbutti's name since the old Mike Douglas Show. Now, not only does Mike Weatherford mention him, he actually interviews the guy! It was great. The chapters featuring Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima with the other lounge acts, Ocean's Eleven, and Elvis are stand-outs. Also, Don Rickles is a scream!Many books on the history of Vegas dwell too much on the hoodlum and gangster stuff. Weatherford bypasses this and fills his pages with fresh and entertaining information. Where else could you find behind the scenes anecdotes on the Night Stalker? Mike's personal stories also make this book fun.

The book may not be big, but it is packed with information. You can tell the author really did his homework. The sidebars of trivia are great, and the author's story about his experience in Vegas films ("Casino" and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas") add yet another personal touch.I'm waiting for the casino operators to get the hint and build a casino with the theme of Old Vegas. Weatherford's book would make a great blueprint.

You'll read how a city evolved into a phenomena, what was lost, and why. You'll hear the real stories behind the gossip, the personalities behind the public personas, and, best of all, you'll meet the intriguing cast of characters who were there when the spotlight dimmed.There is an underlying tone of regret in Cult Vegas, a sense that some of the best of a city has been lost forever. For those of us who remember the excitement of the 50's and the 60's, the question is an affirmation of our memories of the dinner showrooms and the performers who played the venue.But this book is not a lament. It's a blast! Mike Weatherford's style is as fast-paced and dynamic as the culture he chronicles. The fact that he is a long-addicted student of the Las Vegas Strip entertainment scene and a reporter who has recorded events for a decade gives this author a solid overview of how and why a desert oasis grew into a mega entertainment center.Don't miss this one. You'll find history in Cult Vegas, none of it boring. Great photos. Fascinating sidebars. If you are a Sinatra fan, a trivia guru, or just love good writing, this is one book packed with page after page of good reading!