Exploring the complexities of Las Vegas, this collection of essays by Hal Rothman presents a vibrant commentary on the New West's follies and potentials. Rothman's confident and passionate writing style offers a blend of insightful analysis and engaging narrative, making his work both informative and entertaining. Recognized as a significant voice on the region, he invites readers to delve into the unique cultural and historical aspects of Las Vegas with both depth and wit.
Las Vegas glitters brightly in the vast Nevada desert, a haven for refugees from the ordinary America. This account of America's new dream capital shows how Las Vegas gambled on the post-industrial service economy, well before the rest of the country knew it was coming, and won. schovat popis
Exploring the environmental and human history of Death Valley National Park, this comprehensive study delves into its unique geography and geology. It highlights the Timbisha, the original inhabitants of this harsh desert, and examines the impact of newcomers in the 19th and early 20th centuries who sought to exploit mineral resources and establish agricultural and resort communities. The narrative weaves together the park's past and present, offering insights into its astonishing landscape and the various forces that have shaped it.
“By centering imaginatively around the ranch and its environs in that unique American region of the Hill Country of Texas, Rothman offers a useful approach to understanding the always fascinating Lyndon Johnson.”—Journal of American History “Rothman does a good job of proving the importance of ‘the home place’ in the America of the 1960s. . . . Johnson wanted a place where he could be biggest and always right, and the ranch was–and during his five-year presidency became even more so–that place.”—Wichita Falls Times Record News “Mr. Rothman does a nice job of explaining the politics of place, as well as describing the appeal of life on the LBJ Ranch.”—The Dallas Morning News