"Quiet Kingmaker of Las Vegas" pulls back the curtain on how Parry Thomas helped build modern Las Vegas. From his arrival in 1954, E. Parry Thomas believed in Las Vegas. While others scoffed at the desert gambling outpost, he envisioned the resort metropolis it would become. But it probably would not have happened without him. Taking charge of a tiny bank, Thomas built the institution by doing something his competitors would not: he loaned money to casino operators. Thomas' willingness to finance the boys with shady pasts ...
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"Quiet Kingmaker of Las Vegas" pulls back the curtain on how Parry Thomas helped build modern Las Vegas. From his arrival in 1954, E. Parry Thomas believed in Las Vegas. While others scoffed at the desert gambling outpost, he envisioned the resort metropolis it would become. But it probably would not have happened without him. Taking charge of a tiny bank, Thomas built the institution by doing something his competitors would not: he loaned money to casino operators. Thomas' willingness to finance the boys with shady pasts helped transform Las Vegas into an international tourist mecca.Thomas, who for decades operated largely out of the spotlight, reveals how he and other Las Vegas pioneers made it all happen. Thomas describes the deals he made to build and expand Strip hotels such as the Sahara, Stardust, Sands and Riviera. He also provides fresh insights into the Howard Hughes years, as he played a key role in the reclusive billionaire's casino and real estate buying spree.
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Seller's Description:
Near Fine in Very Good jacket. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" Signed by Author (USA) Presumed first edition. SIGNED BY AUTHOR, first in felt marker to the end paper, then on the title page in blue pen, no other markings but there is some pathces of discoloration where the gold end paper has reacted with a newspaper clipping (? ) laid into the book, otherwise N|ear Fine in Very Good dust jacket with rubbing along top edge of dust jacket. Dj is in mylar sleeve. AS a bonus, there is ahnadwritten note from a freind of the Thomas, addressed to "Peggy & Parry" alid into the book. Black boards, 346pp, B&W and colour photos. This book gives an account of how Thomas helped build modern Las Vegas, as told by Thomas and a Who's whos of Las Vegas movers and bankers. (2.4 JM LVR 202/b4.
Itf you like to know the people behind the story, you won't want to miss this. This book distills all of it. Full of first-hand and verbatim interviews, it reads almost like an oral history project. Fascinating.
