What Really Happens in Vegas: True Stories of the People Who Make Vegas, Vegas

by James Patterson, Mark Seal

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What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas—until now. James Patterson shows the real Vegas in a dazzling journey through “lively tales of those who labor and dream in Sin City" (Kirkus).

  • Las Vegas is on Luxury Standard Time: every clock in the airport is a Rolex.
  • No dream is too big, no wish is too small—the VIP hosts in Vegas fulfill guests’ every (legal) desire.
  • Jackpots hit when least expected. The Nevada Gaming Control Board has days to find a man who unknowingly won over $200,000 at
  • show more the slots.
  • “I love love”: the inventor of the Elvis impersonator wedding and the drive-thru wedding has performed hundreds of marriages—and believes in them all.
  • Glamorous yogis take a helicopter across the desert to the Valley of Fire, where they perform sun salutations to the glory of Las Vegas.
  • A gambling VIP “whale” loses $1 million at the casinos, yet still leaves saying, "Had a great time. I'll be back."
  • ?
    In What Really Happens in Vegas, full of surprises for both newcomers and Las Vegas regulars, James Patterson and Vanity Fair contributing editor Mark Seal transport readers from the thrill of adrenaline-fueled vice to the glitter of A-list celebrity and entertainment.
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    3 reviews
    The typical entertaining type of book that Patterson delivers. This is a numerous series of profiles and stories about the weirdness and wonders that is Las Vegas.

    I lived for a short time in the city so experienced some of the craziness first hand. Vegas will certainly make its impression on you one way or the other.

    The amazing stories shine a light on how things operate behind the surface show of glitz and glitter. One of those types of books to just sit back and enjoy.

    Vegas will always be the escape destination where most rules and regulations don't always apply. Except of course for the odds of the games in the favor of those who operate them. Money rules this otherworld, and some are lucky to walk away with a piece usually by show more pulling that handle in the right place at the right time. But be aware, these amazing sights and experiences are there thanks to your fair share contribution! show less
    Quick, fascinating book with many stories about a side of Las Vegas many of us don't see. I liked the short stories, the little moments the stories told us about.

    But I couldn't help but think about the Vegas I knew. I remember the gold ashtrays still in the bathrooms as the Wynn casino. The story about the Bellagio fountain got me thinking instantly about how all the trees along the strip were recently removed for the racing show. It was hard to tie the lucky driver who drove around the famous with the Vegas I know - but I did like learning about the other side.

    A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
    Very interesting history of Las Vegas.

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    Author Information

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    899+ Works 463,878 Members
    James Patterson was born in Newburgh, New York, on March 22, 1947. He graduated from Manhattan College in 1969 and received a M. A. from Vanderbilt University in 1970. His first novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, was written while he was working in a mental institution and was rejected by 26 publishers before being published and winning the Edgar show more Award for Best First Mystery. He is best known as the creator of Alex Cross, the police psychologist hero of such novels as Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls. Cross has been portrayed on the silver screen by Morgan Freeman. He has had eleven on his books made into movies and ranks as number 3 on the Hollywood Reporter's '25 Most Powerful Authors' 2016 list. He also writes the Women's Murder Club series, the Michael Bennett series, the Maximum Ride series, Daniel X series, the Witch and Wizard series, BookShots series, Private series, NYPD Red series, and the Middle School series for children. He has won numerous awards including the BCA Mystery Guild's Thriller of the Year, the International Thriller of the Year award, and the Reader's Digest Reader's Choice Award. James Patterson introduced the Bookshots Series in 2016 which is advertised as All Thriller No Filler. The first book in the series, Cross Kill, made the New York Times Bestseller list in June 2016. The third and fourth books, The Trial, and Little Black Dress, made the New York Times Bestseller list in July 2016. The next books in the series include, $10,000,000 Marriage Proposal, French Kiss, Hidden: A Mitchum Story (co-authored with James O. Born). and The House Husband (co-authored Duane Swierczynski). Patterson's novel, co-authored with Maxine Paetro, Woman of God, became a New York Times bestseller in 2016. Patterson co-authored with John Connoly and Tim Malloy the true crime expose Filthy Rich about billionaire convicted sex offender Jeffrey Eppstein. In January 2017, he co-authored with Ashwin Sanghi the bestseller Private Delhi. And in August 2017, he co-authored with Richard Dilallo, The Store. The Black Book is a stand-alone thriller, co-authored by James Patterson and David Ellis. In April 2018, he co-authored Texas Ranger with Andrew Bourelle. In May 2018, he co-authored Private Princess with Rees Jones. In August 2018 he co-authored Fifty Fifty with Candice Fox. (Bowker Author Biography) James Patterson is the author of seven major national bestsellers in a row. These include "Along Came a Spider", "Kiss the Girls", "Jack & Jill", "Cat & Mouse", "When the Wind Blows", "Pop Goes the Weasel", &, in paperback, "The Midnight Club". A past winner of the prestigious Edgar Award, Patterson lives in Florida. (Publisher Provided) show less
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    Classifications

    Genres
    Nonfiction, Travel, History, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction
    DDC/MDS
    979.3History & geographyHistory of North AmericaGreat Basin and Pacific Slope region of United StatesNevada
    LCC
    F849 .L35 .P38Local History of the United States, Canada and Latin AmericaUnited States local historyNevada
    BISAC

    Statistics

    Members
    79
    Popularity
    402,455
    Reviews
    3
    Rating
    ½ (3.63)
    Languages
    English
    Media
    Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
    ISBNs
    15
    ASINs
    2