A 2020 New York Times notable book | One of the Chicago Tribune's best nonfiction books of 2020"Complex, turbulent, as haunting as a pedal steel solo" ―Jonathan Miles, The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice)"One of 21 books we can't wait to read in 2020" ―Thrillist | A New York Times Book Review summer reading pick | A GQ best book of 2020 | Named one of the 10 best July books by The Washington Post and The Christian Science Monitor | A Kirkus Reviews hottest summer read | A Publishers Weekly summer reads staff pickThe incredible true story of America's original―and forgotten―capital of viceBack in the days before Vegas was big, when the Mob was at its peak and neon lights were but a glimmer on the horizon, a little Southern town styled itself as a premier destination for the American leisure class. Hot Springs, Arkansas was home to healing waters, Art Deco splendor, and America’s original national park―as well as horse racing, nearly a dozen illegal casinos, countless backrooms and brothels, and some of the country’s most bald-faced criminals.Gangsters, gamblers, and gamines: all once flocked to America’s forgotten capital of vice, a place where small-town hustlers and bigtime high-rollers could make their fortunes, and hide from the law. The Vapors is the extraordinary story of three individuals―spanning the golden decades of Hot Springs, from the 1930s through the 1960s―and the lavish casino whose spectacular rise and fall would bring them together before blowing them apart.Hazel Hill was still a young girl when legendary mobster Owney Madden rolled into town in his convertible, fresh off a crime spree in New York. He quickly established himself as the gentleman Godfather of Hot Springs, cutting barroom deals and buying stakes in the clubs at which Hazel made her living―and drank away her sorrows. Owney’s protégé was Dane Harris, the son of a Cherokee bootlegger who rose through the town’s ranks to become Boss Gambler. It was his idea to build The Vapors, a pleasure palace more spectacular than any the town had ever seen, and an establishment to rival anything on the Vegas Strip or Broadway in sophistication and supercharged glamour.In this riveting work of forgotten history, native Arkansan David Hill plots the trajectory of everything from organized crime to America’s fraught racial past, examining how a town synonymous with white gangsters supported a burgeoning black middle class. He reveals how the louche underbelly of the South was also home to veterans hospitals and baseball’s spring training grounds, giving rise to everyone from Babe Ruth to President Bill Clinton. Infused with the sights and sounds of America’s entertainment heyday―jazz orchestras and auctioneers, slot machines and suited comedians―The Vapors is an arresting glimpse into a bygone era of American vice.
✔ Author(s): David Hill
✔ Title: The Vapors: A Southern Family, the New York Mob, and the Rise and Fall of Hot Springs, America's Forgotten Capital of Vice
✔ Rating : 4.5 out of 5 base on (928 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 1250782740
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about The Vapors by David Hill
Aubrie Todd
Get lost in a fantastical realm where magic and adventure await at every turn. The author's imaginative world-building and captivating narrative draw you in from the start. Engaging characters and thrilling quests make for an exciting read. The plot twists and turns keep you hooked until the very end. It's a book that sparks the imagination and takes you on a wild ride. Perfect for fans of fantasy.
Molly Adams
Discover the poignant story of a family navigating life's ups and downs in this moving novel. The author's empathetic writing and well-drawn characters create a deeply emotional experience. Each chapter explores themes of love, loss, and resilience with sensitivity. The plot's twists and turns keep you engaged throughout. It's a heartwarming and thought-provoking read. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories about family dynamics.
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Discover the magic of first love and self-discovery in this enchanting coming-of-age story. The author's lyrical prose and relatable characters create a heartwarming narrative. Each chapter explores the joys and challenges of growing up with sensitivity and insight. The emotional journey is both poignant and uplifting. It's a story that resonates with readers of all ages. Ideal for fans of young adult fiction.
