The Last Honest Place In America

Following in the tradition of Hunter S. Thompson, award-winning journalist Marc Cooper describes his longstanding love affair with Las Vegas. Cooper's kaleidoscopic journey begins in October 2001 with the dynamiting of the Desert Inn--the moment when old Vegas "cool" died and the new corporate model claimed definitive victory. From there he takes us on a journey from the glitzy Strip to the frayed downtown, indulging in his lifelong love of blackjack, hanging out with Mormons, mobsters, MBAs, born-again virgins, strippers, lap dance union organizers, gambling addicts, priests, and Vegas's colorful and controversial mayor.