Danielle Gomes and Jay Bonansinga. Hit Me: Fighting the Las Vegas Mob by the Numbers. Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot Press, 2013. 301 pages. One of the most-asked questions for people who study Las Vegas history is “How did the mob get kicked out of the casino industry?” This book tells you a major part of […]
Book Review: Hit Me Read More »
book reviewsThere is now another place to get Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling (Casino Edition).
The Gamblers Book Club, probably the biggest seller of books about gambling in the world, is now stocking signed copies of the book.
You can buy them in person at the store (5473 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119) or purchase them online.
Each copy that is for sale through the Gamblers Book Club is signed by me, so if you’ve wanted a signed copy, this could be your chance to get one.
New Bookseller Partner Read More »
Roll the BonesAfter an enthusiastic standing room only launch event, what more can an author ask for?
I don’t know about other authors, but I asked for another chance to read and sign books in Downtown Las Vegas. And I’ve gotten it. In December, I’m going to be spending some time at the Mob Museum:
Author’s Talk to feature nationally known, local gaming expert David G. Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, will talk about his newest book Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas, a biography of Jay Sarno, who built Caesars Palace and Circus Circus and helped inspire modern Las Vegas, at the Museum’s next Author’s Talk and book signing set for December 13-14.
So when is all this happening? On Friday, I’ll be hanging out in the retail store, chatting with folks and signing books. What better way to celebrate Friday the 13th? I’ll be there from noon to 4.
On Saturday, December 14, I’ll be giving a talk and reading at 1 PM in the courtroom, and will be signing books afterwards. The talk is free for museum members (RSVP here) and included in the price of admission for non-members (ticket info here), so come on down if you are in Las Vegas that afternoon.
I am very excited about this opportunity. I know that you can see me in the Mob Museum anytime thanks to the video displays (and slot machines) that I’m featured on. But this will be a chance to actually talk to me about Las Vegas, history, the Mob, or whatever else comes up. For me, the chance to give a talk in the historic courtroom—well, I’ll have goosebumps, that’s for sure.
Did I tell you how excited I am about this?
Please show your support for a local, independent author and come to the talk. At the launch, two of Sarno’s children and a former employee showed up to endorse the book and share their stories. Who will be there at this talk? I can’t even imagine, but I promise to give you a glimpse into the life of one of the true visionaries of Las Vegas.
For more information, visit the Mob Museum‘s site.
Big Announcement: December Reading at the Mob Museum Read More »
eventsI am thrilled to announce that there is now yet another place you can buy Grandissimo. The Gamblers Book Club, probably the biggest seller of books about gambling in the world, is now stocking signed copies of the book.
You can buy them in person at the store (5473 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119) or purchase them online.
Each copy that is for sale through the Gamblers Book Club is signed by me, so if you’ve wanted a signed copy, this could be your chance to get one.
So far, I’m told response to the book has been quite positive, so get your copy before they run out. Of course, when they do, I’ll come by and sign a few more copies, but you don’t want to have to wait.
Thanks to Avery and everyone at the GBC for making this happen.
New Bookseller Partner for Grandissimo Read More »
authorYesterday, as part of the Vegas Internet Mafia Family Picnic, I had the global launch event for Grandissimo at The D Las Vegas.
After sharing some artisanal nut butter (a carefully-curated tasting flight of cashew, almond, and walnut), I got up and spoke to the filled-to-capacity D Showroom crowd. I talked a little about the genesis of the book and the process of publishing it. It’s the kind of thing I could talk about for an hour and still have more to say, but I kept it to about five minutes. I then read two excerpts from the book and took questions before stepping off stage and heading to my booth to sign books.
It was great signing books and giving out Walls 360 repositionable wall art (I had Grandissimo and Roll the Bones stickers and mini-posters).
The best part of the event for me was when two people close to Jay got up to say a few words. Don Kelley of the Swinging Lads, who played for Sarno in the Cabana days, talked a little about his former boss. Then Freddie Sarno, Jay’s son, shared some very kind words about the family’s appreciation for my writing the book.
So the book is officially out now—you can pick up a copy just about anywhere online, and I’ve got a few more events scheduled. If you couldn’t make this one, I’d love to see you at one of them.
A full spread—most of these are in the hands of readers now.
Me with Jay’s daughter Heidi, her husband (next to her), his son Freddie, and his girlfriend.
Thank You for a Great Launch! Read More »
eventsThe day is almost here! Tomorrow, as part of the Vegas Internet Mafia Family Picnic‘s Main Event, we will be having the official launch event for Grandissimo at The D in Downtown Las Vegas.
The main event itself, which is in The D Showroom, kicks off at 2. I’ll be launching the book right around 4.
What should you expect? I’ll talk a little about the book, read an excerpt or two, and answer questions. After a celebratory toast, we’ll consider the book launched.
I’ll have copies available for purchase (and, of course, signing), and will have Roll the Bones there as well. I have postcards, bookmarks, posters, and stickers to give away, so you won’t leave empty-handed.
If you are in Las Vegas, I’d love to see you there. Once again, it’s in the showroom at The D casino on Fremont Street at 4 pm.
Grandissimo Launches Tomorrow Read More »
eventsThis is the audio of the interview I did last week with Lorrin Bond on 97.1 The Point, KXPT. It’s a quick (seven minute) introduction to Grandissimo.
This is the audio of the interview I did last week with Lorrin… Read More »
authorIn this week’s Green Felt Journal, I consider the real significance of this year’s Global Gaming Expo: The casino industry isn’t known for being introspective; the focus is usually strictly on the bottom line and the here and now. But the annual Global Gaming Expo, held late last month at the Sands Expo Center, is
Forward to the Future at G2E | Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas SevenThat’s right, this week’s Vegas Seven magazine is the official Grandissimo launch issue. The book even made the cover:
There are three book-related stories in the magazine this week:
I am thrilled to have this chance to introduce the book to people. And that cover is just beautiful. Thank you to my editor Greg Blake Miller and everyone at Seven who made this happen.
Grandissimo on the cover of Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas SevenThe book now has a new paperback vendor: Barnes and Noble.
It is also available from Amazon and CreateSpace.
The ebook version is currently available from Kindle, Nook, and Kobo. The iBook is on the way—it was submitted and validated last week, but has yet to land in the iTunes store.
Grandissimo is available in more places! Read More »
authorWe are a mere nine days away from the Grandissimo global launch event at The D Casino Hotel in Downtown Las Vegas.
The event is part of the Vegas Internet Mafia Family Picnic’s Main Event. As you can see from that link, it is quite a lineup.
The Grandisismo launch will be happening sometime shortly after 4 pm on Saturday, October 19. I will talk about the book, thank a few folks who deserve all our love, read a bit, and take questions.
There will be giveaways: postcards, bookmarks, stickers, and even some limited edition Walls360 repositionable wall art.
So come on down. I’ll be part of the Vegas Gang, which starts at precisely 1:57 that afternoon, and will be thoroughly enjoying the Five Hundy segment which follows. I’d love for you to share this day with me and a few dozen like-minded Vegas lovers.
Thanks to Hunter, Chuck, Tim, & Michele for putting this together, as well as our host, Derek Stevens. This will be a blast.
The Launch at VIMFP: Details Read More »
eventsGrandissimo is available as an ebook!
The Kindle book has been available since Friday, and the Nook version went on sale today. If you want to buy the book for either platform, you can do it right now.
It’s a bit more complicated for the other two platforms I’ve created ebooks for.
Kobo is telling me that the book has been published, but there isn’t a page for the book in the Kobo store as of right now, so when you search for the book you get this. I’m hoping that the book page appears soon. When it does, I will, and you must believe this, let you know.
EDIT LATER THAT NIGHT: The Kobo version is now available! Go here to see for yourself.
The iBook version has been submitted. It validated on my first submission attempt, which was one little victory for me. I don’t know when it will show up in the store—it could be tomorrow, or it could be late next week. But I will certainly let you know when it does.
Thanks to everyone who has bought the book—sales on both Amazon and Kindle have been respectable. If you like the book, I would be grateful if you could leave a review and let others know what to expect from it.
The Grandissimo ebook(s), take 1 Read More »
authorI’ve got to give the folks at Amazon a lot of credit. According to CreateSpace, once you publish your book it will appear on Amazon in 5-7 working days. They were an order of magnitude off—it took less than 5 hours!
So you can now buy Grandissimo on Amazon:
Paperback – October 3, 2013
by David G. Schwartz (Author)
Thanks to everyone who has gotten me here, and thanks to everyone who clicks that link and takes a chance on my book.
Grandissimo on Amazon Read More »
authorAfter years of work and lots of help along the way, Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas, the first full-length biography of casino builder Jay Sarno, is available for purchase!
As of right now (2am October 3, 2013), you can buy the book on CreateSpace. If past experience is any guide, the book will be available on Amazon by the weekend and other online sales outlets after that. Within a few weeks, you will be able to order the book from any brick-and-mortar or online retailer.
Ebooks are coming as well. I have a few minor production issues to resolve there, and as soon as I do, I will be rolling it out on Kindle, Nook, iBook, and Kobo.
I will post updates as the book progresses through its various sales channels.
Grandissimo is published! Read More »
authorOctober 19, the day of the official launch for Grandissimo, is shaping up to be huge. The launch will be part of the Vegas Internet Mafia Family Picnic event at The D hotel & casino on Fremont Street.
How big a deal is the launch? Well, I’ve got a proclamation from Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman that says it’s worthy of recognition:
The text reads:
I, Carolyn G. Goodman, Mayor of the City of Las Vegas, do hereby proclaim October 19, 2013 as Jay Sarno—Grandissimo Day in the City of Las Vegas and ask all citizens to join me in recognizing all the contributions Jay Sarno made to the development of Las Vegas through the groundbreaking casinos he built, Caesars Palace and Circus Circus. Thirty years after his death, his influence on how casinos are built and run is still felt. Today we celebrate the launch for GRANDISSIMO: THE FIRST EMPEROR OF LAS VEGAS by David G. Schwartz, a full-length biography of Sarno that tells the incredible story of the Las Vegas pioneer.
Thanks for this go to the mayor’s office, which kindly issued the proclamation.
And if you needed another reason to join us in launching Grandissimo, the mayor thinks you should.
The official Grandissimo proclamation Read More »
authorAnother sign of Grandissimo’s impending publication: I have two ISBNs for the book.
What is an ISBN? Bowker, the kind folks who sell ISBNs, say that “ISBNs are used world-wide as a unique identifier for books. They are used to simplify distribution and purchase of books throughout the global supply chain.”
For the Grandissimo paperback, the ISBN is: 978-0-9900016-0-7
For all editions of the Grandissimo ebook, the ISBN is: 978-0-9900016-1-4
If you want to order the book from a retailer, you should be able to give them the paperback ISBN and, once the book has been populated in the Ingram catalog, they should be able to find and order it.
ISBNs for the book Read More »
authorYou got a glimpse of it in the photo of the print proof—here is the cover in all of its glory.
Brilliant work from cover designer Mr. Charles S. Monster—it matches the interior content in many ways, some of them quite subtle. You’ll notice liberal use of Sarno block, an architectural element from Caesars Palace that to me perfectly represents Sarno’s design aesthetic.
You got a glimpse of it in the photo of the print proof—here is the cover in all of its glory.
Brilliant work from cover designer Mr. Charles S. Monster—it matches the interior content in many ways, some of them quite subtle. You’ll notice liberal use of Sarno block, an architectural element from Caesars Palace that to me perfectly represents Sarno’s design aesthetic.
With the flood of interest in Grandissimo, I’ve added a few events to my calendar that I thought I’d share on my new Upcoming Events page. Go ahead and take a look!
I will have more info about the big October 19 launch event at VIMFP as it gets closer.
If you’d like me to speak at your event, please contact me.
Upcoming Events Page! Read More »
eventsGrandissimo got its first media notice on September 13, in John L. Smith’s column in the Las Vegas Review-Journal:
GRAND SARNO: After devouring a galley copy of David G. Schwartz’s new book on the wild life and times of casino man Jay Sarno, I can only say aficionados of Las Vegas history will love it when it becomes available in late October. It’s titled “Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas.”
John L. Smith was kind enough to write a few words about the book, which you can read on the Advance Praise page.
First media notice Read More »
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