Our recommendations on the best travel books for Las Vegas

Every now and then when your life gets complicated and the weasels start closing in, the only cure is to load up on heinous chemicals and then drive like a bastard from Hollywood to Las Vegas ... with the music at top volume and at least a pint of ether.
— Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Our Travel Book Recommendations - Las Vegas

Our Travel Book Recommendations - Las Vegas

The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas

While Las Vegas is famous for its glittering casinos and extravagant shows, the city offers a wealth of entertainment options beyond the well-trodden tourist path. For those seeking to uncover the full spectrum of experiences, The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas stands out as an invaluable resource. This comprehensive travel guide brims with insider knowledge, helping visitors maximize their stay in the Entertainment Capital of the World. Its unbiased, detailed advice simplifies the process of selecting top-notch accommodations, dining venues, and attractions, catering to various preferences and budgets. Moreover, the guide offers fascinating insights into the history and evolution of gambling, adding depth to one's understanding of this iconic destination.


Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, by Hunter S. Thompson

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson is one of the classics in travel writing, known as the quintessential example of “gonzo journalism” and the counter-culture of the 1960s.  The fictional novel loosely describes a drug-fueled trip he and a friend took to Las Vegas in the early 1970s.  It is a wild book written in a free-flowing and highly-charged style, driven by Thompson’s raw and emotional narration.  It isn’t necessarily a book that one needs to read before visiting Las Vegas, but this journey probably couldn’t have taken place anywhere else.  Click here to see our full book review.


History of Las Vegas

Sin City: An Unauthorized History of Las Vegas unveils the riveting saga of a desert oasis that defied all odds. From its humble beginnings as a railroad pit stop to its meteoric rise as a global entertainment mecca, Las Vegas's story is one of relentless reinvention. The book delves into the city's tumultuous past, exploring how it weathered the Great Depression, became a hotbed for organized crime, and ultimately transformed into a family-friendly destination. With vivid accounts of local legends, notorious gangsters, and visionary tycoons, this gripping narrative captures the essence of a city where fortunes are made and lost in the blink of an eye, and where the only constant is change.