Listen to Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas: How Jay Sarno Won a Casino Empire, Lost It, and Inspired Modern Las Vegas by David G. Schwartz
Enjoy this audiobook with MP3 Audiobook Player - the ultimate iOS audiobook experience
Jay Sarno built two path-breaking Las Vegas casinos, Caesars Palace (1966) and Circus Circus (1968), and planned but did not build a third, the Grandissimo, which would have started the mega-resort era a decade before Steve Wynn built The Mirage. As mobsters and accountants battled for the soul of the last American frontier town, Las Vegas had endless possibilities-if you didn't mind high stakes and stiff odds. Sarno invented the modern Las Vegas casino, but he was part of a dying breed-a back-pocket entrepreneur who'd parlayed a jones for action and a few Teamster loans into a life as a Vegas casino owner.For all of his accomplishments, his empire didn't last. Sarno sold out of Caesars Palace shortly after it opened-partially to get away from the bookies and gangsters who'd taken over the casino-and he was forced to relinquish control of Circus Circus when the federal government indicted him on charges of offering the largest bribe in IRS history-a bribe he freely admitted paying, on the advice of his attorney, Oscar Goodman. Though he ultimately walked out of court a free man, he never got Circus back. And though he guessed the formula that would open up Las Vegas to millions in the 1990s with the design of the Grandissimo, but he wasn't able to secure the financing for the casino, and when he died in 1984, it remained only a frustrating dream.Sarno's casinos--and his ideas about how to build casinos--created the template for Las Vegas today. Before him, Las Vegas meant dealers in string ties and bland, functional architecture. He taught the city how to dress up its hotels in fantasy, putting toga dresses on cocktail waitresses and making sure that even the stationery carried through with the theme. He saw Las Vegas as a place where ordinary people could leave their ordinary lives and have extraordinary adventures. And that remains the template for Las Vegas today.Grandissimo is the story of how Jay Sarno won and lost his casino empire, inventing modern Las Vegas along the way.In Grandissimo, you'll learn Jay's fascinating story, and also plenty of things you never knew about Las Vegas, including: - the true story about how Jimmy Hoffa's Teamsters Union first started funding Sarno projects-how Steve Wynn ended up answering the telephone in Hoffa's suite on the second day Caesars Palace was open- how Sarno, represented by Oscar Goodman, beat a seemingly-airtight case against him when he was accused of offering the largest bribe in IRS history to an undercover agent- how Sarno's unbuilt Grandissimo became the template for the 1990s "mega-resort" era in Las VegasFrom start to finish, it's the story of the man who inspired modern Las Vegas.
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. 🎉 Unveiling the joy of reading once again – this app is my gateway to literary wonders! 📚🔓 🏃♀️📚 Running with purpose – audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. 🏃♀️🎧 What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy.
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions.
Plays MP3, MP4, OPUS, OGG, FLAC, AWB, M4B, M4A, WMA, AAC formats
Optimized for iPhone, iPad, and iPod with seamless integration
Adjust playback speed from 0.5x to 3.0x for your listening preference
Import audiobooks via iTunes, cloud services, or direct downloads
Get your favorite audiobooks in supported formats from various sources
Import audiobooks to MP3 Audiobook Player using multiple methods
Control playback from your device, headphones, Apple Watch, or CarPlay
Join thousands of users who enjoy audiobooks with MP3 Audiobook Player daily
Download Now