WINNER OF FOURTEEN AWARDS including BOOK OF THE YEAR!
The unreal but TRUE story of the unknown casino that changed Las Vegas forever! WARNING! Contains Nudity, Prostitution, Vintage Vegas, Celebrities, and (some) Mobsters!
After a horrific blaze destroyed Willie Martello's El Rey Club in 1962, fifty years would pass before anyone knew of how that casino and one-time brothel influenced LAS VEGAS casinos, upset the mob, and inadvertently launched the career of Francis Ford Coppola.
Were it not for the chance discovery of a single photo in a Las Vegas museum, the El Rey Club would only be known as the seedy brothel where Senator Harry Reid learned to swim. Martello's accomplishments should place him among magnates like Howard Hughes or Steve Wynn, yet very few know his name.
Featuring over 140 rare or unseen photos, these vibrant stories are now brought to light!
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"Who else could tell the story of Willie Martello? The rare photos alone are worth the price of admission. My only regret is that I didn't write this book."
-Robert Graysmith, New York Times Bestselling Author of Zodiac, Auto-Focus, and Black Fire
"Quick, funny, and extremely intelligent!"
-Mark L. Walberg, Host, Antiques Roadshow (PBS)
"A literal time machine...a read that not only unleashes the imagination, but authenticates the splendor of Las Vegas' golden years."
-Todd Newton, Emmy-winning game show host, author, and Las Vegas performer
"Andy Martello has written a fascinating biography of Willie Martello. It is a long-awaited addition to my Nevada history shelf."
-Mark Hall-Patton, Clark County Museum System Administrator, Pawn Stars, American Restoration (The History Channel)
"LONG LIVE WILLIE MARTELLO!"
-Richard B Taylor, Author, historian, Las Vegas casino owner
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BOOK OF THE YEAR!, Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club, Inc
WINNER! 2014 International Book, 2014 USA Best Book Awards, Florida Book Festival, Great Southwest Book Festival
WINNER! Silver Medals, 2014 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards, 2014 American Advertising Awards for book design (The ADDYs)
FINALIST! Best New Non-Fiction, USA Best Book Awards, 2014 Red City Review Book Awards
RUNNER-UP! 2014 Hollywood and Beach Book Festivals
HONORABLE MENTION!, Great Midwest and Southern California Book Festivals