Our award-winning collection of biographies of the 100 most influential Las Vegans. Meet the explorers, builders, outlaws, gamblers, and 14-karat characters who transformed Las Vegas from a desert waterhole into the extraordinary city it is today. The First 100 brings to life the incredible men and women who ushered Las Vegas to the forefront of popular culture. From Mob boss Bugsy Siegel to millionaire eccentric Howard Hughes, Rat Pack crooner Frank Sinatra to flamboyant showman Liberace, powerful basketball icon Jerry Tarkanian to banking king (and casino kingmaker) E. Parry Thomas. The First 100 holds particular value for students of gambling history, as several of those profiled are from the gambling world. The story of Bob Martin, considered the dean of all bookmakers, provides a fascinating look at how Las Vegas' massive sports betting industry began. Anyone who's ever visited the Gambler's Book Club will love reading about its founder, John Luckman. There's the story of Tony Cornero, who died, fittingly, at one of the Desert Inn craps tables that he frequented while struggling to build the Stardust. Others with gambling ties include Moe Dalitz, Benny Binion, Kirk Kerkorian, Bill Bennett, Bob Stupak, and Steve Wynn. The First 100 profiles are punctuated by hundreds of black-and-white photographs, many never-before published.