Grandissimo

Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas is a book about the life of Jay Sarno, who built Caesars Palace and Circus Circus and inspired modern Las Vegas. The book is now for sale in print, ebook, and audiobook editions.

[grandissimo]

Nice mention in the LVRJ

In John L. Smith's rundown of good Vegas history books, Grandissimo had a positive mention:

Las Vegas has been home to some great characters, and Circus Circus creator Jay Sarno was perhaps the most remarkable. UNLV’s David G. Schwartz tells his story in “Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas: How Jay Sarno Won a Casino Empire, Lost It, and Inspired Modern Las Vegas.” Sarno’s life and style were surely a challenge to describe, and Schwartz did an incredible job.

Books on Nevada’s colorful past, cast of characters make great gifts

I'm grateful to John for the kind words. It's always validating when your work is well received.

[grandissimo]

Grandissimo and the author at the Forum Shops

Here I am posing with the book at the Caesars store in the Forum Shops.

The store is directly off the casino exit to the Forum Shops. Walk out of the casino, turn right, and you can't miss it.

[grandissimo]

Buy Grandissimo at Caesars Palace

Jay Sarno revolutionized Las Vegas with Caesars Palace, so it's only fitting that Grandissimo is now on sale there. There is some symbolism in the fact that it went on sale yesterday, August 5, which was the 48th anniversary of Caesars' wild opening--a day that Grandissimo talks about in great detail.

Right now, you can get the book in two locations. The first is the Caesars store in the Forum Shops, just to the right as you exit the casino.

Here is a shot of a few books in their natural setting:

if you're strolling down the Appian Way, you can pick up a copy at Emperor's Essentials:

The book is just inside the front door.

I'd like to thank Sherell Bartley at Caesars Entertainment retail and the staff of both stores for making the book available.

[grandissimo]

Grandissimo Audiobook Now Available

For those waiting to buy Grandissimo as an audiobook, you don't have to wait any longer. Narrated by Eric Martin, the unabridged version of Grandissimo is now available as an 11.5 hour audiobook.

You can listen to a sample and buy it here:

Audible.com

Amazon.com

iTunes

I'd like to thank Eric for helping me realize my dream of offering Grandissimo as an audiobook, and to all of the friends and readers who have given me encouragement. I hope that you enjoy the audiobook.

[grandissimo]

Happy 48th Birthday, Caesars Palace

Forty-eight years ago today, Caesars Palace opened, and Las Vegas never was the same again. 

August 5, 1966, was the start of the three-day celebration that introduced the world to Jay Sarno's vision of Las Vegas. Though there were plenty of skeptics, the opening was a smash and the property never looked back.

Here's Jay Sarno, in a photo taken the night Caesars opened. 

And here's Nate Jacobson, Jay's partner and the president of Caesars Palace, with the guest of honor, Jimmy Hoffa.

If you'd like to learn more about that night (and the day that preceded it, here is an excerpt from Grandissimo detailing Jay's life on August 5, 1966.

And if you like that, you might want to read a copy of the whole book.

[grandissimo]

Grandissimo Audiobook is coming!

I've gotten many questions over the past few months about whether Grandissimo will be available as an audiobook. Earlier, I didn't have an answer. Now, I can definitively answer "yes."

I'm working with voiceover maven Eric Martin, You can read more about him (and hear him) on his website. Part of the reason that I agreed to work with Eric is the high quality of his work. He's done this many times before, and will deliver a high-quality audio version of my words. I think the readers (or, in this case, listeners) deserve nothing less.

I don't have a firm release date yet, but Eric has finished through chapter 8, so things look good for sometime late in August.

It's very gratifying to see the support and interest that the book has gotten thus far, and I'm grateful to Eric for his belief that this will make a compelling audiobook.

Stay posted for updates!

[grandissimo]

Watch the Local Authors Panel from Henderson Libraries

I was honored to take part in the first Local Authors Panel as part of the big collection launch at the Paseo Verde Library on March 8. The panel was a fun, hour-long conversation about writing and Las Vegas.

If you weren't part of the crowd, you can now see it in its entirety right here (sorry, I couldn't find an embed option).

It was a good time had by all, and I'm hoping to take part in more events in the future. 

[grandissimo]

Get signed books at Barnes and Noble in Henderson

If you missed your chance to get a signed copy of Grandissimo at one of the many events that I've been at lately, I have good news: there are several signed copies available for purchase at the Barnes and Noble on 567 N. Stephanie (info and directions). And here's a picture of me signing one of them:

  Thanks to everyone at the store who made this happen. I was very happy to hear that the book is selling well.

If you can't find Grandissimo at your favorite bookseller yet, please ask them to stock it. Thanks!

[grandissimo]

Reaction to Sarno Roundtable at Lied Library

The Sarno Roundtable event went off on Sunday at Lied Library. It was a tremendous experience, but don't take my word for it. Here's what KSNV has to say:

You can access that report here if the embedded video isn't happening: Biography profiles Caesars Palace developer Jay Sarno

The Las Vegas Sun also covered the event:

David Schwartz, director of UNLV’s Center for Gaming, moderated the panel through discussions of Sarno’s life in Las Vegas during the 1960s. The panel members talked about Sarno's court battles with the FBI, his legacy on the Strip and his eccentric lifestyle that made him a divisive figure in Las Vegas.

“There was nobody in Las Vegas who was neutral on the subject of Jay Sarno,” Schwartz said. “People loved him and people couldn’t stand him. There was no middle.”

Jay Sarno remembered for doing ‘something nobody had ever done before’

But you don't have to take their word for it--you can listen to the entire roundtable right here, since it's now a UNLV Gaming Podcast.

I'd like to thank everyone from Lied Library who helped plan and run the event, all of the panelists for showing up and being so candid, and everyone who attended. It was truly a great night, and a sign of just how important Jay Sarno was to the development of Las Vegas.

[grandissimo]

September Sarno talks Grandissimo on Ralston Reports

On Friday, Jay Sarno's daughter September was the guest on KSNV's Ralston Reports, in advance of the March 2 event at Lied Library:

It's a great glimpse into Sarno's life, and a chance to hear what one of his children thinks of the book.

[grandissimo]

Review on NETime Gambling

It's always encouraging to see positive reviews, so I was happy to see that New England gambling blog NETime Gambling gave Grandissimo a nice write-up: 

The book is a wonderful read.  Whether you are a fan of Vegas or gambling history , or even if you enjoy reading about larger-than-life characters, this book will be a tough one to put down once started.  The background of the self-made man who built Caesars is just the beginning of a roller-coaster ride through Jay Sarno’s life

Another Must-Read from Dr. David Schwartz

The reviewer does a good job of summarizing the book, so if you're on the fence about reading it and want an outside opinion, you might want to click over and see what he has to say.

[grandissimo]

The I-Team tackles Grandissimo

Last Friday, George Knapp of 8 News Now's I-Team ran a feature on Jay Sarno's legacy and Grandissimo:

While some might think the father of the Las Vegas Strip is mobster Bugsy Seigel, or casino titans Kirk Kerkorian or Steve Wynn, the true architect of modern Las Vegas might be a self-described degenerate gambler named Jay Sarno.

While there is no statue to honor Sarno's memory, there is a new book that tells his amazing story, warts and all

I-Team: The Man Behind Modern-Day Las Vegas

I'm glad that George reached out to me for this. Here is the video of the story:

8 News NOW

And a link to the video if that embed doesn't work. 

[grandissimo]

Watch Grandissimo on Frequency

Last Thursday, I took part in Frequency, DTLV.com's interview series. It was a great night, and I'm thrilled that the event was recorded so that you can see it for yourself:

Watch Frequency With David G. Schwartz, William Swaney and Wassa Coulibaly

I'd like to thank my friend and editor Greg Miller for being a great interviewer--wonderful questions and we could have talked for much, much longer.

[grandissimo]

Grandissimo at the Clark County Library, 3/6

This morning I received the flyer for next month's event at the Clark County Library (1401 E. Flamingo Rd). 

On March 6, at 7 p.m., I"m giving a talk called "Grandisismo: How Jay Sarno's Wild Life Changed Las Vegas" and signing books.

Here's the flyer--would love to see you there:

[grandissimo]

Live Event! Frequency @ The Beat

I'm thrilled to be taking part in the next Frequency event at The Beat in Downtown Las Vegas. Here's all the info you need:

Just in case that image didn't display for you, the event is on February 13 at 7 PM, live in The Beat, 520 Fremont St Las Vegas, NV 89101.

I hope to see you there!

[grandissimo]

Grandissimo on Peter Greenberg Worldwide

I was one of many guests interviewed on Peter Greenberg Worldwide's radio show. You can listen to the episode here:

Peter Greenberg Worldwide – Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace – January 18, 2014

 It was a nice chance to talk about Grandissimo for a national audience, and I've got to say that Peter is one of the best interviewers I've encountered. Totally conversational, but always moving the show ahead, talking with him on air is just great. I also talk candidly about my past career as Mr. Peanut, among other things. 

[grandissimo]

Grandissimo Event: Jay Sarno Roundtable, March 2

On Sunday, March 2, at 4 PM, you will get a chance to hear some of those who knew Jay Sarno intimately talk about his life and legacy:

Jay Sarno did more than build two of the most  iconic casinos in the world, Caesars Palace and Circus  Circus. He created the mold for modern Las Vegas. In this panel discussion, those who knew him best will  talk about his contributions and his quirks.

Panelists include

Oscar Goodman, former Las Vegas mayor and sarno’s attorney

Burton Cohen, casino president

Mel Larson, former Circus Circus vice president of marketing

Jay C. Sarno, September Sarno, Freddie Sarno, and Heidi 

Sarno Straus, Jay sarno’s children

The panel will be moderated by David G. Schwartz, author of Sarno biography  Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas. books will be available for purchase and signing after the discussion.

The event, which takes place at Lied Library,  is free and open to the public, though Registration is encouraged Register online at www.library.unlv.edu/sarno-rsvp  or call 702-895-2277 by Monday, February 24.

Light refreshments will be served.

View invitation here (pdf)