Las Vegas: Media and Myth

by Lawrence J. Mullen

Overview

With its tremendous population growth, transient lifestyle, and penchant for extravagant behavior, Las Vegas, Nevada is a sociological phenomenon full of mystery and misunderstanding. Las Vegas: Media and Myth explores the ways in which the local media help to weave together the lives of the people who live in this dynamic community. Author Lawrence J. Mullen uses interviews with numerous persons who work in the local media to create a new oral history of Las Vegas and give voice to the city's inhabitants. An examination of the newspaper, television, radio, and political dimensions of Las Vegas gives new perspective to life in this fascinating place.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739120743
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	08/27/2007
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	6.27(w) x 9.09(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Lawrence J. Mullen is associate professor of journalism and media studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Foreword
Chapter 2 Introduction
Chapter 3 Part I: Newspapers
Chapter 4 Part II: Radio
Chapter 5 Part III: Television
Chapter 6 Part IV: Politics
Chapter 7 Part V: Communicators, Comedians, Critics
Chapter 8 Appendix: Vegas Sound Bites

Editorial Reviews

As someone once fully embedded in the mass media scene of Las Vegas (but surely couldn't afford the nervous energy now), I was fascinated by Lawrence Mullen's rich account of the hidden history of America's most controversial city. Mullen explodes the ingrained myths and tells where the proverbial media-related 'bodies are buried,' then exhumes and drags the tired cadavers center stage; out into the bright, neon lights, exploring some unseemly, even shadowy behavior along the way. In a place famous for imploding structures to make room for grander ones, Mullen provides an antidote to outdated media images, demystifying legends. He also focuses on a now flourishing mass media environment—one experiencing exponential growth—along with his amazing city.

Mike Murray

A rich collection of mostly uniterrupted oral history accounts, each of them presented in first person....Mullen's book should be welcomed by not only Las Vegas locals with a firsthand connection to the local media and political scene, but by anyone fascinated by the relationship between media and culture.

2008n Journalism: A Media History Journal

Mullen's interviews, as a whole, provide a surprising cohesive image of the 'true' Las Vegas.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

Mullen's interviews, as a whole, provide a surprising cohesive image of the 'true' Las Vegas.

February 2009 H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

As someone once fully embedded in the mass media scene of Las Vegas (but surely couldn't afford the nervous energy now), I was fascinated by Lawrence Mullen's rich account of the hidden history of America's most controversial city. Mullen explodes the ingrained myths and tells where the proverbial media-related 'bodies are buried, ' then exhumes and drags the tired cadavers center stage; out into the bright, neon lights, exploring some unseemly, even shadowy behavior along the way. In a place famous for imploding structures to make room for grander ones, Mullen provides an antidote to outdated media images, demystifying legends. He also focuses on a now flourishing mass media environment--one experiencing exponential growth--along with his amazing city.--Mike Murray, UM Board of Curator's Distinguished Professor; founding director, UNLV Greenspun School of Journalism; author ofThe Political Pe

A rich collection of mostly uniterrupted oral history accounts, each of them presented in first person....Mullen's book should be welcomed by not only Las Vegas locals with a firsthand connection to the local media and political scene, but by anyone fascinated by the relationship between media and culture.--American Journalism: A Media History Journal

Mullen's interviews, as a whole, provide a surprising cohesive image of the 'true' Las Vegas.--H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online, February 2009

From the Publisher

A rich collection of mostly uniterrupted oral history accounts, each of them presented in first person....Mullen's book should be welcomed by not only Las Vegas locals with a firsthand connection to the local media and political scene, but by anyone fascinated by the relationship between media and culture.

American Journalism: A Media History Journal

A rich collection of mostly uniterrupted oral history accounts, each of them presented in first person....Mullen's book should be welcomed by not only Las Vegas locals with a firsthand connection to the local media and political scene, but by anyone fascinated by the relationship between media and culture.

American Journalism: A Media History Journal