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Just like the original Sands, this book required the help of many people to see the light of day.
I’m fortunate in having picked a topic that is still within living memory, so I was able to speak with people who worked at or otherwise had knowledge of the Sands. Edward Walters, Roger Wagner, Lisa Medford, Burt Peretsky, Shelley Berkley, Steve Norton, and Michael Schutz all gave generously of their time. Getting to talk with them helped me see a much fuller picture of the Sands’ history than would have been possible with only archival sources.
Further help came from research assistant Jasmin Bryant, Scott Deitche (who sent me some very informative troves of FBI files), and the entire staff of UNLV Special Collections and Archives, particularly Su Kim Chung, Stacey Fott, Aaron Mayes, and Peter Michel, who facilitated my access to important materials. A special thanks goes to Claytee White, Director of the Oral History Research Center, for maintaining and providing access to a wealth of interviews without which this book—and many others—would be incomplete. Lori Nelson-Kraft of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Association likewise helped with securing Las Vegas News Bureau photos.
My manuscript was immeasurably improved and supported by the copyediting of Cindy Beatty at Proof Positive Papers, the proofreading of James Fraleigh, and the indexing of Meg Daniel. Asya Blue provided an excellent cover that conveys the excitement of the era.
I’m also grateful to my friends, colleagues, and random people who have called me at work and who have listened to me ramble on about the Sands for the past year or so. And as always, the love and support of my family has meant everything to me.