How Long to Read Reno's Big Gamble

How Long Does it Take to Read Reno's Big Gamble?

It takes the average reader 5 hours and 34 minutes to read Reno's Big Gamble by Alicia Barber

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

When Pittsburgh socialite Laura Corey rolled into Reno, Nevada, in 1905 for a six-month stay, her goal was a divorce from the president of U.S. Steel. Her visit also provided a provocative glimpse into the city's future. With its rugged landscape and rough-edged culture, Reno had little to offer early twentieth-century visitors besides the gambling and prostitution that had remained unregulated since Nevada's silver-mining heyday. But the possibility of easy divorce attracted national media attention, East Coast notables, and Hollywood stars, and soon the "Reno Cure" was all the rage. Almost overnight, Reno was on the map. Alicia Barber traces the transformation of Reno's reputation from backward railroad town to the nationally known "Sin Central"—as Garrison Keillor observed, a place where you could see things that you wouldn't want to see in your own hometown. Chronicling the city's changing fortunes from the days of the Comstock Lode, she describes how city leaders came to embrace an identity as "The Biggest Little City in the World" and transform their town into a lively tourist mecca. Focusing on the evolution of urban reputation, Barber carefully distinguishes between the image that a city's promoters hope to manufacture and the impression that outsiders actually have. Interweaving aspects of urban identity, she shows how sense of place, promoted image, and civic reputation intermingled and influenced each other—and how they in turn shaped the urban environment. Quickie divorces notwithstanding, Reno's primary growth engine was gambling; modern casinos came to dominate the downtown landscape. When mainstream America balked, Reno countered by advertising "tax freedom" and natural splendor to attract new residents. But by the mid-seventies, unchecked growth and competition from Las Vegas had initiated a downslide that persisted until a carefully crafted series of special events and the rise of recreational tourism began to attract new breeds of tourists. Barber's engaging story portrays Reno as more than a second-string Las Vegas, having pioneered most of the attractions-gaming and prizefighting, divorces and weddings-that made the larger city famous. As Reno continues to remold itself to weather the shifting winds of tourism and growth, Barber's book provides a cautionary tale for other cities hoping to ride the latest consumer trends.

How long is Reno's Big Gamble?

Reno's Big Gamble by Alicia Barber is 332 pages long, and a total of 83,664 words.

This makes it 112% the length of the average book. It also has 102% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read Reno's Big Gamble Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 7 hours and 37 minutes to read Reno's Big Gamble aloud.

What Reading Level is Reno's Big Gamble?

Reno's Big Gamble is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy Reno's Big Gamble?

Reno's Big Gamble by Alicia Barber is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

To buy Reno's Big Gamble by Alicia Barber on Amazon click the button below.