This was a good story where the author has ties to one of the characters as a long-past relative. This has everything for everyone, gangster, gambling, murder, and other crimes as well as everything in between. Hot Springs is also where Lucky Luciano was arrested on a warrant out of New York A big arrest back in the day. Back when the town was where the gangster went to get out of their big cities. I found this to be a good read.

The Vapors is an excellent book that is well worth the read. It is a gripping tale that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well developed and the plot is well written. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an enjoyable and exciting read.

This blend of socio-political research with personal family history was among the non-fiction highlights of my summer reading, and included in my seasonal summer books recommendations.
UPDATE: November 28, 2020: Also included the book in the big annual Holiday Gift Books Guide package in The Globe and Mail newspaper.

This geographical nonfiction book tells the story of the century-long stronghold of illegal gambling in a small spa town in Central Arkansas. A small town that just so happens to be my hometown. That's an important detail we'll come back to in a minute, but first, the book.

Alternating between the history of institutionalized illegal gambling in Hot Springs between the 30s and 60s and a sort-of biography of Hill's own family connections to the town, The Vapors crafts a picture of a politically corrupt but culturally rich town that flourished by bringing in the rich and famous from throughout the nation, even as the rest of the country struggled to get back on its feet. Sometimes the tangents and the sheer amount of minutia (long lists of people to keep up with, connections, etc.) made it a bit hard to follow, but I really enjoyed how much it filled in the gaps of my knowledge about my own hometown. I had no idea what a hot spot it was in its heyday with the likes of Mickey Rooney and Ella Fitzgerald performing in clubs. That said--and touching again on the fact that I was born and raised in Hot Springs--I'm not sure it will be of quite as much interest to people outside of the area. For Arkansans? Sure. For anyone who's never heart of Hot Springs? Maybe less so, especially since it has a tendency to get bogged down in the details.

I think it's also important to know going in, that this is as much a family biography as it is a history of Hot Springs. Hill's family definitely had connections to some of the people / places being talked about throughout the book--sometimes in really interesting ways--and I personally found a good bit of that story interesting in its own right and appreciated how it established Hill's stake in the history. Also good to note that while it does mention the history of racism and segregation, as well as the flourishing Black community, in Hot Springs, it definitely tends to be more of an aside than a real complete history of all sides of the town. I was disappointed that even though it made mention of the Black gambling and entertainment venues, it never actually explores the history of them as it does with the all / mostly White establishments. Maybe Hill didn't feel comfortable tackling that side of history, which is fair, but especially for a book that mentions some horrifying lynchings and other incidence, I'd really hope for some more space devoted to the whole of that side of Hot Springs history.

Overall, a very interesting book for this Hot Springs native that might very well appeal to history buffs and other Arkansans.

The well-written story of an underexplored corner of America's colorful criminal past, this book recounts Hot Springs, Arkansas' time as America's gambling mecca. Though a history it reads closer to a nonfiction novel which keeps the book very engaging throughout.

Mostly a history, with a dash of memoir thrown in, David Hill recounts the history of the gambling and corruption that built Hot Springs through the lens of his grandmother and father’s lives. She loved to drink and dance at the clubs and found occasional work as a schill at the card tables. She had a slew of terrible men in her life and despite her neglect of them, her sons managed to break the cycle of impoverished life in a casino town.

These days, when someone mentions a gambling mecca, you think of Monte Carlo or Macau or Las Vegas. Swanky hotels, loud casinos, crystal chandeliers. Maybe you think of headline entertainment and lavish stage productions. Maybe you think of all-you-can-eat buffets and gourmet restaurants. The idea that a gambling club offer ways to attract a wholesome clientele started in a small town in Arkansas.

The waters of Hot Springs were revered for their healing properties dating back to Native American legend. Even Joliet took a dip during his explorations for France in the early 1600s. After America made the Louisiana Purchase, and Arkansas became a territory, U.S. Congress declared the springs to be a federally protected area in 1832. It remains part of the National Park Service today.

Please read my full review at https://mwgerard.com/review-the-vapors/

The Las Vegas of the South

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Strauss, and Garrar for the electronic galley of The Vapors: A Southern Family, the New York Mob, and the Rise and Fall of Hot Springs, America's Forgotten Capital of Vice by David Hill.

The Vapors recounts the history of Hot Springs, Arkansas as a den of vice from the 1930s to the 1960s. Casinos, bootleg liquor, and houses of prostitution drew the wealthy, as well as those down on their luck, from the American South and Midwest to this small spa town in the Ozark Mountains. The author also follows the lives of Hazel Hill, brought to Hot Springs at age 16 by her father and dumped there; Owney Madden, an ex-pat Brit turned New York mobster turned Hot Springs godfather; and Dane Harris, the son of an abusive, lawless Cherokee Indian bootlegger, who rose through the ranks to become the town's Boss Gambler.

The clear concise writing made this non-fiction a quick enjoyable read. The story of how the Las Vegas of the South developed and expanded and the aspirations of those in control of the gambling and other illegal activities was interesting, but the inclusion of the personal stories, especially of Hazel Hill, the author's grandmother, made it even more engaging. The author was fair and candid about his family's history and his grandparent's failings. Rather than condemn, I felt he presented them honestly and showed that they were victims of the times and circumstances they lived in. The cover of the book was arresting and what drew me to it, but I have to admit that I had no idea of the history of Hot Springs. I honestly thought it had always been a sleepy little town that relied on the tourists drawn by the National Park as it source of income. Little did I know!

Although a good read, I was left wanting information on the relationship between Hot Springs and the Park Service and their shared histories. I believe that could have added even more to the book.

For those who enjoy history and travel, this is an enjoyable book. For those who enjoy history and travel and also travel to Hot Springs, this is definitely a book to pick up.

This book made me think about places and how they change.
Municipalities go through some changes. Vesuvius blew up and Pompeii melted. Sodom and Gomorrah, oh snap! Don’t look back, or else be turned to a pillar of salt. These were acts of God, according to my Fundamentalist friends down here in Dixie Land and the almighty insurance companies, although it might be hard to receive payment for a female form of solid salt as you claim it was once a breathing living human.
The town of my birth, Hot Springs, Arkansas, has gone through some dramatic changes, as David Hill’s account sheds light on what happened and not so much why. This nonfiction is full of drama. In the high and mighty years of illegal gambling, boss gamblers and their enemies jousted for clubs, continuously courted Arkansas governors, mayors, police chiefs and prosecuting attorneys. The details here are juicy as Hill focuses on the crooked inside mechanisms and that machinery’s alterations from decade to decade.. Many of those who most profited from the city-wide gambling party, have tried to spin it as light-hearted comedy of the Glory Days. President Bill Clinton’s mother, Virginia, reminisced about more than a few flamboyant nights at the Vapors nightclub in Hot Springs. You might title such a comedy “A Springtime Horse-Bettor’s Daily Double Dream,” but Shakespeare himself would probably add the subtitle: “or Nothing Doing Worthwhile.” The story of Hot Springs is not really a comedy. Too much trickery, deceit, power struggle and the creeping disease of greed. Too much money spent on poorly conceived and badly lit plans of mediocre imaginations. Which is what you are most likely to discover when you examine people who create a gambling mecca.
The story told in David Hill’s memoir and sometimes skippy speedboat history of Hot Springs is not a comedy. If it were fictional, perhaps you might consider it a tragedy with some comic relief. But in the end, Hill’s story is the real ouch deal. This kind of nonfiction hurts a little when the more vulnerable people get caught under the wheels.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Back in the days before Vegas was big, when the Mob was at its peak and neon lights were but a glimmer on the horizon, a little Southern town styled itself as a premier destination for the American leisure class. Hot Springs, Arkansas was home to healing waters, Art Deco splendor, and America’s original national park—as well as horse racing, nearly a dozen illegal casinos, countless backrooms and brothels, and some of the country’s most bald-faced criminals.
Gangsters, gamblers, and gamines: all once flocked to America’s forgotten capital of vice, a place where small-town hustlers and bigtime high-rollers could make their fortunes, and hide from the law. The Vapors is the extraordinary story of three individuals—spanning the golden decades of Hot Springs, from the 1930s through the 1960s—and the lavish casino whose spectacular rise and fall would bring them together before blowing them apart.

This was an enjoyable read. I knew nothing at all about Hot Springs - in fact, I know very little about Arkansas in general. I certainly know a lot more now!

The best thing about this book is that the author didn't try for too many "characters" - really, we focus on three individuals who bring the story from the early days in the 1930's through to the fall of the 60's. It was easy to keep the story firmly at the front of my brain as sometimes history writers tend to think that cramming as many people into the narrative shows how much research they have done. This condensed "cast" works perfectly for this story.

Really, there isn't a lot more to tell but to say if you have an interest in those days in the South; in organized crime; or in well-written works of US history, then I have no trouble recommending this one!!


Paul
ARH

This is such an interesting piece of U.S history. While a lot is known about Las Vegas, so little has been available about this AZ hot spot, and boy was it a busy time. Well written, easy to follow and the 'big names' who went there will be well recognized. Not to mention the criminal names.
Quite enjoyable!
Full review on #murderincommon - https://murderincommon.com/2020/07/26/david-hill-the-vapors/

Imagine a place that was first a piece of land or area that is designated federal property and eventually a national park that the initial purpose was the supposed healing power of the thermal water that was supposed to heal or cure everything from diabetes to epilepsy even syphilis. You had famous sports star the spent time rejuvenating and this place being so popular that baseball held spring training here.

This place was and is Hot Springs, Arkansas there was quite a diversity of race and religion in the early 1920's. With all the bath houses and various clinics to treat various medical issuse here the were of course all the establishments for the people who lived around or who visited the town. There were saloons, auction houses, and various gambling halls and this is were the story really begins. Gambling had been taking place in Hot Springs since 1870 and the crazy thing is all the way till its demise it was illegal to gamble in the State of Arkansas. This story follows the rise of the gambling establishments and those who tried to control and profit. It also follows a family of the Hills. There are quite the cast of characters along with many mafia ties. Can you imagine that this place was a more happening place upto the 1960's. This was the place to see all the stars and performers of the day. This was vegas before vegas was what it is today. It makes you wonder if this would have been bigger then modern day Vegas. It also is interesting to read about all the crookedness in the politics of the day. Can you imagine having to pay for the right to vote. This is a educational read.

I really enjoyed reading this book and learning about the history of Hot Springs Arkansas. I have read other books on Las Vegas and Atlantic City but was not aware of Hot Springs as a gambling mecca for tourists and celebrities alike in this little known piece of vacationing history. The author has a personal connection to the town and the players in his book. I was captivated by storytelling abilities and his writing. This book is on several book lists to read this year and it doesn’t disappoint. I look forwards to reading other pieces Mr. Hill releases in the coming years.

I picked this book up because I grew up in Hot Springs and was curious about this part of Hot Springs's past. I was vaguely aware that there had been mob connections, but I didn't know much about the details.

It was an interesting story about a time when the town rivaled Las Vegas and corruption was everywhere. He used his own family's experience during this period to contrast the life lived by those running the casinos.

It was interesting to read about places I know and how different they were in the past. Like other reviewers, I think more information about the Black community in Hot Springs would have been very interesting. The details that were in the book were really fascinating, and I would have loved to read more.

I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A great read a nonfiction story of Hot Springs Arkansa ?Really well written a story I had not heard off and the mob connection is really interesting.#netgalley#thevaporS

Gambling is not something that usually holds my interest but I'm glad I made an exception for 'The Vapors'.
The first thing that caught my interest was the absolutely gorgeous cover. And the book holds everything that cover promises. David Hill paints a vivid picture of a once infamous hot spot of gambling, Hot Springs, Arkansas. From the 30s to the 60s we mainly follow the lives of three people: a mobster, a boss gambler and the author's grandmother. The author does not varnish the uglier aspects of running a gambling town, we see the crimes of murderous gangsters, corrupt politicians and the desperate struggle of local people who just want to live a decent life. David Hill's well-structured and compelling book brings to life a fascinating place of the past and allows the reader to walk alongside its inhabitants for a short while. I loved it and recomend it wholeheartedly.

Loved this book so much! Loved the forgotten history of a unique place and time. Turns out, I also had a family connection to Hot Springs - a great great grandpa was a professional gambler there. Really enjoyed this one.

I could use a long series of adjectives but I want to cut it short: this is a great story, well written and gripping.
I didn't know anything about Hot Spring and was fascinated by the story and the well rounded characters.
The author is a talented storyteller and this story kept me hooked till the last page.
I can't wait to read another book by this author.
An excellent book, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

David Hill has written a solid and engrossing page turner of a read with The Vapors! Well worth your time.

Great historical non-fiction. I completely enjoyed becoming immersed in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In many ways the mob portions of the story are familiar but the unique setting made this a great read.

I've been to Hot Springs, Arkansas several times. As a child, I had no idea of Hot Springs history, but since I've seen little things here and there about organized crime being heavily involved in the city decades ago. This is the first book I've seen on the subject, and it was a great read. The author tells the story of the town through the lives of the people who lived there in that era and it didn't take long for me to be more interested in the personal stories than the history itself. I highly recommend this well-written story about the heyday of Hot Springs.