Neon Dreams by Lance Rich

For the first time, the captivating story of how Las Vegas became the magic capital of the world has been captured in a gorgeous hardcover book filled with brand-new interviews and never-before-seen photos. This enthralling history of Las Vegas magic is filled with unexpected twists and turns that will have every magician or magic enthusiast hooked from start to finish.

Neon Dreams boasts nearly 400 pages and over 370 stunning full-color photographs, many of which are being published for the first time, highlighting how Las Vegas evolved from a humble train-stop town into the land of multi-million-dollar magic spectacles. This includes dozens of all-new interviews with iconic entertainers. Everything is presented in an exceptional hardcover book with a special lenticular cover and foreword by David Copperfield.

“I have now worked in this town for more than forty years and I thought I knew Vegas, but it turns out there was so much more to learn…This book changes the view on magic in Las Vegas; it’s a new perspective on the stories you know, and the ones you’re about to discover.” David Copperfield

Not only has Lance Rich unearthed some amazing heretofore unknown and fascinating facts and photos, he’s assembled them into an attractive and absorbing book. It’s an excellent item to leave laying about for guests to peruse.Mac King

The Las Vegas Strip has been home to magicians and magic shows for generations. But how did this happen? When did the city become synonymous with magical entertainment? Who was the first magician on the Las Vegas Strip? All this and more is answered in Neon Dreams by Lance Rich.

You’ll experience the exhilarating highs, like the unique set of circumstances that led Lance Burton and David Copperfield to set records not just in magic, but in the entire history of show business. Or how Siegfried and Roy’s unprecedented achievements cleared the neon path for performers for many years to come. There are even some more obscure insights you’d never expect like how the Hoover Dam changed the course of magic history.

Of course, it hasn’t always been a smooth ride. So, you’ll also get a front-row seat to the lows, like how a multi-million-dollar magic show barely made it through its second night. Or the infamous struggles of Caesar's Magical Empire, one of Las Vegas’ most iconic “failed” attractions.

Undoubtedly though, the real treasure of Neon Dreams is the discovery of the very first magician to perform regularly on The Las Vegas Strip, Gloria Dea. It’s a surprising and powerful story that rewrites magic history. A must-read for any fan of magic.