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No Limit: The Rise and Fall of Bob Stupak and Las Vegas' Stratosphere Tower
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Product Description
A penetrating look at Bob Stupak, controversial casino owner and builder of the Stratosphere Tower, the tallest structure west of the Mississippi. Between his early years as the son of a notorious gambling operator in Pittsburgh and the grand opening of the Stratosphere, Stupak raced motorcycles, hustled coupons, gambled for high stakes, and battled the mob while he ran the infamous Vegas World casino.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #588023 in Books
- Published on: 1997-07-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 299 pages
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Because Las Vegas is a city not particularly known for moderation, Bob Stupak's excesses are especially noteworthy. He has twice lost campaigns to be mayor, won a $1 million bet on the Super Bowl, paid $100,000 to play for two minutes with the Harlem Globetrotters, and chummily refers to Mob figures. His most towering claim to fame--quite literally--is the Stratosphere, the fourth tallest building in the U.S. and featuring a roller coaster at its top. Smith, a fourth-generation Nevadan and reporter for the state's largest newspaper, takes advantage of his inside knowledge to detail Stupak's brash exploits. The author previously profiled another Las Vegas figure in Running Scared: The Life and Treacherous Times of Las Vegas Casino King Steve Wynn. That book generated a lawsuit by Wynn, who sued for defamation, and a countersuit by publisher Lyle Stuart, who charged Wynn's lawyers with "tortious interference." This new book, too, has the potential to create a stir. David Rouse
Review
This new book...has the potential to create a stir. -- Booklist, July 1997
This new book...has the potential to create a stir. --Booklist, July 1997
About the Author
A fourth generation Nevadan, John L. Smith is an award-winning columnist for the Las Vegas Review Journal and the author of Running Scared: The Life and Treacherous Times of Casino King Steve Wynn. He lives with his wife and daughter in the hills above Las Vegas Valley.
Customer Reviews
Love this one...
stories of these types of guys are fascinating. His first hour ever in Vegas and he blows 12,000 bucks, on marker. Proceeded to go right back to the airport and flew home to Pittsburg. But he fell in love with the place. He didnt go back as a gambler, but to get where the real money is, with intentions on becoming a casino owner. After more than 7 years(most of them in Australia - you'll have to read it) he had acguired a substantial grubstake and headed off to Vegas. He runs an ad in the paper looking investment opportunities. Although the ad did not directly produce investment results, it did provide him with some very important connections. He buys a vacant lot far off the strip, gets licensed, builds a casino, adds a hotel and self-promotes his ass off. To fill in the blanks and know the rest, you gotta read it yourself. He even had ties, loosely at best, to Anthony Spiltro, the real life mobster the Joe Pesci character was based on in Casino. I love this one.
Fascinating
Great book. Being a regular Las Vegas visitor I have always been intrigued by the incredible Stratosphere Tower and Casino, and wanted to learn a bit more about Bob Stupak, the Stratosphere creator and infamous Vegas personality. What a fascinating life Stupak has had. Everything from his motorcycle racing days, to his early struggles of trying to succeed in the cutthroat Vegas gaming industry. Here is a man with an 8th grade education that overcame staggering odds to become one of the most successful independent operators in the city. He survived a heavy handed Nevada Gaming Control Board, as well as a motorcycle accident that nearly killed him. There is a lesson in this book for all of us. The key word is DETERMINATION! I hope one day my travels in Vegas will give me the opportunity to meet Mr. Stupak, who no matter what you think of him, has left a lasting impression on the Las Vegas skyline that will be a reminder of him for years to come.
In this book Smith wrote a much better story than the hatchet job he did on casino mogul Steve Wynn. Hey John how about a book on one of the true gentleman gaming legends in Vegas, none other than Jackie Gaughan? If written in the even handed manner of your Stupak book, I'll be the first buyer in line!!
The Stratosphere
Most interesting...biography of Bob Stupak. Easy read. If you wonder where did the idea of the Stratosphere come from... this has the answers. Bob Stupak is a fascinating gentleman, this tells his story. I just returned from a visit to Vegas and went to the top of Stratosphere, road the High Roller Roller Coaster and took the Big Shot...came across this book while in Vegas and couldn't put it down. Gives background of several casinos and the personalities involved with them... recommend it.
