An excellent, compact history of Atlantic City - from barren island to eastern gaming center... the title says it all, "birth, high times, and corruption."

Pictured left to right on the cover are the three legendary "bosses" of Atlantic City politics: Hap Farley, Nucky Johnson, and Commodore Kuehnle. Between them, these three men ran Atlantic City like a private fiefdom for about 75 years.

Especially interesting I think is a quote published in a popular travel magazine around the year 1905...

"Atlantic City is an eighth wonder of the world. It is overwhelming in its crudeness - barbaric, hideous, and magnificent. There is something colossal about its vulgarity."

Some might argue you could easily substitute "Las Vegas" for "Atlantic City" and reprint that statement today!

The last third of the book is devoted to the 1970's campaign to legalize gambling in Atlantic City - and a review of the current gaming scene and powers-that-be.

Well written by a lifelong resident of Atlantic County, and highly recommended.