In the mid-1970s; the Mashantucket Pequot tribe had only one member -- an elderly woman who pleaded with her grandson to come live on the impoverished reservation and save it from falling into government hands upon her death. In Revenge of the Pequots; journalist Kim Isaac Eisler tells the remarkable story of how Richard "Skip" Hayward; then an unemployed ship-worker; granted his grandmother's dying wish; revived the moribund clan; and transformed the Pequots into the richest and most influential band of Native Americans in history. Established in 1992; Foxwoods Resort and Casino is the world's most profitable gambling establishment; grossing over $1 billion a year at its sprawling complex in the backwoods of Ledyard; Connecticut. Making use of arcane laws and court decisions never intended to benefit Native Americans as they have; Hayward brilliantly laid the groundwork for this staggering economic empire. In a story rife with drama; he challenged a succession of Connecticut governors and such worthy adversaries as casino moguls Steve Wynn and Donald Trump; while forming alliances with Malaysian industrialist Lim Goh Tong; renegade Seminole chief James Billie; and President Bill Clinton. As a result of Hayward's strategizing; for one of the few times in history -- and in a truly ironic reversal -- the bizarre legal structure governing Native Americans actually worked to their advantage in a mainstream enterprise. But the Pequots' meteoric rise to fortune has left many wondering: Is this turnabout fair play? In this riveting rags-to-riches tale; Eisler deftly explores the wide-ranging issues that have framed the great Native American casino debate and the ramifications of the Native American casino boom in a nation still uneasy about its roots.
#111825 in Books Free Press 1995-11-14 1995-11-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.70 x 6.12l; 1.89 #File Name: 0684823136592 pagesISBN13: 9780684823133Condition: NewNotes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Review
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Stellar!By ToddThis is quite simply a stellar history of the USSR from the point that it was a twinkling in Lenin's eye to its downfall. It includes much interesting commentary that puts each step into perspective. If you're interested in the history of the USSR you must read this book. There is one thing about it that drove me absolutely nuts--the author's habit of using latin and russian words with no explaination of what they mean. Here's an example:"As a practical matter; therefore; socialism leads not to an assault on the specific abuses of “capitalism†but to an assault on reality tout court. It becomes; in effect; an effort to suppress the real world; and this is something that cannot succeed in the long run. But for a protracted period this effort can succeed in creating a surreal world; one defined by the paradox that inefficiency; poverty; and brutality can be officially presented as the summum bonum of society; and one where society is unable to challenge this fraud."I'd like to just smack him for that!1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Do not buy this book if you were expecting a general historyBy CustomerFirst off; this book is not a true history; but rather a political commentary. Instead of recounting events; discussing the effects; and analyzing the literature of the time; Malia focuses on concepts and ideas concerning the October revolution and the aftermath. If you want a true historical treatment of Russian history between 1917 and 1991; then might I suggest much more effective works such as "The Rise and Fall of Communism in Russia"; and other works.It seems like Malia just wants to use as many words as he can find in a thesaurus. This book illustrates how modern intellectuals seem to be more concerned with speaking as R3 as possible; regardless of whether or not they can make a coherent point. I feel like the first 100 pages of this work could have been compressed into 50 or less; because half the time Malia is twisting himself into tighter and tighter theoretical and philosophical circles; instead of establishing needed information and make coherent points about it.This is not a bad book by any means; but the fact that after reading through hundreds of pages and never finding an actual history book is misleading. Many other authors who are just as intelligent and experienced with Communism in Russia can offer you the book you were looking for.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Extreme eloquenceBy Robert E. JohnsonMalia writes so well. He knows the history; but he isn't just writing academic history here. He announces his thesis in the introduction; and follows through with extreme eloquence.
