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Image for event: First Edition Adult Book Club

First Edition Adult Book Club

2023-04-11 18:00:00 2023-04-11 19:00:00 America/Chicago First Edition Adult Book Club April Discussion of The Vapors by David Hill Bentonville Public Library - McGaugh Family Literacy Area

Tuesday, April 11
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2023-04-11 18:00:00 2023-04-11 19:00:00 America/Chicago First Edition Adult Book Club April Discussion of The Vapors by David Hill Bentonville Public Library - McGaugh Family Literacy Area

Bentonville Public Library

McGaugh Family Literacy Area

April Discussion of The Vapors by David Hill

Books available at the front desk while supplies last!

Book Summary:

The incredible true story of America's original—and forgotten—capital of vice

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.

Hazel Hill was still a young girl when legendary mobster Owney Madden rolled into town in his convertible, fresh off a crime spree in New York. He quickly established himself as the gentleman Godfather of Hot Springs, cutting barroom deals and buying stakes in the clubs at which Hazel made her living—and drank away her sorrows. Owney’s protégé was Dane Harris, the son of a Cherokee bootlegger who rose through the town’s ranks to become Boss Gambler. It was his idea to build The Vapors, a pleasure palace more spectacular than any the town had ever seen, and an establishment to rival anything on the Vegas Strip or Broadway in sophistication and supercharged glamour.

In this riveting work of forgotten history, native Arkansan David Hill plots the trajectory of everything from organized crime to America’s fraught racial past, examining how a town synonymous with white gangsters supported a burgeoning black middle class. He reveals how the louche underbelly of the South was also home to veterans hospitals and baseball’s spring training grounds, giving rise to everyone from Babe Ruth to President Bill Clinton. Infused with the sights and sounds of America’s entertainment heyday—jazz orchestras and auctioneers, slot machines and suited comedians—The Vapors is an arresting glimpse into a bygone era of American vice.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Book Clubs |

TAGS: | |

Bentonville Public Library

Phone: 479-271-3192

Hours

Today's hours

We're open 9:00AM to 8:00PM

Mon, Mar 18 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Mar 19 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Mar 20 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Mar 21 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Mar 22 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Mar 23 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Mar 24 Closed

About the branch

Bentonville Public Library is located just 3 blocks south of the Downtown Square, at 405 S. Main Street in Bentonville, Arkansas. Facility amenities include an engaging adult collection with private study rooms, vibrant children's and teen spaces, community meeting rooms, genealogy research center and café. 

Upcoming events

Tue, Mar 19, All day
The library is taking a one-week storytime break. Storytime will resume the week of March 25th.

Canceled
Tue, Mar 19, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Join Ms. Christina each month for a story and related art project! Check back for project information. For kids in K - 6th grade.

Wed, Mar 20, All day
The library is taking a one-week storytime break. Storytime will resume the week of March 25th.

Wed, Mar 20, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Teen Zone
Teens, join us for Petite Patisserie - Presented by the Scott Family Amazeum!

Thu, Mar 21, All day
The library is taking a one-week storytime break. Storytime will resume the week of March 25th.

Thu, Mar 21, 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Walmart Community Room
Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale!

Fri, Mar 22, 9:00am - 4:30pm
Walmart Community Room
Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale!

Fri, Mar 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
Books, songs, movement activities, and more - with a wetlands twist! All ages welcome.

Sat, Mar 23, All day
The library is taking a one-week storytime break. Storytime will resume the week of March 25th.

Sat, Mar 23, 9:00am - 4:30pm
Walmart Community Room
Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale!

Mon, Mar 25, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Teen Zone
Students are invited to learn about research, constructing arguments, and public speaking.Register

Mon, Mar 25, 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Walmart Community Room
Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting

Canceled
Tue, Mar 26, All day
The library is taking a one week storytime break. Storytime will resume the week of April 1st.

Tue, Mar 26, 9:30am - 9:50am
Children's Area
Books, songs, movement, and LOTS of fun! Best for ages 18-36 months and their caregiver.

Tue, Mar 26, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Tue, Mar 26, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Walmart Community Room
Build a LEGO® model based on the monthly challenge. For kids in K - 6th grade.

Canceled
Wed, Mar 27, All day
The library is taking a one week storytime break. Storytime will resume the week of April 1st.

Wed, Mar 27, 9:30am - 9:50am
Children's Area
Books, songs, movement, and LOTS of fun! Best for ages 18-36 months and their caregiver.

Wed, Mar 27, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Wed, Mar 27, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Teen Zone
Join us to grow your creative writing skills and meet new friends!

Canceled
Thu, Mar 28, All day
The library is taking a one week storytime break. Storytime will resume the week of April 1st.

Thu, Mar 28, 9:30am - 9:45am
Children's Area
Books, songs, lap bounces, and more! Best for ages 0-18 months and their caregiver.

Thu, Mar 28, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Canceled
Sat, Mar 30, All day
The library is taking a one week storytime break. Storytime will resume the week of April 1st.

Sat, Mar 30, 11:15am - 11:45am
Children's Area
Books, songs, movement activities, and more! All ages welcome.

Mon, Apr 01, 10:00am - 11:00am
McGaugh Family Literacy Area
Friends of the Bentonville Library Monthly Meeting

Tue, Apr 02, 9:30am - 9:50am
Children's Area
Books, songs, movement, and LOTS of fun! Best for ages 18-36 months and their caregiver.

Tue, Apr 02, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Canceled
Tue, Apr 02, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Open play chess for all skill levels. Grades 1 - 6 welcome.

Wed, Apr 03, 9:30am - 9:50am
Children's Area
Books, songs, movement, and LOTS of fun! Best for ages 18-36 months and their caregiver.

Wed, Apr 03, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Wed, Apr 03, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rotary Conference Room
Library Advisory Board Meeting

Wed, Apr 03, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
McGaugh Family Literacy Area
April Discussion of The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim by E.K. Johnston

Thu, Apr 04, 9:30am - 9:45am
Children's Area
Books, songs, lap bounces, and more! Best for ages 0-18 months and their caregiver.

Thu, Apr 04, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Thu, Apr 04, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Teen Zone
7th - 12th graders are invited to join D&D @BPL!

Thu, Apr 04, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Haney Family Conference Room
Join the NWA food bank to learn about creating a garden. Register

Fri, Apr 05, 10:30am - 11:00am
Books, songs, movement activities, and more! All ages welcome.

Sat, Apr 06, 10:00am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Practice your reading-aloud skills with a non-judgmental audience - a dog! All ages welcome.

Sat, Apr 06, 11:15am - 12:00pm
Children's Area
Books, songs, movement activities, and more! All ages welcome.

Mon, Apr 08, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Children's Area,Teen Zone
Each meeting will focus on a topic related to library and information skills or English Language Arts. For students in kindergarten - 12th grade. Registration requested.

Mon, Apr 08, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Teen Zone
Students are invited to learn about research, constructing arguments, and public speaking.Register

Mon, Apr 08, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
McGaugh Family Literacy Area
Read, think, and share ideas about great books! This month, we're talking about The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt. For children entering 4th - 6th grade.

Tue, Apr 09, 9:30am - 9:50am
Children's Area
Books, songs, movement, and LOTS of fun! Best for ages 18-36 months and their caregiver.

Tue, Apr 09, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Tue, Apr 09, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Children's Area
Practice the art of origami with our volunteer instructors. All skill levels welcome! For kids in 1st - 6th grade.

Tue, Apr 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
McGaugh Family Literacy Area
April Discussion of The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Wed, Apr 10, 9:30am - 9:50am
Children's Area
Books, songs, movement, and LOTS of fun! Best for ages 18-36 months and their caregiver.

Wed, Apr 10, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Wed, Apr 10, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Teen Zone
April Discussion of Five Survive by Holly Jackson

Thu, Apr 11, 9:30am - 9:45am
Children's Area
Books, songs, lap bounces, and more! Best for ages 0-18 months and their caregiver.

Thu, Apr 11, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Thu, Apr 11, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Haney Family Conference Room
Join the NWA food bank to learn about creating a garden. Register

Sat, Apr 13, 10:00am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Practice your reading-aloud skills with a non-judgmental audience - a dog! All ages welcome.

Sat, Apr 13, 11:15am - 12:00pm
Children's Area
Books, songs, movement activities, and more! All ages welcome.

Mon, Apr 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
McGaugh Family Literacy Area
April Discussion of Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Tue, Apr 16, 9:30am - 9:50am
Children's Area
Books, songs, movement, and LOTS of fun! Best for ages 18-36 months and their caregiver.

Tue, Apr 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Tue, Apr 16, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Children's Area
Join Ms. Christina each month for a story and related art project! Check back for project information. For kids in K - 6th grade.

Wed, Apr 17, 9:30am - 9:50am
Children's Area
Books, songs, movement, and LOTS of fun! Best for ages 18-36 months and their caregiver.

Wed, Apr 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Thu, Apr 18, 9:30am - 9:45am
Children's Area
Books, songs, lap bounces, and more! Best for ages 0-18 months and their caregiver.

Thu, Apr 18, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Engaging stories, silly rhymes, interactive music and movement activities, and more! Best for ages 3-6 and their caregiver.

Thu, Apr 18, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Teen Zone
7th - 12th grade Swifties, join us for this fun event!

Thu, Apr 18, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Haney Family Conference Room
Join the NWA food bank to learn about creating a garden. Register