Beneath the Neon: Life and Death in the Tunnels of Las Vegas

If I didn't know any better I would have assumed it to be fiction based solely on the absurdity, tragedy, and colorful stories held in the pages. His writing made me feel like I was actually there and seeing and crawling through the drains with him. Every time he mentioned a cockroach I physically cringed. It was raw, genuine, vulnerable, vulgar at times, and eye opening. He wasn't an expert; just a guy with questions who journaled his finding of answers. One part that really spoke to me was when he crawled out of the storm drain, and the man gave him a dirty look as a potential drain on his property value. The homeless epidemic is a nuisance and bother to many, while veterans and the mentally ill are forced to retreat underground. The very idea of it is heartbreaking and mind boggling. This book was shocking, disturbing, and beautiful in some sort of twisted way. Somebody had to get those people voices out there; he was that voice. The majority of the people I read about are probably dead now, just based on the time lapse, so it is "too late" for them in a sense. But he gave them a voice and wrote it down and made it permanent so people like me could read about it 10 years later. Worth the read.

Matthew O'Brien obviously went Gonzo on the tunnels Beneath the Neon of Las Vegas. He spent months interviewing the homeless who live beneath Las Vegas and walking deep into the tunnels, often pioneering parts of the vast network. The stories enclosed are heartbreaking and reflect some of the major issues facing society: drugs, mental disabilities, lack of care for veterans. What makes the stories that much more incredible is that it is all happening beneath a city where people squander millions of dollars each day.O'Brien should be lauded for telling these stories. The homeless are treated with disdain, as if all of them somehow chose their lot in life. By going into the tunnels and talking with the people--not simply asking questions, but exploring the tunnels and practically living among the "residents"--O'Brien sheds light on these people that would otherwise remain ostracized and forgotten. In doing so, we see these people as they are: perhaps not that different from us. Hard luck, addiction, undiagnosed mental disabilities have sent many of these people below the city. O'Brien reveals them and their stories with genuine honesty.More books like this should be written. It is further proof that what we see on the surface, what the world would want you to believe about a person or place, may not actually be what is actually there. If you are going to Las Vegas or simply want to read stories that are full of truth and grit, this book is for you.

This book does a great job of discussing the part of Las Vegas few people know about but is the reality for thousands of people everyday. The author's privilege does show from time to time throughout the book, but overall a good job of providing a perspective few have ever experienced.

Read this for the fascinating topic it covers. The author has a gonzo journalism writing style that I found to be a detraction from my enjoyment of the book overall

What a summer!I got the book yesterday and started reading it at about 6:00pm. It is now 1:30am and I just finished reading it. I only stopped a couple of times but I really could not put it down. Bravo!I don't believe Matthew O'Brien when he says that he more an author and journalist than an explorer. It is true that he was motivated because of a felon escape story, but a regular journo would have stopped after reenacting the escape and a regular author would have relied more on fiction. O'Brien created a chronicle about what lies beneath, not only Las Vegas but beneath many other metropolitan areas around the world.Throughout the whole book he kept mentioning the baton. I really hope it always stayed in its sheat.I also liked his wrinting style, the waythe flashbacks keep connection with the narration of the present time and especially enjoyed the historical facts about the use of tunnels, caves and their explorers throughout the history of mankind.O'Brien was able to uncover the real people that lives in the drains, and showed us that even if forgotten, ignored or simply at large, they are not the monsters that people think hide in the dark and humid corners of the undercity. And the author goes beyond simply writing a book by helping those in need through his foundation.Thanks for writing that book, for telling the story of those people living underground and for helping them out.

I read about 1 book a week. After our last trip to Las Vegas and a museum curator told us about the underground tunnels of Las Vegas I became intrigued and ordered this when I got home.Its tough to read...the author jumps around and it very poorly written. I usually finish reading a book even if its not great. I couldn't finish this...its that bad.

Beneath the Neon takes the reader on a dark, damp, and often frightful adventure. I'd been going to Vegas for 25 years and never heard of these tunnels. So, to that extent, the book was a revelation.When you descend with the author into those drains, you really feel what it's like living, and exploring, down there. Author Matthew O'Brien has cleverly and insightfully captured the touch, sights, smells, and sounds of the Vegas tunnels. The book is at its best when the author talks to the tunnel dwellers about the dread, fear, and desperation they face -- every day.Great writing. There are passages that are poetic and inspirational. Very good photography. But what really makes the book a worthwhile read is the painstaking research. The author plumbed the flood tunnel depths for years. The result of all his work is an eye-opening and raw assessment of humans driven underground to survive. The next time you check into a Vegas hotel, remember this book and you might think twice before complaining about the meals, entertainment, or room service.

Great read. Highly recommend!

Super interesting read.I took this on holiday with me to Cape verde, not the best book to take regarding luggage allowances as it's quite heavy. But I really enjoyed reading about the people living in the last Vegas tunnel systems.

The book is most interesting, with personal portraits of the homeless who live in the tunnels under Las Vegas. The description of the personal emotions which the author had when he was walking in the drain-prevent system makes it difficult to stop reading.

I found the book very interesting and very disturbing. To think that there are that many homeless people in a supposed rich town is disgusting. I admired some of those people at how they made their money to live and look after themselves. It cannot be easy at all, what with them never knowing when the water will destroy everything they own.

A must read for anyone interested to learn the plight of the hidden world beneath Las Vegas. I couldn't put this book down and read it with 2 days