Hidden History of Atlantic City

For decades, Atlantic City was deservedly known as the queen of resorts. All the glitz and glamour imaginable shined on the boardwalk, where visitors of all ages enjoyed breathtaking views of a pristine beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The city by the sea had grand hotels, iconic restaurants, and amusement piers. Its nightclubs introduced Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis as a comedy team and booked stars like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and many more. As the city slipped from its one-time prosperity, its decay was on view nationally when it hosted the 1964 Democratic Convention, but when legalized gambling arrived in 1978, some of the legendary glamour returned.

Entertainment journalist, author, and jazz performer Bruce Klauber traces the incredible history of a city that’s been up and down and over and out—and up again.