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Jay Rankin didn’t research Las Vegas; he lived it.

His six years as an MGM Grand doorman gave him the insider’s view of real Vegas life, the grit behind the glitz. Jay reveals a Vegas few people know exists.

In his position as a doorman, Rankin found himself at the intersection of two worlds: the flashy, electric exterior of the Las Vegas strip, and its gritty hidden infrastructure. Surrounded by hordes of visitors whose singular goal was often to cross lines, Rankin faced a nightly fight for his sanity and his safety.

“Vegas is carefully constructed to propel visitors toward disaster,” writes Rankin. “Most guests are in freefall. Naïve, unsuspecting, they have no defense. I witness the assisted suicide every night; I’ve seen it a million times. I’m almost guaranteed to be there when the thrill ends.”

Rankin, a former probation officer and television host who holds an advanced degree in psychology, worked the graveyard shift as a doorman at the 5,000-room MGM Grand hotel for six years. A memoir of sorts, Rankin’s book tells the true story of this turbulent period in his life.

One thing’s for sure: Vegas is not your average American town, and working as an MGM Grand doorman is not your average briefcase-toting job. Earning a living in Las Vegas is a nonstop thrill ride with an unknown destination. Look over Jay Rankin’s shoulder as he navigates pitfalls and temptations, and gets off the tracks just in time.

He began writing in 1993 and is currently working on his second book, about his life after escaping Vegas. He resides in Los Angeles, California.

Jay Rankin didn’t research Las Vegas; he lived it. His six years as an MGM Grand doorman gave him the insider’s view of real Vegas life, the grit behind the glitz. Jay reveals a Vegas few people know exists. In his position as a doorman, Rankin found himself at the intersection of two worlds: the flashy, electric exterior of the Las Vegas strip, and its gritty hidden infrastructure. Surroun... More