What do you think?
Rate this book
The Governor's Mansion
The Governor's Mansion is a candid, revealing novel about a family caught up in alien territory. Out of this struggle emerges a book richly original and rare in its intimate view of American politics.
Leon becomes governor of Nevada during the 1960s. An able lawyer in his own right, he is a neophyte when it comes to dealing with the political ploys of the entrenched officeholders who dominate in Nevada.
The two faces of Nevada, traditional cowboy country and glitzy Las Vegas where anything goes, make for striking contrast. The author portrays the Las Vegas of shocking mores, its hoodlums, hit men, and hookers with affectionate humor.
Leon faces the crisis of his budding political career when he is caught between J. Edgar Hoover's FBI, bent on cleaning out the Mafia, and his own need to protect the autonomy of his native state. An unexpected ally appears when the only man rich enough to solve the governor's dilemma comes to Nevada - reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes.
The Governor's Mansion neatly concludes the journey from Old World to New World that was begun in the first two books of Robert Laxalt's The Basque Hotel and Child of the Holy Ghost.
Leon becomes governor of Nevada during the 1960s. An able lawyer in his own right, he is a neophyte when it comes to dealing with the political ploys of the entrenched officeholders who dominate in Nevada.
The two faces of Nevada, traditional cowboy country and glitzy Las Vegas where anything goes, make for striking contrast. The author portrays the Las Vegas of shocking mores, its hoodlums, hit men, and hookers with affectionate humor.
Leon faces the crisis of his budding political career when he is caught between J. Edgar Hoover's FBI, bent on cleaning out the Mafia, and his own need to protect the autonomy of his native state. An unexpected ally appears when the only man rich enough to solve the governor's dilemma comes to Nevada - reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes.
The Governor's Mansion neatly concludes the journey from Old World to New World that was begun in the first two books of Robert Laxalt's The Basque Hotel and Child of the Holy Ghost.
- GenresFiction
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1994
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Robert Laxalt
46 books10 followersLaxalt was a Basque-American writer whose work was especially well received in the ranching areas of Nevada and adjacent states, and led to creation of several "Basque Festivals" in those areas. Laxalt also served as a consultant to the Library of Congress on Basque culture, and helped start the Basque Studies program at the University of Nevada.
Laxalt founded the University of Nevada Press, which published almost all of his books written after 1964. Laxalt was chosen along with Walter Van Tilburg Clark to be the first writer inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame.
Laxalt founded the University of Nevada Press, which published almost all of his books written after 1964. Laxalt was chosen along with Walter Van Tilburg Clark to be the first writer inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 14, 2024
This is the final novel of Laxalt’s Basque Family Trilogy. The narrative is from Leon’s brother’s (Pete) perspective. Leon Indart (the eldest son of Basque immigrants living in Carson City, as a reporter) runs for lieutenant governor, governor, and US Senator of Nevada. It is the current playbook of 2024’s presidential election.
Displaying 1 of 1 review