- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (1 May 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060762306
- ISBN-13: 978-0060762308
- Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 13.5 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,188,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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First Sentence
On December 31, 1928, I was born Thomas Austin Preston Jr. in Johnson, Arkansas, a town of about two hundred between Fayetteville and Springdale in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
On December 31, 1928, I was born Thomas Austin Preston Jr. in Johnson, Arkansas, a town of about two hundred between Fayetteville and Springdale in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I just finished reading this book and I can't say enough good things about it. I'm a poker player and spend a lot of time in casinos all over the world. I thought I knew a thing or two about the gambler's mind and world. I really didn't until I read this book about America's most famous gambler.
Slim has a great story to tell and he and Dinkin, his co author, do a great job telling it. I had read Alvarez, Holden, Spanier and McManus -- great gambling writers all. But this book about Amarillo Slim did them all one better by focusing on such a fascinating and roguish character -- HIMSELF!
Slim has a great story to tell and he and Dinkin, his co author, do a great job telling it. I had read Alvarez, Holden, Spanier and McManus -- great gambling writers all. But this book about Amarillo Slim did them all one better by focusing on such a fascinating and roguish character -- HIMSELF!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is great. It's written in such a chatty way that you feel almost like you're sharing a Coke with the man himself. His honesty and integrity make this a great book and it seems like a nice guy really did come first. He says he 'lost £30million, you wouldn't believe me if I told you how much I won!)' It's great to get a tiny glimpse of man who's life is the stuff of legend. Nicholas Cage playing Amarillo Slim? Do me a favour! Class book. Great escapism.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
30 reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Angela's Ashes for High Rollers
8 May 2003
Format:Hardcover
Among poker players, Slim is already a legend as one of the Founding Fathers of modern poker. His memoir, which I understand is being made into a movie (Nicholas Cage reportedly wants to play Slim), should broaden his audience. Slim's distinctive voice is in every sentence, and it's a voice that makes you want to listen forever. One of the startling things that comes through, though Slim doesn't push it at all, is the fact that this man has an amazing mathematical mind (I'd bet his IQ is well north of "Exceptional"). Coupled with an insight into people that would make Freud envious, Slim has all the right ingredients for a millionaire gambler who made his first million at nineteen--while serving a tour of duty in the Army. This book could be required reading for the business crowd who gobble up books by CEOs and politicians. Except you won't find palaver in here about corporate spirit, etc. Slim is a lone wolf who chose, in his words, "a hard way to make an easy living." Henry Miller said that for him, reading I.B. Singer was "like eating pie," pure pleasure that went down easy and made you want more. That's what reading this memoir was like for me. I have the attention span of a gnat, but once I started reading, I didn't want to do anything else. When the book was over I wished I could have opened Volume Two. The literati might treat this book with condescension, like it's a novelty item. If gripping narrative, life lessons, laugh-out-loud humor and sheer honesty don't add up to literature, I want to stay clear of the Critics' Picks. This is a memoir that conveys the entirety of the writer on every page, and it does it without a drop of pretension. If you dislike gambling, this book might not be for you, but if you like gambling, or are indifferent to it but enjoy books that deal with business strategy and tactics, I think you'll like this a lot. It made this New Yorker want to move to the Lone Star State, put on a ten gallon hat, and make regular trips to Vegas for some action.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
A lot of Fun
28 Sep 2003
Format:Hardcover
The most striking thing about Slim's life is his ability to win money gambling on so many different things. I wouldn't think a good pool hustler that could beat Minnesota Fats could also win the World Series of Poker. I'm surprised that Slim could win thousands playing dominoes with Willie Nelson and also beat Bobby Riggs playing Ping Pong. The one unifying factor is that Slim has had an amazing ability to figure out an edge against an opponent. Once he can find an angle he can beat people at their best game. The book provides numerous examples of how Slim has used that edge.
Brains have also kept Slim from harm. He was more than willing to risk a misdemeanor to run his Texas Bookmaking business, but when Federal Law made bookmaking a felony, Slim immediately quit the business whereas his friend Sailor was stubborn and eventually went to jail.
There's a good amount of material about run-ins with Slim's nemesis Jimmy the Greek. Slim didn't like the Greek. Some of it was due to the Greek's inflated ego and iffy character, and though some explanation is provided it seems that the reasons for the animosity go deeper than the basic descriptions. I bet a whole book could be written on their associations.
What Slim doesn't do in the book is explain big bets that he lost. There isn't any reflection on the times people have outsmarted him. I'm sure very few have, but it would have been interesting to hear Slim explain what he learned from those events.
The book flows nicely and I laughed I quite a bit at Slim's down home witticisms. If you like gambling or the people who do, this book will provide an entertaining afternoon at the beach.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Best Book Ever, Man
22 May 2003
Format:Hardcover
Slim is a slice of Americana--a real piece of Texas and the last living cowboy. This memoir tells the fascinating tales of his fascinating life and has you laughing out loud after every page. Not only is this the best memoir I've ever read, but it's the best book on hustling and gambling, putting every other book on the market to shame. You'll not only be entertained with every one of Slim's tall tales, but you'll also learn about life and what it takes to make millions of dollars without ever having to hold down a steady job. A must read for anyone interested in a living legend and an American icon.
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