Titanic Thompson

The Man Who Bet on Everything

De: Kevin Cook

Narrado por: Joe Barrett

Capturing the spirit of a freewheeling era, this rollicking biography brings to life the gambler-hero who inspired Guys and Dolls. Born in a log cabin in the Ozarks, Alvin "Titanic" Thompson (1892-1974) traveled with his golf clubs, a .45 revolver, and a suitcase full of cash. He won and lost millions playing cards, dice, golf, pool, and dangerous games of his own invention. He killed five men and married five women, each one a teenager on her wedding day. He ruled New York's underground craps games in the 1920s and was Damon Runyon's model for slick-talking Sky Masterson. Dominating the links in the pre-PGA Tour years, Thompson may have been the greatest golfer of his time, teeing up with Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Lee Trevino, and Ray Floyd. He also traded card tricks with Houdini, conned Al Capone, lost a million to Minnesota Fats, and then teamed up with Fats and won it all back.

A terrific listen for anyone who has ever laid a bet, Titanic Thompson recaptures the colorful times of a singular figure: America's original road gambler.

©2010 Kevin Cook (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Cook's raucous narrative introduces readers to an eccentric, fascinating personality." ( Publishers Weekly)

"[R]eaders will revel in every rambunctious page about an outlaw spirit who lurked on the frontiers of society, sports, and fair play." ( Booklist)

Interesting Look at Titanic Thompson

Nicely done, kept my interest, very entertaining and informative. It is narrated very well and kept me wanting to hear what was next.

Inspriational Read for Sporting Men

Titanic Thompson was a character that lived through the early 1900s in America playing (and betting on) pool, golf, cards, darts and pretty much anything else if he could be sure of winning. The book is a fascinating glimpse into a world from a bygone era. Familiar figures and places appearing throughout the pages offer contextual framing to ground the book which would otherwise read like a swashbuckling work of fiction. During his life, Titanic encounters mobsters, politicians and golf champions and somehow gets the best of them all.
While Titanic Thompson is a great read on any level, it serves as a reminder to the power in determined and relentless practice. So many of us fail to master even one of the pass time sports that appear throughout this book. After reading about Titanic Thompson, I challenge you not to dust off your golf clubs break out the playing cards or buy a new set of darts. Highly recommended!

Great Book

He was no Saint but this is a great story about a bye gone time in america. If you play cards, pool or golf this is a book for you.

Fascinating

What a life and story. Bumping elbows with some of the most notorious people in the last century and making sure to hustle them while he was there. I loved it.

Must Read

It was like watching a mini series on television, couldn't wait for the next adventure.

Fellow Missourian

This book is very well written and tells an educational and wisdom filled story about one of the most unique men ever. Highly recommend to any intellectually curious readers who enjoy history, hustling, and hospitality (or lack there of).

A scam

I've spent my life working in the gambling business.
The anecdotes are total b s. Don't waste your time.
Thompson goes into the army. After one week an officer approached him and makes him a sergeant and an instructor of new recruits. It's not even good non fiction. Arghhh a total ripoff