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 Trevi, 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 read for anyone who has ever laid a bet, Titanic Thompson recaptures the colorful times of a singular figure: America's original road gambler.
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Ww Norton & Co
ISBN-10
0393071154
ISBN-13
9780393071153
eBay Product ID (ePID)
105423150
Product Key Features
Author
Kevin Cook
Format
Hardback
Language
English
Topic
Biography: General
Genre
Biography: General
Dimensions
Weight
480g
Height
244mm
Width
165mm
Additional Product Features
Place of Publication
New York
Spine
25mm
Content Note
20 Black-And-White Illustrations
Author Biography
A former senior editor at Sports Illustrated, Kevin Cook is the author of Titanic Thompson, Tommy's Honor, Kitty Genovese and The Dad Report. He lives in New York City.
Date of Publication
22/11/2010
Country of Publication
United States
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