Titanic Thompson: The Man Who Bet on Everything - Kevin Cook

Titanic Thompson: The Man Who Bet on Everything

By Kevin Cook

  • Release Date: 2010-11-22
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
4.5 Score: 4.5 (From 103 Ratings)

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Book Synopsis

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

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Latest Impressions

  • Titanic Thompson: The man who bet on everything

    5
    By Outrider JB
    👍

  • The tricks and habits of a gambler

    5
    By Holyokebill
    Titanic Thompson is an excellent history of gambling, sports and masculine happenings in a bygone era. Plenty of well known figures in unfamiliar and interesting situations. Highly recommend for those interested in history, sports and the unseen tricks of gamblers.

  • Fascinating

    5
    By JoeTheCritic
    Apparently well-documented, this book is the story of a legendary, truly incredible man.

  • The best book I have ever read

    5
    By Morvin kamran
    I was reading when I was walking, talking, on my lunch break, at work and in my bed when I woke up next morning .. I didn't realize that I read through the whole thing already .

  • Buy this books for hours of pleasure.

    5
    By Houner
    Great Read and Truly Fun!

  • Never a dull moment!

    4
    By Emmet Aloysius
    For sports fans of all types who enjoy good laughs, good stories, outrageous achievements, and plenty of mischief. T. Thompson was quite a character. EAF

  • Titanic Thompson

    5
    By Udawg62
    OUTSTANDING READ!

  • If you have ever played poker or golf

    5
    By Lawrence Golfer
    You will not be able to put this book down. I can't wait till they make the movie. If anyone could draw to an inside straight or make a putt to win the Calcutta he was your man. He was a cheat and a scoundrel. Patricia Highsmith would have loved "The Talented Mr. Thompson". He would have given Mr. Ripely a run for his money.

  • Great read

    5
    By Billyroy7
    Mr Cook paints a picture of life in the early 1900's up to and including the '60's. That background helped the reader understand how a character like Titanic could do what he did. Some of the story seems unbelievable, and probably isn't true, but even if half of it is factual, it's a hell of a story and a fun read.

  • Happy I'm finished

    3
    By Edit Green
    This was certainly an interesting look at 20th century history's sumbags. The individuals included in this story represent what is the worst in the human condition. Guys like Titanic are the ones to keep away from. Keep your eyes wide open as there is a scam in front of you. It's was a good read for this reason alone.

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