Notorious Gamblers of the Old West

Nonfiction, History, Americas, United States, 19th Century
Cover of the book Notorious Gamblers of the Old West by G.R. Williamson, Indian Head Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: G.R. Williamson ISBN: 9781499525410
Publisher: Indian Head Publishing Publication: May 19, 2018
Imprint: Language: English
Author: G.R. Williamson
ISBN: 9781499525410
Publisher: Indian Head Publishing
Publication: May 19, 2018
Imprint:
Language: English

Notorious Gamblers of the Old West

Texas historian, G. R. Williamson, tells the "unvarnished truth" about one of the integral facets of the American West – gambling. Rich in detail and jargon, yet written in an easy to understand style, the book tells how the games were played, legitimately and otherwise; it presents the stories of some of the infamous gamblers and con men of the era; and it covers the notorious saloons and gambling houses where fortunes were wagered night and day in the untamed West. The thoroughly researched 300-page book has over one hundred vintage photographs, a glossary of frontier gambling terms, extensive bibliography, and index.

"This book was written to try to tell the true story of gambling in the Old West", Williamson says. "I intentionally did not delve into the societal and moral issues of gambling; rather I decided to explore the myth and lore that drove men to risk fortunes, big or small, on the turn of a card or the spin of a wheel."

Williamson points out that games of chance were dear to the hearts of not only cowboys but also gold miners, plantation owners, bankers, merchants, soldiers, trappers, buffalo hunters, muleskinners, and most of the other men of the American West, even including some preachers. Wherever there were men with money there was gambling – and most of it was crooked. Whether it was rigged, fixed, double-dealt, cold-decked, braced or otherwise manipulated - very little was left to luck and skill.

Notorious Gamblers of the Old West takes you inside the infamous gambling saloons where players could try their luck against faro, monte, or twenty-one dealers. Along the way you will meet some of the big-time gamblers of the era including Big Ed Chase, Swiftwater Bill Gates, Long John Dunn, Ben Thompson, Luke Short, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and J.J. Cozad. You will also meet some of the card sharps and conmen such as, George Devol, "Canada Bill" Jones, and Jefferson Randolph Smith (Soapy Smith). In addition, you will meet the petticoat dealers that include "Poker" Alice, "La Tules" of Santa Fe, Eleanore Dumont "Madame Mustache", and the mysterious Lottie Deno.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Notorious Gamblers of the Old West

Texas historian, G. R. Williamson, tells the "unvarnished truth" about one of the integral facets of the American West – gambling. Rich in detail and jargon, yet written in an easy to understand style, the book tells how the games were played, legitimately and otherwise; it presents the stories of some of the infamous gamblers and con men of the era; and it covers the notorious saloons and gambling houses where fortunes were wagered night and day in the untamed West. The thoroughly researched 300-page book has over one hundred vintage photographs, a glossary of frontier gambling terms, extensive bibliography, and index.

"This book was written to try to tell the true story of gambling in the Old West", Williamson says. "I intentionally did not delve into the societal and moral issues of gambling; rather I decided to explore the myth and lore that drove men to risk fortunes, big or small, on the turn of a card or the spin of a wheel."

Williamson points out that games of chance were dear to the hearts of not only cowboys but also gold miners, plantation owners, bankers, merchants, soldiers, trappers, buffalo hunters, muleskinners, and most of the other men of the American West, even including some preachers. Wherever there were men with money there was gambling – and most of it was crooked. Whether it was rigged, fixed, double-dealt, cold-decked, braced or otherwise manipulated - very little was left to luck and skill.

Notorious Gamblers of the Old West takes you inside the infamous gambling saloons where players could try their luck against faro, monte, or twenty-one dealers. Along the way you will meet some of the big-time gamblers of the era including Big Ed Chase, Swiftwater Bill Gates, Long John Dunn, Ben Thompson, Luke Short, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and J.J. Cozad. You will also meet some of the card sharps and conmen such as, George Devol, "Canada Bill" Jones, and Jefferson Randolph Smith (Soapy Smith). In addition, you will meet the petticoat dealers that include "Poker" Alice, "La Tules" of Santa Fe, Eleanore Dumont "Madame Mustache", and the mysterious Lottie Deno.

More books from 19th Century

Cover of the book Mediterranean Diasporas by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book Jane Austen's Worthing by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book Doc Holliday by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book York by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book Slavery And Freedom by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book Masks Of Anarchy by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book The British Fiscal-Military States, 1660-c.1783 by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book The Spirit Lake Massacre by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book America's Founding Fathers by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book In Pursuit of Privilege by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book Patrick R. Cleburne And The Tactical Employment Of His Division At The Battle Of Chickamauga by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book Taking Hawaii by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book Enlightening the World by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book The Trials of Laura Fair by G.R. Williamson
Cover of the book The Penguin Social History of Britain by G.R. Williamson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy