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License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver

Rick Harrison,

Tim Keown

3.85 · Rating details · 2,007 ratings · 273 reviews

In Las Vegas, there's a family-owned business called the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, run by three generations of the Harrison family: Rick; his son, Big Hoss; and Rick's dad, the Old Man. Now License to Pawn takes readers behind the scenes of the hit History show Pawn Stars and shares the fascinating life story of its star, Rick Harrison, and the equally intriguing story behi ...more

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Hardcover, 256 pages

Published June 7th 2011 by Hachette Books (first published January 1st 2011)

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Feb 04, 2012 Marisa rated it really liked it

I have to say, I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this book! I read it in two days. I'm a big fan of Rick's show, Pawn Stars, but I figured this was going to be just one of those strike-while-the-iron-is-hot deals.
This book was a lot deeper than I was expecting. I got to know the Harrison family and Chumlee as people, aside from their TV personas. I had no idea of the struggles Old Man, Rick, Big Hoss and Chumlee had faced in their lives. I didn't realize how hard they worked to overc ...more

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Jun 19, 2011 Traci rated it really liked it

If you've never flipped over to "Pawn Stars" on the History Channel, then you probably have no idea who Rick Harrison is. Or the Old Man, or Big Hoss, or Chumlee. Do yourself a favor and watch an episode or two, then pick up this book.

Normally when a book is released in conjunction with a TV show, I find myself sort of flipping/skipping through it. The "author" never has much to say that hasn't already been covered on the show, and it's usually not written too well, either. Well, surprise! Harr If you've never flipped over to "Pawn Stars" on the History Channel, then you probably have no idea who Rick Harrison is. Or the Old Man, or Big Hoss, or Chumlee. Do yourself a favor and watch an episode or two, then pick up this book.

Normally when a book is released in conjunction with a TV show, I find myself sort of flipping/skipping through it. The "author" never has much to say that hasn't already been covered on the show, and it's usually not written too well, either. Well, surprise! Harrison has done an excellent job of making this just as entertaining and informative as the show. (A big sign that this is a guy who knows what he's doing - his name is the only one listed as the author, not Rick Harrison "with" or "and").

For example, I'm always amazed that everyone on the show wants to sell their items. Um, it's a pawn shop, right? So why no clips with anyone pawning anything? There's a very good reason, as it turns out: pawn transactions are considered loans, and all loan information is privileged and private. When someone comes in to sell an item, that's a plain old business transaction, and there is no expectation of privacy. See, you learn something new every day! Also, when Rick calls in his experts, it's often for educational purposes. Most of the time, he's already got a very good idea of what the object is and how much it's worth (the educational part was the History Channel's idea - they wanted an "Antiques Roadshow with attitude").

I think the most interesting part of the book was Rick's story. He's a 10th-grade dropout, but he's a genius. Literally. He also has epilespy, and as a child, he had grand mal seizures that were so bad he had to stay home from school for a week or more at a time. His way to cope with the loneliness and uncertainty of life? BOOKS! He read just about everything he could get his hands on, including a lot of math and science books (he still reads a lot of that genre "for fun"). This is why he knows as much as he does about the things that come into the shop - he's a voracious reader and he retains lots of little factoids. If you learn anything from this book, it should be the power of the written word!

There are chapters written by Rick's dad, Old Man; his son, Corey (aka Big Hoss); and of course, Corey's long-time friend, Austin (aka Chumlee). You'll find out Rick's rules of negotiation, the history of the store, and why none of the main characters can work the floor anymore. Chumlee leads the pack in "swag" sales - all the t-shirts, shot glasses, etc with pictures of each of the leads. And there are lots of stories about how pawning items works, why people pawn, and the sort of characters they get in the store.

Probably the neatest thing I realized reading this book was that a pawn store is a lot like a library. Now, before you laugh, there's a reason I say this! As Rick points out, he doesn't judge people by what they bring in to pawn, nor does he care why they want/need the money. And he will work with anyone who walks in the door, unless it's extremely obvious that what they're bringing in has been stolen. The library does pretty much the same thing - it's a public institution available to all, and we don't care what you check out as long as your account is in good standing. The only bummer for the library is that we don't really have a way to recoup our loss if you take off with our item; Rick can hold onto the pawned item and then sell it if the pawner never picks it up again. Both places see all types, from the completely downtrodden to the well-to-do. And the stories we could tell about our clientel would probably sound awfully similar....

"License to Pawn" is a very good book, and I highly recommend it. Probably the closest you'll be able to get to the store now that they're famous! ...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Eric_W rated it it was amazing

Shelves: economics, biography-memoir, miscellaneous

I am a huge fan of the History Channel’s Pawn Stars. It has wit, familial relations, historical trivia, old stuff and weird stuff. Rick Harrison is the owner of the pawn shop located in Las Vegas, and the show’s popularity has meant they have added thousands of square feet to the store and hired an additional thirty employees. They used to have about 100 customers per day; they now have over a thousand.

Harrison has an interesting background. He suffered from grand mal seizures as a child which I am a huge fan of the History Channel’s Pawn Stars. It has wit, familial relations, historical trivia, old stuff and weird stuff. Rick Harrison is the owner of the pawn shop located in Las Vegas, and the show’s popularity has meant they have added thousands of square feet to the store and hired an additional thirty employees. They used to have about 100 customers per day; they now have over a thousand.

Harrison has an interesting background. He suffered from grand mal seizures as a child which made him think he wouldn’t live to adulthood and provided a justification in his mind for just being a reprobate. He was constantly in trouble, but he was also extremely bright. Testing off the charts in math and a constant reader, school was exceedingly boring and lacked challenge so after the ninth grade he just decided he didn’t need it any more. Nobody could figure me out. I was a tenth-grade dropout who read and studied more than most college students. I could be a raging, partying guy on Friday night and then get up Saturday morning, pack three or four physics books into a backpack, hop on a motorcycle, and drive into the desert. I’d sit on the side of a mountain all day long reading them. No wonder nobody knew what to make of me. I wasn’t always sure, either. He drops hints of interesting history and physics books. (I've already added them to my collection.)

I knew very little about how pawn shops operate, and was startled to learn that 25% of the population does not qualify for a bank account so pawn shops operate as a no questions asked source of cash. One very hard working man made his living for comparing prices at various pawn shops, buying and then pawning and redeeming assorted items, the difference in prices being his income. He raised six children this way. Another tidbit: 80-90% of pawns (depending on the economy) are ultimately redeemed, a much higher figure than I would have imagined. People like their stuff.

Scattered amidst Rick’s observations are chapters by Old Man (a thorough curmudgeon if there ever was one), Corey (he had a terrible time with crystal meth as a teenager but credits his dad with not enabling and forcing him to get off of it which he did with sterling will power and cheeseburgers with bacon) and Chumlee (no where near as dumb as portrayed on the show and quite the entrepreneur himself.) Rick never judges; it would be the death of his business, nor does he harbor any sentimentality toward “stuff,” a refreshing attitude. As he notes, a sociologist could learn a great deal working the night window. Another tidbit, Pimps buy a lot of jewelry from me, and the bigger the better. It’s not fake, either. They insist on real gold and they’re willing to pay a good amount for it. And here’s why: If they get arrested, the cops will confiscate their cash but not their jewelry. They can give their jewelry to one of their girls, and she’ll take it directly to the pawn shop to get money for bail. It makes perfect sense if you look at it from their perspective. The jewelry is not just an accessory.

One little tidbit about the effect of the show. Rick, his dad, Corey and Chumlee can no longer work the counter because with all the tourists snapping pictures, a pawn; confidentiality would be compromised, something that’s illegal. Besides, I had never watched a reality show until I was starring in one. When people ask me what I think about all this attention, I tell them the same thing every time: We’ll ride this horse till it dies, and then we’ll cut a steak off its ass.

The book itself is not a literary masterpiece. He writes much the way he talks on the show and you can hear his incessant laughter and delight in what he finds behind every sentence. BTW, he delights in his use of the word, “fuck,” so those who can’t bear to see that in print will probably want to avoid the book. Their loss. ...more

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Jul 19, 2011 Deborah rated it really liked it

Shelves: men-would-enjoy, american-life, browsed, older-children-book, family-dynamics, non-fiction

Quite often my sweet husband takes a nosedive into the unknown and takes up with a new adventure/obsession with something “strange.” I found this serendipitous oddity a very attractive characteristic when we first met (I know…red flag??), and frankly, it’s had its ups and downs on my last nerve over the years. All in all; however, there’s never a dull moment with Anthony if you just sit back and brace yourself.

The show is mind-boggling. As I sit in my little apple green recliner writing reviews Quite often my sweet husband takes a nosedive into the unknown and takes up with a new adventure/obsession with something “strange.” I found this serendipitous oddity a very attractive characteristic when we first met (I know…red flag??), and frankly, it’s had its ups and downs on my last nerve over the years. All in all; however, there’s never a dull moment with Anthony if you just sit back and brace yourself.

The show is mind-boggling. As I sit in my little apple green recliner writing reviews while DH watches “his” shows, I’m wont to look up once in a while to see what’s going on.

Against my better judgement, sometimes I’m captured by the absurdities of men: Men in the greater outdoors hunting with lots of equipment (guns, bows & steel tipped arrows, whistles, bright florescent suits, misshapen, weird hats & assorted other “gear”), excavating big mountains with equipment they don’t know how to maneuver & in icy weather, clambering about and becoming lost without food in crumbling old caves with their teen aged daughters, panning for gold in muddy streams and gleefully coming up with minute particles which value is less than the cost of the pan, or pulling up by hand man-eating fish in mosquito infested jungles… Recently, I’ve been pulled in by pawn shops on the Tube! Ugh! This wars against every bone in my WASPish, DAR body, and would disgrace my family. It’s really tantamount to watching a strip show!

Primary among such shows is Rick Harrison’s straight from Las Vegas “Pawn Stars.” Pawn Stars is a fabulous program! I love it, and it’s become my latest dirty little secret…now out in the open! We’ve agreed it’s the only pawn show we’ll watch.

Rick is an intelligent, witty and well-informed guy who actually makes wise choices about some seriously fabulous items brought to his shop. The experts Rick brings in to evaluate some of the items are so learned they add a dimension of knowledge and intelligence that rivals experts I’ve seen and heard from auction houses and museums in Boston. A couple of them are experienced in museum collections and authentic documents of early America and England…so interesting to hear and watch. I have learned a good deal from Rick, his dad and these experts.

One of the most fetching (did I use that word?) and hilarious things about the show is Chumly, Rick’s doofus nephew. Chum is a complete novice at pawn, and life, it seems. He has no idea what’s “good” and what’s “fake,” what are stolen goods, what’s trash and what’s treasure. He is a guy whose life is chockful of accidents and mishaps; i.e., nearly everything he touches falls apart, breaks down, or costs the shop money. In fact, Chum nearly costs his grandad more money than the shop brings in on some days! In the latest episode, Chumly test flies a valuable, antique kite and snags it on a highwire electrical tower…you flew it–you can’t get it down–you bought it! And, poor Chum is always shocked by these manifistations of Murphy’s Law in his life.

Chumly is the fall guy for the show, and makes it all worthwhile to watch…just for the hilarity of it. Rick’s dad is also sooo funny as he glumly and stoically mumbles his way through all the trials and troubles of the shop and Chum. And, Big Hoss, Rick’s son, who is assigned to watch over and teach Chum, as well as to be the Ass’t Mgr., lumbers along making a couple of wise choices on the way, but mostly watching Chumly mess up and telling on him. Honestly, Chum is the best comedic character on tv.

All this to give you some kind of intro. into Rick Harrison’s new book “License To Pawn” which I wholeheartedly recommend for your sweethearts and you when you want a different ride on the wild side.

Visit my book reviews blog to see live video trailer & more about this book: http://www.abookishlibraria.blogspot.com ...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Khairul Hezry rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: fans of the show, fans of celebrity memoirs

Shelves: biographies-and-memoirs

Only two reasons why I even bothered with this book. Firstly, I'm sort of a fan of the show. I like history and some of the items that are featured are very interesting. Second, the book was like 60% off at Amazon. Can't resist a bargain.

The book is surprisingly good. Just like the show, it has a bit of humour and Rick is a natural storyteller. It's not difficult to tell stories I suppose when a lot of zany characters walk through your door looking for some quick cash. In fact, from what Rick te Only two reasons why I even bothered with this book. Firstly, I'm sort of a fan of the show. I like history and some of the items that are featured are very interesting. Second, the book was like 60% off at Amazon. Can't resist a bargain.

The book is surprisingly good. Just like the show, it has a bit of humour and Rick is a natural storyteller. It's not difficult to tell stories I suppose when a lot of zany characters walk through your door looking for some quick cash. In fact, from what Rick tells us the show is a sanitized version of a typical day at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Practically ignored while he was growing up because his parents were too busy working, Rick Harrison feared as a child that he would never see adulthood because of his seizures that would relegate him to the bed for days. This was where he would spend his days reading any books he could get his hands on and he credits those days as his real education. He also has a natural gift for numbers. So the bald overweight guy with the smoker's laugh isn't actually a dumbass.

His employee Chumlee though isn't as book smart and looks it while his son Big Hoss is smart but doesn't look the part. They both get to tell their stories (they were meth addicts in their teens and cleaned up their lives while their other meth buddied didn't). Rick's dad The Old Man also pitched in nut it's Rick's book so he gets most of the pages.

The most interesting part of the book for me was when he describes some of the characters he has encountered in the twenty years he's been working in the pawn shop. There's the billionaire who browses in his shop without buying anything ever but everytime he comes in, there's a new girl by his side. There's the Asian lady who looked like a bag lady but took out a roll of hundred dollar bills from her sock to make a purchase. The family who live their lives as professional gamblers and visit the Gold & Silver whenever they need cash for the casinos and the thieves and conmen who sometimes get away with their scams and causes Rick to lose thousands of dollars.

It is a well written book. A Tim Keown is credited as author with Rick Harrison and I'm guessing he's the ghost writer. I usually avoid ghost written memoirs but Rick's voice comes out loud enough in this book that I believe that Rick actually did the writing while Mr. Keown merely polished the rough manuscript.

A surprisingly deep book about a hustler with a heart. ...more

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Oct 07, 2011 Megan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ajpl, history, 2011, memoir, favorites, adult

I love Pawn Stars, and I have always been curious about the darker/seedier side of the business, which I knew must be present. Everything on the show is nice, clean, and orderly, but I knew any Las Vegas pawn shop open 24 hours had to see some crazy things. This is definitely the book to read if you are curious about that side of the store - and it made me wish History Channel might show a little more of it.

This book follows mainly Rick, but it contains chapters from the Old Man, Corey, and Chum ...more

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Feb 04, 2018 Michelle rated it really liked it

Entertaining book for fans of the show. Fun.

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Sep 17, 2012 Terri Tinkel rated it really liked it

Shelves: family

What a pleasant surprise. I've watched PAWN STARS reality show from time to time..enough to know the main participants in this pawn shop. I've even visited the actual WORLD FAMOUS GOLD AND SILVER PAWN SHOP in Las Vegas.
This book tells the back stories about the Old Man, Rick Harrison, Corey ~ his son and Chumlee. Their story isn't an easy one. They all had struggles and made decisions over the years that brought them to where they are now. They all love their jobs and enjoy going to work every d ...more

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Dec 20, 2012 Dierdra McGill rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, autobiography, memoirs

I really loved the show, Pawn Stars so I was excited about reading this book. I am not really sure what I expected the book to be like, but there were a lot more stories then I thought there would be. The storys were intresting enough, but it would have maybe come off better in an audio version with Rick Harrison reading it.
Overall it was an intresting read. If you enjoy the show you will most likely enjoy the book. I learned a little and killed some time.

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Jan 24, 2018 Bob rated it really liked it

If you've always wanted to know how and what a pawn shop does in the business world, look no further. If you're interested in what makes the fabulously successful television show "Pawn Stars" so interesting in the first place, this is the book to read.
Rick Harrison does a good job narrating his biography, and how he, his father and son managed to get The Gold and Silver Pawnshop off the ground in Las Vegas.
Starting from his medically challenged childhood all the way through the decisions, and ne ...more

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Jul 23, 2020 Andrew rated it really liked it

My brother first introduced me to 'Pawn Stars' about 10 years ago--and I've watched a lot of episodes ever since. This book is just a little grittier than the television show--but all their personalities come through--especially Rick's, who narrates most of the book. If you're a fan of the TV show, you will definitely be satisfied with this book. ...more

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Feb 14, 2020 Rod Hansen rated it it was amazing

“Anyway, she finally shows up at the window with her mouth full of toilet paper. She drops the gold tooth and the pliers through the slot.

“A gold tooth covered in blood.

For $40.”

This is one of the many startling, and strangely enlightening tales to unfold in LICENSE TO PAWN, a memoir from Rick Harrison of the History Channel’s Pawn Stars. No mere TV tie-in or celebrity puff piece, LICENSE TO PAWN is a freewheeling account of back alley financing, ghetto economics, and harvesting trash into treas “Anyway, she finally shows up at the window with her mouth full of toilet paper. She drops the gold tooth and the pliers through the slot.

“A gold tooth covered in blood.

For $40.”

This is one of the many startling, and strangely enlightening tales to unfold in LICENSE TO PAWN, a memoir from Rick Harrison of the History Channel’s Pawn Stars. No mere TV tie-in or celebrity puff piece, LICENSE TO PAWN is a freewheeling account of back alley financing, ghetto economics, and harvesting trash into treasure.

The above Tale of the Bloody Gold Tooth comes from a chapter told by Rick’s son Corey, one of his TV co-stars and employee of the family’s World Famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. This was early in Corey’s pawn career and he was working the Night Window, a spot the truly desperate use very often to finance a drug or gambling habit (this is, after all, Vega$, baby.)

“Do you buy gold teeth?” the woman asks Corey.

“We do,” he answers.

“Do you have a pair of pliers?”

The night window. The seedy backdrop of many tales in these pages to feature pimps, hustlers, gamblers and tweakers. In fact, when Harrison first proffered the idea of a pawn shop-set reality show to the entertainment world, HBO bit on the idea of a “Taxicab Confessions” - style peep into the Neon City’s underbelly via the Night Window.

Harrison saw the flaw in this plan immediately. Rather than exhibit his customers like circus freaks, he chose to highlight the unique items offered at his counter. The guns (only antique firearms allowed here, folks). The once-clamored-for novelty items (a Pet Rock still bids high, provided it’s in the original packaging.) Anything and everything, some valued in the thousands for nothing more than a good story.

This was the approach embraced by the History Channel, back when its programming earned it the dismissive label “The Hitler Channel.” Here was an idea to entertain and educate an audience of all ages. An “Antiques Roadshow” with attitude.

Along with the history angle, Pawn Stars also serves as a workplace comedy. The cast has been steady from the beginning: Rick himself, a 10th grade dropout with encyclopedic knowledge of everything from physics to pimp wardrobe. Corey, a former crystal meth addict who relates his struggles in one of the book’s most harrowing chapters. Chumlee, the lovable oaf nicknamed for a cartoon walrus. And of course The Old Man, still alive during this book’s writing, whose nearly every sentence begins with the words, “Dammit, Rick…”

The stories here are by turns heartbreaking, inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny. The insights conveyed make it a five-star read because, as Rick himself will tell you, “You never know what’s gonna come through that door.” ...more

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Apr 11, 2014 Sara rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, tv-shows-i-have-seen, biography

This bio of Rick Harrison's life at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop was quick, enjoyable, and informative. I watch the show sometimes and I've learned a few things when people sell their antiques. I saw this book for sale at the shop when I went there a couple of years ago, but decided against buying it at the time. I've since borrowed it from the library and finally I've read it.

The book gives background on The Old Man, Corey, and Chumlee (who all write chapters in the book). That was interesting a ...more

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Oct 23, 2011 Quentin Stewart rated it it was amazing

A fun book to read and to help the viewers of the show 'Pawn Stars" understand the personalities that they see each week on their TV screens. Rick does an excellent job of explaining his background and makes no excuses for the things he got into as a youngster. We see in his story the struggle that many families had to make ends meet and to raise a family. "Old Man" struggled in raising a family and Rick had problems in his personal life after marriage, but it did not stop either of them in tryi ...more

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Oct 13, 2012 DelGal rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2012

I thought that this memoir was going to be one of those poorly written ones that come zipping out after someone makes it big in a reality show and wants to capitalize on their fame. I was pleasantly surprised how wrong I was, not only was it well written, (sure he had a writer, but sometimes even those writers are terrible!) but it sounded like Mr, Harrison and his family really had their voices heard throughout. This was an easy read and quite enjoyable for two reasons. One, everyone in the boo ...more

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Sep 26, 2016 Jerry B rated it really liked it

We’re longtime fans of History Channel’s “Pawn Stars” show, and have even visited the actual (surprisingly small!) shop during a Las Vegas vacation. So Rick Harrison’s book, mostly autobiographical, was both interesting and entertaining as of course we knew him and dad “Old Man”, son “Big Hoss,” and the clownish “Chumlee” pretty well from years of the TV episodes. We were surprised to learn of Rick’s troubled upbringing, during which first he was severely epileptic, which played havoc with his s ...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Tracey rated it liked it

Shelves: libraryread-tcpl, bio-memoir

I'll admit to watching Pawn Stars, American Pickers and even the occasional episode of Storage Wars - so when I found out about this book, I thought I'd check it out from the library.

I was a little surprised at how non-fluffy this memoir was; not only does Rick talk about his early life and how his family got into the pawn business, he also shares the spotlight with Cory, Chumlee and The Old Man - they each get a chapter or two to tell their stories and are willing to talk about the bad times ...more

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Aug 21, 2011 Colleen rated it liked it

Shelves: biographic

I bought this for my husband since he's obsessed with the show. Of course, just like his obsession means I watch a lot of episodes of Pawn Stars, since he enjoyed the book I wound up reading it too. The main surprise is how much more gritty it is than the show--which makes sense, on the one hand, but on the other, I have huge respect for the Harrisons for keeping the show focused on the main point: the neat stuff that comes into the store. Any other show on any other channel would have romped in ...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Lori rated it it was amazing

Shelves: biography

This is a great book for fans of Pawn Stars. I loved learning about the family, including Rick's rough childhood, and Corey's troubled adolescence. I also enjoyed reading about how they turned down HBO, who wanted to focus on the more raunchy customers who pawn their stuff. The focus on the historical items that come into the store makes for much more interesting tv. I hate how TruTV's Hardcore Pawn shows the worst side of the business, so much that they have to bleep out every other word. With ...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Ellen rated it it was amazing

I love Pawn Stars, so the book was loads of fun to read, and each person had a story of their own to tell. Rick, old man, Corey and Chumlee.
Rick overcame a lot and went through a lot as did Corey . It was interesting to see the pictures and to hear more about the family . Everyone who enjoys this show will enjoy the book I'm sure ...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Jay rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Entertaining book covering the people, the history, the deals, the dealing, and the odd stuff at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. I actually most enjoyed the author talking about his father's Navy life, his childhood epilepsy, and Corree and Chumlee's frank talks (everyone gets to write a chapter) about their drug use and subsequent steps to move on. ...more

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Jan 16, 2016 SouthWestZippy rated it really liked it

Shelves: nonfiction

I just could not put the book down. Great stories about what goes on at a pawn shop and what happen after the TV show started. I am impressed with Rick with the way he overcame his demons and is the first to tell you he messed up. Included stories from family and friends. I am giving it four stars because in a few places it does repeat itself. I highly recommend this book.

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Nov 04, 2012 Robin rated it really liked it

This was a fun fast read, especially if you enjoy the TV show. It got a little repetitive at times but it has some fascintating information and the most interesting is why jewelry store staff are always offering to clean your rings.

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Dec 31, 2014 Jayne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Very entertaining

I'm a recent big fan of the show as I just started watching it this year. I now find myself with 20 episodes of Pawn Stars on TiVo and binge watching them. I loved the book and read it in one afternoon. If you like the show I would recommend the book. ...more

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Jul 11, 2011 sara frances rated it really liked it

Recommended to sara frances by: Fresh Air

Shelves: nonfiction, library-books, loves, memoir-biography, 2011, male-author

i am now mildly obsessed with Rick Harrison.

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Oct 14, 2012 Dan rated it it was amazing

Lots of funny stories

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Nov 14, 2012 Lucas rated it it was amazing

Shelves: has-read

I loved it i watch the show and i loved it ALOT

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Apr 16, 2013 Ava Davis rated it it was amazing

this is the only good book ever when I die I want to be buried with this book

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Mar 22, 2018 Michael Massad rated it really liked it

This isn’t a literary powerhouse, but it is entertaining. Written in the perspective of all the major characters of the show, stories are the central theme. Stories regarding interesting pawns or store regulars, and stories about the upbringing and familial history. Fascinating read portraying a different side of Vegas. The pawn industry is adequately explained and the tribulations of being tv insta-famous are detailed. A light read with some cool insights.

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Jul 05, 2018 Jimmie rated it really liked it

Shelves: biography

This was a fabulous book. I'm a sucker for a good book. Sorry for the pawn pun. But this was a great, entertaining book. Rick Harrison allowed the viewer into his family and I came away with a lot of respect for his family. As I write this review, I understand Rick's dad, Old Man, passed away a few weeks ago. I feel so much respect for the family after reading their struggles. I also learned a lot of behind the scenes from reading this book. This is one of the best biographies I have ever read. ...more

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About Rick Harrison

Rick Harrison

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American businessman and owner of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Star of Pawn Stars reality television series.

There are multiple authors with this name in this data base. This one is Rick^^Harrison.