Gambling

by Mike Atherton

THE STORY OF GAMBLING is a fascinating account of gambling from the past up until the present day. From Greek mythology and the ancient role of lots, dice and cards, to the explosion of gambling in the 17th century, right through to the high profile thrown cricket and football matches of today, gambling has always been a controversial and captivating phenomenon. Mike Atherton explores the way that many present day sports provide the most popular focus for gambling, why so many of today's sportsmen become fervent gamblers and how in some cases this has led to corruption, addiction and ruined reputations. Unforgettable cases such as the Cronje and Grobbelar incidents will be analysed in detail. He investigates why such a high proportion of the of the world's population have always sought out risk, and how this trend has encompassed all social classes and cultures.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

Hardcover

First published September 7, 2006

Reviews

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[Asher Bailey]

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[Adrian]

Some chapters are better than others in this fairly comprehensive history of gambling from Athers. The best stuff is the first hand stuff that he himself experienced: playing in the cricket game that brought about the end of Hanse Cronje, participating in poker tournaments, attending gamblers anonymous meetings. Athers has a sharp, detached eye and he can always find the humour or absurdity in any situation. The chapters dedicated to laying out the origins of gambling are less fascinating, unless you really like reading history. The book's concluding point is that the arrival of the internet has provided a kind of perfect storm for gamblers - and the last chapter's description of an internet gambler holed up in his Charlton flat with seemingly no non-virtual friends or family, glued to betting screens all day long, feels like a warning about the kind of techno-society that facilitates the dreams of all, no matter how crappy those dreams are.

[Akin]

An interesting, if sometimes disturbing, social history of gambling. Probably against the author's intentions, I'm tempted to log onto betfair.com now. Just a little flutter, you understand...

[Mike]

excellent and interesting read. It would be interesting for Atherton to revisit the topic and add a new chapter on spot betting and in particular its place in morn cricket.

[Mr Mark Francome]

Excellent stuff and Athers gets out there to do his own "in the field" research.

Could do with an update.