Rating: 
Summary: Pocket Kings
Review: Not Aces, but definitely very, very good. The editing was a bit inconsistent as he tends to ramble a bit afield early on. Both stories (Binion murder trial and WSOP) are very well done, as is the telling of his own family tale and how it ultimately relates to his experience in the Big One.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't put this one down!
Review: Living in Los Angeles, Las Vegas has become my adult Disneyland over the years and I've adopted it as my vacation of choice; something about the allure of isolation, lights, potential riches in a matter moments, alcoholic binges, women, you name it...all within a 4hrs drive. But when I can't be there in the flesh, the next best thing is the written word...and the word better be written damn well. Only three books so far have brought Vegas to me: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (of course!), Super Casino, and Positively Fifth Street. Unlike the other books mentioned, PFS delves deeply into the annual World Series of Poker, tactics and all, along with the intrigueing story of the Binions--the hosts of the WSOP--and the high-profile murder case involving (you guessed it..or did you?) none other than the Binions. A classic Vegas fairytale/tradgedy amidst the most prestigious poker event around. It's simply pure vintage Vegas wrapped within a tight 422 pages of text. Interested in high-stakes hold-em poker? I barely knew poker till I read this book...now I find myself buying all the strategy books on hold-em mentioned throughout the text, I'm now hooked...after reading this book I want so desperately to wrap that WSOP bracelet around my wrist after reigning over Chris "Jesus" Ferguson or J.T. Cloutier...how fun would it be to take down the 'Gods'??....Hellmuth, you're on my hitlist as well. ... Buy it, read it, absorb it...what an engaging read this is.
Rating: 
Summary: Positively Third Rate
Review: If you want to read about poker, the author provides a bibliography from which you may chose one. This is not a book about poker or how to play poker, although the WSOP is sort of at the core of it. If you want to read a Las Vegas murder mystery, this is not it, although a murder takes place. The first 20 pages describe the torture/strangulation death of a poker mogul by his girl friend and her boyfriend. There is no investigative thrill or courtroom drama. There is a biography of each of the murderers, neither of whom is interesting, unless you enjoy case studies of dummies. The book is sort of an autobiography of the author, who is probably a real neato guy, but why would anyone other than his family care to read about his life? If, however, you seek a book where the phrase "by an order of magnitude" is overused, this book is for you. Having heard about the book during an NPR interview with the author, I signed up for it immediately at the library. I am glad I did not gamble and pay the hardcover price of $.
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating peek at the world of Poker
Review: James McManus went to the World Series of Poker to write a story and ended up at the final table, slinging cards with the best players in the world. Along the way, tidbits of how to play certain hands, the computer simulations the circuit players use to build their skills and the murder of Ted Binion are explored. The world and rules of poker are a bit confusing to me. Then again I certainly did not inheirit the family gambling gene. I was still able to follow McManus's explanations of the game and the hands dealt. The contrast between McManus's life in the casino during the World Series and his regular life with wife Jennifer is conveyed in their phone calls to each other. McManus is buzzing with excitement and the sheer amount of money being betted with each hand while Jennifer cares for their two small daughters. But through out the hands dealt and the quirky players, the accused murders of Ted Binion get their day in court. The story of the casino heir with everything and the stripper is an interesting one. To anyone who has played a hand of poker, visited Las Vegas or is a true crime fan, "Positively Fifth Street" is a fascinating look into another world.
Rating:
Summary: A great read.
Review: I finished it in one sitting.
Some people will approach this book from a 'This American Life' angle (among other accomplishments, McManus was David Sedaris' writing teacher in college), others from a Poker angle (McManus <i>did</i> end up at the last table at the 2000 WSOP), and, finally, some will combine the two (people like me). This last group will probably enjoy the book the most. Out of the rest of you, the Sedaris fans will enjoy the Poker stuff a lot more than they might expect to, but the Poker fans aren't going to enjoy the non-poker stuff as much; they might prefer Big Deal: One Year as a Professional Poker Player by Anthony Holden.
Rating:
Summary: An eye opener
Review: Who knew the World Series of Poker could be so fascinating? Or maybe it's just the way McManus writes about it. For any guy (or lady) who fantasizes about winning big at cards, this is for you.
Also recommended - "Who's Your Caddy" by Rick Reilly and "No One's Even Bleeding" by Lenny Castellaneta
Rating:
Summary: A terrific look at the world of poker, and I don't even play
Review: Not knowing a straight from a royal flush, I can't really say what drew me to this book. But I picked it up, flipped through a few pages in the middle and again at the end, bought it, and never regretted it.
McManus initially planned to write an article for Harper's when he went to Las Vegas to cover the World Series of Poker - and somehow it expanded into this utterly engaging nonfiction book that includes strippers, murder, sex, gambling (duh), drugs...well, why not? It's Las Vegas, after all. In 'researching' material about the world of gambling for his article, McManus enters the competition - and damn near wins!
A delicious inside look into a world that 99% of us will never see and can barely imagine - and then there's that cheetah...
Rating:
Summary: Impossible to put down
Review: I'm a professional poker player, and this book is an incredible look at the World Series of Poker and what it's like to be a part of it, along with the Binion family, Ted's murder, and Las Vegas. Mr. McManus is a brilliant writer who manages to weave everything into a brilliantly compelling story. I missed a World Series event this year because I couldn't put this book down-- I stayed up until 7:30 in the morning to finish it, then couldn't get up to make the noon start time. To me, that is the ultimate recommendation.
Rating: 
Summary: Great story, not great writing
Review: First, let me say that the story McManus tells is fascinating; a no-name in the world of poker making it big on the game's biggest stage is compelling for even the non-card player. You become addicted to his progress in the tournament and the words don't come quickly enough at times.
It is when McManus wanders from this story that I began to dislike the book; needless and sometimes annoying time is spent on his wife and their fantastic lovelife; awkward attempts to tie in the Binion trial; it all seems like forced filler that nevers gels smoothly with the main story. I would have stopped reading had I not been so intrigued by his Word Series of Poker run...
I congratulate the author on his incredible run in the WSOP but can only recommend this book to those readers with more than a passing interest in gambling.
Rating:
Summary: You'll never look at a deck of cards the same way again!
Review: ...... The genesis of POSITIVELY FIFTH STREET occurred when the author, James McManus, was assigned by a magazine to cover the World Series of Poker and the murder of its host, a Las Vegas personality named Ted Binion. POSITIVELY FIFTH STREET begins with a graphic description of Binion's murder by his ex-stripper girlfriend and his best friend, who happens to be the stripper's boyfriend. As the book progresses we learn the back story of the principals involved in the murder and in the tournament and about Las Vegas. We also learn, on a parallel track, about how the lure of the tables proved too much for McManus to resist and how he risked his entire writing advance to play in the poker tournament himself. His initial excuse was that he could effectively write his article only by actually experiencing play at the table. It is McManus's step-by-step account of his transformation from a student of the game to finding himself seated at the final table that is the heart of the book. This, in and of itself, would be interesting enough. McManus gives an excellent account to the untutored as to what is involved in the game of poker, both in the basics and the advanced strategies, but the book really only begins there. McManus writes with a looseness of association that is at first a bit disconcerting but ultimately reveals its purpose. POSITIVELY FIFTH STREET delves into such topics as the history of the card deck --- it's fascinating, even if you haven't looked at a deck of cards in years --- and the appeal of what are politely known as "gentlemen's showbars." There are good, strong biological imperatives that these establishments appeal to and there are equally good, strong sociological reasons why they should be avoided. While not everyone who falls in love with a stripper meets the same fate as Ted Binion, there is more than one way and degree to ruin your life. What happens in Las Vegas may stay there, as the commercial goes, but that doesn't mean it won't have repercussions back home. POSITIVELY FIFTH STREET is a wonderfully kaleidoscopic view of a city, a pastime and ultimately a way of life that entrances without seducing. While you can read it without feeling the urge to jump on a Nevada-bound plane, you'll never look at a deck of playing cards the same way again. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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