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Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling
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Product Description
The first narrative history of gambling, spanning the Stone Age to the Internet era, examining how it evolved with—and influenced—human civilization
In Roll the Bones, historian David G. Schwartz tells the epic story of gambling, beginning with its early emergence from divination rituals and ending with today’s global gaming culture. In a sweeping, rollicking narrative, Schwartz looks at the betting games people have played since the dawn of history, and argues convincingly that gambling has always been a crucial part of the human experience.
The book begins with the rolling of knucklebones in prehistoric times, progresses through the casting of lots portrayed in the Bible and sacred Hindu writings, and traces gaming through the heights of the Greek and Roman civilizations. Schwartz continues through the Middle Ages, investigating the mysterious invention of playing cards in twelfth-century China, the birth of the casino and table games such as baccarat in Venice, and the British Empire’s work in spreading gambling throughout the world. Schwartz describes how lotteries financed some of the first American colonies, how gambling prospered in the Civil War and the Old West, how organized crime exploded in the twentieth century by running illegal gambling operations, and how gambling dollars transformed Las Vegas into the world’s number-one tourist destination. Packed with colorful characters from Julius Caesar to Casanova, George Washington to Steve Wynn, Roll the Bones is an all-in history of humanity’s fascination with chance.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #972698 in Books
- Published on: 2006-10-05
- Format: Bargain Price
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 592 pages
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This comprehensive and often entertaining history of gambling begins with the origins of odds and evens as an ancient divination "game" and ends with the 21st-century Internet gambling phenomenon. Schwartz, a historian at the University of Nevada's Center for Gaming Research, gets credit not only for his thoroughness in describing the development of gambling in Western Europe and the U.S., but also for including gambling in Native American, Chinese and other non-Western cultures. Similarly inclusive is his examination of the doctrinal attitudes of each of the world's major religions toward the human penchant for gambling. Schwartz adds interesting anecdotes, even if likely apocryphal: aces, for instance, supposedly became superior to kings as a result of 18th-century French revolutionary fervor. But this thoroughness leads Schwartz to devote too much space to the rules of archaic games of chance and to the exploits of famous and not- so-famous gamblers. Although he doesn't ignore the underside—such as compulsive gambling and cheating—this aspect is underdeveloped. Also, a more in-depth inquiry into why people gamble and the societal impact of government-sponsored gambling, such as lotteries, would have made this encyclopedic effort even more complete. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
“An epic story with an epic cast. . . . Remarkable.”
—The Washington Post
“[A] lively history of gaming through the ages.”
—the New York Times
“[A] fine history. . . . Schwartz’s celebratory account of gambling’s history confirms the persistence of this human impulse down through the ages.”
—The Wall Street Journal
“Remarkably detailed. . . . A wealth of fine material.
—The Philadelphia Inquirer
From the Back Cover
Advance Praise for Roll the Bones
"Roll the Bones is a comprehensive and compelling look at the history of risk-taking—a necessary book in our age of plutonium poker, state lotteries, and billion-dollar Internet gaming sites. David Schwartz, a serious historian writing for a general audience, illuminates an urge we feel deep in our cells."
—From the Foreword by James McManus, author of Positively Fifth Street
"Simultaneously entertaining, informative, and provocative, Roll the Bones looks through the veils of luxury, elegance, and pleasure that surround mankind’s obsession with lady luck, to give a panoramic view of generations of gamblers, from the Caesars of Imperial Rome to Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Behind the lively narrative is a mass of information on the origin and rules of most popular games of chance, and a thoughtful analysis of the place of gambling in the 21st century."
—Iain Gately, author of Tobacco: A Cultural History of How an Exotic Plant Seduced Civilization
"David Schwartz has written a masterful and encyclopedic history of gambling, from hunter- gathering peoples to the tourists on the twenty-first-century Las Vegas Strip. Throughout Schwartz maintains an accessible writing style with plenty of enjoyable anecdotes. Both the professional historian and the average reader will find the work rewarding."
—Larry Gragg, author of Englishmen Transplanted and The Salem Witch Crises
"Roll the Bones is an impressive telling of our journey with gambling, from its evolutionary beginnings to today—a great read for both the serious student of gambling history and the merely curious. This book will become the ‘gold standard’ of gambling history."
—Crandell Addington, championship poker legend and member of the Poker Hall of Fame
Customer Reviews
Easy To Read and Very In Depth - Great Book!
Roll The Bones, is a history of gambling all the way back to an including ancient Mesopotamia. We get a look at the gambling (never 'gaming', always 'gambling' - this was before lobbyists!) habits of cultures including the Greeks, Romans, Chinese, other random Europeans and all the way through Americans. The message I was getting from this book was that gambling is a universal trait that seems to permeate every society, no matter how any of the other attributes stack up.
A book like this could easily be so boring as to guarantee a good night's sleep. That's not the case here as Schwartz is a gifted writer who is able to connect and reconcile all of the games across the centuries.
I really enjoyed Roll The Bones and I think that anyone who likes history would too. If you are interested in casino gambling, this book will give you some new insight into how it all hangs together.
I recommend this book to all readers.
A Highly Enjoyable Read
Roll Them Bones is David G. Schwartz's wonderful account of the history and the impact gambling has made on our lives throughout time. I found this book to be a quick, fascinating, and a entertaining read; it is often difficult to combine so many of these characteristics in one book. Have you ever realized that gambling has been around as long as man has. I found the fact that even monkey's seem to prefer to gamble by their preference in taking chances, rather than going for an action that gets them a set amount of food, whereas the other task would give them a random amount of food which was always less.
Cards, dice, bones, or whatever else was handy, man has always enjoyed games of chance. Historical documentation from the Greeks, the Etruscans, the Eyptians and so much more lays the foundation that forms of gambling have always been popular. Roman emperors were known for enjoying gambling for recreation. Royalty has been known throughout time to enjoy and encourage gambling among the masses.
This is a terrific book as it is an enjoyable read, sprinkled with much historical facts. This historical information isn't given in a format that may be dull, or unexciting, but rather Schwartz does an excellent job of making you want to continue to turn the page. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys gaming, and those who are history buffs, you won't be disappointed.
Great History of Gambling
Since I like to "roll the bones," I am fascinated by fun historical books on gambling. It seems mankind has been gambling since we were, well, actually rolling the bones.
This is a terrific, entertaining book.
Frank Scoblete: author of Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution! and Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution!
