Rick B. (bup) -
Helpful Score: 3
"He knew he looked like the most arrogant pr**k in the world, but he didn't care. Hubris had no place in a card-counter's vocabulary. There was plenty of time for humility back in Boston..."
(emphasis added)
So, besides that bit, which will annoy me for the next week or so, it was a pretty good book. I didn't care for Mezrich's style so much (Crichton? Stephen King self-parody?), but the story is great. Much better than the movie.
(emphasis added)
So, besides that bit, which will annoy me for the next week or so, it was a pretty good book. I didn't care for Mezrich's style so much (Crichton? Stephen King self-parody?), but the story is great. Much better than the movie.
Steven K. (sjk54) reviewed 21: Bringing Down the House - Movie Tie-In: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions on + 105 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Fun. A vicarious look at how a few students took some clever ideas and strategies for gaining an edge on the casinos and evolved it into a high roller lifestyle and enterprise.
The book focuses mainly on the dramatic events (big wins / losses, team turmoil, brushes with casino security) and doesn't go very deeply into the mathematical strategy the players used. I left thinking there had to be more to it than what was presented as the casinos seemed too oblivious to the brazenness of the students.
4 stars out of 5
The book focuses mainly on the dramatic events (big wins / losses, team turmoil, brushes with casino security) and doesn't go very deeply into the mathematical strategy the players used. I left thinking there had to be more to it than what was presented as the casinos seemed too oblivious to the brazenness of the students.
4 stars out of 5
Angela F. (barrelofmonkeys) -
Helpful Score: 2
This is a very fast read. I think I was done in less than 6 or 7 hours. It is fast paced, and is a fun look behind the scenes at a casino. If you are planning a trip to a casino, you should read this; not because it will help you "bring down the house", it won't, but I found myself looking around the casino I went to with a much more knowing eye than I would have had if I had not read the book. The downside, the characters are mostly college age kids, who aren't really very interesting. I have since read the book written by the group's much older mentor, and it is a better book about the same events.
The bottom line, if you like light, escapist heist type books, you will like this one.
If you are looking for a more serious tome, try "Busting Vega$."
The bottom line, if you like light, escapist heist type books, you will like this one.
If you are looking for a more serious tome, try "Busting Vega$."
Courtenay H. reviewed 21: Bringing Down the House - Movie Tie-In: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book was a quick read. Really liked it but, truthfully, liked the movie better... Both competely different...
Laura R. (isitfriday) reviewed 21: Bringing Down the House - Movie Tie-In: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions on + 170 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I liked this book a lot, having been to vegas and atlantic city many times, this book shows a side of the casinos that i would never have been privy to. I am looking forward to seeing the movie now!
Lauren C. (hanaleiway) reviewed 21: Bringing Down the House - Movie Tie-In: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions on + 49 more book reviews
The story is a lot more interisting than the book, but it's still a good read. Very cool!
Ami C. (amiclaxton) reviewed 21: Bringing Down the House - Movie Tie-In: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions on + 5 more book reviews
Extraordinary book - and so much better than the movie!
Kim P. (kimdep) reviewed 21: Bringing Down the House - Movie Tie-In: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions on + 39 more book reviews
A really cool book. They got away with it and that's just awesome!
