The Devil's Tickets: A Night of Bridge, A Fatal Hand, and A New American Age - Hardcover

Pomerantz, Gary M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1400051622 ISBN 13: 9781400051625

Publisher: Crown Pub, 2009

Synopsis

Tells the true story of Myrtle Bennett who murdered her philandering husband over a game of bridge in 1929, and the dramatic courtroom trial that made Ely Culbertson, who provided color commentary of the proceedings, a card game celebrity.

About this title

Review:

Bridge and murder, two of mankind s most engrossing pursuits in "The Devil s Tickets" Gary Pomerantz intermingles both to create a crackling portrait of a vibrant past age and a singular moment when a bullet trumped all.
Erik Larson, author of the "New York Times "bestseller "The Devil in the White City"
A great story, a real drama, a perfect window on American culture and best of all, beautifully written with the lightest touch.
Susan Orlean, author of the" New York Times" bestseller "The Orchid Thief"
Nowadays people tend to think of the game of bridge as old and somewhat fuddy-duddy, but once upon a time it was young and sexy. What a delight to read Gary M. Pomerantz s engaging account of how all this got started.
Louis Sachar, author of the National Book Award winning "Holes"
This remarkably entertaining tale reveals important truths about bridge, such as that the best players must check their egos at the door and that mental endurance and intimidation can be pivotal. But it also reveals truths about life, such as that women need a venue where they can compete with men and that a rare confluence of social factors can create men like Ely Culberston, who was only too happy to be Johnny-on-the-spot when there was money to be made or fame to be won. Anyone who s played bridge, or ever been the least bit curious about the game s appeal, will love this book.
Bob Hamman, eleven-time bridge world champion
Masterfully reported, beautifully written, and all but impossible to put down.
Jonathan Eig, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Luckiest Man"

"From the Hardcover edition.""

"Bridge and murder, two of mankind's most engrossing pursuits-in The Devil's Tickets Gary Pomerantz intermingles both to create a crackling portrait of a vibrant past age and a singular moment when a bullet trumped all."
--Erik Larson, author of the New York Times bestseller The Devil in the White City
"A great story, a real drama, a perfect window on American culture-and best of all, beautifully written with the lightest touch."
--Susan Orlean, author of the New York Times bestseller The Orchid Thief
"Nowadays people tend to think of the game of bridge as old and somewhat fuddy-duddy, but once upon a time it was young and sexy. What a delight to read Gary M. Pomerantz's engaging account of how all this got started."
--Louis Sachar, author of the National Book Award winning Holes
"This remarkably entertaining tale reveals important truths about bridge, such as that the best players must check their egos at the door and that mental endurance and intimidation can be pivotal. But it also reveals truths about life, such as that women need a venue where they can compete with men and that a rare confluence of social factors can create men like Ely Culberston, who was only too happy to be Johnny-on-the-spot when there was money to be made or fame to be won. Anyone who's played bridge, or ever been the least bit curious about the game's appeal, will love this book."
-Bob Hamman, eleven-time bridge world champion
"Masterfully reported, beautifully written, and all but impossible to put down."
--Jonathan Eig, author of the New York Times bestseller Luckiest Man

From the Hardcover edition.

About the Author:

GARY M. POMERANTZ is an author and journalist and serves as a visiting lecturer in the Department of Communication at Stanford University. His first book, Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn, was named a 1996 Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times. He also earned acclaim for Nine Minutes, Twenty Seconds and Wilt, 1962. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Pomerantz lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and their three children.

About this edition

• Publisher: Crown Pub
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1400051622
• ISBN 13: 9781400051625
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 300