Take Me to the River: A Wayward and Perilous Journey to the World Series of Poker

by Peter Alson

A chronic underachiever recounts his life of gambling and irresponsibility before turning fifty, his decision to marry his long-time girlfriend in Las Vegas, and his participation in the 2005 World Series of Poker with an eye to millions of dollars in prize money. 35,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Peter Alson is a writer, editor and publisher. He has published 7 books, both with legacy publishers and under the banner of his indie imprint Arbitrary Press. In addition to his own titles, Arbitrary has published a wide array of authors in various genres, from memoir to YA to literary fiction.
Peter received his BA from Harvard, has written for Esquire, Playboy, Rolling Stone and many others, and has also written screenplays for Paramount Pictures and various independent producers. He's married to the screen and television writer Alice O'Neill, and they have a college-bound daughter, Eden, who has published two novels of her own.

Reviews

[Ty · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent poker book, with just the right mix of real life. the author attends the 2005 World Series of Poker and shares his view on how much the poker scene has changed in the last few years. lots of good hand play description, many vignettes about well-known players and a somewhat touching personal story. very good!

[Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A while back, I read Peter Alson’s book One of a Kind about Stuey “The Kid” Ungar (1953-1998). Ungar was perhaps the greatest talent to ever play in the World Series of Poker (WSOP). I thought One of the Kind was terrific. So, when I was browsing at Waterfront Thrift Store in Pensacola, Florida, I was happy to find a copy of Alson’s 2006 book Take Me to the River for $1.49.

Take Me to the River is a much more personal book, but it’s still about big-time gambling. As the 2005 WSOP approached, Alson was at a crossroads in his life. He was about to turn 50 and he was engaged to be married. For the lifelong bachelor, this was a time of major change.

Alson told his fiancée that he was going to Las Vegas to play in the main event of the WSOP. Then, he’d come back to New York City (where they lived) and they would marry. Alson’s trip to Vegas is both an account of what happens at the car tables and in his relationship. Both stories are well told and hold the reader’s interest. Alson is surprisingly candid regarding his fears about settling down.

I really liked Take Me to the River, but I thought that One of a Kind was better. Ungar was such a compelling figure. Also, the minutiae of Alson’s card games can be a bit trying for the uninitiated to try to follow. Still, Take Me to the River is very good. I just wish that I had an update on what’s become of Alson since the publication of this book.

[Yisrael Dubov · Rating 4 out of 5]

This man's storytelling abilities are quite extraordinary. I rarely find myself enjoying a piece of nonfiction, especially those in the 'biography/autobiography' section. Maybe it was the subject at hand that I enjoyed so much, or maybe it was his writing abilities (I'm gonna go with the latter). Either way, great book, probably even greater for those of us interested in poker.

[Guy D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt like I was gambling but without the risk of losing money.

[Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fact that Alson makes the worries of getting enough material to write a book on the 2005 WSOP a major thread of TAKE ME TO THE RIVER might have influenced my sense that the excellent writing and often exciting and insightful poker action suffers from significant padding. Then again, I didn't get into the Binion murder plot in Jim McManus's Positively Fifth Street, a book which Alson refers to with unabashed admiration. Perhaps he could have chosen his sidekicks better -- I would have recommended the well-tested method of Redmond O'Hanlon's or Bill Bryson's of dragging along a perfectly unsuitable companion. Nor did he have the incredible fortune of McManus of going deep into the tournament. Still, a notable addition to the literature of gambling, Las Vegas and high-stakes poker. By the way, since the book was written, Alson has cashed out in two WSOP events -- for a total of about $8,500. Hope the live games have been running better.

[Alan Draycott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alson plays quite a big semi bluff in this book but he can't resist flashing his cards at the end of it. In truth this book is little more than that tired format of a journalist /writer having a crack at the top end of a sport and then writing about how tough it is. It's a well worn path. But Alson sells this as if he is a hard core down at heel poker player giving it one last crack to get enough cash marry his sweetheart and lead an honest life. It's nothing of the kind as is revealed as the book goes on. Alson is a fairly successful writer- he has a screenplay in production even while he is in vegas- he has books published and a fair career. He lives the life of an author not a hardcore gambler. There a some really revealing scenes- I mean who writes about what happens after he meets his girlfriend after 6 weeks- it says more about this man child than a biographer could do in 100 pages. His writing is at his best when at the poker table as one would expect from a poker journo.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read and interesting story of a writer playing in the World Series of Poker. Poker fans will recognize several names and events. I found it a much more pleasant read than Positively 5th Street which was essentially the same experience a few years prior but with a much more self absorbed vantage point.

[Matt McNabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a well-written tale that interweaves poker and real life. Positively Fifth Street is a hard high-water mark to approach, so it's unfair to compare this (or any book) to the McManus classic. This was thoroughly enjoyable.

[Frankx99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good recounting of the authors play at the WSOP Main Event