The Complete Idiots Guide to the Ultimate Reading List discussion

I have wanted to read this book for awhile especially after living in Las Vegas and since the movie 21 is based on the book...

Kevin Lewis was your average MIT student until one day when 2 friends took him to Atlantic City and introduced him to the art of card counting. Counting cards is not illegal but the casinos do not like it when you do it. Especially if you are winning. Without giving to much away...Taken under the wing of Micky, Kevin learns the ins and outs of card counting. Eventually the casinos start catching on and start 86ing the team from the casinos.

This story gives the details on how the team was able to get away with counting cards for so long and the elobrate system they had to avoid detection. It shows you the good, the bad and the underbelly of Las Vegas. At the end there is even a essay that Kevin Lewis wrote explaining how Blackjack can be beat.

I liked the story and felt the other did not sugarcoat over overexagerate the events

Shazzy read this True Crime story

Yes its called 21 and has Kevin Spacey init

So in the movie (I've not seen, just trailers) it seems there are times when there are thugs threatening and assualting the kids, is that cinematography or did it actually happen? I'm just curious, seems kinda crazy and slightly illegal on the casinos side. Is it a good book? The wife wanted to pick it up and I wasn't sure if she would like it.

I have not seen the movie so I dont know how they protray that but they were chased and threatened and stuff like that

I really enjoyed this book. The movie was fair, but the book was much more interesting (wow, what a surprise). But seriously, there were entire story lines missing from the movie.

I really want to read this. I saw the movie before I knew it was based on a book and I really enjoyed it. Assuming the book is even better, it is a must read!

Yes, it is a compelling and fast read. Not particularly well written, and according to some of the other GR reviews, not entirely factual but certainly based on fact. Having said that, I found it really interesting-possibly because it is good to hear that someone managed to beat the casinos without breaking the law, possibly because of the glimpse at a lifestyle so different to my own!