Sucker's progress

About this book

Examination of the history of illegal gambling in the US from colonial days to the 1930s. Addresses faro, policy, the numbers, old lotteries, poker, craps, and more. Appears to be well-researched. Asbury has a fine hand at creating enjoyable, anecdotal history of illegal activities. Discusses many of the colorful figures involved in these games of chance, which often were rigged. My only issue is that it assumes a pre-existing knowledge about these games. Unless you already know how a policy or numbers game works, you will spend a lot of time in the weeds. Asbury is the author of Gangs of New York. He was the source of the Hatrack story made famous in Mencken's American Mercury Magazine.

Themes & subjects

About the author

Herbert Asbury

1891 – 1963

Herbert Asbury (September 1, 1891 – February 24, 1963) was an American journalist and writer best known for his books detailing crime during the 19th and early-20th centuries, such as Gem of the Prairie: An Informal History of the Chicago Underworld, The Barbary Coast: An Informal History of the San Francisco Underworld, Sucker's Progress: An Informal History of Gambling in America and The Gangs of New York.