Cosmic Jackpot: Why Our Universe Is Just Right for Life
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Reading Jackpot
  • A good exposition of physical theories for the uninitiated
  • Almost there!
  • A summary of the cutting edge ideas
  • broad
Cosmic Jackpot: Why Our Universe Is Just Right for Life
Paul Davies
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

AstronomyAstronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
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CosmologyCosmology | Astronomy | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0618592261

Book Description

People have long gazed in wonder at the universe and asked, Why are we here? Until recently, the answer has been the province of priests and philosophers, but now scientists are starting to weigh in with ideas that are both surprising and deeply controversial. In his new book, physicist Paul Davies shows how recent scientific discoveries point to a perplexing fact: many basic features of the physical universe— from the speed of light to the most humble carbon atom—seem tailor-made to produce life. A radical new theory says it’s because our universe is just one of an infinite number of universes, each one slightly different. Our universe is bio-friendly by accident; we just happened to win the cosmic jackpot. While this multiverse theory is compelling, it has bizarre implications, from infinite copies of each of us to Matrix-like simulated universes. Davies believes there’s a more satisfying solution to the question of existence: the observations we make today could help shape the nature of reality in the remote past. If this is true, then life and, ultimately, consciousness aren’t just incidental byproducts of nature, but central players in the formation of the universe.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Reading Jackpot.......2007-10-02

Very interesting reading, captivating topics, most definitely a great source of reflection. Without diminishing the fascination of the big bang and inflation theories, I enjoyed more the second half, related to the fundamental questions about Universe and Existence. I found out for the first time about a possible Self-Explaining and Self-Determined Universe, where our existence could have a special and privileged meaning. Some parts of the book seemed a bit inclined towards dry classifications as opposed to elaborate dissertations "Elegant Universe" style.

4 out of 5 stars A good exposition of physical theories for the uninitiated.......2007-10-02

Having read his scientific arguments in the rest of the book, I was somewhat surprised (although he says his inclinations "will be clear") by the author's concluding section (p.267), where he states, "I do take life, mind, and purpose seriously, and I concede that the universe at least appears[italicized word] to be designed with a high level of ingenuity".

Elsewhere (p.196) he contrastingly says, "If there is a designer, then this being is clearly not micromanaging the process very well", and alleges some "design flaws". Interestingly, he also writes (p.192) that biological organisms "look nothing short of miraculous. The many and diverse components function together in a coherent and amazingly orchestrated manner", and that the living cell contains "exquisite examples of nanotechnology", and so forth.

To add to these conflicting observations, the author downgrades the Intelligent Design movement, an American defense of the idea that organisms have an intelligent designer. Perhaps he does so because he is British, since other Brits have that attitude, but what seems truly unfortunate is that the Intelligent Design group is the only one he denigrates with name-calling. He speaks of their being "political" (p.284n.8), their "propaganda" (p.196), not to mention "confusions".

Not to be misunderstood, I love Americans and Brits equally (I am of middle-European Jewish birth), but I consider the Intelligent Design group just as honorable and intelligent as others, though I hold, like other cases, its arguments deficient. Presently, my concentration is on the author discussed, and I find numerous weaknesses in his argumentation.

He puts special emphasis on the concept of explanation. To him every fact must be explained; otherwise it must be "taken on faith" (p.217). He illustrates this on that page and the preceding one with humorous pictures in which the Earth is "explained by a deeper reality" of resting on an elephant, the elephant explained by resting on a turtle, which rests on another turtle, and, to "avoid infinite regress", last is "a levitating super-turtle, which is self-explaining and self-supporting".

The trouble is that the author is unclear about what he means by "explanation", by a "reason", and why some is always necessary. There exist various "reasons". A most common one is giving a cause for an event. Another one is giving a proof for a logical or mathematical proposition. All these have the purpose of satisfying some desire for resulting knowledge. But much of knowledge is gained directly, without explanation, by for instance any immediate perception of something. Laws pertaining to things are likewise often learned from experience, without need of further explanation, unless an underlying broader law might be helpful. The point is that once certain facts are learned, they become objects of knowledge, whether or not one learns more about them. If accordingly the existence of God, considered as a "super-turtle", is the question, it is beside the point whether or not "God exists reasonlessly" (p.219).

Returning to the first-mentioned last section (p.267), the author disputes there a like "exist reasonlessly", but this time appears to connote an additional sense of "a reason", namely "a purpose". He evidently means that, with the universe "a package of marvels", he takes "life [and] mind...seriously" as resulting by some "purpose", saying, "It seems to me that there is a genuine scheme of things--the universe is 'about' something". However, in Darwinian fashion he says, "I do not believe Homo sapiens to be more than an accidental by-product of haphazard natural processes". Here goes inconsistency again; he believes in both, life (and mind) as purposeful and as accidental.

Let me observe for one again that mind, consciousness, is the medium by which all reality is known. One is reminded of Berkeley's dictum, "To be is to be perceived" (Principles of Human Knowledge and Three Dialogues (Oxford World's Classics)). It is hard to explain how a world can be certain to exist if unperceived, that is without live beings like us perceiving it. As regards life itself, in that last section the reviewed author wonders about a "life principle", and one can indeed speak of life in terms of purpose, as I have tried to convey in reviews before and especially, among other issues concerning knowledge, in my book On Proof for Existence of God, and Other Reflective Inquiries. Unlike held by scientists for whom, as the author notes in that section, "any suggestion of a teleological (purposive) trend...is anathema", purpose in life is so glaringly staring us in the face that it may be for that reason this purpose is completely overlooked: All of life is characterized by its unceasing purpose of action toward self-preservation.

It is satisfying to me that the author considers at least this "half-glimpsed life principle". He, as indicated, is besides lucidly informative of contemporary theories, even if I personally question the correctness of a number of them. I accordingly gladly recommend the book for its educational worth.

5 out of 5 stars Almost there!.......2007-09-19

This is the first popular cosmology book I have read in years. (They were getting a bit samey - big bang, quantum theory, multiverse etc etc.) But this book is an interesting addition to the genre. Anyone reading this, whether a born-again Christian or a convinced MWI atheist, will have his thoughts well and truly provoked.
I get the feeling that we are almost there. Just one little brainwave away from linking consciousness and the universe to explain the whole shebang. If it comes to me, I'll let you know.

4 out of 5 stars A summary of the cutting edge ideas.......2007-09-01

This book talks about everything that is known about cosmology as of 2007. The author argues with an anthropic bias, the theories of the origin of the universe. He tries to make sense of the many questions, like why we are here, why the universe is as we see it, what is it that breaths fire into the equations etc. In the light of all theories about the universe, the author attempts a synopsis of which one makes more sense than the other. Again his main criterion is which theory gives life, mind and consciousness a priority and tries to incorporate them as a fundamental thing in universe. He also argues for the Goldilocks universe, that is everything in this universe looks too right for life to evolve, saying that any theory that talks about the origin of the universe must explain these anthropic conditions. Theory of Multiverse is just a Platonic scapegoat to all these questions. This book teaches you not to indulge into too much of mathematics, but to pause and ponder where are we heading and also what are we doing, and ask oneself the question whether it all makes sense or not.

5 out of 5 stars broad.......2007-08-31

Very good in all respect. Broad and up to date view of the universe and a deep discussion of the problem (or solution) of God. Religions, long time ago, tried to explain the creation of the world and science took this task afterwards. The bigbang and a single universe extremely biofriendly (why?)seems almost an probabilistic absurd (without God). Than (using strig theories) science invented (or discovery)a multiverse, whith an infinity number of diferent universes, and ours is one of them. Whith an infinity number, some should be biofriendly. But this also is problematic because send the problem a step backward. The solution (up to now) is a loop, a self creating universe cosmos/life/mind/cosmos ...
Jackpot Nation: Rambling and Gambling Across Our Landscape of Luck
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Jackpot Nation: Rambling and Gambling Across Our Landscape of Luck
    Richard Hoffer
    Manufacturer: HarperCollins
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 006076144X
    Release Date: 2007-03-13

    Book Description

    Is this a great country or what? You can bet on the turn of the card, a roll of the dice—but also the NFL, the NCAA, and which Olson twin marries first. We bet $80 million a year, the amount growing wildly as more and more people gain access to this huge American wheel of fortune. No longer quarantined in Las Vegas, gambling has become as local as our neighborhood cineplex. It's no wonder that we spend more money gambling than we do on movies, music, sports, video games, and theme parks combined! If there's not a casino around the corner, there's one on your laptop computer.

    In Jackpot Nation, acclaimed Sports Illustrated writer Richard Hoffer takes us on a headlong tour, alternately horrifying and hilarious, across our landscape of luck, discovering just how ridiculously determined we are to gamble. Whether he's trying to win a side of bacon in a Minnesota bar, hustling a paper sack filled with $100,000 cash across Las Vegas parking lots, poring over expansion plans with a tribal chief in California, or visiting a retired bus salesman with a poor understanding of three-game parlays in his New York prison cell, Hoffer finds a national inclination—a cultural predisposition, even—to take a chance.

    Hoffer shows us how Americans—adventurers at heart—have embraced this ability to take recreational risks with a surprising gusto. But as he pokes into this country's far corners, traveling coast to coast with odds as his copilot, he uncovers more than just the playful exercise of that age-old fantasy—something for nothing. He discovers that the very institutions that used to regulate this workout are now its biggest cheerleaders. Whereas government, religion, and business once restricted our ability to gamble, making it taboo even, they have now taken ownership of the pastime. Yesterday's numbers racket is today's state lottery; yesterday's mobbed-up casino is now part of a Fortune 500 company. It's one thing to recognize the house edge, but sometimes it's quite another to figure out who actually owns the house.

    Still, Hoffer manages to find the fun in all this, as equally delighted with the delirium of a slot machine trade show as the religious risk of an underground poker game, almost right beneath the spires of the Mormon Tabernacle. He concludes that people are, mostly, having a good time. If he also uncovers a downside—the outlandish vigorish that comes with its growing acceptance—well, that's why they call it gambling.

    Bit the Jackpot (Vegas Vampires, Book 2)
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Seamus Fox's big change
    • A Quick, Fun Novel for Paranormal Romance Fans
    • Enjoyable read...
    • Better Than Expected
    • Bloody good fun!
    Bit the Jackpot (Vegas Vampires, Book 2)
    Erin McCarthy
    Manufacturer: Berkley Sensation
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    United StatesUnited States | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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    The USA Today bestselling author of High Stakes returns to Vegas, where falling for a vampire isn't such a long shot.

    Politics make strange coffinfellows...

    Vampire Seamus Fox is supposed to be the campaign manager for a Vampire Nation presidential candidate. Instead, he finds himself running around Vegas keeping tabs on the candidate's wife and female entourage.

    Seamus has had his fill of women: a disastrous and deadly love affair has haunted him for over two centuries. Talk about baggage. But suddenly he finds himself obsessed with a mysterious stripper who dances behind a screen. The sultry yet shy Cara Kim whets his appetite for more, but leave it to Seamus to fall fangs over feet for that rarest of Vegas attractions-a good girl.

    After a sudden run-in on the street, though, they may soon have a lot more in common...

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars Seamus Fox's big change.......2007-10-09

    Seamus Fox changed, and not quite for the good.

    The previous book in the series, the first one depicted Seamus as being an uptight, no nonsense kind of guy, but then in this book he kind of just breaks down and loses... character? I really dislike it when author's do this. It doesn't fit when you make person A solid, and then have them turn into a pile of mush in the next book. There has to be a gradual change so it's realistic and so you can follow through with it.

    Other than that large flaw, the book proved to be fun, and funny. The characters tend to grow on you, and I like the fact that all of the characters are still interacting with one another in all of the books.

    3 out of 5 stars A Quick, Fun Novel for Paranormal Romance Fans.......2007-09-30

    I didn't have high expectations for this book, I'm not really a huge paranormal/vampire romance reader. But when I saw it at my local used bookstore, the hype and curiousity of being a resident of Las Vegas drew me in. I had not read the first novel in the series, so there were references to events I was not familiar with, but the book did a good job of catching up without bogging the pace of the book down. Basically, a hunky Irish campaign coordinator for the hopeful President of Vampires sees a stripper that is so beautiful it makes him want to break his 200 year celibacy run. He expects a nice, fun "quickie"- but she turns out not only to be able to able to resist his vampire charms, but is also a virgin and wants to stay that way. He has commitment issues (his last love sent him to the guillotine, ouch!) as does she, so much so that she's chosen to remain a virgin for 28 years. Certain events transpire where he basically needs to constantly take care of her, and the book mainly deals with the challenges that brings.

    Along with the drama of their relationship, they have to deal with the other presidential candidate sending out assassins to off various members, friends and family members of the opposing campaign. The ending was satisfying (even including a very stereotypical "Vegas" event) and all in all the book was a fast read and had me smiling more than a few times. For my fellow Las Vegans, there's a dissapointing lack of mention to local places, people and events. It pretty much comes up to a mention of a fake strip club on Spring Mountain Road and some scenes at the Venetian- most of the action takes place at a ficitional hotel/casino. If you enjoy a good romance with sexy vampires and hot sex scenes with some kick butt action, "Bit the Jackpot" should sate your thirst!

    4 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read..........2007-08-02

    Seamus Fox is a very responsible vampire. As campaign manager for Ethan Carrick's bid for re-election, Seamus always conducts himself so as to be above any sort of disreputable behavior. The election polls rule his life. But then he meets stripper Cara Kim.... Cara is exactly the sort of human Seamus should avoid but he finds himself drawn to her. Both of their lives are about to take a serious change in this sequel to HIGH STAKES.

    Erin McCarthy sure can write a funny story! I love the continuing involvement of the characters from HIGH STAKES although it is not totally necessary to read the first book in order to understand and appreciate the humor of BIT THE JACKPOT. However, there are some ongoing threads that carry over from the first book, with a few more issues left dangling for the next book, BLED DRY. Erin McCarthy provides enough details that one can easily pick up on any of these subplots regardless of whether one has read the previous book.

    Watching Seamus unwind is a lot of fun! Seamus has been so obsessed with the election that it is almost a relief to see him release all of that tension. Cara is an odd combination as she does not fit the stereotypical image of a stripper. In fact, she performs her sets behind a screen because she is embarrassed! However, the real treat in this story is Ringo (aka Kyle) and the subplot involving his struggles as a vampire.

    BIT THE JACKPOT is an enjoyable read! Erin McCarthy does an excellent job at infusing humor throughout the tale. There is never a dull moment, and some of the scenes will stand out for quite some time, particularly some of the "pink" scenes. What a fun story!

    COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

    4 out of 5 stars Better Than Expected.......2007-03-07

    Can I give it 3 1/2 stars? I didn't originally order this book because I thought that it was going to pick up Brittany Baldizzi's love story up where the first book, High Stakes, left off. I wasn't intrigued enough. But I was wrong!

    This is an entirely different story starring vampire President Ethan's right hand man, the stuffy and political Sheamus Fox who, after 2 centuries of abstinence, has fallen for the completely inapropriate Cara Kim, shadow stripper at a local Vegas club. Sheamus is stodgey, bumbling, and lovable at the same time. Cara is your typical woman in a first serious relationship where you don't want to be a nag but you have concerns. In her case her concerns are should she be drinking blood from him all the time, have they moved in together too soon, is that vamp goon trying to kill her, does Sheamus not like the new pink curtains, ect.

    All of the likable characters from High Stakes appear again, even those you werne't sure if you really should like. And Ethan's fueding with Donatelli will come to a drunken conclusion. All in all it was a good book in its own right and i'm glad I finally picked it up!

    4 out of 5 stars Bloody good fun!.......2007-02-24

    I always enjoy Erin McCarthy books. And this (2nd) in the serious was just as fun. You can relate to the characters and the ups and downs of there love lives.I really enjoy it when the hero sticks his foot in his mouth. As always Erin leaves you waiting for the next book ( Bled Dry: A Tale of Vegas Vampires due May 1st)
    Jackpot! Harrah's Winning Secrets for Customer Loyalty
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Interesting and easy read on Harrah's and the industry!
    • Motivate yourself
    • best marketing book I ever read
    • This book is a "winner!"
    • "very FUNNY book"
    Jackpot! Harrah's Winning Secrets for Customer Loyalty
    Robert L. Shook
    Manufacturer: Wiley
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 0471263230

    Book Description

    The inside story of the gaming company that hit the jackpot playing by its own rules
    Robert L. Shook, a New York Times bestselling author, delves into the business behind one of the world's foremost gaming and entertainment companies, Harrah's. Since Bill Harrah took over a small card game business in 1937, Harrah's has become a top casino, dominating Nevada and beyond. The first gaming company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Harrah's is a $4 billion-dollar business driven by smart marketing and smarter leadership. This book is the first to examine Harrah's and its leader, a man who dominated an industry and amassed a staggering fortune while refusing to deal with mobsters and corrupt politicians. Though Bill Harrah died in 1978 and the company has since been sold, Harrah's has retained its sense of history and remained an industry leader. Following the company's growth, Shook uncovers rich business lessons about marketing and customer loyalty, increasing market share in fiercely competitive industries, and maintaining a sense of integrity in a cutthroat business world. This is a compelling and intriguing story of a company that gambled and won, and it offers business readers an opportunity to benefit from the hard-won lessons of a paragon of the entertainment industry.
    Robert L. Shook (Columbus, OH) is a seasoned business journalist and the ghostwriter behind several New York Times bestsellers. He is the founder and former CEO of Shook Associates and the American Executive Life Insurance Company. He is the author or coauthor of thirty-five books, including The IBM Way, Mary Kay on People Management, and Mary Kay's You Can Have It All.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Interesting and easy read on Harrah's and the industry!.......2006-11-29

    This book tells in an easy, readable fashion the story of Harrah's from the humble beginnings of a small parlor in Reno to the multibillion dollar behemoth it is today. Although the primary focus is on Harrah's, of course, the book covers the growth of the industry in the US overall from the early days, through the mob years in Vegas and the entertainment explosion that happened, to the proliferation of boats, reservation gambling and other gambling alternatives such as the lotteries through many US states.

    This is a great book to read for reminders on the basics of "getting it right" when it comes to customer service, treating employees right, thinking strategically and executing on a vision. It is amazing what Harrah's has done in the area of parlaying customer information into long term, profitable relationships!

    I have read many business books, this is my most favorite in recent months, for sure.

    Read on, and watch out for that river card :)

    5 out of 5 stars Motivate yourself.......2003-02-08

    Great book -- the lessons taught are for all service based organizations. Learn how to create customer loyalty and enjoy your business more. Must read!!

    5 out of 5 stars best marketing book I ever read.......2003-01-16

    I have read other books by Robert L. Shook, and he is an accomplished writer of business books. He's at his best with Jackpot. This book is both informative and entertaining. Shook takes his reader behind the scenes at Harrah's, a gaming company with 26 casinos and reveals how the company is able to compete so successfully against billion-dollar properties in the Las Vegas market. Harrah's secret, as the subtitle states is how it wins customer loyalty and does it better than its competition. This is an excellent book for any business reader engaged in a highly competitive industry, and, in particular, goes head to head with the big boys. Shook's writing style is superb--he interwines anecdotal material that makes for a fascnating read. True, this is a business book, but at times, it's such a page-turner, you feel you're reading a novel.

    5 out of 5 stars This book is a "winner!".......2003-01-14

    This book is about an outstanding culture that is culminated from the founder's passion, integrity and leadership.

    Jackpot provides cutting-edge lessons and ideas that are being exposed for the first time in topics such as: marketing and customer loyalty, building market share, and preserving high integrity.

    Harrah's placed its chips on integrity and serving the customer. It's no wonder they are so successful.

    3 out of 5 stars "very FUNNY book".......2003-01-08

    This book is a riot! I could not put it down. One of the funniest books on gambling I have ever read.(and I've read 100 books on Vegas/Gambling.Go straight to page 43 first- "there is no underworld presence today in Las Vegas"- this author really knows how to write satire.The book is just filled with one funny story after another about how everything now in gambling is on the up & up.Robert Shook is more humerous than that Connecticut Senator whose trying to protect children from the entertainment industry.Another fun thing to do with his book- circle the word "lawyer" and then underline all the Federal & State laws that his book exposes.God Bless America! We should all feel blessed to have a comedy writer like Robert.

    D.Matthew Hayden
    author
    Vegas Stories
    Slot Machine Strategy: Winning Methods for Hitting the Jackpot
    Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
    • Enjoyable easy read
    • same old stuff
    Slot Machine Strategy: Winning Methods for Hitting the Jackpot
    MacIntyre Symms
    Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
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    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Enjoyable easy read.......2002-05-25

    I personally enjoyed this book, which I borrowed from the library. The part that I enjoyed the most, were the case studies near the end of the book, which described several types of slot players, and the common mistakes that they made, and how they overcame them. One case study was about a guy who won 2 million dollars playing 10 dollar slots, and continued to play after he had won. That was really interesting. There might not be much new in this book, as another reviewer mentioned, but playing slots is not as complicated as other casino games. This book is to the point, and drills home good ideas and strategies like the title suggests.

    1 out of 5 stars same old stuff.......2002-03-22

    There's nothing new in this book that hasn't already been written about playing slots.
    Jumble Jackpot: The Winning Combination for Puzzle Fun (Jumbles)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Jumble Jackpot: The Winning Combination for Puzzle Fun (Jumbles)
      Henri Arnold , Bob Lee , and Mike Argirion
      Manufacturer: Triumph Books
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      1. Jumble Genius: Do You Have Puzzle Smarts? (Jumbles) Jumble Genius: Do You Have Puzzle Smarts? (Jumbles)
      2. Jammin' Jumble: Puzzle Fun for Everyone (Jumble (Triumph Books)) Jammin' Jumble: Puzzle Fun for Everyone (Jumble (Triumph Books))
      3. Gigantic Jumble: A Colossal Collection for Dedicated Jumblers Gigantic Jumble: A Colossal Collection for Dedicated Jumblers
      4. Jumble Madness: Crazy for Jumbles (Jumble Series) Jumble Madness: Crazy for Jumbles (Jumble Series)
      5. The Very Best of Jumble Brainbusters: More Than 500 Brain Bending Puzzles The Very Best of Jumble Brainbusters: More Than 500 Brain Bending Puzzles

      ASIN: 1572438975

      Book Description

      Jumble Jackpot is a clever and humorous puzzle collection, featuring a series of mixed-up words coupled with a cartoon.
      Jumble Crossword Jackpot: A Treasure Trove of Puzzling Fun
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Jumble Crossword Jackpot: A Treasure Trove of Puzzling Fun
        Tribune Media Services
        Manufacturer: Triumph Books
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        GeneralGeneral | Crosswords | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
        Logic & Brain TeasersLogic & Brain Teasers | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
        CrosswordsCrosswords | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
        Logic & Brain TeasersLogic & Brain Teasers | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
        All 4-for-3 DealsAll 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
        Similar Items:
        1. Jumble Crossword Jamboree: A Puzzle Party For All Ages (Jumble Crosswords) Jumble Crossword Jamboree: A Puzzle Party For All Ages (Jumble Crosswords)
        2. Jumble Crosswords: A New Twist on an Old Favorite Jumble Crosswords: A New Twist on an Old Favorite
        3. More Jumble Crosswords: Jumble + Crosswords = Brain Bender Fun More Jumble Crosswords: Jumble + Crosswords = Brain Bender Fun
        4. Jumbo Crosswords Challenge: A New Adventure in Puzzling Jumbo Crosswords Challenge: A New Adventure in Puzzling
        5. Jumble Crosswords Adventure: Sail Away for Crossword Fun! (Jumble (Triumph Books)) Jumble Crosswords Adventure: Sail Away for Crossword Fun! (Jumble (Triumph Books))

        ASIN: 1572436158

        Book Description

        The latest book in our Jumble® Crosswords series is guaranteed to please puzzlers of all ages.
        Jackpot Ridge
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • Cotton Strikes Pure Gold With Jackpot Ridge!
        Jackpot Ridge
        Ralph Cotton
        Manufacturer: Signet
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        HistoricalHistorical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
        HistoricalHistorical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
        All 4-for-3 DealsAll 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
        Similar Items:
        1. Gunman's Song Gunman's Song
        2. Guns of Wolf Valley Guns of Wolf Valley
        3. Between Hell and Texas Between Hell and Texas
        4. Dead Man's Canyon Dead Man's Canyon
        5. Black Mesa Black Mesa

        ASIN: 0451210026
        Release Date: 2003-09-02

        Book Description

        Jack Bell is a good gambler-so good that Early Philpot wants him dead. But up in the mountains, Jack can outlast any lowlife posse Early can rustle up. And he's willing to put them all to the test.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Cotton Strikes Pure Gold With Jackpot Ridge!.......2003-09-18

        Most western novels contain white hats, black hats, horses, fistfights and lots of gunsmoke. This one is no exception. What a lot of western novels don't include is a story that would work well in any genre. If you like a hero that's compassionate as well as nail-tough, a heroine you would take home to meet the folks, a man who hangs on to his life-long dream to the very end, a mystery, nail-biting suspense, and a great old-west shoot-em-up-bang-bang yarn to boot, you will definitely like Jackpot Ridge. Way to go Ralph Cotton!
        Jackpot Bay: A Novel
        Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
        • Coastal Fun
        • Interesting crime thriller
        Jackpot Bay: A Novel
        Martin Hegwood
        Manufacturer: St. Martin's Minotaur
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

        United StatesUnited States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | African American | Asian American | Classics | Collections & Readers | Drama | General | Hispanic | History & Criticism | Humor | Jewish American | Letters & Correspondence | Native American | Poetry | Short Stories | Women Writers
        GeneralGeneral | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
        Similar Items:
        1. The Green-Eyed Hurricane (P.I. Jack Delmas Mysteries) The Green-Eyed Hurricane (P.I. Jack Delmas Mysteries)
        2. Big Easy Backroad (P.I. Jack Delmas Mysteries) Big Easy Backroad (P.I. Jack Delmas Mysteries)
        3. Southtown Southtown

        ASIN: 0312280963

        Book Description

        Johnnie the Dime Kosckos bid to transform the Redneck Riviera into Monte Carlo hits a snag when a disgruntled employee instigates a fatal shoot-out at his casino, the Jackpot Bay. Theres only a few days to sort out the mess before a contingent of high-rolling European jet-setters roll in for the big event, a top-drawer rock concert thats already attracting noisy protests from fundamentalist groups. ack Delmas has just accepted a routine assignment from his employer to introduce Johnnie to Tara Conrad, a no-nonsense, sexually adventurous security auditor, and make sure they play nice. But when the stakes are this high, playing nice is for losers: things are about to get even bloodier.

        Customer Reviews:

        4 out of 5 stars Coastal Fun.......2003-04-16

        If you are a Hegwood fan, come on, read this book. It is a bit slower moving than his other novels, but the usual Hegwood cast of characters is here. This time at a Casino music spectacular. And the insurance companies get stung. And there is some pretty good misdirection. And the untangling of the plot will grab you. And ,yes, you can figure it out - almost- but I will not spoil the fun. Guess what I like about Hegwood is that there are clues to the solution ,and so far he seems to play fair in letting his readers speculate about the conclusion.

        4 out of 5 stars Interesting crime thriller.......2002-11-24

        Casino employee Johnnie Koscko leaves Vegas with enough of a stake to return home to Biloxi, Mississippi to buy the Jackpot Bay Casino. Johnnie envisions the area becoming part of the European high roller jet set. In fact his first plane load of the Monte Carlo crowd is coming to Biloxi in a few days to gamble at Johnnie's casino and to listen to the rock sound of the very popular Snow Mountain.

        However, as usual for Johnny just when he seems paused for success he rolls craps. The casino insurance carrier is concerned over missing revenue. They send private investigator Jack Delmas to force Johnny to hire security auditor Tara Stocklin. Even with Jack and Tara involved, Johnny seems to be holding the "Deadman's Hand" as murder and robbery follow.

        Readers who try a Jack Delmas novel will believe they hit the jackpot, as he is a strong character who consistently provides the audience with a quiet intelligent outlook as he tries to do the right thing though not always successful. However, the rest of the key cast members such as Johnny and Tara, etc. come across as worthless sharks with nothing much to redeem them so that they appear more a caricatures than people. Still the exciting story line of JACKPOT BAY is an engaging look behind the scene at the Gulf Coast gambling spots. For those who don't know Jack, he is worth the time to read about even in this novel, but especially in his previous appearances like MASSACRE ISLAND.

        Harriet Klausner
        Hitting the Jackpot: The Inside Story of the Richest Indian Tribe in History
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Hitting the Jackpot: The Inside Story of the Richest Indian Tribe in History
          Brett Duval Fromson
          Manufacturer: Grove Press
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

          GeneralGeneral | Gambling | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Native American | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | World | History | Subjects | Books
          Public PolicyPublic Policy | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
          Native American StudiesNative American Studies | Special Groups | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
          Similar Items:
          1. Without Reservation : How a Controversial Indian Tribe Rose to Power and Built the World's Largest Casino Without Reservation : How a Controversial Indian Tribe Rose to Power and Built the World's Largest Casino
          2. The Pequots in Southern New England: The Fall and Rise of an American Indian Nation (Civilization of the American Indian Series) The Pequots in Southern New England: The Fall and Rise of an American Indian Nation (Civilization of the American Indian Series)
          3. Indian Gaming & Tribal Sovereignty: The Casino Compromise Indian Gaming & Tribal Sovereignty: The Casino Compromise
          4. New Capitalists: Law, Politics, and Identity Surrounding Casino Gaming on Native American Land (Case Studies on Contemporary Social Issues) New Capitalists: Law, Politics, and Identity Surrounding Casino Gaming on Native American Land (Case Studies on Contemporary Social Issues)
          5. Jackpot Trail: Indian Gaming in Southern California Jackpot Trail: Indian Gaming in Southern California

          ASIN: 0802141714

          Book Description

          From Connecticut and Maine to California, the explosion of Indian tribes with massive gambling operations has prompted a fierce nationwide debate. Hitting the Jackpot reveals the true story of how the Mashantucket Pequots of Connecticut became the richest Indian tribe in history.
          The culmination of a three-year investigation, Fromson uncovers a labyrinthine tale of legal maneuverings, back-room political dealings, and ethnic reinvention. Fromson details the step-by-step process by which today's Pequots gained tribal recognition, hired top lawyers to claim thousands of acres of land, exploited a state law meant for church yard sales to gain the right to open Foxwoods, now a $1.2 billion-a-year operation, and distilled the barest traces of Pequot lineage into a full-fledged tribe with over six hundred new tribal members, a yearly pow-wow that offers the biggest cash prizes in America, and a $250 million museum, one of the costliest in American history.

          Books:

          1. Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History
          2. Custody for Fathers : A Practical Guide Through the Combat Zone of a Brutal Custody Battle
          3. Cyrano De Bergerac
          4. Don't Know Much About the Bible: Everything You Need to Know About the Good Book but Never Learned
          5. Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
          6. Facing Your Giants: The God Who Made a Miracle Out of David Stands Ready to Make One Out of You
          7. Fast Guns Out Of Texas (Signet Historical Fiction)
          8. Flip Side of The Game
          9. Flyboys: A True Story of Courage
          10. Fortune's Fool (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 3)

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