While I was on my way to Las Vegas at the Newark, New Jersey airport I was bored so I went to the bookstore. In the business section of all places, I found a book by the name of Positively Fifth Street by James McManus.

The back cover has the following description of the book:

In the spring of 2000, Harper's Magazine sent James McManus to Las Vegas to cover the World Series of Poker, in particular the progress of women in the $23 million event, and the murder of Ted Binion, the tournament's prodigal host, purportedly done in by a stripper and her boyfriend. But when McManus arrives, the lure of the tables compels him to risk his entire Harper's advance in a long-shot attempt to play in the tournament himself. This is his deliciously suspenseful account of the tournament--the players, the hand-to-hand combat, his own unlikely progress in it--and the delightfully seedy carnival atmosphere that surrounds it.

What really surprised me about this book, because it wasn't mentioned in the description, is the amount of poker strategy it contains, especially for the World Series of Poker game: No Limit Texas Holdem. If you're a fan of poker or gambling, a large portion of the book will appeal to you directly.

The other parts are about Las Vegas, the murder and its trial, the World Series of Poker, famous poker players and autobiographical entries. James mixes all of these things together in a great way, without making the reader bored or getting too self indulgent. During the tournament I really found myself pulling for him.

If you you're curious about gambling, Las Vegas or even strange murders this book is definitely for you.