Customer Reviews

All or Nothing

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4 star:		(4)
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Preston L. Allen's All or Nothing is as addictive as its subject matter, the gambling life of a mysterious man in a black cowboy hat called, simply, "P." A school bus driver by day and a desperado by night, P roams the South Florida casinos in search of the next big win. When it comes, however, it's not enough, and doesn't last. It never lasts; P chases the ping-ping dream all the way to Vegas and back, trying on one identity after another, one philosophy after another, one lover after another, all in the hopes of getting the monkey off his back. This is not really a novel about gambling at all; you might as well call P Ishmael, because he's a man on a quest for meaning the likes of which has never been attempted in this genre. One expects a novel about addiction to be only one of two things: either condemnation or salvation. All or Nothing is neither. This is gut-wrenching philosophy at its best, one man against no one but himself.

Allen's remarkable style is experimental and refreshing. He doesn't bother to glamorize the bright lights and big money of the casino world. The novel is populated by real, moving people, mothers and grandmothers, women and lovers, old men and husbands and sons that haunt the smoke-filled rooms like ghosts of themselves. They tell the story just as much as P does, redefining insanity--literally--with every push of the "play" button. Allen leaves no card unturned in this story. P is high roller and broke, ace and joker, lucky and unlucky, good and bad, and the people who surround him as real as you and I. It's a book that you can't put down, but not because you can't wait to see what happens next, but because you can't believe it's really happening, and yet you know it does, every night, in every casino, dog track, cruise ship, everywhere around the world. This is not a novel about gambling, how to do it better, or how to stop. It's a novel about that tiny part in all of us, the dark place that wants to put every last chip on the table and see what happens next.

No Shame in His Game...

All or Nothing by Preston L. Allen is a gambler's confessional. I have read many books about gambling, but have never read anything that felt as personal as this book. Many times I gasped as I read to what lengths a gambler would go to chase his or her addiction. P is a married man with a family, a bus driver by profession and a gambler by addiction. There seems to be nothing in the world he loves more than gambling. Be it the lottery scratch-off tickets, slot machines or Vegas Casinos. P places nothing before the game.

Preston L. Allen goes below the surface with his tight prose and personal insight throughout the novel. There are times when it feels as if all he is going to write about is a game, then he will hit you with a choice P made in regards to his gambling and you are left stunned. In one passage, when P discusses what he did after the death of his son, it is absolutely amazing. Reading how he would win tens of thousands of dollars and almost immediately gamble it away will have you feeling his pain. The reader will also ache for his family who had so much faith in him and was often unaware of how much he was actually losing. All or Nothing is a true gambling expose'.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in a novel on a gambler's mindset or anyone who enjoys a well-written, thought-provoking novel.

Angelia Menchan

APOOO BookClub

What Fyodor Dostoevsky did for The Gambler over a hundred years ago, Preston Allen does for his bus driver "P" in All Or Nothing. A degenerate gambling addict on a losing streak, "P" will do anything for the big win, believing that one vast win will save him. He gets that win, and many more, and along the way you meet all different types of gamblers. Allen proves that this addiction crosses all barriers and does not discriminate on race, ethnicity, sex, age, or class line. Anyone can be taken prisoner and held hostage by this addiction, and intellect has nothing to do with it. "P" is a lovable, warm, and generous guy, and you are rooting for him all the way, but in the end, Allen proves that no matter what the stakes are, no matter how much you win....it is never enough. A fascinating, heartbreaking, beautifully written "must read" for anyone interested in the topic of gambling, or gambling addiction.

CAROL-ANNE MITCHELL

ENC1102

11/03/2007

TUESDAY/THURSDAY CLASS

Review of `ALL OR NOTHING' by Preston L. Allen

I had the opportunity to attend a book reading on Preston's book `All or Nothing'. Preston has not only created an extraordinary novel, but he was able to bring life to his written work through this reading. Although the reading only lasted approximately ten to fifteen minutes, in my opinion it was enjoyable and interesting minutes. A movie about this novel could not deliver the justice the writer himself brought to the written material. This is a gift many writers do not possess.

Preston's novel plays out the life of P who was a gambler on a losing street; however, he turned it around and in such irony lost it all (his family). P was an addict and just as any other addiction, denied having a problem. The novel is quite enjoyable, gambling is not glorified in it, however, gives a realistic picture on the life of a gambler and the problems that ensue as a result. The end is unexpected and one to look forward to.

What I would like to recommend to the writer that he produces Audio CDs of his novels, thus allowing his readers to experience them on a new level.

This book made me, a total non-gambler, want to run to Harrah's and buy Lotto tickets. Even after P, gets a grip on himself (temporarily, always temporarily), I still looked at numbers like a gambler. That only happens when the writing is good, the writer has a deep sense of character and knows how to poke, prod, and tickle a reader. I barely noticed the pages going by and P. is infectious--you feel his enthusiasm, his addiction, his tensions and fears--and it is painful and funny and fun all at the same time. The brief sections and jumps in time not only drive you, happily, through the pages but give the flavor of P.'s out-of-control life and psyche. I'm not an easy reader to impress or move but Allen's book is a great read!

author of Sandrine's Letter to Tomorrow

I found this book while perusing the shelves at my local library. Though I'd never heard of the author, the content sounded interesting so I figured I'd check it out.

And I'm glad I did!

This book is about gambling addiction, but not in a bland "this is how gambling ruined my life" kind of way. No, it's a more spirited, intriguing, real-world look into the mind of a gambler and how the addiction feels, highs and lows. The author takes the reader on a tour of the soul, making real what for some of us is only a distant and abstract notion.

Likewise, Allen's writing style is unique and captivating. This alone grabbed me, and makes me curious to read more of his work.

Before reading this my view on gambling was simply just don't do it. Now I have a better understanding of why gamblers get sucked in, and how it really can happen to just about anyone.

A truly awesome read.

This is a difficult book to rate: it has some stunningly original insights, but is flawed as a final product. That is, the depiction of the mind and logic of an addicted gambler is fascinating; I learned a lot from it. The plot, on the other hand, isn't quite sure what to do with itself. The first third, in which the gambler shows his normal life and the workings of his logic, is almost perfect. I only wish there had been more about his relationship with his wife: the few glimpses of her were extremely interesting - part critic, part enabler. Would have loved to have seen more of HER logic. The middle section is far less interesting and realistic. The denouement comes almost as if the editors demanded it so the writer was forced to add it, but his heart wasn't in it.

In short then, a book of wonderful, highly original insights marred by an uncertain plot. But completely worth buying and reading.

I first read about this book in the New York Times. I went to Amazon and ordered it. It's an amazing work of fiction. Even more than that it's a real inside look at addiction, and the addiction crazed world of gambling. If there's one novel you should read this summer this it.

Preston has done it again. This guy keeps pumping out good books like Florida gives us sunshine and babes on the beach. I read this book in less than 48 hours, the story was very entertaining and easy to read, yet very deep and raw. I like his style, I like how he brings you around and delivers the punches when you least expect it. I love Grisham and Preston had a style that reminds me of him.

Thanks Preston...keep them coming.

Roger Pereira

This book is in my top 3 for stories about compulsive gambling. The other two are "Nicotine Dreams" and "Stung". I really enjoy reading about people with gambling addictions and these are 3 books in which the addiction rings true. Thanks for the great story. Loved the writing style.