Palace [Unknown Binding]

Paul Emil Erdman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Erdman's reputation as king of the financial thriller, won with such bestsellers as The Billion Dollar Sure Thing and The Panic of '89, is reconfirmed by this engrossing tale of profit skimming, money laundering and insider trading centered on the world of casinos. Danny Lehman may be plump, unlettered and without class, but (in addition to being mysteriously attractive to women) he knows what life is all about, or thinks he does. The crucial component is money, and Danny proves he has the skills to acquire it in vast amounts. From owning a modest coin shop he goes to bullion trading, to fencing the skim-offs from a Las Vegas casino, to owning the casino himself, to making it a dazzling success (after picking up a few tips from Europe). Eventually, he becomes the first to cash in on the gambling potential of Atlantic City. As if to the manner born, Danny dances through the minefield laid for him by the FBI, the mob and his own associates, and is not averse to arranging a rub-out or two on the way. Erdman's knowledgeability about high-flying international financial operations and his sardonic matter-of-fact tone combine to give the reader the chilling sense that his story is not by any means all fiction. 150,000 ad/promo; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club dual main selections; author tour.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Antihero Danny Lehman is making a modest income off a coin shop cum currency exchange business when this novel opens in 1964. By the 1986 ending, he has capitalized on numerous fortuitous circumstances to become a multimillionaire. The author, an economist with several financially fixated bestsellers to his credit, including The Panic of '89 ( LJ 3/1/87), takes the reader behind many closed doors to reveal the machinations of money laundering, casino operations, and investment banking. The tale is enticing for a few chapters, but the plot turns leaden behind sluggish prose and dull characterization. Only for those who appreciate intricate money mongering more than good writing. Literary Guild Dual Main Selection. Will Hepfer, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Unknown Binding
• ASIN: B00005WK6H
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,022,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Before you go to Vegas, May 8, 2005

By 

Harvinder Singh Jaggi - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Palace (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is for those who love life and want to learn how to enjoy it. It does not teach you how to make money, but it sure tells you how to spend it. This book is a must read for those who wish to go to Las Vegas or Atlantic City. I have read it number of times over the years it has been in my possession. This book is in the same class as 'Oil' by Jonathan Black. I wish they make a movie based on this book with Danny DeVito in the lead role.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars older book by experienced financial writer, March 3, 2010

By 

Chet Brewer "Chet Brewer" (Severna park, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Palace (Hardcover)

Paul Erdman wrote several good books about the financial system in the 70's and 80's. The Palace has always been my favorite book of his, with multiple plot twists. It is a timeless story and a lot of fun to read, the background in financial industry makes his look at vegas and casino finance fascinating.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Example off a shallow thriller, October 1, 2007

By 

Lloyd Lofthouse ", author of 'My Splendid Con... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Palace (Hardcover)

What can I saw. My title says it all. If you want a no brainer, shallow thriller to fill your empty time so you don't have to think, then this is your book. It's a quick and entertaining read like a James Bond movie and you don't have to strain your brain to figure out who the characters are because they are just names.