Ghosts at the Table: Riverboat Gamblers, Texas Rounders, Roadside Hucksters, and the Living Legends Who Made Poker What it is Today

A long look at the history of one of the most popular card games of present day...For those whose eyes have ever stayed glued to a cable poker tourney, this book's a sure bet. --Bookgasm.com, 5/15/08

Wilson makes an elegant and entertaining case for the idea that poker's current popularity can be directly linked to its long and colorful history...Every time you sit down to play, you sit down with the 'ghosts at the table.' This book will teach you their names and their roles in the ongoing, endlessly fascinating history of poker. -- Card Player 5/21/08

An engaging narrative that occasionally resembles a whodunit -styled detective novel, with Wilson himself taking on the role of lead investigator...Wilson doesn't shy away from difficult or controversial subjects. --PokerNews.com 5/23/08

From the dusty roads of Tombstone and Deadwood to the early Vegas playing parlors to today's internet whiz kids, Des Wilson takes us on a colorful, interesting and well researched journey. His writing style--direct, no nonsense--is perfect for the history of a game--a high stakes game, indeed--where nonsense is clearly not tolerated. --Blogcritics.org 5/19/08

The saga of poker from its Wild West origins to today's show-biz scene in Las Vegas...Wilson concerns himself with contemporary as well as departed guests of the game...Wilson's time machine conveys him from the days of riverboatgambling to the age of cyber poker and all stops between. -- Magill Book Reviews

The American Interest, November/December 2008
Not just a history of poker. Wilson's travels throughout America are as much a part of the book as the actual history of poker he relates...His autobiographical detours work...Wilson is a sympathetic character, as well--a legitimately nice guy, and it comes through.