📖 Overview
James McManus is an American writer and poker player known for both his literary fiction and his non-fiction works about poker. His most acclaimed book is "Positively Fifth Street" (2003), which weaves together his experience playing in the World Series of Poker with his coverage of a Las Vegas murder trial.
As a journalist, McManus has written for Harper's, The New York Times, and other major publications. His work often explores the intersection of high-stakes gambling, crime, and American culture, drawing from his firsthand experience in professional poker tournaments.
Much of McManus's earlier work consists of novels and short stories, including "Going to the Sun" (1996) and "Great America" (1980). He has also written comprehensive histories of poker, most notably "Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker" (2009), which traces the game's evolution from its origins to its modern incarnation.
McManus teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he has been a faculty member since 1982. His work has received several awards, including the Peter Lisagor Award for sports journalism and the National Magazine Award for reporting.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate McManus's detailed knowledge of poker and gambling culture, particularly in "Positively Fifth Street." His immersive first-person perspective and ability to explain complex poker concepts in relatable terms resonates with both casual and experienced players.
Several reviews note his skill at building tension in true crime segments while maintaining journalistic objectivity. Readers single out his descriptive scenes from Las Vegas and ability to capture the atmosphere of high-stakes poker tournaments.
Critics point to pacing issues, with some sections dragging due to excessive poker terminology and strategy discussions. A common complaint is that he sometimes gets lost in technical details at the expense of narrative flow.
Goodreads ratings:
Positively Fifth Street: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings)
Cowboys Full: 3.8/5 (400+ ratings)
Physical: 3.7/5 (150+ ratings)
Amazon ratings:
Positively Fifth Street: 4.3/5 (120+ reviews)
Cowboys Full: 4.2/5 (45+ reviews)
📚 Books by James McManus
Positively Fifth Street (2003)
A non-fiction account combining the author's participation in the 2000 World Series of Poker with his coverage of the Ted Binion murder trial in Las Vegas.
Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker (2009) A comprehensive history of poker from its early origins through its development into a global phenomenon.
Going to the Sun (1996) A novel following a young woman with diabetes as she cycles across America while confronting mortality and family history.
Great America (1980) A novel set in and around a Midwest amusement park, exploring American culture and consumerism.
Physical: An American Checkup (2006) A non-fiction examination of the American healthcare system through the lens of the author's own medical experiences.
Ghost Waves (1988) A collection of short stories exploring various aspects of American life and culture.
Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker (2009) A comprehensive history of poker from its early origins through its development into a global phenomenon.
Going to the Sun (1996) A novel following a young woman with diabetes as she cycles across America while confronting mortality and family history.
Great America (1980) A novel set in and around a Midwest amusement park, exploring American culture and consumerism.
Physical: An American Checkup (2006) A non-fiction examination of the American healthcare system through the lens of the author's own medical experiences.
Ghost Waves (1988) A collection of short stories exploring various aspects of American life and culture.
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Norman Mailer Wrote extensively about crime, culture, and American society through both fiction and journalism. His style of immersive journalism and mixing personal experience with reporting mirrors McManus's approach in "Positively Fifth Street."
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Hunter S. Thompson Wrote about Las Vegas and American culture through personal experience and immersive journalism. His mix of first-person narrative with broader cultural commentary parallels McManus's approach to writing about poker and gambling.
Norman Mailer Wrote extensively about crime, culture, and American society through both fiction and journalism. His style of immersive journalism and mixing personal experience with reporting mirrors McManus's approach in "Positively Fifth Street."
Al Alvarez Wrote "The Biggest Game in Town," a pioneering book about professional poker and Las Vegas culture. His background as both a literary critic and poker player creates work that examines gambling through a cultural lens.
Tom Wolfe Developed narrative non-fiction that blends reporting with literary techniques to capture American subcultures. His work examining social groups and power structures shares similarities with McManus's exploration of poker culture.
Hunter S. Thompson Wrote about Las Vegas and American culture through personal experience and immersive journalism. His mix of first-person narrative with broader cultural commentary parallels McManus's approach to writing about poker and gambling.