Title: Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions
Author: Ben Mezrich
First published September 17, 2002
272 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780743225700 (ISBN10: 0743225708)
Rating: 3.91
Overview
Join a group of brilliant MIT students as they take on the casinos and come out on top in Bringing Down the House. Armed with their knowledge of math and a unique system of verbal cues and body signals, this group of card counting geniuses legally wins millions of dollars from major casinos around the world.
From the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to the tension-filled back rooms and ever-present video cameras, author Ben Mezrich takes readers on a thrilling ride through the seedy underworld of corporate Vegas. But when the casinos turn their sights on revenge, the group finds themselves in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Filled with high-stakes action, close calls, and the threat of violent pit bosses, Bringing Down the House is a real-life adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
About the Author
Ben Mezrich has made a name for himself by telling the captivating stories of young geniuses who have made a fortune on the fringes of what’s possible, while grappling with ethics and morality. His latest non-fiction book, Once Upon a Time in Russia, tells an astonishing tale of unimaginable wealth, crime, rivalry, and betrayal within the world of billionaire Russian oligarchs.
Mezrich has authored sixteen books, which have sold over four million copies collectively. His breakout hit, Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions, spent an impressive 63 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and has been translated into fifteen languages.
His book, The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal, debuted at number four on the New York Times list and remained on the list for 18 weeks. The book also made bestseller lists in over a dozen countries and was adapted into the award-winning movie, The Social Network.
Mezrich and Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the screenplay, shared a Scripter Award for best adapted screenplay.
Mezrich’s ability to weave together intricate and thrilling stories has earned him a loyal following among readers. His latest book promises to be just as gripping and full of unexpected twists and turns.
Editoral Review
Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich is an engaging and thrilling narrative non-fiction book that tells the remarkable story of a group of students who used their mathematical brilliance to take down some of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas. Mezrich, who has written numerous books about high-stakes gambling and Wall Street scandals, uses his gift for storytelling and research to craft a compelling and entertaining read.
The book follows the journey of a group of MIT students, led by a charismatic mathematics major, Kevin Lewis, who are recruited to join a secret club that trains them to beat the odds and win big at the blackjack tables. The students soon become experts at counting cards and develop a system that allows them to anticipate the dealer’s moves and increase their chances of winning.
They manage to amass millions of dollars in winnings, but their success comes at a price, as they soon find themselves embroiled in a dangerous and high-stakes game of cat and mouse with casino security and law enforcement. Mezrich’s writing style is fast-paced and suspenseful, making it difficult for readers to put the book down.
He expertly weaves together different perspectives, from the students’ personal lives to the intricate details of the Vegas casino industry, creating a comprehensive and fascinating story. While the book is marketed as non-fiction, Mezrich relies heavily on reconstructed dialogue and scenes, which may put off some readers who prefer more rigorous and factual sources.
Moreover, Bringing Down the House is an unapologetic celebration of excess and risk-taking, which some readers may find morally dubious. The students’ behavior is often reckless and unethical, and their motivations are not always noble.
Despite these caveats, Mezrich manages to create a real sense of empathy for the characters, showing how they struggle with temptation, guilt, and the consequences of their choices. Overall, Bringing Down the House is a highly entertaining and informative read that will appeal to fans of true crime, thrillers, and gambling narratives.
It sheds light on the fascinating world of high-stakes gambling and the inner workings of casinos while also raising important questions about the nature of risk and reward. The book’s relevance to current events and social issues, such as inequality and the ethics of the financial industry, make it a compelling read for a wide range of audiences.
For these reasons, I highly recommend it, and I would rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
