Events

The author of Positively Fifth Street, and Physical, delves into the history of poker from its roots in China, the Middle East and Europe to its ascent as a global--but especially an American--phenomenon. McManus explains how early Americans took a French parlor game and, with a few extra cards, by the end of the Civil War, turned it into a national craze. From the kitchen-table games of ordinary citizens to its influence on generals and diplomats, poker has gone hand in hand with our national experience.