You better find a good spot on your bookshelves right now as a mammoth of a book is due to come out next week. Doyle Brunson’s autobiography, entitled The Godfather of Poker: The Doyle Brunson Story, is a must-have for anybody, poker fan or no. This book will debut at a modest $26.95 US dollars ($17.79 on Amazon), offering its readers a full 372 pages of snippets about Doyle Brunson’s life.
The Child is Father to the Man
Of course, no autobiography is complete without delving into the sometimes murky, sometimes magical world of childhood. And with the little information delivered by the publishers to whet the appetite of readers, it seems that this book does not disappoint. The story of where Doyle Brunson, godfather of poker and winner of 10 WSOP bracelets, got his skills is revealed. His father was a talented poker player who managed to supplement his earnings by playing the game. He was, however, burdened with the misfortune of living in a town with a considerable Baptist influence, so he never ever flaunted or even talked about his winnings. Although, poker was always a favorite pastime for that family, so when Doyle went to college, he still carried the love for poker with him which, unfortunately, often landed him in the disciplinary board for gambling.
The Start of a Brilliant Career
It shows just how much those people on the board know, as Doyle went on to achieve countless successes and eventually earn himself a reputation as one of the best poker players ever born. 1958 was the year that saw Doyle’s meeting with one of his greatest loves, the game of “Hold’em”. But it was a year of ups and downs, of several tragic personal losses. He had to go back and forth to Longworth to attend various funerals, that of his father’s, his brother’s, grandmother’s, and two of his aunts. His life as a poker player was also heavy for him to bear, as there was always a heavy stigma that came with being a gambler back in those days. And, in fact, when he entered the historic 1972 WSOP, he was facing a dilemma, because he was afraid of the publicity that could easily be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it would bring him fame, and on the other hand, it might bring his family shame. Doyle shares that, even today, he is still astounded by the degree of respectability which the game now enjoys.
Indeed, the whole book is a brilliant narration of the events that precipitated the growth of the sport, told from the point of view of a true pioneer. It also brings to life several characters such as Titanic Thompson, Sailor Roberts, Chip Reese, and many more who were instrumental in shaping the godfather of poker.
There is no doubt that Doyle Brunson is one of those people who are larger than life and his story, certainly, will be one worth immortalizing. His book, “The Godfather of Poker”, will certainly be must-have for any collector.
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