Having just seen the show that this text accompanies, I can highly recommend this catalog to those painters and viewers who enjoy Auerbach's work. As with all reproductions of wonderfull paintings these ones are not able to convey the physical/visual illusion contained in the work. They are very good however and the accompaning text informative. Auerbach has already created a great body of work and seeing it across the hall from an amazing Rembrandt exhibit, also at the Royal Academy, gives hope to the future of painting when it's obituary is beeing written tacitly by so many.

Wow!This book Is possibly one of the best around on Marijuana cultivation!I found it wonderful in its use of detailed sections including everything a closet homegrower or garden grower would need: lighting, soil, seed strain,plant cycle etc... Although I read it for *informative* reasons only (he he) I definetly want to go out and start growing my own.Written with Ed's lyrical way, it provides an enjoyable read on its own or is perfect for first time growers or professionals. This book is Extremly desireable!

My rating on this book is really a three and a half, if given the option to rate a half-star, that is.

I enjoyed tremandously learning about the Teamsters, the politicians and of course the Mafia involvement in the Las Vegas casino operations. The book exceled in the abundance of information.

However, the writing itself was not so great therefore lowering the reading experience. Just as in real life, when people tell you their side of the story, it hardly ever concurs with someone else's account. Since the book was really a collage of vaious narrations, the author had a hard time weaving together different points of views and tones. Sometimes readers are left wondering what really happened.

I would recommend this book for people who are interested in information and stories regarding the Mafia. The topic is very interesting, but for those who prefers a bit more drama and fluency of writing, then this may not be your top choice.

This gripping narrative exposes Midwest mob influence in Las Vegas during the 1970-80's. Author Nicholas Pileggi focuses on four major characters. The most prominent was ex-sports handicapper and bookie Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, who became an innovative casino manager. Lefty ran the casino at the Stardust Hotel, the location from where the Chicago and Kansas City syndicates skimmed millions in gambling revenues. We also read about Lefty's friend and mob enforcer Tony Spilotro, front man Allen Glick, and Lefty's glamorous but volatile wife Geri. The author describes casino operations, financing by teamster pensions, and gambling executives who knew enough to look the other way. We also see how unchecked greed and ego can destroy casino operators as surely as it does some of their customers. The book's only weakness was that Pileggi seemed to go easy on a couple of the major characters.

"Casino" became a 1995 movie of the same name. Pileggi also wrote "Wiseguy," basis for another excellent mob film ("Goodfellas") by Martin Scorsese. "Casino" doesn't quite match "Wiseguy," but it's a highly readable and informative book.

I found 'Casino' to be an exciting true life story of the real Vegas of the 70's & early 80's. Nicholas Pileggi, has written this book with obvious research and passion, painting a tremendous mental picture of the Mafia and thier control over Las Vegas.

Excellent, I'd recommend it to anyone interested in true life mafia stories and Las Vegas life.