Book on Benny Binion

[Norm]

Released today, the book reveals new details of Binion's life. The effort to put him behind bars reached all the way to President Truman. Yet after his release, he became an FBI informant.

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Aces-Bin.../dp/0670026034

[RWM]

The author will be on GWAE tonight at 7pm. PST

[metronome]

Got a really good review in the Dallas Morning News. Richard, I'll be visiting GWAE to listin to that interview. Thanks!!
BTW, I moved to Grayson Co. Texas, and frequently pass by the "community" of Binion, not even an incorporated town.

[RWM]

I haven't read the book yet. The author couldn't get it to us in time for the show. And it isn't a surprise that it got a good review in Dallas since he is a journalist there. But it is not a whitewash about Benny the great civic leader. Sounds like the writer worked very hard to dig up as much of the real story as possible.

[Blitzkrieg]

I had no idea that Binion was so heavily involved in organized crime in his early days before opening up the Horseshoe in Vegas. I don't think the current owners of the Horseshoe do a great job of running the casino that he began many years ago.

[metronome]

Benny ran poker and dice games w/ the consent of Dallas PD and active participation of movers & shakers of the city during that period. When he finally got run outta town that's when he went to Vegas and the rest is history. Benny Benion has a long and storied history in N. Texas.

[MJGolf]

And he had a long and storied history in Vegas, too. Not just Dallas. Man, I remember Texas being wild and woolly in the old days, my Dad told me, I just didn't know HOW much. I listened to Munch and Bob's GWAE podcast with the author. Sounds like he only put in info and stories that he could verify. There were SO many stories about Binion and I heard mostly good ones from the good ol' days in Vegas (like the ones about buying dinner for down on their luck folks and giving them chips.......of course Horseshoe chips.........LOL) But he is remembered fondly in Vegas. His casino (or the Binion family) was always notorious or famous for really having no limit and 4% commish on Baccarat. If he had been alive when "party pits" were discovered or invented, I bet he would have had quite a part in it, too. Funny how time passes and only the good stuff seems to be remembered.........not the gangsta stuff and violence. I would NOT have wanted to be on his bad side.