{"title":"Robert Kalich","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"david-lazar-a-novel-1","title":"David Lazar: A Novel","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat happens when a husband has lived two lives and harbors a deep secret?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003eRobert Kalich blurs the lines between memoir and fiction to tell a timeless story of love and redemption, with a dash of noir.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003eDavid Lazar is a born and bred New Yorker reflecting on the arc of his life as he composes his memoir. Filled with colorful New York characters—childhood friends, business mentors, wealthy associates, organized crime figures, celebrities, and sports stars—and told by a complex and compelling narrator, the city from the 1950s up to the present comes alive. The Big Apple is Lazar’s cradle and his cauldron, and a life like Lazar's is unique to New York City. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003eA professional sports gambler, Lazar is haunted by the immoral nature of the very work that made him rich. His innermost being is shaken as he reimagines the dehumanizing nature of his work and former life. Did he sell his soul to make it? Is there redemption for wealth based on corruption and violence? If he is completely honest, does he risk losing what he cherishes the most: the love and respect of his wife and son? Lazar has a decision to make. This is the story of a perilous journey into the soul of a man who risks losing far more than he's ever won. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003eWelcome to the world of \u003cem\u003eDavid Lazar\u003c\/em\u003e, the world of doubt and self-doubt, where life is lived as a novel and a novel is truer than life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRobert Alan Kalich\u003c\/strong\u003e (1937- ) is an American writer and author.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003eHis first novel, \u003cem\u003eThe Handicapper: A Novel About Obsessive Gambling, \u003c\/em\u003ewas published in 1981 by Crown Publishing. The book became a national best-seller and garnered critical praise and was selected by the Book-of-the-Month Club. His second novel, \u003cem\u003eThe Investigation of Ariel Warning,\u003c\/em\u003e was published in 2012. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003eKalich was born in and lives in New York City. He co-founded a film and theatrical production company called The Kalich Organization with his twin brother Richard Kalich, who is also a published author.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003eAs an avid sports enthusiast, Kalich has also compiled rating handbooks on players in professional basketball and baseball.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eDavid Lazar\u003c\/em\u003e is a gripping story of choices and their consequences; a slightly fictionalized memoir of a morally ambiguous life not so well lived. Whether it’s apology or rationalization is left to the reader to decide. It’s worth the journey.'' —\u003cstrong\u003eIra Burkowitz\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003eShamus Award-winning author of the Jackson Steeg Mystery Series\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003e \"If \u003cem\u003eDavid Lazar\u003c\/em\u003e were a song, it could only be sung by Frank Sinatra. As a book, it could only have been written by Robert Kalich. If it's true that we're all reduced to stories, Kalich has told one helluva one! Enjoy the ride.\"\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTim O'Mara\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003eauthor of the Raymond Donne Mystery Series\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\"In the hands of a vivid and cinematic storyteller, \u003cstrong\u003eDavid Lazar\u003c\/strong\u003e’s winter-of-life soul search becomes an addictive journey, leaving the reader to wonder just how much Kalich has blurred the lines between memoir and fiction.\" \u003cspan\u003e—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKaren Tintori\u003c\/strong\u003e, author of \u003cem\u003eUnto The Daughters: The Legacy of an Honor Killing in a Sicilian-American Family\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;\"\u003e \"A truly disturbing look into the mind of a guy who could live next door--if you happen to live next door to a professional gambler who works with mobsters and wealthy businessmen and just happens to be the best college basketball handicapper in the business.\" \u003cspan\u003e—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKenneth Wishnia\u003c\/strong\u003e, author of \u003cem\u003e23 Shades of Black,\u003c\/em\u003e and editor of \u003cem\u003eJewish Noir\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"In eloquent prose Robert Kalich launches a brilliant novel, one most assuredly to become a best seller. Highly recommended.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e - San Francisco Review of Books\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Awesome honesty, pacing and reflection.The best book I've read in a long while.\" - \u003cstrong\u003eSusan Braudy\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem\u003ePulitzer Prize \u003c\/em\u003enominee\u003cem\u003e, \u003c\/em\u003eauthor of \u003cem\u003eKick Kennedy's Secret Diary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bunim \u0026 Bannigan Ltd.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41321647079574,"sku":"9781933480497","price":19.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0477\/8731\/1254\/products\/img_proxy_72c86d26-ba92-46be-9023-e80737f50a9e.jpg?v=1642160983"},{"product_id":"david-lazar-a-novel-paperback-1","title":"DAVID LAZAR: A Novel  (Paperback)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRobert Kalich blurs the lines between memoir and fiction to tell a timeless story of love and redemption, with a dash of noir.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e   David Lazar is a born and bred New Yorker reflecting on the arc of his life as he composes his memoir. Filled with colorful New York Characters—childhood friends, business mentors, wealthy associates, organized crime figures, celebrities and sports stars—and told by a complex and compelling narrator, the city from the 1950s up to the present comes alive. The Big Apple is Lazar’s cradle and his cauldron, and a life like Lazar’s is unique to New York City.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e   A professional sports gambler, Lazar is haunted by the immoral nature of the very work that made him rich. His innermost being is shaken as he reimagines the dehumanizing nature of his work and former life. Did he sell his soul to make it? Is there redemption for wealth based on corruption and violence? If he is completely honest, does he risk losing what he cherishes the most: the love and respect of his wife and son? Lazar has a decision to make. This is the story of a perilous journey into the soul of a man who risks losing far more than he’s ever won.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e   Welcome to the world of \u003cem\u003eDavid Lazar\u003c\/em\u003e, the world of doubt and self-doubt, where life is lived as a novel and a novel is truer than life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRobert Alan Kalich\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (1937- ) is an American writer and author. His first novel, \u003cem\u003eThe Handicapper: A Novel About Obsessive Gambling, \u003c\/em\u003ewas published in 1981 by Crown Publishing. The book became a national best-seller and garnered critical praise and was selected by the Book-of-the-Month Club. His second novel, \u003cem\u003eThe Investigation of Ariel Warning,\u003c\/em\u003e was published in 2012. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKalich was born in and lives in New York City. He co-founded a film and theatrical production company called The Kalich Organization with his twin brother Richard Kalich, who is also a published author.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs an avid sports enthusiast, Kalich has also compiled rating handbooks on players in professional basketball and baseball.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“In eloquent prose Robert Kalich launches a brilliant novel, one most \u003c\/span\u003eassuredly to become a best seller. Highly recommended.”\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—SAN FRANCISCO REVIEW OF BOOKS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “Awesome honesty, pacing and reflection. The best book I’ve read in a \u003c\/span\u003elong while.”\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e— Susan Braudy, Pulitzer Prize Nominee, author of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKick Kennedy’s Secret Diary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “If David Lazar were a song, it could only be sung by Frank Sinatra. As \u003c\/span\u003ea book, it could only have been written by Robert Kalich. If it’s true\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethat we’re all reduced to stories, Kalich has told one helluva one! Enjoy \u003c\/span\u003ethe ride.”\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e— \u003cstrong\u003eTim O’mara, author of the \u003cem\u003eRaymond Donne Mystery Series\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “In the hands of a vivid and cinematic storyteller, David Lazar’s winter-of-\u003c\/span\u003elife soul search becomes an addictive journey, leaving the reader to\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewonder just how much Kalich has blurred the lines between memoir \u003c\/span\u003eand fiction.”\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e— \u003cstrong\u003eKaren Tintori, author of Unto the Daughters\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Legacy of an Honor Killing in a Sicilian-American Family\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “David Lazar is a gripping story of choices and their consequences. It’s \u003c\/span\u003eworth the journey.’’\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e— \u003cstrong\u003eIra Berkowitz, Shamus Award-winning author of \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ethe Jackson Steeg Mystery Series\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “A truly disturbing look into the mind of a guy who could live next \u003c\/span\u003edoor—if you happen to live next door to a professional gambler who\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eworks with mobsters and wealthy businessmen and just happens to be \u003c\/span\u003ethe best college basketball handicapper in the business.”\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e— \u003cstrong\u003eKenneth Wishnia, author of \u003cem\u003e23 Shades of Black\u003c\/em\u003e, a\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003end editor of \u003cem\u003eJewish Noir\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “David Lazar is a refreshingly unabashed narrator, and his memory \u003c\/span\u003elane is populated by characters who are, well . . . \u003cem\u003echaracters\u003c\/em\u003e! A most\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecompelling read!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e— \u003cstrong\u003eWendy Corsi Staub, \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e best-selling author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-CA\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bunim \u0026 Bannigan Ltd.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41321670606998,"sku":"9781933480503","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0477\/8731\/1254\/products\/img_proxy_bbba53a7-83ea-43b0-9dcf-74e6212f65e4.jpg?v=1642161663"},{"product_id":"impossible-to-be-human","title":"Impossible to Be Human - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eFacing the idiosyncrasies of his life and character, David Lazar mercilessly analyses his success. Can we accept irreconcilable contradictions? Can people change? And what does it mean to be human? Peeling layers of conventions and domestication, Lazar is gradually facing the man he once was, his past emotionless and cold existence. He cannot help but wonder: is he still that man or has the love of his wife redeemed him? Can a driven sports handicapper, who climbed 'Mt. Gamble' to become the most successful professional handicapper of his generation, become a loving, devoted husband and father? Can writing his life story\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003epurge his flaws?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe puzzle of life's inconsistencies grows as Lazar is baffled by his clandestine meetings in his NYC penthouse with Duck, the US president. They go way back when David was Duck's object of admiration. These days Duck represents everything Lazar rejects: racism, greed, callousness. The two of them mirror all that is opposed in American society and echo the doubt whether these dividing gaps can be bridged. And while Lazar dislikes these secret meetings he is turning into Duck's confidant, knowing all too well that he is acting against the people he loves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fragility of existence is further exacerbated by the spread of Covid-19. The presence of death is more tangible than ever. However, counting his blessings only intensifies the fear of loss. Lazar is trying to help the needy, but the knowledge of his own limitations and all that is still required haunts him. And the old, battered question is as relevant as ever: what is then the meaning of it all?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no straight answer, but as Lazar's identical twin brother observes, David did everything wrong, and yet bounced back lucky in his old age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRobert Kalich\u003c\/strong\u003e is a born-and-bred New Yorker. He is the author of several non-fiction books and four novels. Three of his novels are works of autofiction based on his life and intimate knowledge of sports and gambling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"In this exciting and wholly unpredictable second sequel (to \u003cem\u003eThe Handicapper\u003c\/em\u003e and 2019’s \u003cem\u003eDavid Lazar\u003c\/em\u003e), the one-time handicapper is back, a wealthy octogenarian facing aging, his latter-years zeal to make sure his life meant something ... Kalich deftly illuminates the drift of mind of a regretful millionaire reflecting back ... (Kalich’s) storytelling is sharp-elbowed but thoughtful, committed to exposing persuasive real-life details and ethical quandaries ...The ending is a surprising jolt, hopeful and cutting at once, compelling literary comedy laced with truth and outrage.\"   \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e-- \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e   \u003cem\u003eLightning Bolt, Booklife Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Kalich knows the worlds of sports and betting, and fans of both will take pleasure in this trip down memory lane.\" --\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bunim \u0026 Bannigan Ltd.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42235153121430,"sku":"9781933480527","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0477\/8731\/1254\/products\/9781933480527ita.jpg?v=1666118127"},{"product_id":"impossible-to-be-human-hardcover","title":"Impossible to Be Human - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eFacing the idiosyncrasies of his life and character, David Lazar mercilessly analyses his success. Can we accept irreconcilable contradictions? Can people change? And what does it mean to be human? Peeling layers of conventions and domestication, Lazar is gradually facing the man he once was, his past emotionless and cold existence. He cannot help but wonder: is he still that man or has the love of his wife redeemed him? Can a driven sports handicapper, who climbed 'Mt. Gamble' to become the most successful professional handicapper of his generation, become a loving, devoted husband and father? Can writing his life story\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003epurge his flaws?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe puzzle of life's inconsistencies grows as Lazar is baffled by his clandestine meetings in his NYC penthouse with Duck, the US president. They go way back when David was Duck's object of admiration. These days Duck represents everything Lazar rejects: racism, greed, callousness. The two of them mirror all that is opposed in American society and echo the doubt whether these dividing gaps can be bridged. And while Lazar dislikes these secret meetings he is turning into Duck's confidant, knowing all too well that he is acting against the people he loves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fragility of existence is further exacerbated by the spread of Covid-19. The presence of death is more tangible than ever. However, counting his blessings only intensifies the fear of loss. Lazar is trying to help the needy, but the knowledge of his own limitations and all that is still required haunts him. And the old, battered question is as relevant as ever: what is then the meaning of it all?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no straight answer, but as Lazar's identical twin brother observes, David did everything wrong, and yet bounced back lucky in his old age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRobert Kalich\u003c\/strong\u003e is a born-and-bread New Yorker. He is the author of several non-fiction books and four novels. Three of his novels are works of autofiction based on his life and intimate knowledge of sports and gambling: \u003cem\u003eThe Baseball Rating Handbook\u003c\/em\u003e; \u003cem\u003eThe Investigation of Ariel Warnin\u003c\/em\u003e; \u003cem\u003eThe\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eHandicapper; David Lazar\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"In this exciting and wholly unpredictable second sequel (to \u003cem\u003eThe Handicapper\u003c\/em\u003e and 2019’s \u003cem\u003eDavid Lazar\u003c\/em\u003e), the one-time handicapper is back, a wealthy octogenarian facing aging, his latter-years zeal to make sure his life meant something ... Kalich deftly illuminates the drift of mind of a regretful millionaire reflecting back ... (Kalich’s) storytelling is sharp-elbowed but thoughtful, committed to exposing persuasive real-life details and ethical quandaries ...The ending is a surprising jolt, hopeful and cutting at once, compelling literary comedy laced with truth and outrage.\" -- \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e   \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLightning Bolt, Booklife Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Kalich knows the worlds of sports and betting, and fans of both will take pleasure in this trip down memory lane.\" --\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bunim \u0026 Bannigan Ltd.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42276370219158,"sku":"9781933480510","price":23.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0477\/8731\/1254\/products\/9781933480510ita.jpg?v=1666990969"},{"product_id":"the-handicapper-a-novel-about-love-ambition-and-the-world-of-professional-sports-gambling","title":"The Handicapper: A Novel About Love, Ambition, and the World of Professional Sports Gambling","description":"\u003cp\u003eDavid Lazar, passionate, excessive, riddled with contradictions and soaring ambitions, is a compulsive gambler. He is hopelessly in debt and stuck in a humdrum job that can't support his addiction. He is fighting to keep the wife he idolizes who cannot live with his gambling loses. Lazar is left with no other options but to fight back and find a way to succeed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLazar takes control of life. He calls upon the expertise of his all-powerful friends—Nathan Rubin, the money obsessed CEO, and Solomon Lepidus, the man who can afford to gamble for fun. Basketball is Lazar's game, and he studies the teams, the plays and the betting. He uses the energy of his obsession to beat that very obsession, to become the most knowledgeable man in the country about college basketball. He builds a network of tipsters, produces a more accurate 'line' of point spreads than the Vegas experts, wagers—and beats them at their own game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Handicapper\u003c\/em\u003e is the story of one of those rare instances in which an individual beats the system, and it tells in fascinating detail just how it was done. But it is more than that. It is also the story of a tormented soul, cursed by spiritual poverty, driven by an inner necessity to climb \"Mount Gamble\" only to discover that winning sometimes mean losing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRobert Kalich\u003c\/strong\u003e is a born-and-bread New Yorker. He is the author of several non-fiction books and four novels. Three of his novels are works of autofiction based on his life and intimate knowledge of sports and gambling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"A compelling novel that transmits the flat-out thrills of putting your money where your heart is ... a tale of what betting is all about ... wonderful insight into the ways of a gambling mind. The Handicapper is alive. Bet on it.\" - \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSports Illustrated\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Kalich's fellow gambling devotees--sports--betting division especially--will appreciate the in-the-know details here. ...and maybe the sheer wish-fulfillment too.\" -\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Kirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"An ambitious first novel.\" - \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The Handicapper is an exceptionally good novel and yet so much more. It is probably the most illuminating novel about the topic of sports gambling I have ever read.\" - \u003cstrong\u003eBert Sugar\u003c\/strong\u003e, Writer \u0026amp; Sports Historian\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Kalich is writing about much more than making money. He's writing about living the American Dream - making it! I couldn't put it down.\" - \u003cstrong\u003eLeo Rutman\u003c\/strong\u003e, author of Five Good Men\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I have the same feeling about this book as I had about the Beatles. It's a winner.\" - \u003cstrong\u003eSid Bernstein\u003c\/strong\u003e (introduced the Beatles to America in 1965)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bunim \u0026 Bannigan Ltd.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44059083538749,"sku":"9781933480541","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0477\/8731\/1254\/products\/9781933480541ita.jpg?v=1668716728"},{"product_id":"the-handicapper","title":"The Handicapper - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDavid Lazar, passionate, excessive, riddled with contradictions and soaring ambitions, is a compulsive gambler. He is hopelessly in debt and stuck in a humdrum job that can't support his addiction. He is fighting to keep the wife he idolizes who cannot live with his gambling loses. Lazar is left with no other options but to fight back and find a way to succeed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLazar takes control of life. He calls upon the expertise of his all-powerful friends—Nathan Rubin, the money obsessed CEO, and Solomon Lepidus, the man who can afford to gamble for fun. Basketball is Lazar's game, and he studies the teams, the plays and the betting. He uses the energy of his obsession to beat that very obsession, to become the most knowledgeable man in the country about college basketball. He builds a network of tipsters, produces a more accurate 'line' of point spreads than the Vegas experts, wagers—and beats them at their own game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Handicapper\u003c\/em\u003e is the story of one of those rare instances in which an individual beats the system, and it tells in fascinating detail just how it was done. But it is more than that. It is also the story of a tormented soul, cursed by spiritual poverty, driven by an inner necessity to climb \"Mount Gamble\" only to discover that winning sometimes mean losing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRobert Kalich\u003c\/strong\u003e is a born-and-bread New Yorker. He is the author of several non-fiction books and four novels. Three of his novels are works of autofiction based on his life and intimate knowledge of sports and gambling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"A compelling novel that transmits the flat-out thrills of putting your money where your heart is ... a tale of what betting is all about ... wonderful insight into the ways of a gambling mind. The Handicapper is alive. Bet on it.\" - \u003cem\u003eSports Illustrated\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \"Kalich's fellow gambling devotees--sports--betting division especially--will appreciate the in-the-know details here. ...and maybe the sheer wish-fulfillment too.\" - \u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \"An ambitious first novel.\" - \u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \"The Handicapper is an exceptionally good novel and yet so much more. It is probably the most illuminating novel about the topic of sports gambling I have ever read.\" - \u003cstrong\u003eBert Sugar\u003c\/strong\u003e, Writer \u0026amp; Sports Historian\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \"Kalich is writing about much more than making money. He's writing about living the American Dream - making it! I couldn't put it down.\" - \u003cstrong\u003eLeo Rutman\u003c\/strong\u003e, author of \u003cem\u003eFive Good Men\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \"I have the same feeling about this book as I had about the Beatles. It's a winner.\" - \u003cstrong\u003eSid Bernstein\u003c\/strong\u003e (introduced the Beatles to America in 1965)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bunim \u0026 Bannigan Ltd.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44152347754813,"sku":"9781933480534","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0477\/8731\/1254\/products\/9781933480534ita_1.jpg?v=1670267346"}],"url":"https:\/\/itascabooks.com\/collections\/robert-kalich.oembed","provider":"Itasca Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}