Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: The book is mostly a collection of unrelated poker cliches & anecdotes that have been told many times before. What dissapointed me most was that based on the title, I expected more of a 'player's diary' if you will. It was far from it...in fact, there's nothing new here at all. Also, it seems to have been written for mass appeal rather than for players. If you play, skip this one but consider Jesse May's novel 'Shut up and Deal'; it's defintely worth a look.
Rating: 
Summary: pokeraddict
Review: I love poker books and stories, but would have to say this one was average at best. If these are the best stories the author has to tell, that is sad. I have more interesting things happen to me and around me at a poker room in an average day than this guy has had in his life. If you are a beginner trying to learn the game, this book won't help. If you are an expert, it certainly won't. And if you are looking for something to entertain you while on the can or something, you better look elsewhere too. A very disappointing book by a rather poor writer.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book for Beginners
Review: I am new to Texas Hold'em poker and I recommend "Poker Nation" to other beginners. I could not put this book down. "Poker Nation" was full of helpful information and entertaining stories. It gives a good insight into the world of poker and would make a great addition in anyone's library to remind them of the fundamentals.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic Poker Book!
Review: This was a great book filled with insight upon clever insight into the dynamic and (suddently in the last few years) romanticized world of Poker. As someone who as seen poker from 'both sides of the felt', I can tell you that there is something for everyone in this -- from original theory and riveting psychology to anecdotal humor and sharp commentary -- all woven together via skillful and empathetic story telling. This book is by far the best non-how-to Poker book on the market, and certainly at par or beyond "Big Deal", "Shut Up and Deal" or Michael Konik's little 'hundred thousand dollar' gem of a book.
Rating:
Summary: Poorly written, hit-or-miss poker book
Review: This guy is a professional writer? He seems to have created this book by thinking of a poker-related topic, writing a chapter about it, then doing another one. Whenever he runs out of something to say, he writes about...himself! Who cares? And who edited this book? Twice he uses the redundant phrase "old adage" and once the horrible "very unique". An exercise in the New Journalism that's not worth your time. Read "The Biggest Game in Town" by A. Alvarez or "Big Deal" by Anthony Holden for the real deal.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting. Absorbing.
Review: Every financial endeavor has 3 components: Intellectual; mechanical; and emotional. Andrey covers all three bases in this wonderfully compelling adventure into the seedy underworld of habitual (professional) poker. I could not put it down. The mechanics of cheats, tells, and sleight of hand were fascinating. The psychology of the bluff and the "tilt", again, opened new worlds to me. There was just enough of the odds without getting too technical. Many fantastic endeavors look sexy and alluring on the surface (lives of Rock Stars; Flying jets off of carriers...)but when mortals are offered a peek into the nitty gritty, there's a lot of grit to getting there.
Rating:
Summary: Written as if by someone who needs to pay off a poker debt
Review: As someone who spent many years playing poker, this book left me feeling unsatisified. The writing could only be described as perfunctory, as if the author needed money in a hurry. Much better is "Shut Up and Deal." That book gave me an adrenalin rush that made we want to return to the felt table of my past.
Rating: 
Summary: An entertaining overview of the world of poker
Review: At one point in POKER NATION, Andy Bellin describes the myriad ways a small-time poker professional tries to distract himself from the boredom of the game ultimately giving in to a life of drugs. "That's why there are no good poker movies," the pro says. POKER NATION attempts, but ultimately fails, to bring out the excitement of playing the game. Andy Bellin gives us a detailed tour of the world of poker. He takes us through his own experiences at the table, the world of the big-time and the small-time poker professionaly, a brief overview of poker strategy, running both legal and illegal card clubs, and interesting studies of the shady characters always looking for an edge. Andy's brisk, simple, and descriptive writing paints the picture of a likable, somewhat shady, guide to the most American of games. The book kept me entertained during the two nights I read it. Unfortunately, the details of life in the Poker Nation don't live up to the romance, and I left the book feeling sorry for its citizens. Once you start playing the game 40+ hours a week, it becomes just a job. And who wants to read about the details of anyone's job? Dav's Rating System:
5 stars - Loved it, and kept it on my bookshelf.
4 stars - Liked it, and gave it to a friend.
3 stars - OK, finished it and gave it to the library.
2 stars - Not good, finished it, but felt guilty and/or cheated by it.
1 star - I want my hour back! Didn't finish the book.
Rating:
Summary: A Surprise
Review: I bought this book for entertainment only but was pleasantly surprised at how much I learned about Poker from it. I would rate it even higher if it were a bit longer. I read it in one day. A very good book.
Rating:
Summary: Pales in Comparison
Review: I don't get the fuss about Poker Nation. Like many poker books this latest one by someone who apparently has never written anything before is Okay at best. I found the writing very crude in spots. To compare this half-baked collection of Bellin's recollections of "characters he has known" to true poker masterpieces like "Big Deal" and "Telling Lies and Getting Paid" is an insult. That's why poker's a great game I guess... Ithink people who have never read about poker might think this book is fascinating and edgy. Everyone else will probably wonder what people see in this. After reading this... narrative I know I personally appreciate the couple of well-written poker books that are still in print and in my library.
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