Victor Chandler: Put Your Life On It
£8.70£9.50 (-8%)
After the sell-out success of the hardback edition, this book is now available in paperback where Victor Chandler, the most recognisable face in bookmaking, tells his remarkable life story in ‘Put Your Life On It: Staying At The Top in the Cut-throat World of Gambling.’
In this new authorised biography written by Jamie Reid, Chandler will reveal how gambling was in his blood from birth. Discover how his grandfather dealt with Darby Sabini’s Italian mob, Alfie Solomons and the real Peaky Blinders. How his father, Victor senior, built up the firm only for illness to force ‘Young Victor’ into the fray at the age of 23 – the start of a high life and fast times.
To begin with, he found the going tough. He almost accepted an offer to sell up from Playboy Bookmakers. But fortunately he stuck with it just in time to enjoy his first profitable Royal Ascot and from then on there was no going back.
In the face of the UK recession in the 1990s he went out to the Far East and began duelling audaciously with colossal Asian punters while dodging the attentions of the Triads in Hong Kong and Macau. Then at the end of the decade he sparked a revolution by moving his entire business offshore to Gibraltar; he is often credited with being the first to take gambling online.
Victor shares his often hilarious memories of 40 years of a high-octane racing and bookmaking life, populated by a huge cast of colourful characters including the artist Lucian Freud, who painted ‘VC’ as well as betting with him.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Reach Sport (9 Mar. 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 352 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1914197828 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1914197826 |
| Dimensions | 13 x 2.5 x 19.7 cm |
by Michael1966
There are occasional passages in this book which make for interesting reading, particularly the stories of successful or failed ambitious gambles. However, the final product, despite the author’s extensive research, is quite disappointing. The lasting impression given, in all likeliIhood contrary to the author’s intentions, is of an unpleasant, unscrupulous pastime and profession where everyone tries to seek an advantage. That underlying, unpleasant reality of the gambling industry and the associated malfaisants who infest it underpins all of the stories told. If the ‘to be continued’ offers more of the same, then it is probably best avoided.
by nexus
A great book telling of Victors life as a bookmaker.The book is so good that i could not put it down once i started to read it.Some fascinating stories of characters involved in the many aspects of horse racing.
by brian smith
As my working life was mainly working with bookmakers, this book brings me back to the days of truly professional bookmakers.
by Ronan
If you enjoy a few good, well-told tales.
Stories about big characters, big-name horses, and other Shenanigans, this book relates a wonderful account of some of the larger-than-life characters that have graced the Racing World over the last few decades.
Bravo Jamie, for telling the tales so well: bravo Victor for living without limits; and somehow getting away with it.
This book tells of the foundation of a world-leading bookmaking organisation ; much about Victor and his experiences in an extraordinary life: and how a Horse called Roger Bacon got his name.
by Lena C
Bought as a present & the recipient says he’s enjoying the book very much.
by Kindle Customer
To be continued !
When really all that’s missing is the Harry Rednapp and Sandra adverts ????
Definitely won’t be ordering the sequel !
In reality the suave James Bond, risk taker is only interested in losers.
You will get your new Bet Victor account shutdown within a few weeks if your showing a profit, and don’t have the required mug profile.
by Amazon Customer
Clearly Victor has told Mr Cook to leave out a number of ‘interesting’ characters and grubby stories. Way too sanitised and wasn’t in depth, which is a big shame.
Compare this to say Tom Bower’s book on Bernie Ecclestone which is warts n all and every page you want to turnover. I got pretty bored with this one.
Missed opportunity and disappointing as I like Chris Cooks writing.
by John Mawson
I found this very interesting and gives a good in sight to the..life and times of the family