You Bet

From one of America's top physicians, a "riveting," "fascinating," and "timely" (Nature) history of risk in medicine Every medical decision--whether to have chemotherapy, an X-ray, or surgery--is a risk, no matter which way you choose. In You Bet Your Life, physician Paul A. Offit argues that, from the first blood transfusions four hundred years ago to the hunt for a COVID-19 vaccine, risk has been essential to the discovery of new treatments. More importantly, understanding the risks is crucial to whether, as a society or as individuals, we accept them. Told in Offit's vigorous and rigorous style, You Bet Your Life is an entertaining history of medicine. But it also lays bare the tortured relationships between intellectual breakthroughs, political realities, and human foibles. As we have learned from the COVID pandemic--the debates over lockdowns, masks, and vaccines--it's all too easy to get everything wrong. Updated with a new introduction, You Bet Your Life is an essential read for getting the future a bit more right.

A child plays with various toys and pets. This simple story for beginning readers teaches the 'et' sound through rhyming text and bright, original illustrations. Additional features to aid in comprehension include a word list for review, a note to parents and educators, and an introduction to the author and illustrator.

"An elegant and amusing account" of how gambling has been reshaped by the application of science and revealed the truth behind a lucky bet (Wall Street Journal). For the past 500 years, gamblers-led by mathematicians and scientists-have been trying to figure out how to pull the rug out from under Lady Luck. In The Perfect Bet, mathematician and award-winning writer Adam Kucharski tells the astonishing story of how the experts have succeeded, revolutionizing mathematics and science in the process. The house can seem unbeatable. Kucharski shows us just why it isn't. Even better, he demonstrates how the search for the perfect bet has been crucial for the scientific pursuit of a better world.

The most comprehensive reference book on poker, casino and lottery betting on the market with over 600 cross referenced entries. It explores the history, systems, theory, law, word origins and slang as well the scandals, scams and the huge array of unforgettable characters and audacious coups.

We are a nation of gamblers: pari-mutuel wagering at horse tracks; blackjack in Las Vegas; the NCAA basketball office pool; even day trading on the internet. Gambling is both our national pastime and our predominant cultural metaphor -- play the field; beat the odds; take a chance on love. Yet gambling poses serious risks to individuals and to society as a whole. Neil Isaacs -- sports historian, licensed clinical social worker, English professor, and a gambler himself for more than fifty years -- seeks to shatter the myths interfering with our understanding of gambling addiction, its causes, and its treatment. He begins by systematically debunking several commonly held beliefs, demonstrating that there is no such thing as the law of averages, that gambling is not inherently sinful, immoral, or criminal, and that money is not always the prime motivator for gamblers. Isaacs shows how habitual gambling can lead to compulsive gambling, but avoids oversimplifying this condition. Arguing against a undifferentiated interpretation of pathological gambling as a simple impulse control disorder, he draws examples from fiction, film, and his own practice to demonstrate additional ways gambling can be abused. A radical departure from established views, You Bet Your Life identifies the costs -- in dollars, people, families, and credit ratings -- of society's failure to address adequately the burdens of gambling.

Build the risk-taking skills that will lead you to a life of fulfillment: Discover the formula for success that will supercharge your decision-making confidence and transform even the most risk-averse mindset. In Bet on You, Angie Morgan and Courtney Lynch reveal hard-earned, real-world insights that will help you realize your potential by enacting risk in ways most meaningful to you. The author’s risk-taking guidance has been embraced by the world’s best businesses – Google, Boston Scientific, FedEx, and Oracle. Their insights are the secret sauce behind any transformative journey to a success-filled life. With clear, actionable steps, this book: Enlightens readers with a new perspective on how risk really works and clears up common misconceptions about risk, such as it being the opposite of reward. Empowers professionals of all types with guidance on how to start practicing new habits right away to build their risk-taking muscle. Shows how to weave a safety net to mitigate the downside of risks. Offers effective strategies for managing risk-killing emotions: fear and failure.

A SETUP IN SIN CITY When her old friend Martha decided to get married in Las Vegas, Jessica Fletcher made the trip to watch her walk down the aisle. But what were the odds that she’d be back two years later—to watch Martha stand accused of her husband’s murder? Jessica’s never been one to gamble, but she’s willing to bet that Martha isn’t guilty. Martha’s husband was a high-rolling Las Vegas local with three ex-wives and plenty of jealous acquaintances. After joining Martha’s defense team, Jessica combs through the man’s past to find the real killer. But as the media attention grows—and Jessica is interviewed by the news anchors of Court TV—the stakes are raised, and Jessica learns how to play for keeps.

The rags-to-riches tale of one of the most remarkable figures in horse racing history. Readers will be left breathless at the edge of their seats by the amazing stories in You Bet Your Life: My Incredible Adventures in Horse Racing and Offshore Betting, the story of celebrated jockey Dave Stevenson. A runaway barn hand who became a legendary champion and hero in his native Canada, Stevenson's life is incomparable in its color, scope, and excitement. Throughout, You Bet Your Life is the ride of a lifetime. Its pages transport readers back in time to the golden era of American and Canadian horseracing greatness, traveling across North America and then around the world, all the while meeting an abundance of colorful characters: from legendary figures such as the Dowager Queen of England, Pablo Escobar, and champion thoroughbreds Secretariat and Seabiscuit, to charlatans and cheats, horses and owners, and jockeys and trainers that populated the underbelly and the pinnacle of the horseracing world. Relayed in stunning detail and brimming with emotional episodes, Stevenson's memories bring readers to the front lines, so close to the action that you'll swear you can feel the force of the filly's kick, taste the grit of the racetrack, hear the roar of the crowd, and smell the alluring perfume of wealthy women. Will Dave Stevenson's story enthrall and inspire you from its opening pages? You Bet Your Life it will.