Author
Andrew Steinmetz
1816-1877
Andrew Steinmetz (1816-1877) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Subjects
Books by Andrew Steinmetz
The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims. Volume 2 (of 2)
"The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims, Volume 2" by Andrew Steinmetz is a historical account written during the mid-19th century. This exploration of gambling delves into the lives of those involved in the culture of gaming, highlighting both the allure and the devastation it brings. The narrative reveals the darker underbelly of gambling society, filled with professional sharpers, their victims, and the societal consequences that emerge from such vices. At the start of the volume, Steinmetz introduces the concept of "chevaliers d'industrie," or polite sharpers, detailing their methods of manipulation and deceit. The opening chapters recount the rise of these skilled con artists, illustrating their gradual encroachment upon the innocent, often by involving them in gambling schemes laced with treachery. One highlighted character, Olivier, a young man from a respectable family, falls prey to the persuasive tactics of a card-sharper named Chauvignac, leading him into a series of gambling exploits that culminate in ruin. The opening sets the stage for a historical examination of how gambling not only ensnares individuals but can also perpetuate cycles of despair, violence, and social decay.
The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims. Volume 1 (of 2)
"The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims. Volume 1 (of 2)" by Andrew Steinmetz is a historical account written during the mid-19th century that explores the pervasive culture of gambling throughout history, particularly focusing on England and France. The book delves into the social ramifications and personal tragedies that arose from gambling, illustrating the vice as it affects individuals from all walks of life, including the nobility, clergy, and common citizens. The opening of the narrative introduces the theme of gaming as a universal human compulsion, illustrating its historical roots and societal implications. Steinmetz recounts dramatic instances of financial ruin and moral decay that gambling has inflicted upon individuals, setting a grim stage filled with victimized characters and duplicitous environments. He references a variety of historical examples, including those from ancient civilizations to the contemporary examples of his time, making it clear that the allure of gambling knows no bounds. The preface establishes a serious tone of reflection on the dangers of gambling, hinting at both the alluring nature of games of chance and the devastating impact they can have on individuals and society as a whole.