One of a Kind: Stu Ungar -- A review
Taken from my current poker log...
One of a Kind: Stu Ungar
I finished “One of Kind: Stu Ungar†by Nolan Dalla and Peter Alson. It is the biography of Stu Ungar. And, I suppose, it is the authorized biography since Stu entered into an agreement with Nolan Dalla while he was still alive. As a side note, Nolan started this book in August, 1998. I was part of a very productive email study group then, along with Nolan. I think that the group eventually faded, in part, because Nolan got busy interviewing Stu and starting this book.
The book is great. It is well written and I really applaud Nolan’s choice to include some long, word-for-word, excerpts of Stu’s interview answers. It provides some real insight into Stu Ungar. The last long quote from Stu, in particular, is one of saddest things I have ever read.
Having said that, I found it hard to like Stu Ungar. He was, obviously, a remarkable card player. The story of the Mansour Matloubi freezeout is INCREDIBLE. And, it appears, that for those who spent time with him before the drugs really started to take their toll, he could be effusive in his generosity. But, his negative qualities are rather overwhelming. The phrases, “what a pity†and “what a shame†come to mind. Perhaps it is my weakness. I am able to understand and empathize with a person who has flaws that are, at least in part, a result of his youth and circumstances. But, empathy does not mean forgive. And, I don’t think I could have forgiven Stu, had I known him. A remarkable talent to be sure, but by my measure, a colossal failure at almost everything else.
That having been said, my small amount of reading in this area has taught me that genius is often associated with remarkable psychosis. This appears to have been the case with Stu. The very gift that he had – insight – came at a cost, namely, a complete lack of social skill or even basic morality.
I also know that people who knew him, liked him. I had a chat with John Bonetti at the Orleans Open in 2004 about the movie “Stuey.†His comment was “I wish they would have shown more of the good side of Stu. Yes, there were a lot of drugs, but Stuey was a very nice guy.†I will take his word for it, I guess.
Great book though. Compelling. I read it over a couple of days.
One of a Kind: Stu Ungar
I finished “One of Kind: Stu Ungar†by Nolan Dalla and Peter Alson. It is the biography of Stu Ungar. And, I suppose, it is the authorized biography since Stu entered into an agreement with Nolan Dalla while he was still alive. As a side note, Nolan started this book in August, 1998. I was part of a very productive email study group then, along with Nolan. I think that the group eventually faded, in part, because Nolan got busy interviewing Stu and starting this book.
The book is great. It is well written and I really applaud Nolan’s choice to include some long, word-for-word, excerpts of Stu’s interview answers. It provides some real insight into Stu Ungar. The last long quote from Stu, in particular, is one of saddest things I have ever read.
Having said that, I found it hard to like Stu Ungar. He was, obviously, a remarkable card player. The story of the Mansour Matloubi freezeout is INCREDIBLE. And, it appears, that for those who spent time with him before the drugs really started to take their toll, he could be effusive in his generosity. But, his negative qualities are rather overwhelming. The phrases, “what a pity†and “what a shame†come to mind. Perhaps it is my weakness. I am able to understand and empathize with a person who has flaws that are, at least in part, a result of his youth and circumstances. But, empathy does not mean forgive. And, I don’t think I could have forgiven Stu, had I known him. A remarkable talent to be sure, but by my measure, a colossal failure at almost everything else.
That having been said, my small amount of reading in this area has taught me that genius is often associated with remarkable psychosis. This appears to have been the case with Stu. The very gift that he had – insight – came at a cost, namely, a complete lack of social skill or even basic morality.
I also know that people who knew him, liked him. I had a chat with John Bonetti at the Orleans Open in 2004 about the movie “Stuey.†His comment was “I wish they would have shown more of the good side of Stu. Yes, there were a lot of drugs, but Stuey was a very nice guy.†I will take his word for it, I guess.
Great book though. Compelling. I read it over a couple of days.
Comments
Stu Unger
Bobby Fischer
The parallels are endless!!
I just finished reading it as well and I have to agree with you, its a very thin line between genius and insanity. On the flipside though I found myself liking Ungar and hoping that he could find something to grab onto and build upon, even though I knew what was going to happen to him. In the end I think that his demons were just too much for him to handle.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is not only a poker enthusiast/fan but also anyone who wants to read very good story.
Garry
Also, it was fun to see Turturro playing a game in of course Rounders and this one...
http://imdb.com/title/tt0211492/
The guy would have been the best of all time no doubt, such a waste of a talent. I haven't seen the movie yet though i hear it did no justice for Stu, but i agree the book was a great read. i'd definitely recommend pickin it up.