An overview of all books about Solitaire, and other resources used to compile the Solitaire Bibliography and the History from a Gambling perspective.
Something for Nothing – The Lore and Lure of Gamblingby Clyde Brion Davis – 1956 (Philadelphia, New York) In his book “Something for Nothing – The Lore and Lure of Gambling,” writer Clyde Brion Davis describes gambling throughout the years in America. In his chapter, Minor Games, he writes about side games and refers to … Read more
Fabulous Bawd – The Story of Saratoga by Mel Heimer published by the Henry Holt and Company, New York 1952 A book by Mel Heimer about the history of Saratoga with many anecdotes about important figures who formed the basis of Saratoga’s fame. Of course, both John Morrisey and Richard Canfield are discussed. About Canfield … Read more
The Complete Book of Solitaire and Patience Games: The Most Comprehensive Book of Its Kind. Over 225 Games Albert Morehead (1909 – 1966) was a journalist for The New York Times and writer of several books on card games. His passion was Bridge but he also wrote, together with Geoffrey Mott-Smith, a very important book … Read more
The Complete Book of Games by Cement Wood and Gloria Goddard (copyright 1938) In The Complete Book of Games, Cement Wood and Gloria Goddard are claiming that both “Canfield (Solitaire)” and “Klondike” were gambling games and that Richard Canfield “invented” the Solitaire now still carrying his name. About Klondike “Klondike also called CanfieldThis is the … Read more
Such was Saratoga by Hugh Bradley – New York 1940 Such was Saratoga by Hugh Bradley is a book about the history of Saratoga with a lot of attention to the colorful gambling history of Saratoga. The book is very detailed where both John Morrisey and Canfield are discussed. About Canfield and Solitaire the following … Read more
Sucker’s Progress: an informal history of gambling in America from the colonies to Canfield By Herbert Asbury, (1938, New York / Dodd, Mead & Co.) Sucker’s Progress: an informal History of Gambling in America from the colonies to Canfield is a fantastic book full of stories and proper historical research. It can be no surprise … Read more
Canfield: The True Story of the Greatest Gambler by Alexander Gardiner One of the most comprehensive books I’ve come across on Canfield. An autobiography about the life of the “Prince of Gamblers” with a vast amount of intricate details. For example, he cites the exact amounts Canfield accepted as bets, the layouts, and the games … Read more
Fun with Cards, Solitaires, Tricks and Fortunes, 1927, [New York] George Sully and Company In Dean Bryden’s book “Fun with Cards, Solitaires, Tricks, and Fortunes” you can find 30 different types of Solitaire. The Demon, (4 card tableau + reserve), explained on page 77 includes a very detailed example play of the Demon, move by … Read more
Auction for Two or Three – With a new code of laws for these games – Milton C Work – 1921 The claim that Solitaire is only a single-player game is not correct. This is made clear in the book “Auction for Two or Three – With a new code of laws for these games.” … Read more
Foster’s Complete Hoyle; An encyclopedia of games, including all the indoor games played at the present day (Revised and Enlarged) by R.F. Foster 1914 R.F Foster’s third edition of “Foster’s complete Hoyle; an encyclopedia of games, including all the indoor games played at the present day” was published in 1914, the year of Canfield’s death. … Read more