by Cooper, Doug
The Investment Club is told in sixty one-day snapshots. How does starting and closing each chapter with the Dow Jones open and close from that day connect and add to the story?
Las Vegas is known for its extravagant strip, but minimal action occurs there. Why do you think the author chose to do this? How does setting the story in old downtown Vegas reinforce the themes and symbols of the story?
To be a good gambler, one must know when to cash in and walk away, but in life that is often seen as quitting or a sign of weakness. What is an example of a character cashing-in in The Investment Club? Was it an act of strength or weakness?
The author incorporates the rules and strategies of blackjack into The Investment Club. How do they apply to everyday life? Why is blackjack the perfect game to use as a metaphor for the story?
The narrator of The Investment Club is an older blackjack dealer who has lived and worked in Vegas his whole life. After all the people he has seen come and go, why did these characters and their stories resonate so much with him? How did he get to know such intimate details about them?
Significant events in the main characters’ pasts shape and influence their current lives. Choose a character and explain how an event impacted their life. Was it positive or negative?
Vices play a major role in The Investment Club. Is it possible, as one of the characters says, to have addictive qualities without being an addict, or is that rationalization? Have you ever witnessed addictive tendencies in yourself? What did you do?
We often measure overall success by financial impact. What are examples of the non-financial dividends the characters receive for investing their personal equity in each other?
The author lived in Las Vegas while writing The Investment Club. What are some examples of details that he could’ve picked up only from living there?
A lot of action and focus in the book involves hand movements. How does this relate to the themes of The Investment Club?
Why does the author use alternate forms of content—an infomercial, press release, settlement agreement, and will—to convey information in The Investment Club? How do they reinforce themes in the story and provide insight to modern culture.
How do each of the main characters’ names symbolize financial themes and symbols? How do the themes and symbols apply to modern society in general?
Investing in other people is a theme of The Investment Club, but so is accepting the help of others. Why is it often harder for the characters to accept help than to offer it? When helping others furthers their own cause, are they really being manipulative or selfless?
The opening and closing scenes of The Investment Club take place at the blackjack table at the El Cortez casino. What is similar and what is different? How have the characters changed?
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge the following people, without whom this book would not have been possible.
The Litt family—Richard, Laura, Amanda, and Matthew. Thank you for taking me in and always providing love, support, and encouragement during my time in Vegas.
My longtime friend and old St. Louis roommate Lionel Handler. I’m happy we were able to reconnect in Vegas. Our weekly dinners kept me anchored and focused.
Josh Molina and Val Varela and the rest of the staff at Makers & Finders. Thanks for letting me camp out every day and for keeping me motivated. Your friendship and the lemon poppy seed muffins you added to the menu for me made all the difference.
Lyle Cervenka and Natasha Shahani. Your affection for each other and love for life fueled me in more ways than you’ll ever know.
James P. Reza and Staci D. Linklater. Thanks for welcoming me into the downtown Vegas community and always pointing me in the right direction. Modern Holiday rules!
My research crew, who helped me navigate the Vegas landscape—even though that usually meant learning what not to do: Steven Tankersley, Adam Fleischmann, Joe “TS” Riordan, Marti Tsagrinos, Christian Gonzalez, Jessica Jones, Kevin Parritt, Steph Resler, Kevin James Ewing, Stephanie Smith, Mario Bonaventura, Megan Hubans, Colt Prattes, Angelina Mullins, Mark Black, Birdie, Matty, Josh, Cubes, and, of course, all the random people I encountered during one of those nights.
All the downtown Vegas businesses and locations that contributed either space for me to work or inspiration for content. El Cortez Casino, Downtown Grand Casino, Grass Roots, Velveteen Rabbit, Rachel’s Kitchen, Gold Spike, Triple George, Du-par’s, Publicus, Pizza Rock, Atomic, Neon Brand, Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, Soho Lofts, BlackjackApprenticeship.com, and many more.
My beta reading team: Trisha Cooper Eblin, Julie Ririe, Pete Eliason, Bryan McCausland, Max Rubin, Chad Felton, Hollywood Dave, and Jay Moore. Thanks for reading early drafts and providing direction.
My freelance editors, Laura Garwood and Jeanne Thornton, who I first shared my work with. Your insight and magic are so greatly appreciated.
Tyson Cornell, Pat Walsh, and the team at Rare Bird Books. Thanks for your guidance and inspiration in the publishing process.
Brendan Bauer and Bryan McCausland. Thank you for investing in me. You epitomize the spirit of this story.