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License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver by Tim Keown, Rick Harrison
wildweasel105's review
4.0
If you've always wanted to know how and what a pawn shop does in the business world, look no further. If you're interested in what makes the fabulously successful television show "Pawn Stars" so interesting in the first place, this is the book to read.
Rick Harrison does a good job narrating his biography, and how he, his father and son managed to get The Gold and Silver Pawnshop off the ground in Las Vegas.
Starting from his medically challenged childhood all the way through the decisions, and negotiations that marked him as a dyed-in-the-wool hustler, Harrison has all the true stories that will educate and entertain the reader. He compares "real life" pawn shop business to the one we get to see on the History Channel, and why it's different.
Harrison also delves into the social milieu of Vegas and why all the teeming masses of humanity wind up at his store 24/7, 365 days a year.
This provides a truly interesting view in the life of the Pawnshop that can't be captured on the t.v. series.
A few of the chapters are written by Rick's father (Old Man), his son, Corey, and Corey's lifelong friend, Austin Russell ( better known as Chumlee); each have their own colorful contribution to the book.
Over all, this was an informative read, and done with wit, wisdom and a dash of laugh-out loud humor.
Rick Harrison does a good job narrating his biography, and how he, his father and son managed to get The Gold and Silver Pawnshop off the ground in Las Vegas.
Starting from his medically challenged childhood all the way through the decisions, and negotiations that marked him as a dyed-in-the-wool hustler, Harrison has all the true stories that will educate and entertain the reader. He compares "real life" pawn shop business to the one we get to see on the History Channel, and why it's different.
Harrison also delves into the social milieu of Vegas and why all the teeming masses of humanity wind up at his store 24/7, 365 days a year.
This provides a truly interesting view in the life of the Pawnshop that can't be captured on the t.v. series.
A few of the chapters are written by Rick's father (Old Man), his son, Corey, and Corey's lifelong friend, Austin Russell ( better known as Chumlee); each have their own colorful contribution to the book.
Over all, this was an informative read, and done with wit, wisdom and a dash of laugh-out loud humor.
labunnywtf's review
4.0
I suspect I won't like this. Giving it a shot anyway.
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I am literally shocked how much I liked this book. I picked it up because I wanted to read about the crazy pawning stories. I went into it expecting I would have to do an awful lot of skimming to get past the personal bs and find the goods.
The personal life stories account for maybe 1/10 of the book, and even then, they're interesting to read about. The rest of it is stories. Some of them are hilarious (the hooker with the fake rolex), some are utterly disturbing (the lady who asked the night window gent for a pair of pliers), and some are just heartbreaking (the gentleman who had his wallet stolen and needed to get back to his San Diego base that same day).
But they're all fun.
I need to watch this show more often.
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I am literally shocked how much I liked this book. I picked it up because I wanted to read about the crazy pawning stories. I went into it expecting I would have to do an awful lot of skimming to get past the personal bs and find the goods.
The personal life stories account for maybe 1/10 of the book, and even then, they're interesting to read about. The rest of it is stories. Some of them are hilarious (the hooker with the fake rolex), some are utterly disturbing (the lady who asked the night window gent for a pair of pliers), and some are just heartbreaking (the gentleman who had his wallet stolen and needed to get back to his San Diego base that same day).
But they're all fun.
I need to watch this show more often.
duparker's review
3.0
Fun read. Really isn't all that illuminating, and I am presuming that I read the wikipedia entry, I'd learn the same. On the other hand it took 2 hours to read 256 pages.
Unlike most ghost written books, it is only when the son and Chumlee write their chapters is it clearly ghost written. Other times, you can hear the Old Man and Rick speaking as you read.
Unlike most ghost written books, it is only when the son and Chumlee write their chapters is it clearly ghost written. Other times, you can hear the Old Man and Rick speaking as you read.
juliardye's review
3.0
This was not a literary masterpiece by any means, but since I like watching the show, I enjoyed learning more about the background of the store, the pawn business and the family (+ Chumlee). Be warned: Rick Harrison rants quite a bit.
lucysparrow's review
5.0
Very entertaining
I'm a recent big fan of the show as I just started watching it this year. I now find myself with 20 episodes of Pawn Stars on TiVo and binge watching them. I loved the book and read it in one afternoon. If you like the show I would recommend the book.
I'm a recent big fan of the show as I just started watching it this year. I now find myself with 20 episodes of Pawn Stars on TiVo and binge watching them. I loved the book and read it in one afternoon. If you like the show I would recommend the book.
vikingwolf's review
4.0
I am a big fan of the TV show Pawn Stars and love all the banter between Rick, The Old Man, Big Hoss and Chumlee, so when I heard about this book I was determined to grab a copy to read. I certainly enjoyed it.
Rick talks in detail about his seizures as a child, which confined him to bed for 10 days at a time with ice packs on his hamstrings and quadriceps due to all the pulled muscles from the seizure. He talks about how scared he was of dying and how he turned to books as a constant companion to pass his time. He talks about the death of his sister and his issues with drugs and alcohol as a teenager and how he came through it. It was quite a childhood that he had and he worked hard to get to where he is today, which I certainly admire.
It was also a real challenge to get a pawn license as only one is issued in Vegas for every 50000 people in the city. So Rick phoned weekly for a population update and as it got close to the number he needed, he phoned daily, ensuring that he was first to find out when a new license was to be issued and be the first applicant. Even then everyone tried to cheat him out of it, having to go to court to win his case. Now that is dedication for you!
The chapter from the POV of THe Old Man was very moving as he talked about the death of his beloved daughter, aged only six, and his love for his wife. Big Hoss and Chumlee talk about their addiction to crystal meth and how they got clean. It was quite an eye opener to say the least.
There was also an insight into the crazy stuff that happens around the shop especially on the night shift. It all sounds a bit too wild for me! People ripping out their gold teeth with pliers to pawn at the window, guys attacking others in the queue with a saw, fights and thefts and the reasons why none of the four can actually work the desks now, except for filming.
If you enjoy the series, you should enjoy the book.
Rick talks in detail about his seizures as a child, which confined him to bed for 10 days at a time with ice packs on his hamstrings and quadriceps due to all the pulled muscles from the seizure. He talks about how scared he was of dying and how he turned to books as a constant companion to pass his time. He talks about the death of his sister and his issues with drugs and alcohol as a teenager and how he came through it. It was quite a childhood that he had and he worked hard to get to where he is today, which I certainly admire.
It was also a real challenge to get a pawn license as only one is issued in Vegas for every 50000 people in the city. So Rick phoned weekly for a population update and as it got close to the number he needed, he phoned daily, ensuring that he was first to find out when a new license was to be issued and be the first applicant. Even then everyone tried to cheat him out of it, having to go to court to win his case. Now that is dedication for you!
The chapter from the POV of THe Old Man was very moving as he talked about the death of his beloved daughter, aged only six, and his love for his wife. Big Hoss and Chumlee talk about their addiction to crystal meth and how they got clean. It was quite an eye opener to say the least.
There was also an insight into the crazy stuff that happens around the shop especially on the night shift. It all sounds a bit too wild for me! People ripping out their gold teeth with pliers to pawn at the window, guys attacking others in the queue with a saw, fights and thefts and the reasons why none of the four can actually work the desks now, except for filming.
If you enjoy the series, you should enjoy the book.
rkerwin's review
4.0
If you like Pawn Stars you have to read this book. I didn't realize Rick, Old Man, Big Hoss and Chumlee had so many ups and downs in their lives. You never know what's going to come through their door.
dereadergal's review
4.0
I thought that this memoir was going to be one of those poorly written ones that come zipping out after someone makes it big in a reality show and wants to capitalize on their fame. I was pleasantly surprised how wrong I was, not only was it well written, (sure he had a writer, but sometimes even those writers are terrible!) but it sounded like Mr, Harrison and his family really had their voices heard throughout. This was an easy read and quite enjoyable for two reasons. One, everyone in the book was quite frank and open about their not-so-perfect lives, which I felt made them appear to be more real, likable and even endearing. I also really liked the many stories about the pawn business because it was not only just simply funny or shocking, but it helped shed light on and educate the masses about a business most of us know little to nothing about. Readers can't help sharing in Mr. Harrison's enthusiasm over his job, and to me that was also wonderful to experience since so many of us are anything but enthused about the daily drudgery of our work life. The only part I thought was a bit wonky throughout the book was the seemingly random chapters written from his family and Chumlee's perspective. I liked the chapters, but they were a bit disjointed and shoved in the book with no rhyme or reason - perhaps if they were all grouped in one section it would have made a bit more sense.
afox98's review
3.0
Very interesting insight into the background of Rick Harrison and his family, owners of the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop featured in the TV show Pawn Stars. I love that show - seeing not only the interesting things coming into the store and their backgrounds, but the people working at the store and their interactions. This family has had lots of issues, and bad ones, but it's cool to see how despite all that, in later years, they worked through the bad stuff and all work together every day in a family-owned business. Rick is quite obviously incredibly smart, despite being a high-school dropout, and his thirst for knowledge is amazing. Fun, easy, quick read.