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Whitehead, the bestselling author of Zone One and an amateur player, lucked into a seat at the biggest card game in town the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. In this raucous social satire equally exhilarating for those who’ve played cards their whole life or who have never picked up a hand he chronicles the gritty subculture of high-stakes Texas Hold-em.

Laurie Winer

Laurie Winer

Laurie Winer is a long-time journalist who has been on staff at the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times. She is a founding editor at the Los Angeles Review of Books. Laurie is inexplicably proud that she has played poker in Vegas, Macau and every card room in Southern California.


Colson Whitehead

Colson Whitehead

Colson Whitehead is the New York Times bestselling author of The Noble HustleZone OneSag HarborThe IntuitionistJohn Henry Days, Apex Hides the Hurt, and one collection of essays, The Colossus of New York. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and a recipient of MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships, he lives in New York City.


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    ALOUD provides a unique experience for the public to engage with scholars, authors, and artists in the intimate 235-seat Mark Taper Auditorium. Library Foundation Members have the benefit of reserving for programs in advance of the public. Consider joining as a Member to receive this benefit, and check the website on an on-going basis for program availability. Be sure to subscribe to our email alerts, and visit our Media Archive for podcasts and other items from our recent programs.

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  • Where can I find podcasts and videos of ALOUD programs?

    Podcasts and videos from our programs are available free online at our growing Media Archive. Visit the archive at lfla.org/media-archive to explore hundreds of podcasts and videos spanning 20+ years of ALOUD’s history bringing authors, artists, and t thinkers to the Los Angeles Public Library.