Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Glitz, Glam, and Fool’s Gold

License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver by Rick Harrison, Tim Keown

Summary: In Las Vegas, there's a family-owned business called the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, run by three generations of the Harrison family: Rick; his son, Big Hoss; and Rick's dad, the Old Man. Now "License to Pawn" takes readers behind the scenes of the hit History show Pawn Stars and shares the fascinating life story of its star, Rick Harrison, and the equally intriguing story behind the shop, the customers, and the items for sale. 

Rick hasn't had it easy. He was a math whiz at an early age, but developed a similarly uncanny ability to find ever-deepening trouble that nearly ruined his life. With the birth of his son, he sobered up, reconnected with his dad, and they started their booming business together. 

"License to Pawn" also offers an entertaining walk through the pawn shop's history. It's a captivating look into how the Gold & Silver works, with incredible stories about the crazy customers and the one-of-a-kind items that the shop sells. Rick isn't only a businessman; he's also a historian and keen observer of human nature. For instance, did you know that pimps wear lots of jewelry for a reason? It's because if they're arrested, jewelry doesn't get confiscated like cash does, and ready money will be available for bail. Or that WWII bomber jackets and Zippo lighters can sell for a freakishly high price in Japan? Have you ever heard that the makers of Ormolu clocks, which Rick sells for as much as $15,000 apiece, frequently died before forty thanks to the mercury in the paint? 

Rick also reveals the items he loves so much he'll never sell. The shop has three Olympic bronze medals, a Patriots Super Bowl ring, a Samurai sword from 1490, and an original Iwo Jima battle plan. Each object has an incredible story behind it, of course. Rick shares them all, and so much more--there's an irresistible treasure trove of history behind both the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and the life of Rick Harrison.

Review: A quick read that tells the stories of Rick, Corey, the Old Man, and Chumlee and how the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop was born.

I read this book because I am a big fan of the show and I would suggest that fans of the show read this book as well. The history about the interesting items is great and I love the interaction between the cast. Who doesn’t love the cranky Old Man? This book focuses mainly on Rick’s life, but also contains chapters from Corey, the Old Man, and Chumlee which give you an idea of what everyone had to go through to the get the pawn shop started.

Rick certainly does not sugarcoat his early life and airs his dirty laundry, but does it in a way that is matter of fact and not attention seeking. I was really glad when he decided to turn his life around. I also liked how he handled his son’s addiction. I also really liked all the stories Rick had to tell of the pawn shop and the many customers they have had. I think I would read a book just about the weird characters that show up at the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop. It is a shame that Rick and the Old Man can’t interact with their customers like they used to since they have gotten famous.

Rating:






Recommendation: I would highly recommend this book to fans of the show or those who like celebrity memoirs. 

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