Hey Mom! I finished that book about Jennifer Harman by Jackie Alyson. I told the seller at the bookstore that I really liked it. She suggested I read The Wager by David Grann next. Do you think that’s a good recommendation? Hi. I am in a meeting and I can’t talk to you right now. Sorry. Delivered Do you think this book would be a good recommendation for a follow-up read? (You can research this on Amazon.) Great Recommendation Bad Recommendation
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Great Recommendation
Explanation
“The Wager” by David Grann is a great recommendation as a follow-up to a book about professional poker player Jennifer Harman, even though at first glance, the topics may seem unrelated. Let’s explore why.
Jennifer Harman’s biography, presumably focused on her experiences in the high-stakes world of poker, likely highlights themes such as risk-taking, resilience, strategy, and human psychology under pressure. These are universal themes that can resonate across many genres, including historical nonfiction.
David Grann’s The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder is a gripping nonfiction narrative about the real-life events surrounding a British naval shipwreck in the 1740s. The story explores the extreme decisions the crew had to make to survive—testing their loyalty, morality, and endurance. Grann is a master storyteller who blends history with intense human drama, much like a biographer would with a compelling personal story.
Although The Wager is not about gambling or poker, it mirrors the intensity and complexity of human decision-making under duress, much like the decisions poker players face. It also involves high stakes, ethical dilemmas, and shifting alliances—elements that fans of dramatic, real-life storytelling will appreciate. Furthermore, readers who enjoyed the biographical and narrative aspects of the Harman book are likely to be drawn into Grann’s detailed and fast-paced historical account.
Also, Grann’s work has been widely praised for its readability and cinematic quality, which makes it accessible and enjoyable even to readers who may not typically read historical nonfiction.
Therefore, while The Wager shifts genres, it aligns in tone, intensity, and character exploration, making it an excellent follow-up recommendation that can expand the reader’s literary horizons while maintaining thematic continuity.
