New Book Review: Stephen Little From Bicycle to Bentley

You might be asking, "Who is Stephen Little?"

Readers of Professional Gamblers will know that I often enjoy a good book review. In fact, I've made it a point to read a number of books on professional gamblers. I'm not just an avid reader of the gamblers themselves, but also of the industry’s many layers and the people connected to it. That's why I'm interested in learning more about Stephen Little, the bookmaker. By all accounts, he made a name for himself as someone willing to take substantial bets, which stands in stark contrast to the online bookmakers of today who often limit your account to just £1 per each-way bet because they fear you might win a few pounds.

As of now, I haven’t received the book yet, but I'm looking to buy a second-hand hardback edition, since the content will be the same, of course.

I like to get my money's worth, which is why I’m planning to write a post about the book, which I believe was published in 2023.

While I had heard of Stephen Little, the bookmaker, I didn't know much about his personal story. The title of the book, From Bicycle to Bentley, suggests that he might have gone from humble beginnings to great success—an intriguing premise. After all, it's never a bad starting point to go from two wheels to four.

The title also brings to mind the saying, "You never see a farmer on a bike."

I’m likely to purchase the book from Amazon, as used copies often offer a great deal. The description says “As new,” so it should be in good condition. The retail price is £20, but one copy is available for £11.49, offering a 43% discount. If I order it between November 28th and 29th, I can get free delivery, which is a bonus. So, as you might have guessed, a couple of days after the book arrives, I'll be writing posts about Mr. Little and his bookmaking career. I also noticed that the foreword is written by none other than Sir Mark Prescott.

This got me wondering: Did Sir Mark Prescott ever place a bet with Stephen Little? I imagine it would have been a decent each-way wager—and perhaps even a winning one.

I’m looking forward to diving into what I’m sure will be an insightful read. Sometimes, you just get a feeling about these things.

I’ll be updating the Professional Gambler blog soon with my first post about Stephen Little, and I may even write about the dust jacket, as it looks interesting in its own right.

Here’s to a good book!