Irvine Shaw gained a reputation as one of the most important American writers of this century with critically acclaimed novels such as The Young Lions and Two Weeks in Another Town, as well as the collection of short stories Betting on a Dead Jockey. This collection of his early stories offers a fascinating insight into the development of the now venerable author's talent. The polished prose so typical of Irwin Shaw shines fully in his later, larger works. However, it also sounds great in early short stories, which, as we know, are one of the most complex literary genres. None of these stories have been previously published in England, and their publication will, without a doubt, be a striking event in the literary life of the country , increasing the number of fans of this outstanding writer.