"The Man with the Golden Arm" is a novel written by Nelson Algren and published in 1949. The story follows Frankie Machine, a card dealer and drug addict living in Chicago. It explores themes of addiction, desperation, and the struggles of life in a gritty urban environment. The book received critical acclaim and won the National Book Award for Fiction. It was later adapted into a film in 1955, starring Frank Sinatra. The narrative highlights the impact of addiction on personal relationships and the challenges faced by those trying to escape their circumstances.