The Great Train Robbery
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • First Rate Historical Novel -- A Real Treat
  • A classic and easy to read story
  • A pleasure to read
  • Wow
  • Amazing Work of Fiction Based on a True Story
The Great Train Robbery
Michael Crichton
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
HistoricalHistorical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
HistoricalHistorical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All 4-for-3 DealsAll 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. The Terminal Man The Terminal Man
  2. Eaters of the Dead Eaters of the Dead
  3. Airframe Airframe
  4. Sphere Sphere
  5. A Case of Need A Case of Need

ASIN: 0060502304
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Book Description

Lavish wealth and appalling poverty live side by side in Victorian London—and Edward Pierce easily navigates both worlds. Rich, handsome, and ingenious, he charms the city's most prominent citizens even as he plots the crime of his century—the daring theft of a fortune in gold.

But even Pierce could not predict the consequences of an extraordinary robbery that targets the pride of England's industrial era: the mighty steam locomotive. Based on remarkable fact, and alive with the gripping suspense, surprise, and authenticity that are his trademark, Michael Crichton's classic adventure is a breathtaking thrill-ride that races along tracks of steel at breakneck speed.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars First Rate Historical Novel -- A Real Treat.......2007-06-10

It's hard not to admire Michael Crichton. He has written novels that are not just entertaining, but educate the reader on a wide variety of scientific and historical subjects.

THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY is a story about an elaborate theft, but it is also a novel that brings Victorian England alive. I knew very little about British life in the 1850s, and this novel taught me plenty. Crichton has done a massive amount of research for this book, and explains how the Victorians viewed death, industrialization, sexual relationships, poverty, crime, and a whole host of other issues.

This novel is ultimately quite entertaining, although the characterization is quite thin. This is a common Crichton problem -- he's a magnificent plotter, but his characters are usually two-dimensional, and are rarely memorable. The dialogue is also weak in spots. Chrichton uses a lot of British slang and dialect in this book. This is an understandable decision, but I was sometimes confused by the sheer amount of it. I almost wish a glossary was included.

Overall, though, these are only minor problems. THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY is a lot of fun, and is of particular interest to readers who enjoy history. It's a treat to read.

4 out of 5 stars A classic and easy to read story.......2007-05-10

The Great Train Robbery as told in this story is a classic criminal caper. Its one that sets up the sequence of events needed for most clever-criminal-robbery stories since. It's a very entertaining read as you are lead through the intricacies of planning the greatest heist of the century at that point and through the now foreign world of the London slums and underworld. You end up with a view of lower class London that you rarely see in a lot of other Victorian themed stories.

It's just a shame that the reality of The Great Train Robbery was not as intricate and as entertaining as this novel. When you look up the facts on-line you quickly realise that this is not really "history" you are reading in this book but a clever twist on history that aligns the facts of the story to fit a more classic, and entertaining mould.

If you like good crime fiction this book is highly recommended but don't mistake it for actual true history - movies like "Ocean's 11" owe a great deal to these sorts of stories and I'm glad to have read this book to see where all the great train robbery stories started.

5 out of 5 stars A pleasure to read.......2007-04-14

Edward Pierce is a gentleman rogue, a man perfectly suited to Queen Victoria's England. He's as clever as Sherlock Holmes, but he puts his wits to work at committing crimes instead of solving them. In this time and place where railway travel is relatively new, he targets a London bank's regular shipments of gold bullion - by rail, and by sea - to Paris, and sets about planning and arranging a heist that will give him fabulous wealth for the rest of his days.

Michael Crichton's technothrillers, as much as I enjoy them, often suffer from wooden characters. This book most definitely does not. Pierce, the surprisingly (sometimes infuriatingly) engaging hero/villian, is beautifully written; and the cast of characters surrounding him comes colorfully alive, even for those who play relatively minor roles. The dialog written in dialect and the wealth of historical and cultural detail add texture, and the plot works well; but it's the characters that make this story such a pleasure to read.

5 out of 5 stars Wow.......2007-02-13

Crichton's writing skills are truly amazing. After you read other books written by this famous author, you will not believe that this book has been written by him. The reason that I say this, is because when I started reading the first few pages, I thought I had ordered the wrong book. With an old English writing style, you will be amazed at how he can use various different writing styles, and still produce a fantastic book.

The story is exciting in its own right, but Crichton takes it to a whole new level.

5 out of 5 stars Amazing Work of Fiction Based on a True Story.......2007-01-25

Crichton's "The Great Train Robbery" is by far my favorite work from a truly talented story teller. In this fictionalized account of the daring 1855 train robbery, Edward Pierce believes he has accounted for every detail and he comes close. The fun of this book is how Pierce masterfully overcomes each trouble with seeming ease.
Three Complete Novels: The Andromeda Strain, The Terminal Man, and The Great Train Robbery
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Well Worth the Money
  • All 3 of Michael Crichton's Early Works in One!
  • Crichton Review
  • Three classic techno-thrillers in a bargain package
  • Terminal Man, nostolgic but still relevant
Three Complete Novels: The Andromeda Strain, The Terminal Man, and The Great Train Robbery
Michael Crichton
Manufacturer: Wings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Literature & Fiction | Bargain Books | Stores | Books
Mysteries & ThrillersMysteries & Thrillers | Bargain Books | Stores | Books | Mystery | Thrillers | True Crime
United StatesUnited States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | African American | Asian American | Classics | Collections & Readers | Drama | General | Hispanic | History & Criticism | Humor | Jewish American | Letters & Correspondence | Native American | Poetry | Short Stories | Women Writers
ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
TechnothrillersTechnothrillers | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Crichton, Michael | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
HardcoverHardcover | Crichton, Michael | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Michael Crichton: A New Collection of Three Complete Novels: Congo, Sphere, Eaters of the Dead Michael Crichton: A New Collection of Three Complete Novels: Congo, Sphere, Eaters of the Dead
  2. Airframe Airframe
  3. Rising Sun Rising Sun
  4. A Case of Need A Case of Need
  5. Timeline Timeline

ASIN: 0517084791
Release Date: 1993-03-01

Book Description

Years before Jurassic Park, Michael Chrichton was known as The New York Times bestselling master of the techno-thriller. The three mesmerizing super-sellers in this collection--including his first novel, The Andromeda Strain--have sold well over 4 million copies and qualify as modern classics. Perfectly plotted stories that are fantastic, unbelievable and yet, somehow, very real, these novels pull the reader into bizarre situations full of spell-binding suspense, offering three great examples of the author's genius.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Well Worth the Money.......2007-01-28

Three great stories in one. I must admit Terminal Man was required reading in highschool. My biology teacher was really excited about the technolgy in this story. The Andromeda Strain and Terminal Man simply wont have the same impact on a new reader today as it did in the 70's.

The real treat in this trilogy is the Great Train Robbery. I actually had the book for several years before I even bothered to read this story. I guess the title didnt grab me. The Andromeda Strain and Terminal Man were both very popular. Its a shame the Train story never quite took off like the other two. In my opinion, it's a superior story.

4 out of 5 stars All 3 of Michael Crichton's Early Works in One!.......2007-01-23

I've read new works of Michael Crichton, and I liked them very much. Since these three books are the ones that threw him into a fame as a thriller, I decided to check it out. And I didn't believe there was a volume like this! Very good deal to have your favorite author's early works packed in one hardcover, since you can't find hardcovers in any book store these days, and only online is where you can buy, but then, all of the price combined is certainly greater than this one. Again, a very good deal at a very good price.

4 out of 5 stars Crichton Review.......2007-01-11

Though somewhat early works of the author, they reflect a very versatile and lucid knowledge of his subject matter.

5 out of 5 stars Three classic techno-thrillers in a bargain package.......2005-03-10

I bought this hardcover collection from the bargain section of my local bookstore a few years ago, mostly because I had been looking for a copy of The Great Train Robbery, but had not seen it available for sale separately. (I already owned a favorite, well-worn, read-many-times paperback of The Andromeda Strain from my teenage years, so I thought that getting that classic book in hardcover was an added bonus. Maybe, maybe not, as it turned out.)

[Warning: Slightly picayune, geeky detail follows!]
My one slight peeve with this reprint collection is that, as originally printed, The Andromeda Strain included as supporting documents in the text a lot of realistic-looking computer printouts, teletypes, and such. Some of the more graphic/pictorial of these were photo-reproduced in their original form for this reprint. But others... Decades ago, typewriters and similar equipment often did not have a separate key for the numeral one (1). You produced that character by simply typing a lowercase L (l). Now, in this reprint, they have modernized some of those teletype memos (presumably to make them look more like contemporary email and thus less antique) by setting them in modern type, and sometimes have put portions of them in UPPERCASE to make them look computerish. So NOW the lowercase typewriter "el"s -- many of which were really, in context, supposed to represent "one"s -- are now not only in a modern sans serif font (i.e. not a "typewriter" font), which would make them look no longer like numerals anyway, but are also printed as uppercase L!! Totally wrong. A minor thing, perhaps, but I think it slightly lessens the effectiveness and realism of these supporting details. They should either have either left these printouts completely alone and just photo-reproduced them (so WHAT that it looks like 1970s technology), OR taken the care and thought to properly "translate" them, letters AND numbers in proper context, to modern equipment.
[End of picayune complaint. You may now remove your propeller beanies.]

This collection includes three of Crichton's classic novels:

THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN

Crichton's first novel, and still one of his best. One of the books that first established the techno-thriller genre. Yes, some aspects of it are showing their age a bit, but it still reads well. Suspense never goes out of style! A tiny, isolated Arizona town is exposed to a re-entering space capsule containing a lethal micro-organism from Earth orbit. A team of scientists races time to determine the organism's properties and how to combat it, in a secret high-security facility built for just such an occurrence. This facility is equipped with a nuclear warhead to sterilize the area in case whatever bug is being studied there escapes. (A risky method in many ways, even apart from Cold War nuke paranoia.) There are many interesting plot elements, including the suspense of possible wide-scale public exposure to the mystery organism; the government security procedures and red tape; the cool technology; and the problem-solving detective work of the scientists -- including the puzzling fact that two of the townspeople inexplicably survived exposure to the deadly organism.

THE TERMINAL MAN

Another classic Crichton that I had heard about often but had not read until obtaining this collection. Probably my least favorite of the three novels included, but only because it has such huge competition from the other two. (And, of course, your mileage may vary.) A man suffering from violent seizures (as in, the seizures cause him to become violent against others) is given a "mental pacemaker" -- electrodes in the brain, controlled by a computer -- by way of treatment. (This was a very radical technological idea when the novel was first written!) The problem is that each stimulus, while it controls the symptoms of the current seizure, makes recurrence of ANOTHER seizure MORE likely, not less. The patient, who (surprise, surprise) manages to escape around this time, is headed for both an explosion and a collapse, as the seizures and resulting control stimuli become more and more frequent, like a dog chasing its tail. The theme here of scientific hubris is obvious, (and is one of the reasons that this novel is considered a classic) but even so, Terminal Man does not do as much for me personally as some of Crichton's other books.

THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY

Historical novel (the action takes place in the 1880s) meets true-crime thriller. A terrific book, full of interesting characters: The mysterious, but apparently high-class, well-educated Edward Pierce, the brains behind the notorious, spectacular robbery; his criminal-class accomplices, including prostitutes, brutal thugs, key-and-lock experts, pickpockets, burglars, etc.; the (still quite brand-new) London police; and the railway employees, officials, and upperclass-twit bankers that Pierce has to outsmart. The supporting details about Victorian life (the significance of recently-invented train transportation to the society, the fact that the age of consent was 12 at the time, the rise of the cities, the working conditions of the middle and lower class, the relationship between criminals and the police, etc.) are fascinating and well-researched, and they really do help the narrative along as well, they do not read like a history textbook. The planning of the robbery, including and especially obtaining the necessary keys to the safes on board the train, is fascinating, and intricate, and there is plenty of suspense from the unforseen obstacles that crop up along the way. These amazing true-to-life details of the robbery, by the way, come from ACTUAL TRANSCRIPTS of period courtroom testimony. (Yes, the perpetrators eventually found themselves in criminal court, but, amazingly, even that is NOT the end of the story!) Altogether, a brilliant and entertaining book, a real tour-de-force, and one of my personal favorites.

Rating

If I could, I would probably give this collection 4.5 stars, because of my picayune complaint mentioned earlier re: the Andromeda Strain transcription, and because I personally enjoy Terminal Man slightly less than the other two novels. I am rounding this up to 5, taking into account the great value these three books in one volume represents.

Any ONE of these books, but especially Train Robbery, in a nice hardcover binding would be worth the asking price of this three-novel set, so it's hard to go wrong with this item.

5 out of 5 stars Terminal Man, nostolgic but still relevant.......2003-05-21

Although the Terminal Man is a little dated (1972), it was definitely a fun book. I have worked in a university hospital most of my working life-in fact the U of M is mentioned in passing in the book-and started my career in neurology. It was fun revisiting the medical world of the 70s. Some of the tests and equipment that the character Benson underwent bring back memories. Some have changed considerably since that time, and some are no longer used. The lounging chair in which Mr Benson had air forced into his spine to enlarge and visualize his ventricles was called the pneumoenchephologram. So passe is that exam these days, that when I asked a medical student if he had ever heard of it, he was honestly puzzled by the reference .

Interesting too were the "futuristic" devices that the author predicted in the book. Some of them or variants of them are in fact available now, small implantable batteries for pacemakers that can last for years for one. In other cases, what is available is actually better. At the time of the action of Terminal Man, the now ubiquitous CAT scan had only just begun to appear as cutting edge technology in it's first generation form called the ACTA scan. The MRI, if it existed at all, was probably still in experimental form if not still on the drawing board. The concept of what might more easily be described as a brain "defibrillator" which is surgically implanted to stop intractable seizures is now being attempted as a course of treatment. They have also been tried as a treatment depression. Most interesting is the notion of interfacing living tissue with computer wires to effect behavior-in Crichton's book violent behavior-is now being done successfully according to recent information in Scientific American-in the latter case muscular movement.

If nothing, else, Michael Crichton captures that sense of the boundless possibilities of expanding computer technology. I think he also brings to the forefront the moral and ethical issues that are bound to arise as science moves more and more into the arena of behavior, effecting what we believe we are as human beings. As in so many of Crichton's books, disaster follows when the hubris of science attempts to control nature, and simply having good intentions is not always adequate insurance that such disasters will not occur. As we face genetically altered plants and animals, genetically altered human beings, cloning and other types of human dictated changes in nature, these issues will come up more and more frequently. How we as a society, even as a world wide species, will greatly effect the world we and our children live in the future.

Amazing book; still relevant.
Great Train Robberies of the Old West
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Great Train Robberies of the Old West
    R. Michael Wilson
    Manufacturer: Two Dot
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    GeneralGeneral | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | State & Local | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
    WestWest | State & Local | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
    True CrimeTrue Crime | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Great Stagecoach Robberies of the Old West Great Stagecoach Robberies of the Old West
    2. Tough Towns: True Tales from the Gritty Streets of the Old West Tough Towns: True Tales from the Gritty Streets of the Old West

    ASIN: 0762741503

    Book Description

    During the 1800s trains carried the nation's wealth throughout the east, but no one thought to rob a speeding train until 1866. In 1870 the first western train was robbed in Nevada and within hours a second train was robbed. Railroads made every alteration to their cars and changed every procedure they could imagine to thwart the robbers, but to no avail. Robbing trains became epidemic over the next five decades, even when the legislatures made train robbery a capital crime. A few of the hundreds of train robberies stand out as thrilling and dangerous affairs, and the greatest of these (15-20) are included in this book.



    El Gran Robo Del Tren/the Great Train Robbery
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      El Gran Robo Del Tren/the Great Train Robbery
      Michael Crichton
      Manufacturer: Distribooks Inc
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

      jp-unknown3jp-unknown3 | Specialty Stores | Books
      SpanishSpanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
      No-FicciónNo-Ficción | Libros en español | Formats | Books | Automotriz | Ciencias Sociales | Crimen y Criminales | Educación | Estudios de la Mujer | Feriados | Filosofía | Gobierno | Hechos Verídicos | Planeamiento Urbano y Desarrollo | Política | Sucesos de Actualidad | Transportación
      ASIN: 8401492351
      The Thrill of It All: A Pictorial History of the B-Western from the Great Train Robbery and Other Silent Classics to the Color Films of the Genre's Last Days of Glory in the 50's
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        The Thrill of It All: A Pictorial History of the B-Western from the Great Train Robbery and Other Silent Classics to the Color Films of the Genre's Last Days of Glory in the 50's
        Alan G Barbour
        Manufacturer: Collier-Macmillan
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        Literature & FictionLiterature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | Authors, A-Z | Books & Reading | Books on CD | Books on Cassette | British | Classics | Drama | Erotica | Essays | Foreign Language Fiction | General | Genre Fiction | History & Criticism | Large Print | Letters & Correspondence | Poetry | Short Stories | United States | Women's Fiction | World Literature
        ASIN: 0020120508
        Killing Charlie: The Bloody, Bullet-Riddled Hunt for the Most Powerful Great Train Robber of All
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Killing Charlie: The Bloody, Bullet-Riddled Hunt for the Most Powerful Great Train Robber of All
          Wensley Clarkson
          Manufacturer: Mainstream Publishing
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

          GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
          CriminalsCriminals | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
          CriminologyCriminology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
          True CrimeTrue Crime | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
          Organized CrimeOrganized Crime | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
          ASIN: 1845960351
          Release Date: 2006-03-28

          Book Description

          The bloody, bullet-riddled hunt for Charlie Wilson, the most powerful Great Train Robber of all: Wilson’s life story is one of greed, corruption and an eventual descent into a living hell when his rivals decided to wipe him out, with the tacit approval of international drug enforcement agencies.
          The Great Train Robbery
          Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
          • The Great Train Robbery
          The Great Train Robbery

          Manufacturer: Book Club
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover
          ASIN: B000HMTZIE

          Customer Reviews:

          2 out of 5 stars The Great Train Robbery.......2007-06-13

          If you want a fun filled book with lots of action, then this is the book for you. The book is placed in Victorian London with the main characters Robert Edgar and Edward Pierce. The master minds behind the great train robbery. They are planning to do what no one has ever done before. On the way it takes some turns that you don't really under stand until the very end.

          My favorite part of the story is when the main character Edward pierce is over at the train station manager's home trying to get the location of the 3rd key to the strong box. It is not as easy as it sounds.

          The main idea of the book is to show you that any thing is possible if you try hard. I gave the book a 4 it was vary go and if you read it al then it is very rewarding.
          The Great Train Robbery
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            The Great Train Robbery

            Manufacturer: Bantam
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Mass Market Paperback
            Similar Items:
            1. Airframe Airframe

            ASIN: 0553129198

            Product Description

            Fiction, Adventure, Movie Tie In
            The Great Train Robbery/ I take Thee Serenity/ Bill W./ ATown Like Alice (Reader's Digest Condensed Books, 1976, Volume 1)
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              The Great Train Robbery/ I take Thee Serenity/ Bill W./ ATown Like Alice (Reader's Digest Condensed Books, 1976, Volume 1)

              Manufacturer: Reader's Digest
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Hardcover
              ASIN: B000EO91CU

              Product Description

              Condensed versions of the best selling novels listed by the original authors.
              The great model train robbery (Leveled books [5])
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                The great model train robbery (Leveled books [5])
                Stev Donev
                Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill School division
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Unknown Binding

                GeneralGeneral | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
                ASIN: 0021852901

                Lemons Never Lie (Hard Case Crime)
                Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
                • A good Stark/Westlake book
                • Short, Enjoyable Caper Novel
                • Summer stock actor/part-time thief in a humdinger caper
                • Lemons never lie
                • Parker Isn't Actually in This 1971 Stark Classic, But it is Still Sensational!
                Lemons Never Lie (Hard Case Crime)
                Richard Stark
                Manufacturer: Hard Crime Case
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Mass Market Paperback

                Hard-BoiledHard-Boiled | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
                Stark, RichardStark, Richard | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
                GeneralGeneral | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
                ( S )( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
                GeneralGeneral | Mystery & Thrillers | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
                Hard-BoiledHard-Boiled | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
                All 4-for-3 DealsAll 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
                Similar Items:
                1. Ask the Parrot Ask the Parrot
                2. The Last Quarry (Hard Case Crime) The Last Quarry (Hard Case Crime)
                3. Lucky at Cards (Hard Case Crime) Lucky at Cards (Hard Case Crime)
                4. 361 (Hard Case Crime) 361 (Hard Case Crime)
                5. Straight Cut (Hard Case Crime) Straight Cut (Hard Case Crime)

                ASIN: 0843955945

                Customer Reviews:

                4 out of 5 stars A good Stark/Westlake book.......2007-09-21

                I have read quite a few of Westlakes 'Stark' books over the years. They are always enjoyable. Westlake often takes the side of the crook and constructs a heist and then writes events surrounding the escapade. 'Lemons' is no different. If you haven't read one of the Stark books, mostly set around his professional 'Parker', this is just as good as any of these books to start with.

                The story is about an actor, Alan Grofield, who supports a small theater in the middle of nowhere with his theiving. The book starts with him in Las Vegas where he goes to meet up with a crew led by a chap named 'Myers'. The plan laid out is so crazy that Grofield walks out. Myers, who sets up the plan, gets upset with Grofield and the rest of the story situates between the two.

                Once again, if you have read enough of Westlakes work, nothing here really will jump out at you. This is just another one of his almost formulaic light thrillers. The joy of reading one of these are in encountering the 'hard-boiled' characters and in following the development of the undertaking.

                4 out of 5 stars Short, Enjoyable Caper Novel.......2007-09-08

                LEMONS NEVER LIE is a crime novel written by Richard Stark aka Donald Westlake in 1971. It's a highly enjoyable read about a stage actor named Alan Grofield who commits crimes on the side to fund his theater projects. This book starts as a lighthearted caper story, but eventually turns into a rather grim story about retribution.

                This novel is quite short (under 200 pages of text) and can literally be read in a few hours. Westlake is a legendary writer in American crime fiction, and the prose and dialogue in this book is absolutely first-rate. Based on LEMONS NEVER LIE, I can see why Westlake has often been described as the precursor to Elmore Leonard and Quentin Tarantino. The only downside to this novel is the rather bland, subservient nature of the female characters.

                I think it's great that Hard Case is republishing these titles and LEMONS NEVER LIE makes me interested in reading more of Westlake's other work. I recommend this story to anyone interested in reading classic noir fiction.

                5 out of 5 stars Summer stock actor/part-time thief in a humdinger caper.......2007-05-29

                Alan Grofield, one of Parker's crew, has bought a summer stock theater (a renovated old barn) in Mead Grove, Indiana. Of course the only theater-goers are doctors wives and schoolteachers. Grofield is forced to work on the side as a thief to keep his enterprise afloat.

                Himself an actor, Grofield deplores violence and death. Unfortunately the members of the criminal underclass don't share his mellow life view. Grofield teams up with Myers, an explosives nut job. They botch robbing the payroll at a plant in Monequois, New York, near the Canadian border.

                Low-keyed but methodical and cunning, Grofield may not win your sympathy but he's a memorable crook. Donald Westlake (aka Richard Stark) writes seamless, laconic dialogue. His descriptions of robbing an old Mosler safe or sealing a deal to buy the getaway truck for the heist are precise and vivid. The layering of these details builds the suspense. The humor is deadpan. This is a solid bet as a change of pace from the typical Westlake caper novels.

                4 out of 5 stars Lemons never lie.......2007-01-15

                I thought that this was a new book but it was an older book that had been re printed. This was a dissapointment to me but I still enjoyed the story.

                4 out of 5 stars Parker Isn't Actually in This 1971 Stark Classic, But it is Still Sensational!.......2006-08-23

                Although Parker is referred to on the back cover he is not actually in this novel, which may disappoint fans of that series who were purchasing the book to read one of his adventures. The absence of Parker however doesn't mean Lemons Never Lie isn't a superbly written and very enjoyable criminal adventure.

                This novel centres around part time theatre operator, part time criminal Alan Grofield. Grofield flies to Vegas to join a plan to knock over a brewery. At the airport he put a penny in the arrival gate poker machine and it came up with three lemons. From that moment he knew he has used up his luck until he leaves Vegas and the ludicrously of the plan by a man named Myer highlighted this so he decided to walk away, his friend Dan joins him. Myer of course not to thrilled with this plans a payback of his own. This payback on them results in Dan tracking down Myer for his own vengeance which results in a vicious revenge circle which pulls Grofield away from his theatre with only one purpose. To find and kill Myer!

                If this is your first Stark novel also check out the sensational Parker series. Also check out this author's work under his own name Donald E Westlake, especially his masterpiece The Ax!

                Savage Dragon Volume 9: Worlds At War (Savage Dragon (Graphic Novels))
                Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
                • Graphic SF Reader
                Savage Dragon Volume 9: Worlds At War (Savage Dragon (Graphic Novels))
                Erik Larsen
                Manufacturer: Image Comics
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Paperback

                GeneralGeneral | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
                GeneralGeneral | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
                FantasyFantasy | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
                SuperheroesSuperheroes | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
                Image ComicsImage Comics | Publishers | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
                GeneralGeneral | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | Classics | Comic | Contemporary | Literary
                GeneralGeneral | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
                Similar Items:
                1. Savage Dragon Volume 8: Terminated (Savage Dragon (Graphic Novels)) Savage Dragon Volume 8: Terminated (Savage Dragon (Graphic Novels))
                2. Savage Dragon, Vol. 1 Savage Dragon, Vol. 1
                3. Possessed (Savage Dragon, Vol. 4) Possessed (Savage Dragon, Vol. 4)
                4. Savage Dragon Volume 10: Endgame (Savage Dragon (Graphic Novels)) Savage Dragon Volume 10: Endgame (Savage Dragon (Graphic Novels))
                5. Revenge (Savage Dragon, Vol. 5) Revenge (Savage Dragon, Vol. 5)

                ASIN: 1582403244

                Book Description

                The deadly Darklord threatens to wipe out the planet Earth by swapping his doomed planet for ours and only the Dragon and the newly formed Special Operations Strikeforce can hope to save our imperiled planet! The destruction of a planet hangs in the balance! Plus, the Dragon and Jennifer Murphy travel to Godworld and witness the deadliest battle of all as the legendary God of Thunder, Thor takes on Hercules - and the winner gets Earth! All this and a guest star studded wedding of Barbaric and Ricochet, which included Hellboy, Zot, Bone, Vampirella, Shadowhawk, Flaming Carrot, Cerebus, the DNAgents and a host of others!

                Customer Reviews:

                4 out of 5 stars Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

                As if one invasion of aliens wasn't enough, no Darklord is trying some nasty planetary manipulaitons of his own.

                To handle it, Savage Dragon gets a new job, this time as part of a government strikeforce, working with others.

                With one of his new team he ends up travelling to see Thor battle Hercules on the Godworld, and even gets to go to a celebrity hero wedding, with plenty of special guests.


                Savage Dragon Volume 9: Worlds At War Signed & Numbered Edition (Savage Dragon (Numbered))
                Average customer rating: Not rated
                  Savage Dragon Volume 9: Worlds At War Signed & Numbered Edition (Savage Dragon (Numbered))
                  Erik Larsen
                  Manufacturer: Image Comics
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Hardcover

                  GeneralGeneral | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
                  Image ComicsImage Comics | Publishers | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | Classics | Comic | Contemporary | Literary
                  ASIN: 1582403279

                  Product Description

                  Incredibly rare signed and numbered limited edition of only 200 signed by Erik Larson.

                  Healing From Within With Chi Nei Tsang: Applied Chi Kung in Internal Organs Treatment
                  Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
                  • Excellent information
                  • May need some experience to really appreciate this
                  • A complete guide to unknown to become known
                  Healing From Within With Chi Nei Tsang: Applied Chi Kung in Internal Organs Treatment
                  Gilles Marin
                  Manufacturer: North Atlantic Books
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Paperback

                  GeneralGeneral | Exercise & Fitness | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                  Tai Chi & Qi GongTai Chi & Qi Gong | Exercise & Fitness | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                  Injuries & RehabilitationInjuries & Rehabilitation | Exercise & Fitness | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Massage | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                  TherapyTherapy | Massage | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                  Energy HealingEnergy Healing | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
                  Mental & Spiritual HealingMental & Spiritual Healing | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
                  TaoismTaoism | Other Eastern Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Medicine | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Martial Arts | Individual Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
                  Similar Items:
                  1. Unwinding the Belly: Healing with Gentle Touch Unwinding the Belly: Healing with Gentle Touch
                  2. Five Elements, Six Conditions: A Taoist Approach to Emotional Healing, Psychology, and Internal Alchemy Five Elements, Six Conditions: A Taoist Approach to Emotional Healing, Psychology, and Internal Alchemy
                  3. Chi Nei Tsang: Chi Massage for the Vital Organs Chi Nei Tsang: Chi Massage for the Vital Organs
                  4. Chi Self-Massage: The Taoist Way of Rejuvenation Chi Self-Massage: The Taoist Way of Rejuvenation
                  5. Golden Elixir Chi Kung Golden Elixir Chi Kung

                  Accessories:
                  1. Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3) Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3)
                  2. Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor
                  3. RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device

                  ASIN: 1556433093
                  Release Date: 1999-12-01

                  Book Description

                  Chi Nei Tsang is a Taoist visceral manipulation body-work and massage which emphasizes moving chi energy to the abdominal organs. Developed by Taoist Master Mantak Chia as part of his Healing Tao System, it works on internal dysfunctions and energy blocks using the breathing exercises of chi-kung, therapeutic manipulations, and meditation. Students learn how to recycle negative energy, recognize personal patterns of tension, and use simple manipulations to restore vitality to parts of the body.

                  Customer Reviews:

                  4 out of 5 stars Excellent information.......2005-09-03

                  I have found "Healing from within with Chi Nei Tsang: Applied Chi Kung in Internal Organs Treatment" to be stacked with relevent information for the practioner and more importantly the beginner. It starts at the basics of the Taoist philosophy towards healing and how the abdomen and five major organs play a vital role. Not only does it give the basic techniques the author also outlines basic Qigong movements and meditations which complement the theory and massage techniques very well. Additionally it provides an overview of what a treatment might be like for the giver and receiver. Be prepared to have patience when learning the techniques and meditations as they cannot be learnt over night. It's not a quick fix but a genuine healing modality.

                  3 out of 5 stars May need some experience to really appreciate this.......2000-03-28

                  The applications and theories presented here are good, but a reader may want to read some more basic works first, and gain a little qigong experience in order to truely appreciate it.

                  5 out of 5 stars A complete guide to unknown to become known.......2000-03-27

                  since being i have been doing different martial art like kendo AKiDO and Aki ken tai chi chi kung with out knowing much about chi and is effect omn the body. After reading the this book i came to know how the internal organ work with the movements and the energy is genrated from different organ, this book also made me understand keyqualities of martial art. i have heard inorder to be a perfect martial art performer one must have the four main quqlities dancer , meditator, the medician and the warrior this book made me understand that Dancer: With the sound body the martial movements become dance eligence (BY knowning the organs and the from explaination from this book) Meditator: through the alchemy breathing and creatin the chi energy understaning the chi techinques of this book Medician: Through the deffent healing techinques and finally the Warrior: To genrate chi and conduct the chi In all i loved this boo
                  HEALING FROM WITHIN WITH CHI NEI TSANG: APPLIED CHI KUNG IN INTERNAL ORGANS TREATMENT.
                  Average customer rating: Not rated
                    HEALING FROM WITHIN WITH CHI NEI TSANG: APPLIED CHI KUNG IN INTERNAL ORGANS TREATMENT.
                    Gilles. Marin
                    Manufacturer: North Atlantic Books,
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Hardcover
                    ASIN: B000OEDCLG

                    Books:

                    1. The Hero and the Crown
                    2. The Hippopotamus Pool (Amelia Peabody Mysteries)
                    3. The Homoerotic Photograph : Male Images from Durieu / Delacroix to Mapplethorpe
                    4. The Maintenance Man : A Novel
                    5. The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.
                    6. The Matarese Circle
                    7. The Mercury Visions of Louis Daguerre: A Novel
                    8. The Myrtles Plantation: The True Story of America's Most Haunted House
                    9. The Nosy Neighbor
                    10. The Passionate State of Mind: And Other Aphorisms

                    Books Index

                    Books Home

                    Recommended Books

                    1. The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle: Memoir of a WWII Bomber Pilot
                    2. John Carter of Mars - volume 2 - Warlord of Mars & Thuvia, Maid of Mars
                    3. Dreams Of My Russian Summers: A Novel
                    4. Dwarf Rabbits
                    5. Flotsam
                    6. Marine Conservation Biology: The Science of Maintaining the Sea's Biodiversity
                    7. History: Fiction or Science
                    8. Introduction to California Chaparral
                    9. Emperor Francis Joseph, King of the Hungarians
                    10. Slovakia Business Intelligence Report