Almost a history book of the Victorian era in England, this book goes to great lengths to explain how a train robbery could be a notable event. There was a movie made of this book, starring Sean Connery, which was also good, but lacked the explanations that Chichton included in the book. Highly recommended!
A very interesting account of the scams common during these times. Intriguing premise, amazing how this heist was pulled off. You won't be dissappointed.
I bought this book on a business trip when there wasn't much of a selection from which to choose. I like other books by Michael Crichton so went for this one. The book was very enlightening about the Victorian times and I'm glad I live in today's world. There is a bit of reference to animal cruelty which I found very disturbing. I could have used a Victorian dictionary for some of the terminology. It's a true story and somewhat entertaining. I didn't see the movie.
This true story was a fascinating read. I especially liked reading about England in the 1850's, the crime element and how they operated. Criminals lived by their wits and not always successful. I would recommend this book.
Just read this for the second time, and it was just as interesting. Crichton, as usual, teaches you more than you ever thought you'd learn about an esoteric subject, in this case, Victorian England. This is not sci-fi, and it's better than the movie.
One of Crichton's best. This guy can turn a story. He takes a real life story and makes it into a period setting of the 1850's in London thrilling page turner about one of the largest gold robberies in the history of England. I loved the research he must have done to keep it on track for the language of that period.
BTW, if you catch anyone in the pull of hoof snaffling tell a crusher.
Based on a true story set in 1854, a stunning re-creation of victorian England's most famous crime, and the society that spawned it.
Like all MIchael Crichton books...this one's good and a fast read.The movie is great after you've read the book. Imagine Sean Connery as the main character!
A thriller that is pure joy...more twists and turns than The Sting. Spellbinding and first-rate.
One of his best books ever. Too bad he died, and won't be writing any more great novels.
What a neat book!! A fictional retelling of a historical train robbery. What a cool idea!! The story is taken from the men involved from their confessions in court. The dialog is period "correct" to give a flavor of being there. Wonderful read!! One of the best I've read in a long time.
I loved the way this story is so true to fact. I felt like i couldn't wait to see what was going to happen even though we had all read about this in history class and already knew they were going to rob the train. But you feel like you are right there, in on the plan. I enjoyed this book. If you are a history buff you'll like this one.
From Amazon:
Mr. Crichton at his versatile, confident best - with all the clout of a cosh or an eel-skin or a sack or a neddy (you'll learn all this voker romeny or criminal jargon here) - has written a documentary of that heist and provided along with it a grand tour de force of the criminal underworld. Along with some of its other diversions such as ratting (a prime sport), or a hanging, or even the cure of the French malady obtained by the purchase of a country-fresh virgin. Before you're through, you'll be entertainingly informed and know the difference between rogues and pogues. Among the former are the main participants in this long and carefully planned crime (not the most lucrative if the most sensational - only twelve thousand pounds in gold bullion was involved): Edward Pierce, the "putter-up," doubtful even down to his name but always assured and elegant; Agar, his "screwsman" (safebreaker) - "the key is everything in the lay, the problem and the solution" and there were no less than four keys to be secured; Clean Willy who met his death, garotted, early on; and the railway guard Burgess; along with several other witting and unwitting accomplices. Crichton, who has an authority Steven Marcus might envy, has studied the voluminous fries of the case and memoirs of the era. Surely it will be the highest-handed entertainment of the season and all the money rides, once again.
