Helpful Score: 2
Fascinating true story written in a compelling way! It is a quick read because you can't put it down.
Helpful Score: 1
Crichton has such range. This book dives deeply into the vernacular of Victorian England - "putter-uppers", "screwsmen", "barkers" and does so in a way rich with history and explanation without detracting from the overall story. So different from Jurassic Park which is so different from Rising Sun. Anyway, a great story that takes you through a lot of quick side trips explaining the times.
4 stars out of 5
4 stars out of 5
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.
Very detailed historical recreation.
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.
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.
One of his best books ever. Too bad he died, and won't be writing any more great novels.
Well writen exploration of a great criminal mystery.
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.
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.
!! THE BEST FROM ONE OF THE BEST !!
A great book. A Must Read. If you've read any of Michael Crichton's book you need this one.
Not my favorite Michael Chrichton, but exquisite. Very grand story of a well-thought train robbery (the perfect crime?)...
I read this as part of a Victorian Lit class, an introduction to the era. Even though I'm not normally a fan of Crichton, I found it rather enjoyable
Chrichton has written a rich with detail description of the British train robbery in the 1850's. He has managed to insert every detail of the planning and execution of the robbery, as well as the aftermath. One almost chokes from the soot and smoke of the Victorian era in London.
Fun, early Crichton.
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.
Crichton's best, and I've read them all. In TGTR, he weaves a complex exciting tale into a realistic historical setting. I don't know how accurate the details of London's 19th century criminal world are, but they are so believable in this book that I don't really care. A+++
A thriller that is pure joy...more twists and turns than The Sting. Spellbinding and first-rate.
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!
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.
BTW, if you catch anyone in the pull of hoof snaffling tell a crusher.
Fascinating true story written in a compelling way. It is a quick read because you can't put it down.
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.
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!
I really loved this! It's non-fiction, but reads like a novel complete with dialogue!
I saw the movie first, and loved having the actors in my head when I read the book. I think that seeing the movie, which was pretty accurate, first really helped me visualize some of the crazy events that happened and the sneaking around the thieves did.
I saw the movie first, and loved having the actors in my head when I read the book. I think that seeing the movie, which was pretty accurate, first really helped me visualize some of the crazy events that happened and the sneaking around the thieves did.
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.
In this book, Micheal Crichton has turned his talent for suspense in a different direction, with excellent results.
In this book, Micheal Crichton has turned his talent for suspense in a different direction, with excellent results.
