Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of all the king's men

all the king's men
Author: robert penn warren
ISBN: 37602
Pages: 438
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1

5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: bantam (pub. 1946, print 1973)
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Write a Review

11 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed all the king's men on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The book is far better than the film. Extroardinary writing. The story is based on the southern politics of the 1930s. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
confuzzledbooks avatar reviewed all the king's men on + 486 more book reviews
My husband read this years before me and thought the author, Robert Penn Warren was too descriptive. I agree that some spots were descriptive but there was beauty in the words that made the book likable. I really felt for the main character Jack Burden, especially the flashback of his first love. It made you wonder if things had gone differently with them would certain people be alive or doing something different.

The things I disliked were probably the things I was suppose to dislike. For example, the corruption in politics and in life. Relationships in the book were for the most part pretty bleak and sad.

I can not say I loved this book or that I disliked it. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would and found some beauty in the misery of Jacks life.
reviewed all the king's men on + 73 more book reviews
This book echoes w/the tumultuous Louisiana politics which also has implications for morals & manners in today's world. A FABULOUS book that has withstood the test of time...
reviewed all the king's men on + 44 more book reviews
This is probably my favorite classic book. Even though most book describes this as a political book for the time, I think it is more on line telling of a man's life journey. He grows and learns and finds his acceptance of life.
reviewed all the king's men on + 20 more book reviews
I have not seen the movie- but after reading the book, see why Hollywood could not do it successfully. Deep, incredibly well written- wonderful phraseology (if that is a word. There is a reason the author has won many awards.
reviewed all the king's men on + 10 more book reviews
Although written over fifty years ago, this novel about politics,power and greed is very current today.
reviewed all the king's men on + 2 more book reviews
A wordy classic about politics. An interesting read, but given today's politics I find it depressing.
reviewed all the king's men on + 49 more book reviews
PULITZER PRIZE WINNER!!
this is an EXCELLENT read

another of my golden oldies.
Kibi avatar reviewed all the king's men on + 582 more book reviews
This novel won the Pulitzer Prize, and is well worth reading. It is about "the rise and fall of an American dictator."

Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.com
This landmark book is a loosely fictionalized account of Governor Huey Long of Louisiana, one of the nation's most astounding politicians. All the King's Men tells the story of Willie Stark, a southern-fried politician who builds support by appealing to the common man and playing dirty politics with the best of the back-room deal-makers. Though Stark quickly sheds his idealism, his right-hand man, Jack Burden -- who narrates the story -- retains it and proves to be a thorn in the new governor's side. Stark becomes a successful leader, but at a very high price, one that eventually costs him his life. The award-winning book is a play of politics, society and personal affairs, all wrapped in the cloak of history.
reviewed all the king's men on + 20 more book reviews
Beautifully written story about the lives of people who use their power to attain their goals at any cost and how others are affected.
reviewed all the king's men on + 2 more book reviews
Despite my determination to work my way through classics, I could not get past page 20 of this work. Not incidentally, the book suffered during transit and fell into several pieces when I unwrapped it. I really cannot comment further on what I found to be an incomprehensible work.