The Great Train Robbery : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: The good Crichton
Review: In his earlier career as a writer, Michael Crichton's books were a mix of fiction and documentary. His later books are still based on actual facts of new scientifical development, but books like "The Andromeda strain" and "Eaters of the dead" read more like documentaries with Crichton's intelligents insights. "The great train robbery" is one of those earlier books.

With an accurate portrait of the victorian society in the half of the 19th century, Crichton tells the story of Edward Pierce and Robert Agar, the main duo of the band responsible for the robbery of the train that carried the gold destined to support the Crimean war. From the inicial plan, until the accomplished fact, in a relatively short book, Crichton was able to give the characters the dimension of the real people they were. This book is more entertaining given the fact that it is a true story, so there are no impossible plot twists, improbable situations and factual mistakes. Crichton did a good research and provided his readers with a nice book.

In a time when bestselling authors such as John Grisham, Ken Follett and even Michael Crichton appear to be suffering from an inspirational crisis, it's a good idea to get their earlier books and read them at the top of their career. "The great train robbery" is one of these interesting books.

Grade 8.9/10

Rating:
Summary: The Cleverest Caper of Them All!
Review: This true story set in Victorian London in 1855 is a beauty of a read. With Michael Crichton weaving his magic over the scene and Edward Pierce, mastermind and protagonist, we have an unbeatable combination. The author does wonders describing authentic period scenes and showing us the huge divide between the English middle class and the wretched poor in Victorian times.

Edward Pierce wants 12,000 pounds sterling that will be sent by rail to fund the Crimean War. The obstacles are huge. It takes four keys to get to and unlock the safe. This was before the days of nitroglycerine, so the safe could not be blown, and it was too heavy to carry away. All four keys are held by separate persons and must be found and copied. The thieves have to get the payload unseen off of a moving train. Mr. Pierce has a hazy background, presents himself as a wealthy traveling businessman with a fine home in London, a well-dressed gentleman with an appreciation of the finer things. As we get to know him better, we learn he has nerves of steel, a quick and clever wit, and is relentless planner with infinite patience. He is blessed with a mysterious mistress, Miriam, whose acting abilities could put Meryl Streep to shame. The suspense and tension as Pierce and his accomplice, Robert Algar, work for a solid year on their plan is riveting. Naturally, when the heist takes place, even the most careful plans have to change with unforeseen circumstances. Will they get away with it? Read it and see.

The author puts us in the skins of Victorian people of the time. For instance, the police department is only 25 years old. London citizens were accustomed to being very hands-on when a crime is committed. Not like today when one's first thought is to call the police. If a criminal was observed picking a pocket, there would likely be a great hue and cry by the nearest citizens and all would chase the thief until they caught him. Only then, would they call the police. A married woman was the "property" of her husband. This of course, is abominable for her human rights, but if she is caught say counterfeiting money, her husband goes to jail, not her. After all, he is responsible for his property.

"The Great Train Robbery" was made into a movie in the late '70s with Sean Connery as Mr. Pierce. One way or another, I am going to see it. This is a great read and a well-done social history of one of the most fascinating men of the age. Highly recommended.
-sweetmolly-Amazon Reviewer

Rating:
Summary: Great Book....Some Parts Boring Though Too
Review: In my opinion, this book is just, OK. It was a little boring sometimes, but kind of exciting too. I don't think that you will enjoy reading the book. It has a good scheme in it, the robbery was pulled off well. It really depends on what kind of books you enjoy. But, if you like books that have some boring points and not a lot of excitment you will may this book.

Rating:
Summary: Non stop intrigue and suspense
Review: In Victorian England, where the police are a recent innovation, and nothing is as it seems, one gentleman has a plan: rob a moving train of 12,000 pounds in gold. This man is Edward Pierce, and Michael Crichton proves his versatility by taking the reader into the dark, criminal underworld of London. The story of Pierce's planning and execution of the robbery is packed with vivid descriptions and fascinating historical facts about the period. The characters have both depth and appeal, and the plot is never dull for a moment. Written with the robber as the protagonist, the reader finds himself sympathizing with the criminals and despising the police who are out to catch Pierce. Readers of Crichton's sci-fi thrillers may be disoriented by the change of scenery, but The Great Train Robbery is an excellent novel that should appeal to anyone looking for a fast, exciting read.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating historical fiction
Review: This book is an exciting story told with masterful narration. It follows the undertaking of aristocratic robber Edward Pierce as he undertakes to repossess #12,000 in English gold bullion destined for the Crimean War. It is no easy task with the gold being under state-of-the-art lock and key. And not just one key, but four, all kept in different possession. It requires a master manipulator to get all of the pieces to fall into place. And that he is. Using his gang numbering around four or five at different times in the story, Pierce uses his knowledge of human nature against society to better his coffers. Crichton has done his research in this book, using terms, places, and events from Victorian England to recreate one of that era's most spectacular and audacious crime. This book, based upon a real event, is definitely an entertaining read, good for relaxing at home on a Sunday afternoon, for gaining knowledge about common mid-1800s England, or for passing the time on a...train.

Rating:
Summary: sweet
Review: The great train robbery is a great book about well a u train robbery. A group of men in 19 century England that are bent on robbing alone of the most heavily guarded shipments of gold in the country, and they will do anything to get it. The whole book is not just the fast action read that the train robbery part is but also the exiting buildup to the robbery. I liked this book because of all the things these men do to complete the goal of the great train robbery. If you would like an interesting story about a group of people getting what they want and doing whatever is Necessary to get there, then you will like this book.

Rating:
Summary: The good Crichton
Review: In his earlier career as a writer, Michael Crichton's books were a mix of fiction and documentary. His later books are still based on actual facts of new scientifical development, but books like "The Andromeda strain" and "Eaters of the dead" read more like documentaries with Crichton's intelligents insights. "The great train robbery" is one of those earlier books.

With an accurate portrait of the victorian society in the half of the 19th century, Crichton tells the story of Edward Pierce and Robert Agar, the main duo of the band responsible for the robbery of the train that carried the gold destined to support the Crimean war. From the inicial plan, until the accomplished fact, in a relatively short book, Crichton was able to give the characters the dimension of the real people they were. This book is more entertaining given the fact that it is a true story, so there are no impossible plot twists, improbable situations and factual mistakes. Crichton did a good research and provided his readers with a nice book.

In a time when bestselling authors such as John Grisham, Ken Follett and even Michael Crichton appear to be suffering from an inspirational crisis, it's a good idea to get their earlier books and read them at the top of their career. "The great train robbery" is one of these interesting books.

Grade 8.9/10

Rating:
Summary: He wanted the money
Review: The time is 1855 and the place is London. Edward Pierce, a master con artist, wants to hijack 12,000 pounds sterling that is being sent by rail to fund the Crimean War. It won't be easy. The money is locked in a safe, made triple-strong, with four keys, each key stored in a different location. All four keys must be found and copied without raising any suspicion. It's a task that would daunt all but the most capable. Fortunately, Pierce is more than up to the job. He's got several things going for him: a razor-sharp intelligence, nerves of steel, patience, cunning, and not least of all, his mysterious mistress, Miss Miriam. Pierce and his confederates spend a year working on their plans. But things have a habit of going awry at the damndest times. Can they pull it off? Maybe. Can they get away with it? Hmmm....

Michael Crichton has written a humdinger of a period suspense novel with telling touches that bring us right into the middle of the Victoria era. For instance, just finding a key in a Victorian living room could be a week-long search, given how cluttered the average living room was at that time. And train travel, still fairly new, was the object almost of worship. A train robbery was infinitely worse than, say, robbing a bank. Who would have the unmitigated gall to rob a train? Well, Pierce would, for one. And why would he commit such a dastardly crime? Because, as Pierce explained, as if talking to a three year old, he wanted the money.

As in his fiction books, Crichton's research into Victorian London and train travel is solid, and the book has a sense of unquestionable authenticity. One gets the feeling Crichton had a lot of fun writing it. We see a lot of Crichton himself in Pierce: his intelligence, his wit, his painstaking attention to detail. The book scores both as a good novel and well-researched social history. It's one of Crichton's best.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Novel; Enthralling
Review: The Great Train Robbery is not only Crichton's best novel, it is also a great work, period. Crichton turns a heist-story from long ago into a window on early Victorian England. Crichton matches a rigorous and keenly logical history with his enthralling, enchanting prose and creates a brilliant historical novel. The twists and turns were more shocking than in many works of fiction--that they actually happened provides an even bigger thrill! I cannot recommend this book highly enough; enjoy! I read this novel while studying for the Bar Exam last summer; it is light enough to be relaxing, yet solidly, seriously enough written to keep the mind strong. A great book.

Rating:
Summary: A Job Well Done
Review: The Great Train Robbery was an excellent book. It is about an Edward Pierce, who pulls together some of England's finest pullsman, screwsman, corksmen (in other words, criminals), to try and pull of an amazing heist. This, as all jobs, can draw many accomplishments and drawbacks. The main operators in this crime are Robert Agar, a pickpocket that has been with Pierce since the start, a mysterious Ms. Miriam, an incredible actress, and Barlow, a thug who takes care of the "dirty work". These lead to an overall fascinating book.

The author, Michael Crichton (who has written other thrillers such as "Jurassic Park" and "Timeline"), must have done a lot of research to get all the background information that is packed in to strengthen the story and give it a historical quality. I love any movie/book that show how cons are done and the intelligence it takes to conceive this plan. The Great Train Robbery has plenty of this for those who like to see how the puzzle fits together.

I gave this book a four because there were some parts that were frankly a little boring for my taste. For example, there were 3 to 4 page essays on Victorian homes, and I couldn't see the real connection between this and the story. Only a couple sentences would be of real importance to the book. I know that Michael Crichton put a ton of effort into getting the information for these little interludes, but I just needed a little more action, without the breaks. Otherwise, this book is genius.