Rating: 
Summary: An interesting effort
Review: While perusing the blurbs on the back of my copy of this book, I noticed someone mention that this was Wolfe's funniest book, which is absolutely true. Some scenes caused me to laugh aloud as I read them, and it seems that this may be the beginning of Wolfe taking himself less seriously. As always, Wolfe remains supremely readable. Even readers who don't like the subject matter can usually fly through a Wolfe novel. The ending seemed goofy and sensationalistic. While Croker was the main character, I found the social and economic comparisons between Roger and Conrad to be much more interesting. Perhaps with a different focus this novel might have presented more food for thought. Alas, in the form it now contains we must write it off as a novel by a journalist.
Rating: 
Summary: Fabulous examination of American society in the 90's
Review: Yes, as so many other reviewers, the ending seemed a bit abrupt. However, the ending and the entire story, for that matter are only a cursory bit of narritive to what Wolfe's goals were in writing this brilliant novel: a characterization of 90's society and interaction of the American "salad bowl" cast of characters; from upwardly mobile Blacks, to Multimillionaire "Cracker" businessman, to low income Whites, to Asian immigrants. Set in the Southern but increasingly international city of Atlanta, the story acts as a mere canvas for the wonderfully painted characters Wolfe choses to express his commentary on contemporary American social life. Touching upon racism, racial identity, politics, celebrity, social elitism, Greek philosophy, divorce, and oh so much more, Wolfe captures the essence of the American social structure through the glorious illustrations of his characters. Cheers to Tom Wolfe on undertaking and succeeding at such an ambitious project!
Rating:
Summary: A Man in Full
Review: An excellent - almost impossible-to-put-down read that disappoints in the end because it was so captivating right up to the last two chapters. The descriptions of places, situations and characters are so good you can put your hand out and touch them. The motivating emotions and foibles of the humanity along with an easy to digest dose of philosophy are all very acceptable. One early scene, relating to a character called Conrad, came over as painted with a tar brush from the point of view of the predicament he found himself in, but this was totally forgiven by the jail scenes involving this character that were so good that they had me gnashing my teeth in anger. Some situations seemed overtly staged and I often had the thought that some characters would have reacted and developed differently. But I was hooked all the time by the writing's tremendous immediacy and readability. However, having primed his audience so that one could barely wait for certain characters and organizations to get their comeuppance - the end was a big let down both in style and content. Yes, we wanted Charlie and Conrad to win big and we wanted Plannersbanc and all their motley crew to loose out and we did think that Martha and Chatlie might get back together again maybe, and we certainly did not want bright and worldly Martha to be taken in by Peepgass. And as for that summation at the end, neither the major nor Roger Too White came through as believable. But whatever its faults I'd just love to have that big, rich book... virgin and unread and at my disposal again. Thank you Tom Wolfe for a most wonderful, informative, moving and exciting read.
Rating: 
Summary: Narrative Brilliance
Review: "Bonfire" was great, so is "A Man in Full". Tom Wolfe captures me in every sense like no other writer. His execution of situations are hilarious, as are his character portrayals. Super rich and powerful men are relegated to mere sufferers of the 'human condition', just like the rest of us. It is a huge novel, but one is always disappointed at the end of a Wolfe novel, purely because it has to end. "A Man in Full" has to be one of the funniest books I have ever read. No one else has the eye for detail and the brilliant satiric wit that Wolfe possesses. A monster: huge, funny, entertaining, intelligent. A MUST BUY!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful...life in full
Review: This book is about life, and it is not the story (which is very gripping indeed) but the deep development of characters what it counts. Throughout a very detailed physical, satirical and, psychological observation of the ambitions and careers of members of the different social rungs of the Atlanta and America social ladder, Wolfe weaves a story which never falters from beginning to end and maintains the same level of writing style and quality in every chapter. All the characters, stereotyped ones, move interrelated because the actions of some of them bring big misfortunes to the life of others, All share problems in common, that is, making a living, maintaining an image and keeping their high living standards and everyone of them seem to say". Look, I have a situation here..."and are shown enduring their existence in relation to the events that come to their lives. The magic lies in the way the reader is introduced to the life of the character, because one reads and wish to make judgments about everything unexpected that happens, kind of (What I would do in this case ? What if..?) All characters receive equal treatment under the pen of the author, the top tycoon, the frustrated professional and the humblest worker. Pain and disappointment are part of life for all of them and no matter the money and prestige they have or don't have, they must confront and solve complex problems entailing difficult decisions sometimes under big pressure as tough they were hanging on the edge of a cliff. I would have changed the title of this book for another one ".Life in full.......".because some passages provide useful examples and others remarkable observations applying to everyday life ranging from the most important circumstances to the less significant ones. Highly recommendable for a gift to oneself and a dear friend
Rating:
Summary: Great start, poor finish
Review: The book builds well, disappoints in the end. The end is bizarre and unfulfilling. Entertaining, but not Wolfe's best work.
Rating:
Summary: well done, deeper than standard fiction novel
Review: This book is interesting and intelligent. The characters are thoroughly developed. I think there is an underlying thesis to this book. That is, Conrad's undertaking of the Stoic philosophy. This subplot of the book actually seems like a central idea of the strength that one can take on when guided by faith. Except this time faith wasn't Christianity, it was some obscure ancient philosophy. The text really had you liking all the characters, the good guys and the bad. The only problem with this book was the unsatisfying ending. 800 pages of well thought out detail followed by 10 pages of quick summing up it seemed.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointent from a master
Review: Like everyone else, I eagerly awaited this book and read it the minute it came out. Frankly, I found it disappointing and the more I think about it, the less appealing I remember it. There were images of the Southern real estate developer which really captured the essence of the south as well as the mentality of a real estate developer, boom or bust. Also, the bank work-out specialist was interesting to watch. While the factory worker was a sympathetic character, at times I felt like I was reading two novels and tying them together was done very poorly with no real feeling. The final professional move by Croker is bizarre and unrewarding. I encourage everyone to ignore the hype and skip this book. Maybe you'll like it but the time investment to read this many pages and take the risk of being disappointed is just not worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Almost a Bonfire
Review: I very much enjoyed reading the book; but there are few elements of that enjoyment which last beyond the reading. For fans of the author from Bonfire, this book, in its exuberant prose and exposition, is a good reminder of how good Wolfe might have been. However, the depth of the anthropological analysis, which made many of the ahthor's books evocative and provocative, was not nearly as detectable in this one. Still, there are a handful of scenes that are tremendously well crafted in their cinematic detail and sardonic gusto. All in all, a fun experience to read; but not in the league of a Bonfire---but then again, very few are.
Rating:
Summary: Close - but no Bonfire
Review: A Man in Full is a great book. It's not a great Tom Wolfe book, but it is very enjoyable none the less. This has all the elements that Tom Wolfe likes to write about - politics in general (racial politics in particular), wealth, power, and of course southern accents. Like a number of other reviewers, I found the ending quite weak. I felt sympathy for Conrad Hensley up to his incarceration, after that I found his character losing credibility. Having previously read masterpieces like Bonfire of the Vanities and The Right Stuff, maybe I was expecting something out of this world. If you haven't read Wolfe before, this is a good introduction, but don't stop here.
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