Rating: 
Summary: Well said, but weak at the end.
Review: Why does it so often happen in contemporary fiction that we have wonderfully laid out plots, engaging characters, and tremendous potential, only to see the thing resolve in a weak and ineffectual manner. I was with Tom Wolfe until the end, but the concluding pages gave me far more resolution than I required, too much simplicity, and what looked like the opening for a sequel. Spare me that! Still, the style of writing is incredible in that description can carry pages on end. I guess I would conclude that a realistic work of fiction as this seemed to be also requires a realistic ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Ready for more Tom Wolfe!
Review: Tom Wolfe is far more talented than any other writer today. "A Man In Full" was not overwritten. Some of the detail present in the novel was insightful; lengthy passages detailing the events leading to Conrad's incarceration were present seemingly to advance only our understanding of him. This is not problematic, and the characters are three-dimensional. The far-reaching effects of Conrad's stoic transformation were, at times, brilliant; his ability, toward the conclusion of the novel, to talk down a 'bully' is evidence that Wolfe correctly estimated the reader's potential for filling in any gaps of detail. In short, the imaginative process necessary to enjoy a novel was certainly fulfilled.Although Conrad somewhat hollow as a primary character but the protagonist, Croker, was downright enjoyable. The waiting process that was my expectation of Croker's redemption on a human level was rewarded in the end. Although it may be satire, Croker's transformation at the conclusion of the novel is brilliant. There is other good here as well. The setting of the novel (covering the entire vault of Atlanta) is just terrific and exceedingly well detailed. Especially the graphic, fierce descriptions of Turpmtine and Croker Concourse. Wonderful. Most of the major events (the last evening at Croker Global Foods, White's nervous press conference, Conrad's jail break) are seriously entertaining and fairly "aware" of normal human pathology in dire situations. The best aspect of the novel -the relationship forged between Raymond and Martha- is, in fact, the very substance of expert perfection. As the whole must necessarily be better than the sum of its parts I'll stand firm and retain the 5 star rating I've given this novel. I would happily recommend this novel.
Rating:
Summary: tom wolfe must get over himself
Review: wolfe is an excellent writer and has moments of wonderful sardonic description but i think he is probably a jerk. millions read man in full because they assumed such a big book would be full of profound comment on the human comedy etc etc blah blah blah. it's tedious reading (except for a few shining moments of absolutely perfect prose), but readers plugged through for the epiphany that was bound to come at the end. Many put down the book when they were finished and thought "huh? where's the life-lesson? what have i learned from this gargantuan literary feat?" not much, and i think wolfe knows it. he could write an interesting story if he wanted, but this was not interesting. the characters inspired dislike at best and indifference for the most part. it is worth reading for some of the prose but the plot is missing something, and i bet tom wolfe was laughing the whole way through.
Rating:
Summary: Leans into the chasm of 2000 and beyond...
Review: This is about attention spans...and guts. Forget the 'go-to-hell, banlon shirt' we all wanted to wear, even if for only a sweaty Florida afternoon. Atlanta breathes in and out as you read this book; as you pick up on the paranoia, and subliminally begin counting and protecting your own invested money, and time; as each reader will wonder about how over-extended an entire society can become. Individuals matter.
Rating: 
Summary: Why did it end...there is so more to write/read
Review: The characters in this book were terriffic...but we need more. I can't wait another 12 years for the next TOm wolfe novel, you've got the characters, you've got the story line, lets see what becomes of Roger Too White, and Charlie, and Peepglass and Conrad. I miss these guys allready. It is a truly entertaining read, don't let the 700+ pages scare you, they fly by, and you'll beg for more!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Misses the mark by at least 342 pages.
Review: As will be evidenced shortly, my writing skills are nominal at best. Tom Wolfe is far more talented than I could hope to be on my best day and yet I'm aware that talent is sinusoidal --it works in waves that contain both peaks and troughs. The problem that I found to be most deleterious for "A Man In Full" was that the novel was overwritten. Some of the detail present in the novel was grossly extraneous; lengthy passages detailing the events leading to Conrad's incarceration were present seemingly to advance only our sympathies with him. This would not be so problematic had the characters been three-dimensional. The far-reaching effects of Conrad's stoic transformation were, at times, ludicrous; his ability, toward the conclusion of the novel, to talk down a 'bully' is evidence that Wolfe undermined the reader's potential for filling in any gaps of detail. In short, the imaginative process necessary to enjoy a novel as frivolous as this was all but eliminated. Not only was Conrad somewhat hollow as a primary character but the protagonist, Croker, was downright shallow. The waiting process that was my expectation of Croker's redemption on a human level was thrown away in the end. Although it may be satire, Croker's transformation at the conclusion of the novel is essentially a cop out. But there is good here as well. The setting of the novel (covering the entire vault of Atlanta) is just terrific and exceedingly well detailed. Especially the graphic, fierce descriptions of Turpmtine and Croker Concourse. Wonderful. Most of the major events (the last evening at Croker Global Foods, White's nervous press conference, Conrad's jail break) are seriously entertaining and fairly "aware" of normal human pathology in dire situations. The best aspect of the novel -the relationship forged between Raymond and Martha- is, in fact, the very substance of expert perfection. As the whole must necessarily be better than the sum of its parts I'll stand firm and retain the 2 star rating I've given this novel. If character weren't so important to Wolfe in this context (342 pages of character study could easily be edited away) I would happily recommend this novel.
Rating:
Summary: A good story that languishes
Review: A Man In Full is a good story, but certainly not a great work as was Bonfire of the Vanities. There are some flashes of Tom Wolfe's brilliance, but then the story languishes. Many of the characters seem to lack substance and the story is contrived to make them fit. Mr. Wolfe's satirical humor is woven throughout the novel. One is left with the question, does Mr. Wolfe confuse Reggie Jackson with Jessie Jackson or is his portrayal of Jessie Jackson hiting home runs intentional. I recommend the book as long as your expectations are not for another Bonfire.
Rating:
Summary: A Book In Full (of greatness!!)
Review: Why, Tom Wolfe, why? Why did you have to end this book at 700 pages? This could've gone on another 1,500 pages without complaint from me. I loved it and think all readers will love it as well. Mr. Wolfe, your writing abilities are without peer. You are the best. You are the Babe Ruth of writing (hee hee). Please write a sequel to this one, because A Man In Full is simply a great book. I like Charlie Croker. I like Peepgas. I like Roger Too White. What's not to like? Read it everyone.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read!!
Review: Tom Wolfe truly provides a masterwork, and a detailed plot summary would be about as long as your average minimalist novel. Suffice it to say that A Man in Full is packed with the sort of splendid set pieces we've come to expect from Wolfe. A quail hunt on Charlie's 29,000-acre plantation, a stuffed-shirt evening at the symphony, a politically loaded press conference--the author assembles these scenes with contagious delight. The book is also very, very funny. The law firms, like upper-crust powerhouse Fogg Nackers Rendering & Lean, are straight out of Dickens, and Wolfe brings even his minor characters, like professional hick Opey McCorkle, to vivid life. His descriptions of places and events are among the best writing of this era. Once again, Wolfe takes the omniscient viewpoint, presiding as the Jedi-master who is better than the subjects that he lampoons. There are points in this book where you just know that you are reading the best writing in the annals of the English language. I think this book is the best book of the last 75 years.
Rating:
Summary: Great Characters Looking for a Plot
Review: I loved Bonfire and looked forward to reading Man In Full. Charlie Crocker is a classic -- I can already see James Garner playing him in the movie! However, none of these great characters went anywhere and the ending was just plain silly, unbelievable and trite. We deserve better from Wolfe.
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