The Esau Swindle: A Thriller [Paperback]

Gerald Rothberg (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Authorhouse (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418486612
• ISBN-13: 978-1418486617
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,686,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I view this book as the start of a writing career;, January 27, 2005

By 

Joymarie "Lover of the Written Word" (United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Esau Swindle: A Thriller (Paperback)

and as such it is not too badly written; the story is plausable and entertaining. After all, you have to learn the ABC's first and the only way to do that is write your novels...listen carefully to both praise and criticism; just pay more attention to the criticism and build up those soft places and write and write and write. Many 'reviewers' on this site have only written letters to their Aunt Tillie; so they don't know how difficult writing a novel is.
I give this writer credit for putting his story on paper and publishing it. It was entertaining. He needs to perfect his prose; to make the interplay of the characters more naturally flowing. Someone told me that 'less is better' where words are concerned. Don't you believe it! If more will help the reader 'see' the unfolding of the plot and to feel he is right there with the characters..then go for it.
Keep writing Gerald...you have the talent...now perfect it.
A good read...from one of tomorrow's best sellers.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good review from a reader who doesn't like thrillers, February 8, 2005

By 

Stephen M. Barnes "hugowolf" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Esau Swindle: A Thriller (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book. I hated "Da Vinci Code." Now that I've drawn the line in the sand, allow me to elaborate.

"The Esau Swindle" reminded me of a good film noir. The plot and characters are well-defined, but, like a good film noir, the reader is led down a path of uncertainty regarding the ultimate truth. I was attracted to a plot revolving around an art swindle, being somewhat familiar with the art world, but the story leads the reader in several directions at once. I liked that aspect as well. This is a shadowy story, and I found myself wondering if there wasn't some new secret intrigue that would be revealed somewhere down the line. I felt the main character's growing psychic claustrophobia of being caught in a worsening situation with little hope of escape.

For me, a book like the "Da Vinci Code" is what I call a "page-turner." The characters are shallow and the plot is light.
The whole book seems to hang on the cliff-hanger at the end of each chapter. I loved this kind of stuff when I was reading the Hardy Boys, but I need more now.

That's why I say that I am a reader that doesn't like thrillers. I like suspense, and I like it when I am transported into another world of half-light and intrique. As a way of comparison, I would take "Chinatown" or "The Big Sleep" over nearly any new Hollywood thriller. I don't need to be force-fed adventure. I found that "The Esau Thriller" kept me wanting to read. I look forward to reading Mr. Rothberg's next book as well.

Finally, a short note on the self-publishing controversy: drop it; it reeks of snobbery. Anyone who knows about publishing knows that the big publishers have specific agendas, and limited budgets. Being published by a major house is more indicative of their willingness to bet on a financial return, and is not meant to be a critical statement an author's work. In a world of blogs, zines, and print-on-demand, the controversy over self-publishing is a dinosaur. Finally it should be noted that "What Color is my Parachute," "The Celestine Prophecy" and even a John Grisham book were all self-published at first.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Esau Swindle Rocks as Mystery Novel, April 22, 2005

By 

Brad Phillips, actor (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Esau Swindle: A Thriller (Paperback)

Received the Esau Swindle about 10 days ago, and couldn't put it down. One of the best mystery novels, I've read in a while. Not a cardboard mystery, but multi-dimensional with real characters. Raquel, Jacob the general and the artist and a man Smith, the defrocked former government agent stand out. Sure would make a good movie thriller. It seems that Gerald Rothberg the author of the Esau Swindle is a new writer. Actually, I purchased an autographed copy on his web site. The book is well worth it. -- Brad Phillips