The Great Train Robbery [Hardcover]

Michael Crichton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 1975

"A nineteenth-century version of THE STING...Crichton fascinates us."
THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW
In teeming Victorian London, where lavish wealth and appalling poverty live side by side, Edward Pierce charms the most prominent of the well-to-do as he cunningly orchestrates the crime of the century. Who would suspect that a gentleman of breeding could mastermind the daring theft of a fortune in gold? Who could predict the consequences of making the extraordinary robbery aboard the pride of England's industrial era, the mighty steam locomotive? Based on fact, as lively as legend, and studded with all the suspense and style of a modern fiction master, here is a classic caper novel set a decade before the age of dynamite--yet nonetheless explosive....


From the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A nineteenth-century version of The Sting...Crichton fascinates us."-- The New, York Times Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

"A nineteenth-century version of THE STING...Crichton fascinates us."
THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW
In teeming Victorian London, where lavish wealth and appalling poverty live side by side, Edward Pierce charms the most prominent of the well-to-do as he cunningly orchestrates the crime of the century. Who would suspect that a gentleman of breeding could mastermind the daring theft of a fortune in gold? Who could predict the consequences of making the extraordinary robbery aboard the pride of England's industrial era, the mighty steam locomotive? Based on fact, as lively as legend, and studded with all the suspense and style of a modern fiction master, here is a classic caper novel set a decade before the age of dynamite--yet nonetheless explosive....


From the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 266 pages
• Publisher: Knopf; 1 edition (May 12, 1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394494016
• ISBN-13: 978-0394494012
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (139 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Crichton was born in Chicago in 1942. His novels include Next, State of Fear, Prey, Timeline, Jurassic Park, and The Andromeda Strain. He was also the creator of the television series ER. One of the most popular writers in the world, his books have been made into thirteen films, and translated in thirty-six languages. He died in 2008.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cleverest Caper of Them All!, November 25, 2002

By 

sweetmolly (RICHMOND, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Train Robbery (Mass Market Paperback)

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

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Non stop intrigue and suspense, March 6, 2000

By 

Joseph Longa "Captain 5ensible" (Southbury, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Train Robbery (Paperback)

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.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, February 13, 2007

By 

R. Davis "Made in the USA" (Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Train Robbery (Mass Market Paperback)

Crichton's writing skills are truly amazing. After you read other books written by this famous author, you will not believe that this book has been written by him. The reason that I say this, is because when I started reading the first few pages, I thought I had ordered the wrong book. With an old English writing style, you will be amazed at how he can use various different writing styles, and still produce a fantastic book.

The story is exciting in its own right, but Crichton takes it to a whole new level.