Stallion [Paperback]

Harold Robbins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 1996

In this sequel to "The Betsy", Loren Hardeman is alive and well. However, the problems begin when Bethlehem Motors is transferred to his grandson, whose position is threatened by an outsider. A battle of wills and power ensues in which there can only be one winner.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Twenty-five years ago, The Betsy, Robbins's bestselling novel about the auto industry, marked the beginning of the author's glory years as the king of commercial fiction. After the success of such titles as The Lonely Lady and Dreams Die First, a subsequent string of tired potboilers (The Piranhas, etc.) saw Robbins's sales skid. Now, in an energetic attempt to reverse that trend, the author has begun to write sequels to his best-known books: first The Raiders, which followed up The Carpetbaggers, and now this robust son of The Betsy, which mimics all the personal vendettas, steamy sex and complex plotting?as well as cardboard characters?of the original. It's 1972, and tyrannical auto tycoon Loren Hardeman has just fired the brilliant Italian-American racecar driver and auto designer, Angelo Perino, despite the fact that Angelo saved the company from being taken over by Hardeman's sinister grandson, Loren III. In revenge for Angelo's interference, Loren III has had the man beaten almost to death by thugs. Now the recuperating Angelo marries the bisexual Cindy, a test driver-turned-art dealer, and vows to even the score by taking the business away from the ruthless Hardemans. The international art world, the Japanese impact on the auto industry and a blood feud provide a fascinating global web of subplots in bedchambers and boardrooms as Robbins spins his lascivious, melodramatic tale. While this novel may not be the powerhouse The Betsy was, it has wheels and is a worthy successor. Doubleday Book Club alternate selection.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Perennial best seller Robbins gallups up with a sequel to The Betsy.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (August 5, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671852841
• ISBN-13: 978-0671852849
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,514,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only Robbins can deliver it!, February 8, 2006

By 

A. Chopra - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Stallion (Mass Market Paperback)

The Stallion is fairly a new novel compared with others written by the Harold Robbins. Once again, Robbins has proved his genius skill as a story teller. The Stallion revolves around the guy Angelo Perino, who is gathers his life after being dumped by the company he worked for, and takes his revenge. Don't forget to add lots of sex, money, and luxuries that only Harold Robbins can imagine vividly. Though I read the so called prequel "The Betsy" after reading "The Stallion", you actually don't miss much of any storyline, so even if you have not read "The Betsy" it is ok to go ahead and read this book.

My all time favorite is "Dreams Die First" and "The Stallion" comes second. If you are a fan of Robbins (like me), then don't look any further, grab a copy and read it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wheelers and Dealers, March 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Stallion (Mass Market Paperback)

Harold Robbins' sequel to the lukewarm THE BETSY brings back Angelo Perino and the gang for yet another multitude romps in the hay as they all use one another for the benefit of money and power in the automobile business.

Robbins paint-by-the-numbers storyline doesn't miss a beat : lesbianism, sadomasochism, nymphomania, orgies, it's all there-- once again ! Yet, the author succeeds in making the story works. His auto industry's wheelings and dealings are a fun read, especially the making of the first electric car, the XB 000. One can't help but wonder when fiction stops and reality takes over. As for the characters, well, as we all know, Robbins is no Proust. His Angelo character is no different than his other characters in his 24 books. Macho, good looking, well-endow, a master in his field as well as in the bedroom...

Still, THE STALLION is a fun read. It is not one of Robbins best (NEVER LOVE A STRANGER,THE CARPETBAGGERS, THE LONELY LADY, 79 PARK AVENUE) and not his worst (THE DREAM MERCHANTS). It's more on the lukewarm side-- just like its prequel.

M. Boucher

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars AVERAGE LOOKING, March 20, 2006

By 

Martin Boucher "Authorfan" (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stallion (Mass Market Paperback)

Harold Robbins' sequel to the lukewarm THE BETSY brings back protagonist to the ladies Angelo Perino for yet another tale of use or be used, this time in the automobile business. The author's paint-by-the-numbers plot doesn't miss a beat in delivering comfort zone forte: lesbianism, sadomasochism, nymphomania, orgies, you name it you got it, again. His auto industry wheelings and dealings, however, do stand out, especially when writing about the evolution of the first electric car, the XB 000. A broader development of the subject definitely would have set a better tone for the novel, but, alas, Robbins chooses sexual predictability over substance. Ditto for his characterization. Nothing but carbon copy material for his Angelo: macho, good looking, well-endowed, a master in his field as well as in the bedroom... Still, THE STALLION is a fun time-waster when taken with a grain of salt. It may not be Robbins best (that would be most of his pre-80's releases), but it is entertaining nonetheless if expectations aren't set too high.-----Martin Boucher