The Great Train Robbery in Read the Movie

Dec 31, 2012 Henry Avila rated it really liked it · review of another edition

In the very proper Victorian days of the British Empire, a shocking event caused much consternation, eventually called, "The Great Train Robbery" of 1855, the newspapers are stunned imagine such a crime in this civilized age ! Gold bullion was stolen, from the luggage compartment and the guaranteed, tamper proof safes, ( were not) of the south bound iron horse, from London which was meant to arrive on the English coast, put in a ship for France, and later given to the brave soldiers in the Briti In the very proper Victorian days of the British Empire, a shocking event caused much consternation, eventually called, "The Great Train Robbery" of 1855, the newspapers are stunned imagine such a crime in this civilized age ! Gold bullion was stolen, from the luggage compartment and the guaranteed, tamper proof safes, ( were not) of the south bound iron horse, from London which was meant to arrive on the English coast, put in a ship for France, and later given to the brave soldiers in the British Army, fighting the Russians during the Crimean campaign. They were opened by the officials in France, but surprise... it did not get there, why? A Mr. Edward Pierce the reason, a handsome, charming gentleman, well almost, the mastermind of this dastardly crime caused the theft, along with his helpers, Robert Agar an expert at making wax impressions of keys, the copies to open the two safes containing the gold bars, Barlow a former thug, Pierce's servant, carriage driver, and muscleman, he can and does the dirty work. Miss Miriam, Edward's pretty mistress, she will keep men distracted, Burgess the train guard, who is being paid not to see too well and Clean Willy, a chimney sweep in the past but is now the best around at breaking into buildings. His quite small frame can squeeze through any window or hole, weighs just a tiny sixty- eight pounds, not afraid of walking on roofs, to seek entrance, he's done it all , in his short life. But Mr. Willy is in Newgate prison, however an escape plan has been conceived , with the perfect distraction... the hanging of a notorious ax murderess, a bloodthirsty crowd of 20,000 people, are expected to watch the public execution ... This was Mr. Pierce's second attempt, the other one did not work according to his designs, Spring Heel Jack, ( love those underworld nicknames) was caught trying to steal the gold, and thrown off the train by a guard , yes by Mr. Burgess ( things change), breaking the neck of the young pickpocket, the locomotive was traveling fifty miles a hour. Edward needs information, he becomes friends with the bankers who have the keys, Henry Fowler at a gentlemen's party, discloses the safeguards against any threats to the gold, in fact boasts about them, Mr. Pierce is very interested . He romances the plain looking daughter Elizabeth of the bank president, Mr. Edward Trent for information, the lady is becoming a burden, to the anxious father, she's twenty- nine . A nervous finale of the robbery, a man insanely jumping on top of the fast moving train, from section to section, Mr. Pierce needs to open the compartment door where the gold is, Agar, is already hidden inside, awaits. While Edward Pierce is ...
precariously dangling on the side, only a rope to keep him alive. It will take courage or stupidity to succeed ... Michael Crichton's novel , (based on a true story ) is a great read, fun, entertaining, a good book one can enjoy, without any serious messages, only recollections of pleasant memories. What could be better... ...more

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Jun 22, 2008 Jeremy rated it really liked it

Take Ocean's 11, throw in some Godfather, and set it in 1850s London, and you've got The Great Train Robbery.

Other reviewers talk about plotting and characterization and diction; I'll let you read their reviews for that. I want to communicate that this book offers something that few books offer: genuine, thought-provoking fun. Much like Ocean's 11. Mr. Crichton uses the book to make a statement, but the statement isn't blatant, like you might see from movies like An Inconvenient Truth or Syriana ...more

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