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Earl Swagger #1
Hot Springs
In the summer of 1946, the most wide-open town in America is Hot Springs, Arkansas, a city of ancient, legendary corruption. While the pilgrims take the cure in the mineral-rich 142-degree water that bubbles from the earth, the brothels and casinos are the true source of the town's prosperity. It is run by an English-born gangster named Owney Maddox, who represents the New York syndicate and rules his empire like a Saxon lord while sporting an ascot and jodhpurs. But it is all about to be challenged. A newly elected county prosecutor wants to take on the big boys and save the city's soul (he also wouldn't mind being the next governor). He begins a war on the gambling interests and, knowing the war will be long and bloody, hires an ex-Marine sergeant, Earl Swagger, who won the Medal of Honor on Iwo Jima, to run it. Swagger knows how to fight with guns as well as any man in the world. But he is haunted: the savage fighting he just barely survived and the men he left behind in the Pacific still shadow his mind, leaving a terrible melancholy. There are even darker memories: a murdered father who beat him mercilessly and drove a younger brother to suicide. And he's torn by his own impending fatherhood, as his wife, Junie, nears term. It isn't that Earl Swagger is afraid of dying; more scary still, it's possible that he yearns for it.
The gangsters fight back, setting up a campaign of ambush and counterambush in the brothels, casinos and alleys of the City of the Vapors. Raids erupt into full-out combat amid screaming prostitutes and fleeing johns. The body count mounts. Meanwhile, the politics behind the war are shifting: Will the prosecuting attorney stick with his raiders orsell them out to curry favor with the state's political machine? Will Owney Maddox defeat the raiders but lose a personal battle against a cunning rival from the West who foresees a Hot Springs in the Nevada desert as the future franchise city of organized crime? But most important, will Earl Swagger survive yet another hard war, not merely with his body but also with his soul intact?
Packed with page-turning action, sex, sin and crime, Stephen Hunter's "Hot Springs" is at once a relentlessly violent and deeply touching story.
478 pages, Hardcover
First published June 27, 2000
534 people are currently reading
3123 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Hunter
111 books1,977 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Stephen Hunter is the author of fourteen novels, and a chief film critic at The Washington Post, where he won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
Stephen Hunter is the author of fourteen novels, and a chief film critic at The Washington Post, where he won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
January 8, 2011
A very well written novel. The character and plot development have many sophisticated layers and even though the ending is a bit predictable, the story development isn't. I also really appreciate the way that Stephen Hunter incorporates real life figures into many of his stories.
I will note that I like the Earl Swagger novels far better than the Bobby Lee Swagger novels. I feel that Stephen Hunter spends more time caring about Earl's character. The Bobby Lee novels have the serial writer feel where the Earl Swagger novels have more depth.
I will note that I like the Earl Swagger novels far better than the Bobby Lee Swagger novels. I feel that Stephen Hunter spends more time caring about Earl's character. The Bobby Lee novels have the serial writer feel where the Earl Swagger novels have more depth.
February 18, 2017
Hunter is a knife-man with words. He cuts to the bone wherever he wants the words to go.
Earl Swagger is just back from the war in the Pacific. He sees Hot Springs, Arkansas, 1946, in all its reptilian life: “The club was dark and jammed. Gambling was king here on the upstairs floor, and the odor of the cigarettes and blue density of the smoke in the air were palpable and impenetrable. It smelled like the sulfur in the air at Iwo and the place had a sort of frenzy to it like a beach zeroed by the Japs, where the casualties and supplies have begun to pile up, but nobody has yet figured out how to move inland. And the noise level was about the same.”
And this, Hunter’s description of Bugsy Siegel’s girlfriend, Virginia Hill (Annette Bening in the most recent movie portrayal), “She threw back her hair, flushed and victorious, and laughed powerfully, a laugh that emerged from a diaphragm as if coated in boiled Alabama sap and grits.”
You can just luxuriate in the words here. Or go with the thrust and pulse of America. The story of the heroes trying to rid Hot Springs of the mob is delicious with cunning and double-cross.
Thought I’d read all of the Swagger novels. Then did a double-take and found this one. It may be the masterpiece. It belongs with Steinbeck and Elmore Leonard.
Earl Swagger is just back from the war in the Pacific. He sees Hot Springs, Arkansas, 1946, in all its reptilian life: “The club was dark and jammed. Gambling was king here on the upstairs floor, and the odor of the cigarettes and blue density of the smoke in the air were palpable and impenetrable. It smelled like the sulfur in the air at Iwo and the place had a sort of frenzy to it like a beach zeroed by the Japs, where the casualties and supplies have begun to pile up, but nobody has yet figured out how to move inland. And the noise level was about the same.”
And this, Hunter’s description of Bugsy Siegel’s girlfriend, Virginia Hill (Annette Bening in the most recent movie portrayal), “She threw back her hair, flushed and victorious, and laughed powerfully, a laugh that emerged from a diaphragm as if coated in boiled Alabama sap and grits.”
You can just luxuriate in the words here. Or go with the thrust and pulse of America. The story of the heroes trying to rid Hot Springs of the mob is delicious with cunning and double-cross.
Thought I’d read all of the Swagger novels. Then did a double-take and found this one. It may be the masterpiece. It belongs with Steinbeck and Elmore Leonard.
May 5, 2018
Initially, let me say that this book wasn't awful. I understand that is not an endorsement but, since I refuse to complete reading books that I view as awful, it is an important clarification, if only in my somewhat addled mind.
The previous Stephen Hunter books that I have read were about Bob Lee Swagger, ex-military sniper and all around good guy. This book focused on his father, Earl, and his grandfather, Charles. The book opens with Earl receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor in Washington, DC, from President Harry Truman, who was president back when folks in that office lied a great deal less, thought a great deal more and actually knew a great deal when they saw it.
Earl was then recruited to train a group of young law enforcement officers who would be instrumental in cleaning up Hot Springs, Arkansas, then a haven for gambling, prostitution and other nefarious activities. This effort was at the behest of a politically ambitious Prosecuting Attorney named Becker. The town was controlled by Owney Maddox, a mobster from New York whose primary affectation was speaking with a British accent. Lotsa people, good and not so good, were killed. If you have always wanted to know more about the firearms of the late 1940's, particularly the Browning automatic rifle and the so-called Tommy gun, you might enjoy this book.
The author attempted to stay true to the dialects spoken by Arkansans and New Yorkers but there was far too much of the former, which, in my opinion, distracted quite a lot from the story. In . addition, Hunter frequently lapsed from the Arkansas-speak to plain American English and that inconsistently was also distracting.
The plot wasn't bad but the pace was frequently quite slow, the majority of the characters not well-developed and, well, just not a great read. In fact, I was quite surprised that it received so many high ratings from Goodreads members. As you can tell, I can't recommend the book to those who are not obsessed with 1940s firearms, since I felt that my three rating was slightly generous.
The End
The previous Stephen Hunter books that I have read were about Bob Lee Swagger, ex-military sniper and all around good guy. This book focused on his father, Earl, and his grandfather, Charles. The book opens with Earl receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor in Washington, DC, from President Harry Truman, who was president back when folks in that office lied a great deal less, thought a great deal more and actually knew a great deal when they saw it.
Earl was then recruited to train a group of young law enforcement officers who would be instrumental in cleaning up Hot Springs, Arkansas, then a haven for gambling, prostitution and other nefarious activities. This effort was at the behest of a politically ambitious Prosecuting Attorney named Becker. The town was controlled by Owney Maddox, a mobster from New York whose primary affectation was speaking with a British accent. Lotsa people, good and not so good, were killed. If you have always wanted to know more about the firearms of the late 1940's, particularly the Browning automatic rifle and the so-called Tommy gun, you might enjoy this book.
The author attempted to stay true to the dialects spoken by Arkansans and New Yorkers but there was far too much of the former, which, in my opinion, distracted quite a lot from the story. In . addition, Hunter frequently lapsed from the Arkansas-speak to plain American English and that inconsistently was also distracting.
The plot wasn't bad but the pace was frequently quite slow, the majority of the characters not well-developed and, well, just not a great read. In fact, I was quite surprised that it received so many high ratings from Goodreads members. As you can tell, I can't recommend the book to those who are not obsessed with 1940s firearms, since I felt that my three rating was slightly generous.
The End
May 11, 2016
As far as I’m concerned Stephen Hunter is one of the very top-tier candidates of Thriller King. Even when he’s writing about shit that I don’t have a lot of interest in (most obviously the focus on sniping and all kinds of long rifle technologies and tactics from the Bob Lee books) I still find myself getting sucked in, enjoying the over-indulgent details on gun shit and whatnot and reading every book obsessively until it’s finished. Dude just knows how to write a gripping book and it’s so obvious that he has a total blast when he’s working, which only adds to the fun of his shit.
So when I’m confronted with the existence of this book, a 500-page tome solely concerned with Swagger patriarch Earl’s 1946 quest to rid Hot Springs, Arkansas of the city’s pandemic illegal gambling and gangstering, what choice do I have but to buy it and read it immediately? Because it’s a Hunter novel there’s a few twists and turns and small mysteries to solve but ultimately it’s about a group of cops under the Hot Springs DA that sets out to straight up make war on the city’s crime boss Owney Madden (who was a real person, along with many others that are mentioned or appear directly in the book) with the terrifying but undeniably cool classics of the early-mid 20th century American arsenal: the Thompson, the BAR, the M1 and the M1911, as well as some obscure shit that only a gun nerd like Stephen Hunter would know about.
As a protagonist, Earl is much like his son Bob Lee; they’re both war heroes who are smart, insanely capable and exceptionally gifted at fucking shit up. They’re also both tortured by trauma from their past. However, Earl never reads like Bob Lee 2.0 and is a compelling character, combating the dual demons of his alcoholism and the memories of his abusive father internally while slugging it out in several expertly-executed set piece shootouts with Madden’s cronies. Unfortunately, Earl is basically one of maybe three interesting characters (the others being D.A. Parker and Frenchy Short...even the main baddie Owney was kinda dull.) But fuck it, this book is basically a well-written excuse for Hunter to write a more violent and gritty literary equivalent of De Palma’s Untouchables...and he never fails to come through.
So when I’m confronted with the existence of this book, a 500-page tome solely concerned with Swagger patriarch Earl’s 1946 quest to rid Hot Springs, Arkansas of the city’s pandemic illegal gambling and gangstering, what choice do I have but to buy it and read it immediately? Because it’s a Hunter novel there’s a few twists and turns and small mysteries to solve but ultimately it’s about a group of cops under the Hot Springs DA that sets out to straight up make war on the city’s crime boss Owney Madden (who was a real person, along with many others that are mentioned or appear directly in the book) with the terrifying but undeniably cool classics of the early-mid 20th century American arsenal: the Thompson, the BAR, the M1 and the M1911, as well as some obscure shit that only a gun nerd like Stephen Hunter would know about.
As a protagonist, Earl is much like his son Bob Lee; they’re both war heroes who are smart, insanely capable and exceptionally gifted at fucking shit up. They’re also both tortured by trauma from their past. However, Earl never reads like Bob Lee 2.0 and is a compelling character, combating the dual demons of his alcoholism and the memories of his abusive father internally while slugging it out in several expertly-executed set piece shootouts with Madden’s cronies. Unfortunately, Earl is basically one of maybe three interesting characters (the others being D.A. Parker and Frenchy Short...even the main baddie Owney was kinda dull.) But fuck it, this book is basically a well-written excuse for Hunter to write a more violent and gritty literary equivalent of De Palma’s Untouchables...and he never fails to come through.
August 9, 2015
While I like Hunter's books most of the time, I loved this one. While it's perhaps a little over dramatized, it is well written and suspenseful.
Earl Swagger, a returning WW II vet and Medal of Honor winner, joins a group taking on Mafia member Owney Meany and his crew who run Hot Springs, Arkansas and its gambling, prostitution and other illegal activities. The story has lots of action as Earl and ex-FBI agent D.A. Parker train and lead a group of young police officers to put Meany out of business.
Hunter does a good job of character development as well as providing a number of surprises as the plot unfolds. The story is based on actual events but as Hunter himself points out where history and a good story intersect the story wins.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you are unfamiliar with Hunter's Work.
Earl Swagger, a returning WW II vet and Medal of Honor winner, joins a group taking on Mafia member Owney Meany and his crew who run Hot Springs, Arkansas and its gambling, prostitution and other illegal activities. The story has lots of action as Earl and ex-FBI agent D.A. Parker train and lead a group of young police officers to put Meany out of business.
Hunter does a good job of character development as well as providing a number of surprises as the plot unfolds. The story is based on actual events but as Hunter himself points out where history and a good story intersect the story wins.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you are unfamiliar with Hunter's Work.
October 24, 2012
I'm torn between 4/5 stars. But this novel catapults Hunter into "my must read" list. Part WEB Griffin, part Michael Connelly. I can't hardly wait for the next in this series.
November 2, 2014
3 ½ stars. A lot of good action and suspense. But audiobook narrator’s BREATHS hurt the book.
Neat characters. I loved the Earl Swagger tough-guy-soldier fighting mobsters. He uses automatic guns and rifles. Great use of land around him during fights. I had some problems with it, but I still enjoyed it.
One part made me mad. I kind of don’t want to trust this author. Becker the prosecuting attorney hires a dozen soldiers headed by Earl and D.A. Becker wants them to raid gambling casinos owned by the mob. The first two raids are a success. A bunch of mobsters get killed plus three innocent bystanders. So Becker now says keep doing what you are doing but you can’t use automatic weapons or wear bullet proof vests. WHAT??? The mobsters use automatic weapons. In my opinion Earl should have walked away. It was a stupid request. If Becker doesn’t want them to raid anymore, just stop. Don’t ask these guys to fight with their hands tied and get killed. It reminded me of the Vietnam War - same thing happened to our soldiers there.
Some readers might be sensitive to the child abuse. Earl’s dad severely and repeatedly beat Earl’s younger brother who killed himself. There’s some back story about this.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Eric G. Dove was fantastic. He did all voices well. Even women. They did not sound like effeminate gay guys. How can a man do women so well?
BUT Mr. Dove used a microphone that picked up his BREATHS. They were annoying and distracting. I had to keep telling myself “try not to listen to the breaths.” Narrators: PLEASE listen to the recording of yourself and if you hear your breaths, use a different microphone - or stand farther away from it.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 16 hrs and 24 mins. Swearing language: religious swear words and a racial slur, but only used once or twice. Sexual content: one sex scene was vaguely referred to. The topic of sex was periodically mentioned because of the prostitution business around the casinos. Setting: 1946 to 1947 mostly Arkansas. Book copyright: 2000. Genre: action suspense thriller.
Neat characters. I loved the Earl Swagger tough-guy-soldier fighting mobsters. He uses automatic guns and rifles. Great use of land around him during fights. I had some problems with it, but I still enjoyed it.
One part made me mad. I kind of don’t want to trust this author. Becker the prosecuting attorney hires a dozen soldiers headed by Earl and D.A. Becker wants them to raid gambling casinos owned by the mob. The first two raids are a success. A bunch of mobsters get killed plus three innocent bystanders. So Becker now says keep doing what you are doing but you can’t use automatic weapons or wear bullet proof vests. WHAT??? The mobsters use automatic weapons. In my opinion Earl should have walked away. It was a stupid request. If Becker doesn’t want them to raid anymore, just stop. Don’t ask these guys to fight with their hands tied and get killed. It reminded me of the Vietnam War - same thing happened to our soldiers there.
Some readers might be sensitive to the child abuse. Earl’s dad severely and repeatedly beat Earl’s younger brother who killed himself. There’s some back story about this.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Eric G. Dove was fantastic. He did all voices well. Even women. They did not sound like effeminate gay guys. How can a man do women so well?
BUT Mr. Dove used a microphone that picked up his BREATHS. They were annoying and distracting. I had to keep telling myself “try not to listen to the breaths.” Narrators: PLEASE listen to the recording of yourself and if you hear your breaths, use a different microphone - or stand farther away from it.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 16 hrs and 24 mins. Swearing language: religious swear words and a racial slur, but only used once or twice. Sexual content: one sex scene was vaguely referred to. The topic of sex was periodically mentioned because of the prostitution business around the casinos. Setting: 1946 to 1947 mostly Arkansas. Book copyright: 2000. Genre: action suspense thriller.
September 7, 2013
More great 'redneck' noir--deep and dark and filled with bullets and fedoras.
April 22, 2016
This author has great action. Never boring.
August 25, 2018
Hot Springs
6 out of 5 stars. I know you can only give 5 stars on GoodReads, but this is only the second book that I’ve felt was a star better than several 5 star books I’ve read.
This is a period piece, taking place in 1946, in the very real town of Hot Springs Arkansas. Mr. Hunter taps into the Eldridge quality of that place at the time. People Like Ben Siegel, and Al Capone came to the town to relax. These were powerful people from the major metropolitan areas who came to Hot Springs under the flag of a tangible, yet etherial truce. By some unspoken agreement, violence and settled scores were put aside while in this magical place.
Mr Hunter shows us both the almost celestial beauty of an exclusive town, flush with money and movie stars, as well as the filthy underbelly that propped it up. The fact that only a few select people were truly aware of the place adds to its lore. He paints a cinematic vision to rival “The Great Gatspy," or “Gone With the Wind.” He shows us richly appointed hotels and casinos set in the most beautiful natural valley on the planet, blessed with magical healing waters from the depths of the earth. This book desperately needs to be brought to the silver screen with the most gifted cinematographer available.
It is in this incredible setting that Hunter sets his story. It is ultimately a story of redemption, or maybe salvation. While the main character starts out as “broken,” he avoids the trite cliché by turning this into a story of ultimate triumph. The cost is high, and not all of the protagonists will see the final victory. Still, at the end I found it it be a story of hope. An uplifting tale that pulled me into this world and introduced me to people I’d like to know in real life.
And so far, I’ve just covered the side dishes. The action is non-stop. Half-way through the book I thought I was coming to the end of a darn exciting story. Then I discovered that I was only at the beginning of another adventure. And then, when I thought things were winding down, we took an unexpected turn and were off again, with the excitement and tension building even higher. I lost count of the times I was blown away at a new twist. It doesn’t stop until the last page. If you’re reading this in a recliner, make sure it has seat belts.
I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, but I assuredly will read them all. If you live in, or like, Hot Springs this is a must read. If you just like damn good books, this is a must read. If you read books, this is a must read.
A last lament:
I also wrote a book that takes place in Hot Springs and taps into the gangster lore of the 1920s. I think it’s a good book and thought it was the best book ever written about the area. Darn you Mr. Hunter. I didn’t realize how hight you had set the bar.
6 out of 5 stars. I know you can only give 5 stars on GoodReads, but this is only the second book that I’ve felt was a star better than several 5 star books I’ve read.
This is a period piece, taking place in 1946, in the very real town of Hot Springs Arkansas. Mr. Hunter taps into the Eldridge quality of that place at the time. People Like Ben Siegel, and Al Capone came to the town to relax. These were powerful people from the major metropolitan areas who came to Hot Springs under the flag of a tangible, yet etherial truce. By some unspoken agreement, violence and settled scores were put aside while in this magical place.
Mr Hunter shows us both the almost celestial beauty of an exclusive town, flush with money and movie stars, as well as the filthy underbelly that propped it up. The fact that only a few select people were truly aware of the place adds to its lore. He paints a cinematic vision to rival “The Great Gatspy," or “Gone With the Wind.” He shows us richly appointed hotels and casinos set in the most beautiful natural valley on the planet, blessed with magical healing waters from the depths of the earth. This book desperately needs to be brought to the silver screen with the most gifted cinematographer available.
It is in this incredible setting that Hunter sets his story. It is ultimately a story of redemption, or maybe salvation. While the main character starts out as “broken,” he avoids the trite cliché by turning this into a story of ultimate triumph. The cost is high, and not all of the protagonists will see the final victory. Still, at the end I found it it be a story of hope. An uplifting tale that pulled me into this world and introduced me to people I’d like to know in real life.
And so far, I’ve just covered the side dishes. The action is non-stop. Half-way through the book I thought I was coming to the end of a darn exciting story. Then I discovered that I was only at the beginning of another adventure. And then, when I thought things were winding down, we took an unexpected turn and were off again, with the excitement and tension building even higher. I lost count of the times I was blown away at a new twist. It doesn’t stop until the last page. If you’re reading this in a recliner, make sure it has seat belts.
I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, but I assuredly will read them all. If you live in, or like, Hot Springs this is a must read. If you just like damn good books, this is a must read. If you read books, this is a must read.
A last lament:
I also wrote a book that takes place in Hot Springs and taps into the gangster lore of the 1920s. I think it’s a good book and thought it was the best book ever written about the area. Darn you Mr. Hunter. I didn’t realize how hight you had set the bar.
June 8, 2024
3.5 stars
This was pretty good until the third act. Everything was going fine, then they tossed a wrench into the plot. It ended fine, but it sure was a whole lot of work for nothing.
The author was also very comfortable using all forms of the N-word. I can understand putting those words into the mouths of almost every character in 1946 Arkansas, but the narration of the story was cringeworthy a few times.
This was pretty good until the third act. Everything was going fine, then they tossed a wrench into the plot. It ended fine, but it sure was a whole lot of work for nothing.
The author was also very comfortable using all forms of the N-word. I can understand putting those words into the mouths of almost every character in 1946 Arkansas, but the narration of the story was cringeworthy a few times.
May 24, 2022
Beach read for Dads. The typically Manichean tale of Good Guys beating the Bad Guys and being totally respectful to women and also not racist Fantasy. But Hunter is a good writer and he moves the story along well. Don’t know if I need to continue the series but this wasn’t a total waste of time, scratching my mob-in-fiction itch.
May 16, 2018
Just what I needed, a good shoot 'em up kind of a story. Earl is my kind of guy.
February 9, 2017
I loved this book. Hunter writes like he was born and raised in the south. Earl Swagger is back from WWII a decorated hero. He doesn't cotton to all the attention he gets because of his war record. Earl has a whole new life ahead of him, new wife, a new job and a baby on the way that he's none to excited about. He is plagued by demons from the war as well as his childhood. To add insult to injury he seeks to drown it all in alcohol. I find myself rooting for Earl, wanting him to pull himself together and have a good life. He is to be admired on so many levels. One of those levels is neither husband or father. He is so caught up in his own pain that he is neglectful as a husband and soon to be father. Earl is the consummate soldier with an overwhelming sense of loyalty and duty, sometimes to his own detriment. Because he is such a gifted soldier maybe he should have remained single. If you are in a fight, Earl's the one you want on your side and that was just what the Hot Springs DA set out to do. Earl is right back doing what he does best....training young men for a fight. All hell will break loose when Earl and his team hit Hot Springs.
November 25, 2016
A friend lent me “Pale Horse Running”, the second book in the series. It was great! I’m so glad that I went back and read the first Earl Swagger book. (Mitch Rapp would look up to Earl Swagger!)
I enjoyed how the author adds vignettes using real life characters of the 40’s i.e. Bugsy Siegel, Mickey Rooney, Burt Lancaster, etc. Also, in a small way, the book helped me to understand what a Medal of Honor recipient feels.
(I wonder if this book was the geneses of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”.)
I enjoyed how the author adds vignettes using real life characters of the 40’s i.e. Bugsy Siegel, Mickey Rooney, Burt Lancaster, etc. Also, in a small way, the book helped me to understand what a Medal of Honor recipient feels.
(I wonder if this book was the geneses of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”.)
August 6, 2007
This one's crazy. It's a good read, but won't stick with you. It's no classic, but it'll keep you glued to it. I love books like this for long plane rides. I was taken out of my uncomfortable seat on my flight to Bangalore to a corrupt and broken Arkansas and didn't leave it until the wheels hit the runway.
September 8, 2011
WOW. I picked this book up at the airport because it looked like the best one on the shelf to keep my attention and boy did it an more. I have to tell you, this southern detective noir reminded me of everything I loved about noir fiction. I've since bought the next two Earl Swagger books.
Thanks Stephen!
Thanks Stephen!
March 29, 2014
Great book. I enjoy the Earl Swagger character as much as his son Bob Lee!
This story reminds me a lot of movies like Gangster Squad & the Untouchables. Terrific 40's gangster story
And being familiar with NW Arkansas area it is neat to read a story set there. Thats one of the reasons why I rwally like Stephen Hunters novels, they are set in my area.
This story reminds me a lot of movies like Gangster Squad & the Untouchables. Terrific 40's gangster story
And being familiar with NW Arkansas area it is neat to read a story set there. Thats one of the reasons why I rwally like Stephen Hunters novels, they are set in my area.
January 20, 2013
I actually prefer Earl to his son Bob Lee. Must be the fact that I love anything within an historical context. I wish that Hunter would produce a guideline for his readers with regard to what order the books should be read in.
January 28, 2016
Loved the story. Started a bit slow and then the story sucked me in until I was obsessed to finish the book....
I got clued into this series by author Stan R. Mitchell who reference this series in his book "Sold Out"....
I got clued into this series by author Stan R. Mitchell who reference this series in his book "Sold Out"....
January 16, 2017
Part 1940s post-WWII, part alternative reality; inspired by true crime but written into a smart, well crafted suspense with deeply complicated characters. I believe this is first in a series, if I could I'd get all the rest of them immediately.
June 26, 2008
Even cooler than "Pale Horse." Mobsters, a really hacked-off Marine, an old-school gunslinger, a gambling and whoring Mickey Rooney...this book has everything.
May 3, 2014
Earl Swagger is awesome.
May 23, 2022
I wish I enjoyed the author’s female characters as much as I do the male ones. Where certain male characters ring with authenticity and are fleshed out with intricate detail, I can’t say the same about the women in this story, and the ridiculous way the author describes some of them, definitely detracted from the overall story. I also don’t feel 550-ish pages was really necessary, and although the shootouts were written well and kept the pages turning, I don’t know if I needed THAT many of them and I can’t help but wonder how much more Earl Swagger and his life could have been explored in that time. I just feel like the author has created such a good character that he needn’t be relegated to either shooting people, or learning things about himself and his past that lead to him shooting still more people.
A good read, and probably it’s just personal preference, but I would have enjoyed it with a bit less gun fighting and a bit more focus on the characters themselves. Probably won’t continue the series, but this book was a worthwhile read, crafted by an author with a knack for pacing and action.
A good read, and probably it’s just personal preference, but I would have enjoyed it with a bit less gun fighting and a bit more focus on the characters themselves. Probably won’t continue the series, but this book was a worthwhile read, crafted by an author with a knack for pacing and action.
May 15, 2021
Stephen Hunter is an artist. He has a way with words. His characters, dialogue, plotting and story telling skills are fantastic. He is a genius with his gun fights, I have not read better fight scenes anywhere else, it's as if you're there in the battle zone with gun smoke and bullets flying around you.
Earl Swagger is larger than life, he is as good and imposing a hero, if not better than his son, Bob Lee Swagger. I loved this book and I'd love to read and know more about Earl's exploits and about Bob Lee growing up.
I also loved the incorporation of actual historical characters like Bugsy Siegel and Johnny Spanish. One can almost feel the 1940s vibe.
It's nice how seemingly minor characters from Hunter's other books make cameos in his books and how almost all his books share a continuity.
The only thing I wish to change would be the unnecessary melodrama with Earl's wife's pregnancy. That seemed a bit heavy handed but it too was tied up nicely.
Earl Swagger is larger than life, he is as good and imposing a hero, if not better than his son, Bob Lee Swagger. I loved this book and I'd love to read and know more about Earl's exploits and about Bob Lee growing up.
I also loved the incorporation of actual historical characters like Bugsy Siegel and Johnny Spanish. One can almost feel the 1940s vibe.
It's nice how seemingly minor characters from Hunter's other books make cameos in his books and how almost all his books share a continuity.
The only thing I wish to change would be the unnecessary melodrama with Earl's wife's pregnancy. That seemed a bit heavy handed but it too was tied up nicely.
April 23, 2019
I enjoy Stephen hunter writing and the Bob Lee books are some of my fav. To learn more about his father was interesting. And well worth the read into the bob lee lore. I also didn’t know Hot Springs, AR was the first Vegas so the historical aspect was well done.
March 5, 2020
Sorry, but this author’s writing style is blah and there was no meaningful character development. When I start telling the characters to shut up and that I don’t care about them as I’m reading, I know it’s time to move on. Too many great books out there waiting to be read to spend my time frustrated with this book.
August 25, 2017
No Negroes are allowed in this hospital. That's the rule.
November 29, 2020
I never knew the history of Hot Springs so I found this a pleasant surprise. A proto Las Vegas.
September 9, 2024
Stephen Hunter is a new discovery of mine. I really enjoy his books with Earl Swagger of the USMC.
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