What do you think?
Rate this book
Loot of the Shanung
Stop the presses! One hundred thousand dollar reward offered for the return of George Harley Rockham!
That’s more than enough to turn Shanghai newspaperman Jimmy Vance’s head. Throw in the gorgeous dame who’s offering the reward—Rockham’s daughter Virginia—and he might lose his head altogether.
As fast-talking as Jimmy Stewart in The Philadelphia Story, Vance jumps at the chance . . . the money . . . and the girl.
But as Jimmy quickly discovers, there are several billion reasons to watch his back. Because that’s how much Rockham is worth, and there are some very hard cases out there willing to kill to separate the old man from his money.
Next thing Jimmy knows, Virginia’s tied to a chair, and he’s got a couple of guns pointed at his head. But it’ll take more than a little rope and a couple of firearms to keep this reporter down. The truth is tied to the mysterious fate of a steamship named Shanung—and what Jimmy finds could be the biggest story of his life . . . if he lives to tell it.
That’s more than enough to turn Shanghai newspaperman Jimmy Vance’s head. Throw in the gorgeous dame who’s offering the reward—Rockham’s daughter Virginia—and he might lose his head altogether.
As fast-talking as Jimmy Stewart in The Philadelphia Story, Vance jumps at the chance . . . the money . . . and the girl.
But as Jimmy quickly discovers, there are several billion reasons to watch his back. Because that’s how much Rockham is worth, and there are some very hard cases out there willing to kill to separate the old man from his money.
Next thing Jimmy knows, Virginia’s tied to a chair, and he’s got a couple of guns pointed at his head. But it’ll take more than a little rope and a couple of firearms to keep this reporter down. The truth is tied to the mysterious fate of a steamship named Shanung—and what Jimmy finds could be the biggest story of his life . . . if he lives to tell it.
136 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1936
2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
L. Ron Hubbard
1,927 books648 followersL. Ron Hubbard is universally acclaimed as the single most influential author and humanitarian of this modern age. His definitive works on the mind and spirit—comprising over 350 million copies in circulation and more than 40 international bestsellers—have resulted in a legacy benefiting millions and a movement spanning all cultures.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 26, 2018
Loot of the Shanung was originally published in the May, 1936 issue of Smashing Novels Magazine, a publication with which I was unfamiliar; apparently it only lasted four issues. It's not one of Hubbard's better efforts, and I'd guess it was declined by his better-known, better-paying markets. It's set in China before the Japanese occupation, as were many of his pulp adventures, and while it's a fun and fast-paced story it lacks the character development that made his better works memorable. The Galaxy Press trade paperback uniform editions are always pleasing with their folded end-paper covers, glossary, and original illustrations.
December 18, 2015
“Exciting Adventure.”
Billionaire George Harley Rockham appears to have been abducted from the Shanung, a coastal steamer, when that ship comes up missing. Rockham has his hands in oil throughout China, and if he doesn’t show within four days his stock will fall, and his oil rights will be up for the taking. Jimmy Vance, a reporter who goes after any story till it’s been solved, has been working on the story since the ship went missing. Then Rockham’s beautiful daughter walks in his office offering a big reward if Vance will find her father. Vance refuses the award, but smells a good story and joined the girl in her search. She abducted by crooks, but Vance turns the table on them, then they had for Kowloon, an island near Hong Kong, where he suspects pirates may have boarded the Shanung.
They are captured by the pirates and encounter the crooks again, headed by a Chinese gangster, and a big fight ensues while Vance does his best to save the girl and rescue the billionaire. This story has lots of fun action before the story concludes. L. Ron Hubbard knows how to tell an exciting story with lots of adventure and heroic characters. Highly recommended to adventure lovers, and those who just love a good yarn.
Billionaire George Harley Rockham appears to have been abducted from the Shanung, a coastal steamer, when that ship comes up missing. Rockham has his hands in oil throughout China, and if he doesn’t show within four days his stock will fall, and his oil rights will be up for the taking. Jimmy Vance, a reporter who goes after any story till it’s been solved, has been working on the story since the ship went missing. Then Rockham’s beautiful daughter walks in his office offering a big reward if Vance will find her father. Vance refuses the award, but smells a good story and joined the girl in her search. She abducted by crooks, but Vance turns the table on them, then they had for Kowloon, an island near Hong Kong, where he suspects pirates may have boarded the Shanung.
They are captured by the pirates and encounter the crooks again, headed by a Chinese gangster, and a big fight ensues while Vance does his best to save the girl and rescue the billionaire. This story has lots of fun action before the story concludes. L. Ron Hubbard knows how to tell an exciting story with lots of adventure and heroic characters. Highly recommended to adventure lovers, and those who just love a good yarn.
April 17, 2014
This pulp adventure is one of several that L. Ron Hubbard wrote that take place in China of the 1930s. In this case, there's a surprisingly deep theme about the dangers of concentrating economic or political power, combined with what is otherwise a fun romp with Chinese pirates and other crooks.
I was a little puzzled at the extreme negative reaction the central character had to the idea of possibly being rewarded. Because the story is so short, we didn't learn anything about his background that would have explained his attitudes.]
The story was fun to read.
I was a little puzzled at the extreme negative reaction the central character had to the idea of possibly being rewarded. Because the story is so short, we didn't learn anything about his background that would have explained his attitudes.]
The story was fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews