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Jack Reacher
Reacher's Rules: Life Lessons From Jack Reacher
*Please note this is not a novel, but a companion book for Reacher fans*
Reacher’s own rules for life are brought together in this irresistible collection of quotes, life lessons and wisdom from the man himself.
As every Reacher fan knows, you don’t have to break the rules if you make the rules. If you want to survive in this world nothing else matters.
Rule 1. When in doubt, drink coffee.
Rule 2. Never volunteer for anything.
Rule 3. Don’t break the furniture.
Rule 4. Only one woman at a time.
Rule 5. Show them what they’re messing with.
‘I don’t want to put the world to rights, I just don’t like people who put the world to wrongs’
‘Either you’ll walk out of here yourself, or you’ll be carried out in a bucket’
‘I’m not scared of anybody… But I certainly preferred it when he was dead’
If you’ve read the books, you’ll love this. If you haven’t read the books, what are you waiting for?
Reacher’s own rules for life are brought together in this irresistible collection of quotes, life lessons and wisdom from the man himself.
As every Reacher fan knows, you don’t have to break the rules if you make the rules. If you want to survive in this world nothing else matters.
Rule 1. When in doubt, drink coffee.
Rule 2. Never volunteer for anything.
Rule 3. Don’t break the furniture.
Rule 4. Only one woman at a time.
Rule 5. Show them what they’re messing with.
‘I don’t want to put the world to rights, I just don’t like people who put the world to wrongs’
‘Either you’ll walk out of here yourself, or you’ll be carried out in a bucket’
‘I’m not scared of anybody… But I certainly preferred it when he was dead’
If you’ve read the books, you’ll love this. If you haven’t read the books, what are you waiting for?
167 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
2247 people are currently reading
5270 people want to read
About the author
Lee Child
442 books34.2k followersLee Child was born October 29th, 1954 in Coventry, England, but spent his formative years in the nearby city of Birmingham. By coincidence he won a scholarship to the same high school that JRR Tolkien had attended. He went to law school in Sheffield, England, and after part-time work in the theater he joined Granada Television in Manchester for what turned out to be an eighteen-year career as a presentation director during British TV's "golden age." During his tenure his company made Brideshead Revisited, The Jewel in the Crown, Prime Suspect, and Cracker. But he was fired in 1995 at the age of 40 as a result of corporate restructuring. Always a voracious reader, he decided to see an opportunity where others might have seen a crisis and bought six dollars' worth of paper and pencils and sat down to write a book, Killing Floor, the first in the Jack Reacher series.
Killing Floor was an immediate success and launched the series which has grown in sales and impact with every new installment. The first Jack Reacher movie, based on the novel One Shot and starring Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike, was released in December 2012.
Lee has three homes—an apartment in Manhattan, a country house in the south of France, and whatever airplane cabin he happens to be in while traveling between the two. In the US he drives a supercharged Jaguar, which was built in Jaguar's Browns Lane plant, thirty yards from the hospital in which he was born.
Lee spends his spare time reading, listening to music, and watching the Yankees, Aston Villa, or Marseilles soccer. He is married with a grown-up daughter. He is tall and slim, despite an appalling diet and a refusal to exercise.
Killing Floor was an immediate success and launched the series which has grown in sales and impact with every new installment. The first Jack Reacher movie, based on the novel One Shot and starring Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike, was released in December 2012.
Lee has three homes—an apartment in Manhattan, a country house in the south of France, and whatever airplane cabin he happens to be in while traveling between the two. In the US he drives a supercharged Jaguar, which was built in Jaguar's Browns Lane plant, thirty yards from the hospital in which he was born.
Lee spends his spare time reading, listening to music, and watching the Yankees, Aston Villa, or Marseilles soccer. He is married with a grown-up daughter. He is tall and slim, despite an appalling diet and a refusal to exercise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 359 reviews
September 12, 2022
"I try to do the right things. I think the reasons don't really matter - I like to see the right thing done." -- from 'Reacher's moral code,' on page 99
A nice little treat for fans of the long-running Jack Reacher action-suspense series - celebrating its silver anniversary this year, BTW - by author Lee Child, Rules collects various quotes from the first fifteen years of said books along with pertinent military information / trivia, some safety / survival opinions (although I believe 'Improvise / Adapt / Overcome' originated with the U.S. Marine Corps, it could doubtless be the personal credo of U.S. Army veteran Reacher) via the mind of said fictional character, and even a occasional pinch of humor with the inclusions of 'Things You Will Never See Reacher Do' or 'Things You Will Never Hear Reacher Say.' This will obviously be best appreciated by devotees or those otherwise familiar with the works, and it also can be read in 30 or 40 minutes.
A nice little treat for fans of the long-running Jack Reacher action-suspense series - celebrating its silver anniversary this year, BTW - by author Lee Child, Rules collects various quotes from the first fifteen years of said books along with pertinent military information / trivia, some safety / survival opinions (although I believe 'Improvise / Adapt / Overcome' originated with the U.S. Marine Corps, it could doubtless be the personal credo of U.S. Army veteran Reacher) via the mind of said fictional character, and even a occasional pinch of humor with the inclusions of 'Things You Will Never See Reacher Do' or 'Things You Will Never Hear Reacher Say.' This will obviously be best appreciated by devotees or those otherwise familiar with the works, and it also can be read in 30 or 40 minutes.
December 5, 2019
5 stars
A short fun book that makes you hunger for Jack Reacher more.
🇺🇸
A short fun book that makes you hunger for Jack Reacher more.
🇺🇸
February 17, 2017
As an ardent fan of Jack Reacher, I know all about his rules. But if you haven’t discovered Jack Reacher’s world yet, you are missing out something great and you have no clue to what his rules are. It’s simple really. As an ex-Military Police, Jack Reacher has vast experience in his life. Ever since he has dropped out of that career choice, he is impossible to track and that’s the way he wants it. But the rules he lives by are what actually makes the man what he is and capable of doing things that are usually out of a normal person’s capabilities. The foreword by Lee Child tells you as much.
The book is divided into chapters. Chapters are about rules about fighting to rules about coffee. Yes, Jack Reacher has rules for almost everything. Some of the rules are applicable in a normal person’s life, like the one about sleep that says, ‘Sleep as much as you can because tiredness causes more foul-ups than carelessness and stupidity put together’. Some are wise words, like ‘A courageous guy is someone who feels the fear but conquers it’. Some are again just plain humourous.
I have been following the Reacher series quite closely and have read all the books in the series except one. So, I know about Reacher’s Rules. When I got my hands on this book, instead of reading it as a guide book to the person that Reacher is, I treated it as a quiz by trying to guess which rule was mentioned in which book and had a gala time. (Yes I am a nerd and a bookworm – so these kinds of things actually are fun for me).
The best part of the book is when some of the chapters end with “Things You’ll never hear Reacher Say’. They are straight out funny if you know Reacher as much as I do.
Please note that this is not a story or even a short story. It is more like a guide to the character and only fun to read if you have read Reacher Novels.
The book is divided into chapters. Chapters are about rules about fighting to rules about coffee. Yes, Jack Reacher has rules for almost everything. Some of the rules are applicable in a normal person’s life, like the one about sleep that says, ‘Sleep as much as you can because tiredness causes more foul-ups than carelessness and stupidity put together’. Some are wise words, like ‘A courageous guy is someone who feels the fear but conquers it’. Some are again just plain humourous.
I have been following the Reacher series quite closely and have read all the books in the series except one. So, I know about Reacher’s Rules. When I got my hands on this book, instead of reading it as a guide book to the person that Reacher is, I treated it as a quiz by trying to guess which rule was mentioned in which book and had a gala time. (Yes I am a nerd and a bookworm – so these kinds of things actually are fun for me).
The best part of the book is when some of the chapters end with “Things You’ll never hear Reacher Say’. They are straight out funny if you know Reacher as much as I do.
Please note that this is not a story or even a short story. It is more like a guide to the character and only fun to read if you have read Reacher Novels.
September 6, 2024
Have you only seen or heard about Reacher?! I wouldn't suggest this...
Or maybe you are obsessed with Reacher?! Not that Much! I mean, do you like him, or read his books like crazy, or grab a new book every time there is a conversation or news about him, or read a second time in the audio version?!
First, these are not obsessions at all.
Second, you will like this!
*****
Ask once, ask twice if you must, but don’t ask three times.
*****
Never forgive, never forget.
*****
If your attack is going too well, you have walked into an ambush.
*****
GOD these two were awesome in A MEDLEY OF MILITARY ACRONYMS:
SSDD Same Shit, Different Day
SWAG Scientific Wild-Ass Guess
*****
THINGS YOU’LL NEVER HEAR REACHER SAY:
Sorry, I’ve forgotten my watch.
My wife doesn’t understand me.
Or maybe you are obsessed with Reacher?! Not that Much! I mean, do you like him, or read his books like crazy, or grab a new book every time there is a conversation or news about him, or read a second time in the audio version?!
First, these are not obsessions at all.
Second, you will like this!
*****
Ask once, ask twice if you must, but don’t ask three times.
*****
Never forgive, never forget.
*****
If your attack is going too well, you have walked into an ambush.
*****
GOD these two were awesome in A MEDLEY OF MILITARY ACRONYMS:
SSDD Same Shit, Different Day
SWAG Scientific Wild-Ass Guess
*****
THINGS YOU’LL NEVER HEAR REACHER SAY:
Sorry, I’ve forgotten my watch.
My wife doesn’t understand me.
October 17, 2016
A fans guide to the the character Jack Reacher series by Lee Child.
I have read all the Jack Reacher series and have enjoyed most of them so I almost felt compelled to read this character guide. I have to confess that I found the book rather boring and it did not tell me anything I didn't all ready know about the character.
Maybe better for new readers to the series or the real anoraks but I would not recommend it otherwise.
I have read all the Jack Reacher series and have enjoyed most of them so I almost felt compelled to read this character guide. I have to confess that I found the book rather boring and it did not tell me anything I didn't all ready know about the character.
Maybe better for new readers to the series or the real anoraks but I would not recommend it otherwise.
November 29, 2012
The first thing you should know about this slim, wonderful book is that it is not a novel, something that is immediately apparent, but is instead just what it states it is: A compilation of Rules fashioned by Jack Reacher, the iconic protagonist of 17 books by Lee Child, as well as a new eponymous film, and culled from all those novels.
All “rules” included will be familiar to the many fans of Mr. Child’s creation, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t bring smiles of recognition, and pleasure. The headings include such Rules as “Be Prepared,” “Breaking and Entering,” “Choose Your Weapons,” and 55 others.
There are a number of things within these pages under the heading of “Things you’ll never hear Reacher Say,” including “No more coffee for me” and “Call me on my cell,” guaranteed to elicit those smiles. There are tidbits such as instructions for “The best way to break a finger,” and “If you get a lift, give a destination. Saying ‘anywhere’ sounds like you’re a drifter who wants to go home with them,” enlightening if nothing else. There are also many factual sections that are very interesting, which many readers may know in a superficial way and which are given more detail here, e.g., The Wimbledon Cup [the Marine Sniper School competition]; West Point; the “10-“ Codes used by the Military Police; and “A Medley of Military Acronyms,” which includes The Patriot Act, which I never realized was an acronym: “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act.”
These and others like them comprise the contents of this delightful book, sure to be a favorite of Reacher fans [“The Reacher Creatures,” as they are fondly known], an introduction for those not yet among that group, and a perfect holiday gift for members of both, and recommended.
All “rules” included will be familiar to the many fans of Mr. Child’s creation, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t bring smiles of recognition, and pleasure. The headings include such Rules as “Be Prepared,” “Breaking and Entering,” “Choose Your Weapons,” and 55 others.
There are a number of things within these pages under the heading of “Things you’ll never hear Reacher Say,” including “No more coffee for me” and “Call me on my cell,” guaranteed to elicit those smiles. There are tidbits such as instructions for “The best way to break a finger,” and “If you get a lift, give a destination. Saying ‘anywhere’ sounds like you’re a drifter who wants to go home with them,” enlightening if nothing else. There are also many factual sections that are very interesting, which many readers may know in a superficial way and which are given more detail here, e.g., The Wimbledon Cup [the Marine Sniper School competition]; West Point; the “10-“ Codes used by the Military Police; and “A Medley of Military Acronyms,” which includes The Patriot Act, which I never realized was an acronym: “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act.”
These and others like them comprise the contents of this delightful book, sure to be a favorite of Reacher fans [“The Reacher Creatures,” as they are fondly known], an introduction for those not yet among that group, and a perfect holiday gift for members of both, and recommended.
November 13, 2012
This is a fun book and contains all the tips, tricks and codes that our hero lives by most of which can be found in all the novels. Still a good accompaniment and would recommend
March 28, 2019
I have been on a bit of a Reacher kick, 6 books in 3 weeks and already working on the next. I love lists and I love rules. And this book is both. It is sort of a tough guy version of Life's Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. it is what I hope will someday come to print from NCIS in a collection of Gibb’s Rules. But it does not matter if like me, you like lists or rules, if you enjoy the Reacher books or movies this is a fun volume to pick up and read. This book was compiled by Val Hudson and has a wonderful introduction by Lee Child.
The sections and chapters in this volume are:
Introduction by LEE CHILD
Be Prepared
Breaking and Entering
Choose Your Weapons
The United States Army Military Police
The Rules of Coffee
Conquer Your Fear
Confronting Death
Cracking Codes and Passwords
Dogs
Fighting
Fighting Tips
Food
First Aid
Getting Mad
Hand-to-Hand Combat
How to Shake Hands
The Wimbledon Cup
Hitchhiking—the Rules
How to Extract Information
Know How to Find Your Way Around a City
West Point
Keep on the Move
Codes Used by the Military Police
Lessons Learned in the Military
Live off the Grid
Hogan’s Alley
On Walking Through a Thirty-Inch Doorway
How to Tell if They’re Lying
Learn to Read Their Body Language
Man Walks into a Bar—the Rules
A Medley of Military Acronyms
Respect Your Opponent
Noticing Stuff
The Twelve Signs of a Suicide Bomber
The U.S. Army Military Police Code of Ethics
Reacher’s Moral Code
Military Police Training
How to Open a Locked Iron Gate with a Chrysler
The Science of … The Perfect Shot
Personal Grooming
The Pentagon
Why It’s Not Smart to Have a Phone
Potential Aliases for Use When Booking a Motel
Use Your Wits—Psychology
Miranda
The Science of … Burning Down a Building
Sleep
Knowing the Time
Travel Light
What to Do in the Face of:
When to Speak
Blind Blake
How to Win the Battle
How to Win the War
Man’s Toys
Women
How to Sleep in a $350-a-Night Hotel Room for $50
How to Leave Town
At the end of the introduction Lee Child states:
“Jack Reacher has always followed his own rules. He grew up in a fractured way, six months here, three months there, always moving, never stable, never belonging. Then he was a soldier, but too wise to buy into all the nonsense. He obeyed only the rules that made sense to him. Then he was cut loose and became a true outsider, profoundly comfortable with solitude. Does he have a tribe? You bet. He’s human. But in his case he kept on slicing and dicing until he got all the way down to a tribe with just one member—himself. But that tribe still needs rules, to guide, and embolden, and simplify, and reassure.
What follows are some of them.”
And that is exactly what we get in this volume. Not having read the majority of the Reacher canon of work There was a lot in this book that was unfamiliar. But there were several I recognised immediately. I cannot classify myself as a Reacher aficionado, but I am working on it. I have set the goal of reading the entire Reacher collection this year. And this book sparked even greater interest in completing that goal.
Many of the pieces of advice are sage wisdom that can be applied in any career or area of life. A few Examples from the first chapter are:
“Optimism is good. Blind faith is not.”
“Most guys who don’t check new equipment are still alive, but by no means all of them.”
“Hope for the best, plan for the worst.”
“The less I relax, the luckier I get.”
This is a fun read. Some of the advice you can apply directly, some will need translation. And some will not apply at all. But no matter who you are if you enjoy the Reacher books or movies you should give this volume a read.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Lee Child.
The sections and chapters in this volume are:
Introduction by LEE CHILD
Be Prepared
Breaking and Entering
Choose Your Weapons
The United States Army Military Police
The Rules of Coffee
Conquer Your Fear
Confronting Death
Cracking Codes and Passwords
Dogs
Fighting
Fighting Tips
Food
First Aid
Getting Mad
Hand-to-Hand Combat
How to Shake Hands
The Wimbledon Cup
Hitchhiking—the Rules
How to Extract Information
Know How to Find Your Way Around a City
West Point
Keep on the Move
Codes Used by the Military Police
Lessons Learned in the Military
Live off the Grid
Hogan’s Alley
On Walking Through a Thirty-Inch Doorway
How to Tell if They’re Lying
Learn to Read Their Body Language
Man Walks into a Bar—the Rules
A Medley of Military Acronyms
Respect Your Opponent
Noticing Stuff
The Twelve Signs of a Suicide Bomber
The U.S. Army Military Police Code of Ethics
Reacher’s Moral Code
Military Police Training
How to Open a Locked Iron Gate with a Chrysler
The Science of … The Perfect Shot
Personal Grooming
The Pentagon
Why It’s Not Smart to Have a Phone
Potential Aliases for Use When Booking a Motel
Use Your Wits—Psychology
Miranda
The Science of … Burning Down a Building
Sleep
Knowing the Time
Travel Light
What to Do in the Face of:
When to Speak
Blind Blake
How to Win the Battle
How to Win the War
Man’s Toys
Women
How to Sleep in a $350-a-Night Hotel Room for $50
How to Leave Town
At the end of the introduction Lee Child states:
“Jack Reacher has always followed his own rules. He grew up in a fractured way, six months here, three months there, always moving, never stable, never belonging. Then he was a soldier, but too wise to buy into all the nonsense. He obeyed only the rules that made sense to him. Then he was cut loose and became a true outsider, profoundly comfortable with solitude. Does he have a tribe? You bet. He’s human. But in his case he kept on slicing and dicing until he got all the way down to a tribe with just one member—himself. But that tribe still needs rules, to guide, and embolden, and simplify, and reassure.
What follows are some of them.”
And that is exactly what we get in this volume. Not having read the majority of the Reacher canon of work There was a lot in this book that was unfamiliar. But there were several I recognised immediately. I cannot classify myself as a Reacher aficionado, but I am working on it. I have set the goal of reading the entire Reacher collection this year. And this book sparked even greater interest in completing that goal.
Many of the pieces of advice are sage wisdom that can be applied in any career or area of life. A few Examples from the first chapter are:
“Optimism is good. Blind faith is not.”
“Most guys who don’t check new equipment are still alive, but by no means all of them.”
“Hope for the best, plan for the worst.”
“The less I relax, the luckier I get.”
This is a fun read. Some of the advice you can apply directly, some will need translation. And some will not apply at all. But no matter who you are if you enjoy the Reacher books or movies you should give this volume a read.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Lee Child.
December 12, 2012
Not impressed. Lee Child should be ashamed, but he's probably laughing all the way to the bank. This book is filled with Reacher quotes, but not one is annotated. It would've been much more of a fun read being reminded that the quote came from One Shot, or on of the other dozen Reacher books. Kind of lazy if you ask me. I'm glad I checked it out from the library! And on a related note, I will NOT be going to see the Reacher movie. I mean, Tom Cruise as Reacher. Really? One thing you'll never hear Reacher say, "Tom Cruise and I have a lot in common".
July 16, 2020
Note that this book does nothing to move the plot of the Reacher series, it is just a cute collection of quotes and descriptions of Reacher from previous books. Still it is well put together and was a fun read at lunch, a very quick read.
February 8, 2022
First point - this is not a Jack Reacher novel!!
Some good tips make this a fun gift for Reacher fans. An ok read and the section on acronyms will come in useful for quiz fans
Some good tips make this a fun gift for Reacher fans. An ok read and the section on acronyms will come in useful for quiz fans
November 10, 2022
I was excited when I found it but disappointed when I read it. Not much to it. Ok for bathroom reading...2 stars............ .....Years later after a second reading I realize this book has helped me to become a lot more dangerous. Let's take it up one more star.
July 4, 2017
This was an odd take on Jack Reacher. It wasn't a traditional book. It gave me a lot more things to think about when I read it. It didn't have a plot, however it was more of a quick read that delved deeper into the life of Jack Reacher rather than one of his many misadventures.
April 24, 2021
just an interesting read.
it has many wrong instructions but other than that. it was intresting
it has many wrong instructions but other than that. it was intresting
September 7, 2013
Never read more than a couple of chapters of these books. Read this in a half hour, as it's sort of a self-help book for Walter Mitty. Mostly macho as you'd expect but without any camp value, and a couple of false notes (a military man of great austerity takes an eleven minute shower? the M-16 is a "weapon of choice" of the military? starting a fire by placing furniture in the middle of a room?) a few things were useful or food for thought:
open the windows of a car before you use it to ram something.
a good indication of a man's strength is the width of his wrists.
Only very experienced men should try to guess a woman's bra size by her voice. (help me out with that one...)
and a nice quote from Field Marshall Viscount Wavell of Cyrenaica:
While coolness in disaster is the supreme proof of a commander's courage, energy in his pursuit is the surest test of his strength of will.
Churchill had been unimpressed by Wavell's reluctance to act in North Africa...
just about the best thing was the introduction to Blind Blake:
http://www.gracyk.com/blake1.shtml
So now you don't have to read it.
open the windows of a car before you use it to ram something.
a good indication of a man's strength is the width of his wrists.
Only very experienced men should try to guess a woman's bra size by her voice. (help me out with that one...)
and a nice quote from Field Marshall Viscount Wavell of Cyrenaica:
While coolness in disaster is the supreme proof of a commander's courage, energy in his pursuit is the surest test of his strength of will.
Churchill had been unimpressed by Wavell's reluctance to act in North Africa...
just about the best thing was the introduction to Blind Blake:
http://www.gracyk.com/blake1.shtml
So now you don't have to read it.
July 9, 2014
A small half hour read on how Reacher, lets the reader know how to stay alive - live with only a toothbrush in your pocket - and live off the grid. Some funny comments.
April 28, 2019
Fonts and sizes all over the place make this a more interesting read, as I laughed, reflected, and remembered Reacher's philosophy.
September 3, 2020
Humor. B &W photos add character. I imagine a deep growly assertive rumble carefully enunciating.
July 25, 2021
What? I’m actually wasting my time reading Lee Child’s Jack Reacher’s Rules? It’s fun for a committed Reacher addict:
”First thing to do before attacking a lock is to check that it’s not already open. Nothing will make you feel stupider than picking a lock that’s not locked.”
”When to Speak. ‘Reacher said nothing.’ If in doubt, say nothing. Keeping your mouth shut is a devastating weapon. Your silence will make your opponent want to babble. Say nothing, do nothing. You need a reason for speech, but you need more for silence.”
Jack Reacher’s Rules also lays bare the sheer silliness of Reacher Superman themes:
”’Everyone’s life needs an organizing principle. And relentless forward motion was Reacher’s.’ Always move on and never look back. Never do the same thing twice. . . Own nothing, carry nothing. Two days in one place is about the limit. ‘Mostly he rocked and swayed and dozed on buses, watching the passing scenes, observing the chaos of America, and surfing along on memories.’”
”First thing to do before attacking a lock is to check that it’s not already open. Nothing will make you feel stupider than picking a lock that’s not locked.”
”When to Speak. ‘Reacher said nothing.’ If in doubt, say nothing. Keeping your mouth shut is a devastating weapon. Your silence will make your opponent want to babble. Say nothing, do nothing. You need a reason for speech, but you need more for silence.”
Jack Reacher’s Rules also lays bare the sheer silliness of Reacher Superman themes:
”’Everyone’s life needs an organizing principle. And relentless forward motion was Reacher’s.’ Always move on and never look back. Never do the same thing twice. . . Own nothing, carry nothing. Two days in one place is about the limit. ‘Mostly he rocked and swayed and dozed on buses, watching the passing scenes, observing the chaos of America, and surfing along on memories.’”
November 29, 2024
This is a compilation of many things you learn while reading Reacher novels from Lee Child... it's a good list but doesn't have many of the saying we've heard the character say or thoughts we've heard the author have the character think. Also, and maybe most important, you won't get the fluid story which happens in every Reacher novel (that I've read so far). The author has a talent for weaving quips together to become the motif of a stoic individual who acts (often/always) as an avenging angel. And a list of military codes is a fun fact but best heard in context as Reacher realized he's been sent a secret message from a peer.
February 20, 2017
List of rules that Jack Reacher lives by. If you read the books you know most. Would not have bothered except to read except it was combined with other Reacher short stories. Only for Reacher fans.
March 20, 2013
Lee Child does an intro to this piece. In retrospect I wonder if it was actually written for this book, or just transcribed from an obscure interview.
The book largely consists of bullet-pointed 'factoids' that at best are inspired by Jack Reacher. We get the occasional quote, but the worst flop is the 'things Jack Reacher would never say' the humour of which misses the mark so thoroughly it seems ironic there is a page devoted to making the 'perfect shot'
Perhaps worst of all if you read through the entire book, you'll probably read each comment at least twice, I'm sure if the creator thought that no-one would actually be so sad to read the whole thing (too bad I am) or was just so lazy they forgot to double check each entry.
In summary - forget it. This isn't a skilful compilation of learnings from the Reacher books, it's simply lists of rubbish with a Reacher tone and the occasional genuine quote.
The book largely consists of bullet-pointed 'factoids' that at best are inspired by Jack Reacher. We get the occasional quote, but the worst flop is the 'things Jack Reacher would never say' the humour of which misses the mark so thoroughly it seems ironic there is a page devoted to making the 'perfect shot'
Perhaps worst of all if you read through the entire book, you'll probably read each comment at least twice, I'm sure if the creator thought that no-one would actually be so sad to read the whole thing (too bad I am) or was just so lazy they forgot to double check each entry.
In summary - forget it. This isn't a skilful compilation of learnings from the Reacher books, it's simply lists of rubbish with a Reacher tone and the occasional genuine quote.
August 2, 2013
“Jack Reacher's Rules” featuring an introduction by Lee Child is a simple little novelty book that is fun for Jack Reacher fans. It's not a novel, or even a story. It's a quote and trivia type of book based on the character and the novels that Lee Child has written.
In it you'll find things like rules for hitchhiking - Set up base on a significant interchange, stick out your thumb, and smile among others.
It's a quick read that is fun if you've enjoyed the Jack Reacher series. It is a hardcover book, which made the price a bit higher than maybe the content deserves, but for a fan of the series, it's fun, and that's all it is meant to be.
I liked it and found some of the rules to be rules I've lived by for a long time. Maybe that's also why I enjoy the Jack Reacher novels and am looking forward to the next ones.
In it you'll find things like rules for hitchhiking - Set up base on a significant interchange, stick out your thumb, and smile among others.
It's a quick read that is fun if you've enjoyed the Jack Reacher series. It is a hardcover book, which made the price a bit higher than maybe the content deserves, but for a fan of the series, it's fun, and that's all it is meant to be.
I liked it and found some of the rules to be rules I've lived by for a long time. Maybe that's also why I enjoy the Jack Reacher novels and am looking forward to the next ones.
November 14, 2012
I love Jack Reacher and normally I love Lee Child's writing but this book was just bad. Common sensical "rules" like "Never sit with your back to a door" interspersed with randomish implied quotes from the series. It was bad, it was boring and it was not worth the price paid. I was already looking somewhat askance at Mr. Child for his endorsement of a fan fic writer poaching on the Reacher series and producing what I'll kindly call bad characterization and plotting but this may be the nail in the coffin. I'll read the twice yearly Reachers but I think this is the last supplemental work or work Child suggests that I'll buy.
February 20, 2022
Jack Reacher's Rules is an easy-to-read guide complete with illustrations to the world of Reacher. it compiles timeless advice from former army cop. Our favorite two-fisted, quick-witted, freelance troubleshooter shares rules to survive in these streets. The selections are from the first 17 books of the series. It is NOT a Jack Reacher novel itself but literally a list of advice and facts Reacher-style.
I posted a few of my favorites on my blog. Clearly this one's for the fans!
~LiteraryMarie
I posted a few of my favorites on my blog. Clearly this one's for the fans!
~LiteraryMarie
March 18, 2016
This book is not really a story, but a collection of quotes and rules that Jack gives throughout the series.
While it was fun to guess which book each quote came from, this isn't really a "sit down and read" type of book. It is more something to keep on the coffee table or peruse periodically.
I made the mistake of getting it on CD and listening to one quote after another became stale pretty quickly. I may get the physical version some time.
While it was fun to guess which book each quote came from, this isn't really a "sit down and read" type of book. It is more something to keep on the coffee table or peruse periodically.
I made the mistake of getting it on CD and listening to one quote after another became stale pretty quickly. I may get the physical version some time.
November 5, 2023
eBook Review - Jack Reacher's Rules - Lee Child
“Jack Reacher’s Rules" is not a Jack Reacher novel/story but an ultimate collection of many of the outstanding and fascinating comments, sayings, and statements of Jack Reacher. The compilation of quotes were compiled from Jack Reacher novels 1-17. The 160-page book highlights Reachers best rules and quotes. Again, no story or stories, just lots of interesting and memorable sayings and comments from numerous early books.
“Jack Reacher’s Rules" is not a Jack Reacher novel/story but an ultimate collection of many of the outstanding and fascinating comments, sayings, and statements of Jack Reacher. The compilation of quotes were compiled from Jack Reacher novels 1-17. The 160-page book highlights Reachers best rules and quotes. Again, no story or stories, just lots of interesting and memorable sayings and comments from numerous early books.
August 7, 2014
Hard to rate. There is great stuff in here, but no new stuff in here. It is a collection of all the rules that Reacher has stated or thought in all the books. So you've seen all this before. It's fun, it is entertaining, it is a really quick read, but it is nothing new. I'm glad I didn't spend money to buy this.
June 23, 2017
A quick fun read
If you like the Jack Reacher series then this is a fun, quick and easy read. One of those books that is ideal if you need to kill time but are likely to be disturbed. Not recommended if you've not read the series.
If you like the Jack Reacher series then this is a fun, quick and easy read. One of those books that is ideal if you need to kill time but are likely to be disturbed. Not recommended if you've not read the series.
February 25, 2013
Lee Child must have needed some $ bc this book was a waste of space. No new info and just same ole from the books. Not cool LC!
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