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The Predators
The Predators
Returning to his years in Hollywood with Howard Hughes and Universal Studios, his travels through Cannes, Rome, Paris, Rio, the Caribbean, and the Far East, living with and writing about the most ruthless power brokers of our time, Robbins vividly portrays our eternal obsession with greed, desire, and blind ambition.
The Predators take you on a wild odyssey through the gaudy and reckless life of Jerry his struggles to survive in Depression-era New York; his years in Europe during the Second World War; his friends, his lovers, his life in organized crime; and his entrance into the world of high-powered international business.
The Predators take you on a wild odyssey through the gaudy and reckless life of Jerry his struggles to survive in Depression-era New York; his years in Europe during the Second World War; his friends, his lovers, his life in organized crime; and his entrance into the world of high-powered international business.
348 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1998
40 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Harold Robbins
322 books439 followersBorn as Harold Rubin in New York City, he later claimed to be a Jewish orphan who had been raised in a Catholic boys home. In reality he was the son of well-educated Russian and Polish immigrants. He was reared by his pharmacist father and stepmother in Brooklyn.
His first book, Never Love a Stranger (1948), caused controversy with its graphic sexuality. Publisher Pat Knopf reportedly bought Never Love a Stranger because "it was the first time he had ever read a book where on one page you'd have tears and on the next page you'd have a hard-on".
His 1952 novel, A Stone for Danny Fisher, was adapted into a 1958 motion picture King Creole, which starred Elvis Presley.
He would become arguably the world's bestselling author, publishing over 20 books which were translated into 32 languages and sold over 750 million copies. Among his best-known books is The Carpetbaggers, loosely based on the life of Howard Hughes, taking the reader from New York to California, from the prosperity of the aeronautical industry to the glamour of Hollywood.
His first book, Never Love a Stranger (1948), caused controversy with its graphic sexuality. Publisher Pat Knopf reportedly bought Never Love a Stranger because "it was the first time he had ever read a book where on one page you'd have tears and on the next page you'd have a hard-on".
His 1952 novel, A Stone for Danny Fisher, was adapted into a 1958 motion picture King Creole, which starred Elvis Presley.
He would become arguably the world's bestselling author, publishing over 20 books which were translated into 32 languages and sold over 750 million copies. Among his best-known books is The Carpetbaggers, loosely based on the life of Howard Hughes, taking the reader from New York to California, from the prosperity of the aeronautical industry to the glamour of Hollywood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 25, 2017
I think this may be the only one of his novels that I actually enjoyed. Oh sure, it was the usual Harold Robbins fare. Filled with unnecessary drama and what could only be described as inappropriate touching. Tons of it. Inappropriateness in general. But it was interesting to see him set up the scene for the mineral water business and just how hard that can be . Though that's not what was dispiriting about it for me . It's the fact that such industry needs to be set up in the first place. Things that we do to our planet and each other.
June 5, 2015
I don't understand how some of the greatest writers in the world get the worst reviews but I can assure you, often it is because people don't bother doing a little research before they read a book. Harold Robbins till this very day is one of the bestselling authors of all time. Yes his books are laced with sex, erotica and romance and he was what they called Mister Sex. He invented sex in novels.
I really don't how he got away with writing what he did during the time he wrote them, but like 50 Shades of Grey which is fairly poor writing sex sells and sells big. Harold Robbins has been dead for 20 years, still run high in sales. The Predator was one of his later books, with the Carpetbagger being one of his best. This kind of writing style and subject isn't for everyone. I never use reviews as a source to determine if I am going to purchase or read a book because they are so unreliable.
An Amazon.com review I read not too long ago gave the author a one-star "...because I can't find the book and I don't know what I did with it. If I find it I might upgrade my review." So the author is blamed because someone did not do their homework or they misplaced their copy of their book?
Anybody who sold or sells 750 million copies of book is not a one-star writer. Not every author writes every book at good as some of his or her other work. I guess that's what makes us human.
I really don't how he got away with writing what he did during the time he wrote them, but like 50 Shades of Grey which is fairly poor writing sex sells and sells big. Harold Robbins has been dead for 20 years, still run high in sales. The Predator was one of his later books, with the Carpetbagger being one of his best. This kind of writing style and subject isn't for everyone. I never use reviews as a source to determine if I am going to purchase or read a book because they are so unreliable.
An Amazon.com review I read not too long ago gave the author a one-star "...because I can't find the book and I don't know what I did with it. If I find it I might upgrade my review." So the author is blamed because someone did not do their homework or they misplaced their copy of their book?
Anybody who sold or sells 750 million copies of book is not a one-star writer. Not every author writes every book at good as some of his or her other work. I guess that's what makes us human.
August 15, 2016
A piece of crap ... not worth reading. The only reason I finished reading the book is because, I always finish a book I start. I give every book a chance to be liked and enjoyed. This one failed.
January 3, 2013
the story is good, but 'written' (assembled) posthumously. the sex scenes are importabnt to develop the characters, but too crude inteh way they are written. They interrupt---rather than carry---the story.
August 31, 2020
This book was all over the place in terms of characters and storyline. It starts out with a teenage sex scene and goes down from there.
I have liked Robbin's books before but this one never grabbed me. Who will get the rights to spring water? Who cares?
Lots of sex for those that like that. Lots of gay sex also.
The part on WWII should have been interesting but it was all about working with the Corsican mob to sell Government jeeps to them.
I still can't understand what Robbins was thinking when he created vets from WWII into scumbags. These are examples of our greatest generation? Yech.
Do not recommend it. Checked this book from my local library. If you want a good read by Robbins, I say The Carpetbaggers or 79 Park Avenue are his best.
I have liked Robbin's books before but this one never grabbed me. Who will get the rights to spring water? Who cares?
Lots of sex for those that like that. Lots of gay sex also.
The part on WWII should have been interesting but it was all about working with the Corsican mob to sell Government jeeps to them.
I still can't understand what Robbins was thinking when he created vets from WWII into scumbags. These are examples of our greatest generation? Yech.
Do not recommend it. Checked this book from my local library. If you want a good read by Robbins, I say The Carpetbaggers or 79 Park Avenue are his best.
September 12, 2009
So I made the mistake of only taking one book to the lake this year and I sped through that really quickly so I had to go to the loan library at the lodge. It was full of romance novels and science fiction, neither one of my genres. I did stumble upon this Harold Robbins book, however, and I remembered reading A Stone for Danny Fischer in my pre-teens. I remembered that it was really good even though I think that's where I got my steamiest sex education. Alas, what seemed good to a pre-teen doesn't do much for this fifty something self. Either that, or his writing has gone downhill. Anyway, not worth reading.
July 16, 2018
This was a disgusting book with no redeeming characteristics.
July 8, 2019
Zabavna i opuštajuća knjiga. Nekoliko zanimljivih obrata u radnji se desi od samog početka pa je dosta nepredvidljivo.
Radnja je smještena u 20. stoljeće, oko Drugog svjetskog rata, što je za mene još jedan plus, pošto volim knjige čija je radnja smještena u taj period.
Radnja je smještena u 20. stoljeće, oko Drugog svjetskog rata, što je za mene još jedan plus, pošto volim knjige čija je radnja smještena u taj period.
June 23, 2017
Vise je 3.5* nego 4*.
Nekako sam mnogo vise ocekivala od Robinsona, a ne znam ni sama zasto, ovo je prva njegova knjiga koju citam...
Nekako sam mnogo vise ocekivala od Robinsona, a ne znam ni sama zasto, ovo je prva njegova knjiga koju citam...
July 14, 2012
First book and last book are very good. Lot of information about the life during second world and the post war life. Lots of info about French custom.
Jerry cooper's story is nice. Jean pierre martine depiction is not so great, the novel would be great if he is not a ...... :)
End is not so convincing, mafia and uncle Harry suddenly become stupid in the few pages.
It's a good travel book, to kill time in and around airport.
Jerry cooper's story is nice. Jean pierre martine depiction is not so great, the novel would be great if he is not a ...... :)
End is not so convincing, mafia and uncle Harry suddenly become stupid in the few pages.
It's a good travel book, to kill time in and around airport.
January 14, 2013
Not my style of book at all. I give credit to authors because of the fact that I know I wouldn't have the skill to write a novel, much less be as prolific as Harold Robbins. I picked up one of his books because of the line from the Squeeze song. I did read it all the way through, but it just wasn't something that was my type of book. It felt like maybe the mind of a young teenage boy wrote it, but certainly one who could hold onto various aspects of a plot line.
July 5, 2015
Harold Robbins wrote some very good novels ( A Stone for Danny Fisher, The Carpetbaggers) some entertaining ones (Never Love a Stranger, Stiletto) and some mediocre ones (The Adventurers, The Betsy). This was an abysmal novel.
May 1, 2016
The rise of Jerry Cooper, screwing his way from soda jerk at start of WWII, to profiteer with Army in France during war, to purveyer of French water in NY & LA (in partnership with Albert Anastasia and Frank Costello) for a family of homosexuals.
May 10, 2012
this book is quite interesting wid wat has been told to us..... i liked dis one
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2013
I stopped reading this about a quarter of the way into it.
March 10, 2015
Me gusto. Bastante crudo y divertido.
April 1, 2015
its all about the success on some big international business.
October 5, 2015
GREAT FICTION
April 7, 2025
All the typical hallmarks of a Robbins adventure are on display here. This is the story of a young Jewish boy who is corrupted by the sleazy underbelly that supports a world of glamour. He grows up to be a man of the world, overcomes adversity, and then things are pretty cool for him, the end.
It's interesting to read these after reading so much Stephen King. They populated the bestseller lists at around the same time in the 70s and 80s and both of them seem to have preferred writing by the seats of their pants to writing from an outline. While I've criticized King plenty of times for his tendency to write himself into a corner and then rely on vaguely unsatisfying means to get himself back out, that method is vastly preferable to Robbins strategy of never actually writing a story in the first place. This is a collection of scenes more than it is a novel, and if you've read any Robbins in the past, you know exactly the kinds of scenes that he has in his repertoire.
You do have to appreciate Robbins's ability to come up with the silliest premises imaginable from time to time. In this book we're treated to an old-money family of gay men. Like, they're all gay. For generations. Somehow. It's not important to the plot (of course), but where else are you going to get an author writing this kind of thing with a straight face.
It's interesting to read these after reading so much Stephen King. They populated the bestseller lists at around the same time in the 70s and 80s and both of them seem to have preferred writing by the seats of their pants to writing from an outline. While I've criticized King plenty of times for his tendency to write himself into a corner and then rely on vaguely unsatisfying means to get himself back out, that method is vastly preferable to Robbins strategy of never actually writing a story in the first place. This is a collection of scenes more than it is a novel, and if you've read any Robbins in the past, you know exactly the kinds of scenes that he has in his repertoire.
You do have to appreciate Robbins's ability to come up with the silliest premises imaginable from time to time. In this book we're treated to an old-money family of gay men. Like, they're all gay. For generations. Somehow. It's not important to the plot (of course), but where else are you going to get an author writing this kind of thing with a straight face.
April 6, 2019
Sex. Sex. Sexity Sex.
Giggity.
Not one of Robbins' best novels, but still amusing. One could make a drinking game of sorts while reading it. Take a drink every single time Jerry Cooper gets laid or even felt up. Take a drink for every time Cooper describes his dick, take a double drink if it's dripping. Take a drink every time he describes a woman's boobs or pussy, double drink if they're dripping as well. Unfortunately, despite the lurid descriptions of sex and sexual parts, it actually comes off rather bland and tired because it never really leads Jerry to a solid relationship (save for Giselle and maybe Kitty in the beginning).
Every woman in the book wants to screw Jerry Cooper. At times the plot takes a backseat to his sex life. Not that there's much of a plot to begin with. The whole bit about Jerry shipping in the French water feels like an afterthought and is relegated to the last handful of chapters. I think this was one of the last novels Robbins ever wrote and it definitely feels rushed. For good Robbins novels, read his early stuff like "The Carpetbaggers" or "A Stone For Danny Fisher".
Giggity.
Not one of Robbins' best novels, but still amusing. One could make a drinking game of sorts while reading it. Take a drink every single time Jerry Cooper gets laid or even felt up. Take a drink for every time Cooper describes his dick, take a double drink if it's dripping. Take a drink every time he describes a woman's boobs or pussy, double drink if they're dripping as well. Unfortunately, despite the lurid descriptions of sex and sexual parts, it actually comes off rather bland and tired because it never really leads Jerry to a solid relationship (save for Giselle and maybe Kitty in the beginning).
Every woman in the book wants to screw Jerry Cooper. At times the plot takes a backseat to his sex life. Not that there's much of a plot to begin with. The whole bit about Jerry shipping in the French water feels like an afterthought and is relegated to the last handful of chapters. I think this was one of the last novels Robbins ever wrote and it definitely feels rushed. For good Robbins novels, read his early stuff like "The Carpetbaggers" or "A Stone For Danny Fisher".
March 27, 2020
Don’t know how Harold got away with writing such books full of sex and what not back in 1997. But apart from the obvious nudity, it’s pretty good, his writing. Simple and doesn’t drag too much. The main theme of the book is the underworld, not necessarily only the mafia, but the world of trade that occurred during the world wars. Specially war 2. It also focuses on the rags to riches story that was attained through handwork and a clever mind specially after the war. Homosexuality is explicitly explored as it is one of the main underlying themes of the book. You will not love the first 100 pages because sex is everywhere, it gets really good by the 200th page and you will be at awe of the world that Harold created. Harold is no Mario Puzo, but this guy can leave you with anticipation and dread in one page and engulf you in deep lust as you turn the page. I would give this book a 4/5 because the sex was too graphic for my taste.
February 7, 2023
Book was pieced together posthumously so it's pretty fragmented. Story jumped from one era to another and I was wondering 'huh'? where am I here? Some nasty graphic homo sex scenes that were ultra-disgusting. But like others I'm sure noted the water business part of the story was good (that Robbins fictionalized from a real world story which was pretty much how he got many plots to his books). Fitting the disjointed book together seemed haphazard bc I didn't quite get how it all fit together or was supposed to. Perhaps I will listen to it again in the future to fill in any gaps I made by audiobooking instrad of reading (which certainly can happen). But I wasn't terribly bored by the book. so it merits 2 stars.
June 27, 2025
When I started reading the The Predators, I thought that it was going to be more like Robbins' great early books rather like the mediocre books of recent years. Knowing that this was the last book published under name, I continued believing this until I got to the end. The book ended as if he passed away before he finished it. The book was fair but disappointing.
January 25, 2026
A rare read. A story of money -- it's always about money and sex. A boy's parents die, his uncle rips him off, and marries his girlfriend when he gets drafted into the army. Meanwhile, a French boy is making connections with people in America. These two meet and again the soldier loses the girl, but gets even with his uncle; lots of sex and backstabbing.
May 12, 2018
Great story -
April 28, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, interesting story of Jerry Cooper's life. Definitely worth reading.
January 25, 2020
Very great, educational and documented
March 25, 2020
As my points, In human being we need completely freedom without freedom physically and mentally look like cage's animal nothing to us.
May 13, 2021
First book in my life I’ve actually thrown in the bin, utter drivel. Is the author trying to shock? Crap writing poorly worded rubbish.
March 24, 2023
What a disappointment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews