What do you think?
Rate this book
Mile high
Mile Richard Mile Dial FIRST First Edition Thus, First Printing. Not price-clipped. Published by Dial Press, 1982. Octavo. Paperback. Book is very good with publisher spray on the bottom page ends and light edgewear. 100% positive feedback. 30 day money back guarantee. NEXT DAY SHIPPING! Excellent customer service. Please email with any questions. All books packed carefully and ship with free delivery confirmation/tracking. All books come with free bookmarks. Ships from Sag Harbor, New York.Seller 331141 Literature We Buy Books! Collections - Libraries - Estates - Individual Titles. Message us if you have books to sell!
364 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1968
26 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Richard Condon
87 books106 followersRichard Thomas Condon was a satirical and thriller novelist best known for conspiratorial books such as The Manchurian Candidate.
After service in the United States Merchant Marine, Condon achieved moderate success as a Hollywood publicist, ad writer and Hollywood agent. Condon turned to writing in 1957. Employed by United Artists as an ad writer, he complained that he was wasting time in Hollywood and wished to write a novel. Without Condon's knowledge, his boss, Max E. Youngstein deducted amounts from his salary then fired him after a year giving him the amount of money he had deducted in the form of a Mexican bank account and the key to a house overlooking the ocean in Mexico. Youngstein told him to write his book. His second novel, The Manchurian Candidate (1959), featured a dedication to Youngstein. The movie made from it in 1962, made him famous. Prizzi's Honor (1982) was likewise made into a successful movie.
Condon's writing was known for its complex plotting, fascination with trivia, and loathing for those in power; at least two of his books featured thinly disguised versions of Richard Nixon. His characters tend to be driven by obsession, usually sexual or political, and by family loyalty. His plots often have elements of classical tragedy, with protagonists whose pride leads them to a place to destroy what they love. Some of his books, most notably Mile High (1969), are perhaps best described as secret history. And Then We Moved to Rossenara is a humorous autobiographical recounting of various places in the world where he had lived and his family's 1970s move to Rossenarra, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.
After service in the United States Merchant Marine, Condon achieved moderate success as a Hollywood publicist, ad writer and Hollywood agent. Condon turned to writing in 1957. Employed by United Artists as an ad writer, he complained that he was wasting time in Hollywood and wished to write a novel. Without Condon's knowledge, his boss, Max E. Youngstein deducted amounts from his salary then fired him after a year giving him the amount of money he had deducted in the form of a Mexican bank account and the key to a house overlooking the ocean in Mexico. Youngstein told him to write his book. His second novel, The Manchurian Candidate (1959), featured a dedication to Youngstein. The movie made from it in 1962, made him famous. Prizzi's Honor (1982) was likewise made into a successful movie.
Condon's writing was known for its complex plotting, fascination with trivia, and loathing for those in power; at least two of his books featured thinly disguised versions of Richard Nixon. His characters tend to be driven by obsession, usually sexual or political, and by family loyalty. His plots often have elements of classical tragedy, with protagonists whose pride leads them to a place to destroy what they love. Some of his books, most notably Mile High (1969), are perhaps best described as secret history. And Then We Moved to Rossenara is a humorous autobiographical recounting of various places in the world where he had lived and his family's 1970s move to Rossenarra, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 24, 2013
Mile High is a multi-generational novel about a family of organized crime masterminds in New York. Published within months of “The Godfather,” unlike Mario Puzo’s masterpiece this book is meticulously detailed and filled with actual historical characters, from presidents down to ward bosses. Unfortunately, the book doesn’t follow a narrative thread and wanders aimlessly. I was about half way though when I finally got bored of all the fine detail and I set it aside. Richard Condon is a master storyteller but I think he got lazy and mailed this one in.
February 25, 2016
The first 2/3rds oft hiss books are thoroughly captivating; as good an immigrant family saga [although brief] as I've read. Condon's writing is superb and makes for a 'tired as I am, I must go on reading' exercise.
However, the last part of 'Mile High,' is preposterous and all other adjectives that that word encompasses. Would the writer who replaced Mr. Condon for the last past of this book please identify themselves.
However, the last part of 'Mile High,' is preposterous and all other adjectives that that word encompasses. Would the writer who replaced Mr. Condon for the last past of this book please identify themselves.
April 10, 2016
The first two-thirds of the novel are reasonably interesting if you're prepared to believe that the same man engineered the passage of Prohibition, created the American Mafia, and triggered the Great Depression. However in the last third the plot goes completely off the rails as the son of the main character engages in a highly improbable (for the times) interracial romance and the book culminates in a ridiculous murder plot high in the Adironacks. The ending is as predictable as it is absurd.
January 11, 2010
I don't recall where I picked up this pot-boiler set in Denver. The plot has escaped me, but there were some very disturbing sex scenes.
February 4, 2023
Read off my dad's bookshelf. Don't remember it much!
December 23, 2024
I read the first 3/5 of this book and found it fascinating. I read it because i listened to an interview with Oliver Stone who recommended it as an understanding of Joseph P. Kennedy’s career through the 1930s. It was very detailed and hard to believe someone could actually make up a story of empire building like that. Then it veered off into the story of an African person and the second son of the JPK character and i got tired of it. But it does provide an explanation of how JPK bought the election for JFK, if the rumor is true. Very good writer..
June 17, 2020
Read in 1973. Whatever.
July 14, 2024
Ok this book does have it faults but it is still a far better read that most modern books.
January 27, 2025
Great read, Richard Condon is a master of suspense.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews