Indiana Jones and the Philosopher's Stone

Indiana Jones: Prequels #9

by Max McCoy

For centuries the lust for wealth and immortality has driven men mad. Now Indiana Jones is called to London to recover an ancient alchemist’s manuscript rumored to contain the formula both for turning lead into gold and granting its owner eternal life. Certain that a missing British alchemist and an insane Renaissance scholar are involved in the theft, Indy—along with the alchemist’s beautiful sister—travels to Rome, and straight into the hands of Mussolini’s fascists.

The mad scholar Sarducci has stolen the Voynich Manuscript, all right. But that’s only half the story. The manuscript is really a map, leading into the desert and the most ancient and magnificent crypt in the world, where Indiana Jones will either witness an astounding miracle of alchemy—or become the tomb’s next inhabitant.

Genres: Adventure, Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Action, Pulp

245 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1995

About the author

Max McCoy is an award-winning journalist and author. He’s won awards for his reporting on unsolved murders, serial killers, and hate groups. In addition to his daily newspaper work, Max has written for publications as diverse as American Photographer, True West, and The New Territory. He’s the author of four original Indiana Jones adventures for Lucasfilm/Bantam and the novelization of the epic TNT miniseries, Into the West. His novels, including Damnation Road, have won three Spur awards from the Western Writers of America. His novels, Hellfire Canyon and Of Grave Concern, have also been named Kansas Notable Books by the state library. He's a tenured professor of journalism at Emporia State University, in east central Kansas, where he specializes in investigative reporting and nonfiction narrative. He's also director of the university’s Center for Great Plains Studies. His most recent book is Elevations: A Personal Exploration of the Arkansas River, from the University Press of Kansas.

Reviews

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this "OK" Indiana Jones adventure, Indy goes looking for the philosopher's stone, a mythical alchemical substance that can supposedly grant immortality and turn any metal into gold. Despite being a pretty average book, all the typical Indiana Jones elements are present: exotic locales, short-sighted and sort-of laughable villains (WWII-era Italian fascists in this case), ancient artifacts, dramatic stunts, etc.

I had a lot of problems with this book. Mainly, it suffers from "too many artifacts syndrome". There's the Voynich Manuscript, the Emerald Tablet, a crystal skull, a shew-stone, and the philosopher's stone. Somehow they all tie together, and it involves alchemy, but I lost track after a while; it was confusing.

The book is also very self-contradicting. First Indy and Alecia agree to go together to Rome to find her missing brother, then a few pages later they discuss how they need to each go their own way and separate forever, with no explanation given. Then a few pages later after they've separated Indy turns out to have followed her and they agree to both go to Rome together again?

Also in one part, just before Alecia uses a stone to transcribe part of a previously-indecipherable script, Indy tells her that what she's about to do is merely a "parlor game" and that it's nonsense. But then a few pages later he's telling her how he doesn't want to develop any feelings for her because of a "curse" put on her by an artifact from a previous expedition. What the hell? He doesn't believe in magical stones that can transcribe indecipherable texts but he believes in curses? Makes sense...not.

If you're after a by-the-numbers Indy adventure that checks all the boxes of one of the films and characterizes the iconic protagonist well, you might enjoy this one, but there are far better adventure novels out there.

[Scott Rhee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think every guy wishes he were Indiana Jones. He's a college professor, so he's got the smart thing going for him. He's also good with a whip. Hence why he's so good with the ladies... I've read roughly six or seven of the Indiana Jones novel series, and I think there are close to twenty, with more being written. They are quick, fun reads, like literary popcorn, that you can enjoy in one sitting. And they're actually pretty well-written, although not necessarily historically "accurate". In each book Indy goes in search of an actual legendary artifact which is historically documented, not necessarily "real". In this one, he's after an artifact that may hold the long-lost secret of alchemy. There are, of course, hordes of villains (in this case, Mussolini's Fascists), exotic locales (Italy and Libya), and a sexy school-marmish sidekick who naturally falls for Indy. On to the next book!..

[WhatShouldIRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what it is about this book, and I'm not complaining, but this one is the closest of those I've read that gave me the Indiana Jones movies vibes.

I really enjoyed the story, the way Indy acted in situations, meeting Sallah again and of course the mysterious real - or fake - philosopher's stone. The book takes place in different countries while Indy searches for clues.

There seems to be a reference in the story which may have happened in the previous book which I didn't read but aside from that I think this one can be read on it's own.

Recommend if you need an Indy fix.

[Glen Krisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. More enjoyable than I expected. Will read more Indiana Jones novels.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reading life has been semi-miserable lately. I needed to read something fun and full of adventure. And if adventure has a name...well, you can probably finish that sentence as well as I can. Indiana Jones and the Philosopher's Stone was enjoyable. Max McCoy does a much better job than Rob McGregor did of bringing Indy to life. This story has the Great Depression as a backdrop and we get to see that Indy is not just a callow treasure seeker. Sallah shows up (not a spoiler look at the cover) and is not just comic relief, happily. This book has a built in soundtrack you can play in your mind as you read (thanks John Williams) and it features an ancient mystery, a despicable villain, and a romantic sub-plot I might have been able to do without. This is a good way to spend an afternoon if you like this kind of story. And if you don't-what are you doing here?

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally an Indiana Jones novel that feels like an Indiana Jones movie. Such an improvement over the last two books in the series (books 7 & 8).

Max McCoy shows he understands the format of a good Indiana Jones adventure. The right macguffin, the right amount of historical context, mystical elements, and good old fashioned adventure and action sequences. The last three Indy books I’ve read - the two by Martin Caiden and Steve Perry’s Army of the Dead, missed the mark, to um, say it nicely; Philosopher’s Stone would make an okay Indy movie - maybe a good one with a little Spielberg magic. Even though there is a crystal skull in this one - this book written years before the 2008 movie. Go figure!

Looking forward to the next McCoy Indy novel. I hope this isn’t a fluke and he is able to provide another good Indiana Jones adventure.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 sterren- Nederlandse pocket

Naar dependance op het jeugdhonk.

[Matt Spaulding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read several of these Indiana Jones prequel novels already, it's safe to say this isn't one of my favorites. I got confused in a lot of parts over which Italian character was which and much of the plot was quite plodding compared to what you would expect from an Indiana Jones adventure. Even the subject of the quest, The Philosopher's Stone, isn't all that interesting. Still, it wasn't terrible and is worth reading if you're an Indy enthusiast like I am.

[Benji's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Rob MacGregor's run on Indiana Jones, this was still good, but not as good (so far). It is only the first novel in Max McCoy's run of Indy, but still. The writing isn't as good as MacGregor's. However, the story is more in line with the swashbuckling adventure films and features a more familiar version of Indy himself. A good start to Max McCoy's take on the character, but just something to pass the time or if you are in need of an Indiana Jones fix.

[Rob Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can’t imagine the relief I felt, dear reader, having finished both, Indiana Jones and the Sky Pirates and Indiana Jones and the White Witch, and was able to pick up this novel by Max McCoy and finally enter what many people regard as the best period in the Indiana Jones novels. At last I’d made it!

I wasn’t disappointed, either. The Indiana Jones in this book is out there raiding temples, discovering cool stuff, fighting fascists, and delivering lines that actually sound like… say it quietly… Indiana Jones.

You wouldn’t think the Indiana Jones formula would be hard to mess up given how formulaic it is, but the initial range author, Rob McGregor, did some weird stuff and his replacement, Martin Caidin, went right off the rails. For the life of me, I don’t know if the editors at the publishing house were tearing their hair out and asking, “What is this $%#^?” when each new manuscript came in from the guys, or whether they just weren’t Indiana Jones fans and didn’t care. It would be fascinating to know the answer to that.

But third time’s a charm – as they say in the classics – and this McCoy fellow actually seems to know both the character, and what makes a good Indy adventure. After 8 previous novels, this is a big deal!

I mentioned fascists a moment ago and it may surprise some to know I don’t mean those of the German persuasion. Indiana Jones and the Philosopher’s Stone goes down the Italian route which, for anyone who’s recently played (and hopefully enjoyed), Indiana Jones and the Great Circle or even read Indiana Jones and the Unicorn’s Legacy and remembers how good it was when the action arrived in fascist Italy (but was sadly only a tiny part of the overall story), you’ll be well served. Its a great setting to drop Indy into.

Not that the whole novel is set in Italy. This is a globe-trotting Indiana Jones story, par excellence, and our hero gets around the globe and visits all sorts of locations – James Bond style – during the novel.

There was one brief moment when the novel almost jumped the shark. McCoy has Indy needing to get onboard a U.S. Navy airship that has already lifted off. Not only did I experience a flash of PTSD after Caidin’s obsession with aviation in the previous two novels, fearing McCoy was heading in the same direction, but the way Indy gets onboard – climbing a rope up into the airship, which is already a long way off the ground – just seemed a little unnecessary. I get that McCoy was probably typing the scene thinking, “This is really exciting! This is Indiana Jones!” But it just felt slightly over-done for my tastes.

Outside of that one scene, I found the story hard to fault. Indy’s paired up with an interesting female companion. The ‘McGuffin’ is interesting. Sallah shows up. There’s some cool scenes at the start and close of the novel with Indy getting past traps in ancient temples. The story is an Indiana Jones adventure through and through and I’m really delighted to be able to type that.

[PDX_love · Rating 3 out of 5]

Indiana Jones is back in all his glory - fedora, whip, revolver, leather jacket and brazen cocky attitude. This is pure pulp fiction. It feels like Indy, and it reads like Indy watches. McCoy brings us a rollicking good adventure – stretching from south America back up to Princeton – over seas to London and then Italy. There are fist fights, shootouts, fights to the death in the belly of a plane . . . that was boarded mid-flight! There are man eating snakes, double crossings, old friends and new villains.

Mccoy doesn’t fall into the trap of giving us the same old Nazis or Russians. Instead we see Indy and his gypsy partner in adventure/love interest pursued by and fighting the Italian fascists. There’s not really a lot to say about this. If you have seen an Indiana Jones movie – you understand everything about this book. A couple neat things about this story was how it was referenced in The Crystal Skull – the tressure In Ford’s 2008 cinematic rhomp donning the fedora (although this book was written a good many years before that movie was filmed. Both Brody and Sallah make appearances – driving the story forward and helping the reader sink into the world of Dr. Jones.

The world this time follows the treasure of Nicolas Flamel, philosopher, alchemist, creator of Gold and life everlasting – the Philosophers Stone. As is often the case with the ancient treasures Indy finds though – they are not meant for mortal man to possess – and the consequences of the possession are painted in vivid visceral details. McCoy understands the characters and the world they exist in much better than Rob Macgreggor. Bantam Books made a smart move by switching up their writer. McCoy keeps you invested, and often even makes you feel as though you are in the rain soaked clouds flying above the ocean.

[Sean Boyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A definite improvement over the previous two books, but that's a pretty low bar to raise. McCoy for the most part keeps things moving, but there are some pretty unbelievable coincidences.

In particular Indy meets an exposition guy purely by chance--and by "chance" I mean (slight spoiler) he gets lost in New York City in the middle of the night and just happens upon a place offering a room for rent. And this room is in a rare book store. And the owner just happens to be an expert on the tome Indy is trying to track down and thus provides a chapter's worth of exposition. And the owner also happens to have been questioned by the villains Indy is running from.

But the whole book has a carefree and somewhat goofy vibe, so I just chuckled at this bit of nonsense and read on.

McCoy writes Indy better than Caidin but not better than MacGregor; McCoy's Indy is a bit less intelligent than MacGregor's, particularly when it comes to linguistics. But--at least in this book--McCoy handles the action scenes a bit better than MacGregor by letting the action breathe a bit instead of just giving a laundry list of actions as MacGregor tended to do. Still, none of the authors of this prequel series has been particularly good at writing action scenes, which is a shame. It'd be nice for someone to give readers a tight, visceral sense of the action from Indy's perspective instead of simply reporting what happens.

Still, the McGuffin here is intriguing, and the villains more colorful than in past books, so this book is a step in the right direction after the missteps of Caidin's run.

[Tony Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

So-called "Expanded Universe" books based on popular IP's--Like Indiana Jones--are very hit or miss. Mostly miss, at least for me. The batting average for Star Wars is probably hovering somewhere around the Mendoza line (Baseball fans will know what I'm talking about). But I keep returning because I want more new adventures w/these characters, so I take another swing and hope I can at least make contact. W/Indiana Jones and the Philosopher's Stone, I did. Barely.

I've only read one other Indy book, and it was pretty weak. There were a host of problems--some repeated here--but the biggest is probably just that Indy doesn't sound, act and feel like the character in the movies. Here at least author Max McCoy captured Indiana Jones in a way that more or less allowed me to picture Harrison Ford. That was a big plus. A couple of other familiar characters show up (one spoiled on the cover), and they definitely help this feel more like the movies. Unfortunately their page time is brief.

All that aside, the two biggest problems with this book are that it's slow-paced and lacks action in a major way, and that the stakes feel too small. In the movies, major things are on the line. For the life of me I can't tell you how the MacGuffin helps the bad guys do anything that would have the world quaking in its collective shoes.

Truth be told I'd give this one a 2.5 if I could, but when faced with a choice between 2 and 3, I decided that the former was closer to my overall opinion.

[kesseljunkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really a 3.5 star rating, so log my usual complaint about Goodreads not giving that option.

This book is a lot of fun, though it loses its pacing every so often and could have stood some streamlining on some of the bridging scenes. It has a tremendous style that captures the spirit of Indiana Jones and I could easily see this as a small scale picture.

Most wonderful is the author’s ability to catch the right tone for Indy’s dialogue. We all know how Indy needs to “sound” so it’s pleasing that he got that right. The side characters are fun, if a little forgettable, and I’m glad they went with Italian fascists instead of Nazis.

Most fun is the historical stuff at the end. That’s tremendous fun and provides for great trivia. It also provides some coloration to how complex and odd history can be, and how people truly were honored for their accomplishments regardless of their flaws and affiliations - something of an oddity in the world I live while writing this review.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first time reading an Indiana Jones book and enjoyed the classic adventure. It was such a classic adventure that it felt almost like watching a movie. Possibly because I felt like there were a lot of borrowed elements from my favorite Indy adventure The Last Crusade: the action aboard a zeppelin, the quest for eternal life, the booby trapped floor tiles. And despite it being written well before the movie came out, the crystal skull even makes an appearance. Good adventure and writing made it easy to envision Harrison Ford in the role.

Only downside for me with this book is the chapters were a bit long (difficult to find a stopping point when you read exclusively before bed) at nearly a 300 page book and there was only about 10 chapters. And the end resolution was a bit hard to follow exactly what happened and wrapped up a bit suddenly. Would definitely read more in this series by the same author.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

McCoy is a relief to read after Caidin's two entries into the series. The author has a better understanding of what the character is about, and he seems to have a better idea of what makes a good Indy story. Here, he's after the philosopher's stone, but McCoy brings in the Voynich Manuscript to add the usual mystical angle, and honestly, it feels a lot like an entry into the movie series.

To be fair, that could be because he borrows a lot of plot and imagery from both Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, but I guess that's what readers of the series are looking for. The book still isn't a top-of-the-line genre read, but I'm guessing people who start reading the series aren't looking for those kinds of books here.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A significant step up from the dreadful Martin Caidin stories and thoroughly enjoyable page turner that really captures the adventurous feeling of the original movies. Each chapter forms a sort of leg of the adventure and it movies swiftly and enjoyably. Best of all, Sallah shows up!

But that’s also a sort of drawback too. Due to the speed at which the plot moves there are a lot of conveniences and contrivances. None so that really wrecked my immersion but I definitely noticed it. Every chapter could’ve used at least 5-10 more pages. The story also wraps up fairly quickly.

But it’s still a fun adventure, Indy and Sallah feel like their movie counterparts, and compared to the preceding novels it’s honestly a godsend.

[Les Hopper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A distinct improvement on the last in the series and probably my favourite to date (from what I remember).

Max McCoy does an excellent job of writing the Indy of the films - complete with worthy cameos from Marcus Brody and Sallah.

Different story, different love interest, and different fascists, but a recognisable and very enjoyable Indy adventure. It even includes (in a small way) an element of the fourth film (despite being written over a decade before it - so perhaps the film was inspired by this!) without being awful because of it.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one better than the previous two novels in the series. This almost felt like a reboot, as very little from the previous novels was mentioned. The cast of characters was pared down in this volume, which made it an easier read. Indiana Jones had almost taken a backseat to the other characters in some of the previous novels, but he was front and center here.

Indiana Jones is on a quest for the Philosopher's Stone, but the year is 1933 and Italian fascists are in his way as they are also searching for the Stone.

Overall a solid adventure novel.

[Rocco Panangadan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much the first book in the "Expanded Adventures" of Indiana Jones I got my hands on a long time back. It's a really fun, action-packed novel which I'm pretty sure people of all ages will be able to enjoy. McCoy is able to uncannily capture the feel of the movies in his writing and you'll definitely be able to visualize all of it with each turn of the page. If you're an Indy fan, especially with #5 coming out next year, you should definitely check this one out.

[stormborn kruidnootje · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
A fun and light-hearted adventure to read.

However, I was personally a bit bothered by the sometimes big jumps with unexplained gaps in the story and the lack of descriptive language (e.g. characters are barely described and most of the time only their name is stated when they are introduced). I personally do need more descriptions as I read to anchor my imagination.

The main outline of the story was also quite predictable, but since the style of the book reflects the vibe of the Indiana Jones movies, this is not really surprising.

[Adrian Halpert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what I'm talking about!
Indiana Jones heads off on an exciting globetrotting adventure to discover the secret of the Voynich Manuscript, all the while clashing with Mussolini's Italian Atlantici!
I had so much fun reading through this book and I would heartily recommend it to any Indiana Jones fan, or anyone just looking for a good adventure story.
4/5 Stars

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel parallels the plot and action of the films closer than any of the previous ones. It is less cerebral than past Indiana Jones novels. With the nature of the character, I’m sure that’s all many readers are looking for. Just like the films, this novel is just to be enjoyed as a fun adventure for an action hero.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the last few. I would say this is more 3.5 stars but I liked it. My one complaint is about Sallah who is on the cover and he doesn't show up until the last 1/5 of the book and he already knows Indy... these are prequel novels and they could have just met but no, he's just there and already a friend. Ball dropped.

[Kiril Valchev · Rating 2 out of 5]

1933г. Индиана Джоунс тъкмо е изритан като мръсно псе (на каквото е и кръстен) от Принстънския университет, когато костюмари от Бюрото се озовават на прага му, с молба да намери наскоро откраднатия Ръкопис на Войнич. Сред безумието върху страниците му, се крие местоположението на Философския камък - мокрият сън на всички алхимици през вековете. Приключението отвежда Инди до Лондон, Рим и либийската пустиня, неотлъчно следван от италиански фашисти и древно проклятие..., червенокосо.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like one of the old films. A good, cheesy romp that doesn't take itself too seriously and is a typical 90s adventure. Don't read if you're hoping for meaningful female characters. This is about men being the plucky, desired heroes.

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better Indy novels. Enjoyed it a lot. It reminded me of The Imaginaroum Geographica in one chapter, and the ones with the airships were great. Also a standout in having Italians and not Nazis as villains.

[Philly Kash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels more like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle than the old movies, which is fine.

As fun as they sometimes are, the books all suffer from an unclear illustration of Indy's tomb exploration, as well as too much dependence on expository dialogue that feels unfitting for Indiana Jones.

[Paolo Calabrò · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good, much better than Rob Mac Gregor. Infinitely better than Martin Caidin.

[Emiliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Край нямат приключенията на доктор Джоунс. Едно от друго по-интересни.