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The Great Brain #6
The Return of the Great Brain
Tom Fitzgerald, alias The Great Brain, is back, struggling to stay reformed now that his friends have threatened to ostracize him if he pulls even one more swindle. But his brother J.D. knows Tom's reformation is too good to be true, and as a reformed Great Brain makes for a dull life, J.D. is not altogether unhappy--or blameless--when his brother's money-loving heart stealthily retums to business as usual.Under the watchful eyes of parents and friends, Tom has to be craftier than ever, and indeed he is. Whether he's cleverly pulling an out-and-out swindle so as not to be caught or solving a train robbery and murder, Tom's Great Brain never fails.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
49 people are currently reading
541 people want to read
About the author
John D. Fitzgerald
42 books164 followersOFFICIAL WEBSITE REFERENCED REPORTS:
John Dennis Fitzgerald was born in Price, Utah, on February 3, 1906, to Thomas and Minnie Melsen Fitzgerald. His father had a pharmacy degree but engaged in a number of business ventures and served on the Price Town Council for four years. John graduated from Carbon High School and at the age of eighteen and left Utah to pursue a career as a jazz drummer. He worked in a variety of occupations during his life, including newspaper reporter for the World-Tribune in New York City, foreign correspondent for United Press, advertising and purchasing agent, and bank auditor. He also served on Wendell Willkie's staff when Willkie was running for president.
At the time his first book, Papa Married a Mormon (1955), was published, he was living in Los Angeles and working as a steel buyer. Fitzgerald had collaborated with his sister, Belle Fitzgerald Empey, to write this book. Her name was not included as coauthor of the book because it was written in the first person. Papa Married a Mormon was very popular and was reprinted in several foreign-language editions, including Chinese. Twice chosen as a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, it was also serialized in McCall's Magazine. A sequel, Mamma's Boarding House, appeared in 1958.
Fitzgerald moved to Denver in 1960 where he tried for a short time to make his living as a full-time writer. He later reported that "I quit my job and went to a mountain cabin to make my living writing. I had to sell my jack and a tire to get back to Denver. When I got there I sold my typewriter and swore I would never write again." His wife later bought him another typewriter and he eventually resumed writing.
He had a very successful writing career, publishing more than 500 magazine articles, as well as poetry and songs and two books on writing, The Professional Story Writer and His Art (1963) and Structuring Your Novel: From Basic Idea to Finished Manuscript (1972).
His most successful and widely read novels are the juvenile books in the Great Brain Series. They were loosely based on the adventures of his brother Thomas N. Fitzgerald. Books in this series include: The Great Brain (1967), More Adventures of the Great Brain (1969), Me and My Little Brain (1971), The Great Brain at the Academy (1972), The Great Brain Reforms (1973), The Return of the Great Brain (1974), and The Great Brain Does It Again (1976).
The Great Brain Series has led to one of the most asked questions in Utah literature: "Where is Adenville, Utah?" Adenville is a fictional town created by Fitzgerald, but most readers believe that the geographical setting loosely fits that of a small town in southern Utah.
Fitzgerald and his wife, Joan, moved to Titusville, Florida, in about 1972 where he continued his writing career. He died there May 20, 1988, at the age of 82.
John Dennis Fitzgerald was born in Price, Utah, on February 3, 1906, to Thomas and Minnie Melsen Fitzgerald. His father had a pharmacy degree but engaged in a number of business ventures and served on the Price Town Council for four years. John graduated from Carbon High School and at the age of eighteen and left Utah to pursue a career as a jazz drummer. He worked in a variety of occupations during his life, including newspaper reporter for the World-Tribune in New York City, foreign correspondent for United Press, advertising and purchasing agent, and bank auditor. He also served on Wendell Willkie's staff when Willkie was running for president.
At the time his first book, Papa Married a Mormon (1955), was published, he was living in Los Angeles and working as a steel buyer. Fitzgerald had collaborated with his sister, Belle Fitzgerald Empey, to write this book. Her name was not included as coauthor of the book because it was written in the first person. Papa Married a Mormon was very popular and was reprinted in several foreign-language editions, including Chinese. Twice chosen as a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, it was also serialized in McCall's Magazine. A sequel, Mamma's Boarding House, appeared in 1958.
Fitzgerald moved to Denver in 1960 where he tried for a short time to make his living as a full-time writer. He later reported that "I quit my job and went to a mountain cabin to make my living writing. I had to sell my jack and a tire to get back to Denver. When I got there I sold my typewriter and swore I would never write again." His wife later bought him another typewriter and he eventually resumed writing.
He had a very successful writing career, publishing more than 500 magazine articles, as well as poetry and songs and two books on writing, The Professional Story Writer and His Art (1963) and Structuring Your Novel: From Basic Idea to Finished Manuscript (1972).
His most successful and widely read novels are the juvenile books in the Great Brain Series. They were loosely based on the adventures of his brother Thomas N. Fitzgerald. Books in this series include: The Great Brain (1967), More Adventures of the Great Brain (1969), Me and My Little Brain (1971), The Great Brain at the Academy (1972), The Great Brain Reforms (1973), The Return of the Great Brain (1974), and The Great Brain Does It Again (1976).
The Great Brain Series has led to one of the most asked questions in Utah literature: "Where is Adenville, Utah?" Adenville is a fictional town created by Fitzgerald, but most readers believe that the geographical setting loosely fits that of a small town in southern Utah.
Fitzgerald and his wife, Joan, moved to Titusville, Florida, in about 1972 where he continued his writing career. He died there May 20, 1988, at the age of 82.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 14, 2020
All of a sudden, these stories have lost their magic. Or maybe it’s me. Maybe I’ve read too many of them, too close together. But it seems like the author is just going through the motions now, having Tom use his great brain in one instance after another, without much authenticity. And the incidents are in no way normal. A train robbery with a murder? In southern Utah at the turn of the century? And the robber might have been Butch Cassidy? Sorry, I couldn’t buy it. J.D. Fitzgerald should have stopped after book five and called it good.
August 11, 2018
Six books in, the Great Brain series is starting to wear a little thin. Even Fitzgerald seems to be struggling, as The Return of the Great Brain is a little lackluster and repetitive. We have the same Tom shenanigans, the same J.D. who constantly is getting guilt-tripped by Tom and is easily tricked by him, and even some of the same sort of non-swindling events that have happened in previous books.
I will say, it was nice to see that for the most part, Tom actually does things that aren’t necessarily considered swindles. The threat from the last book of the kids refusing to talk to him is still very real. He makes lots of money, sure, but he does it honestly—minus one or two things he does that are a bit eyebrow-raising. It’s a good reminder that Tom is actually quite smart and could be very successful if he can stop conning people into giving him things.
Besides Tom’s swindles/half-swindles/games, there are a few other things that happen that once again serve as a vehicle to show off Tom’s intelligence. He helps start a school, thwart a train robbery, and saves a boy’s life. Fitzgerald does include one amusing incident that neither Tom nor any of the other boys can solve or understand: romance.
I liked the glimpse of “honest Tom” that we got in The Return of the Great Brain, but the formula is starting to get too repetitive and boring for me. I like that Fitzgerald is able to come up with new things every book, but he also reuses a lot of things, such as J.D.’s gullibleness, and is pretty repetitive in terms of writing. I’m glad there are only two books left, because I don’t want to get as tired of this series as I did another repetitive series (Redwall).
I will say, it was nice to see that for the most part, Tom actually does things that aren’t necessarily considered swindles. The threat from the last book of the kids refusing to talk to him is still very real. He makes lots of money, sure, but he does it honestly—minus one or two things he does that are a bit eyebrow-raising. It’s a good reminder that Tom is actually quite smart and could be very successful if he can stop conning people into giving him things.
Besides Tom’s swindles/half-swindles/games, there are a few other things that happen that once again serve as a vehicle to show off Tom’s intelligence. He helps start a school, thwart a train robbery, and saves a boy’s life. Fitzgerald does include one amusing incident that neither Tom nor any of the other boys can solve or understand: romance.
I liked the glimpse of “honest Tom” that we got in The Return of the Great Brain, but the formula is starting to get too repetitive and boring for me. I like that Fitzgerald is able to come up with new things every book, but he also reuses a lot of things, such as J.D.’s gullibleness, and is pretty repetitive in terms of writing. I’m glad there are only two books left, because I don’t want to get as tired of this series as I did another repetitive series (Redwall).
February 12, 2017
Um, yeah.
So apparently Sherlock Holmes and Mark Twain somehow managed to have a bastard child named The Great Brain, or Tom as he's called here. He's young, he's smart, he loves profit more than a Ferenghi and he's thoroughly unlikable.
I suppose I should have read the previous books in the series before picking this one up, but life does not work like that sometimes.
And someone really should have told the illustrator that the kids in the story are about 10 and 12 and not 5 and 6. Good illustrations but had f-all to do with the text.
So apparently Sherlock Holmes and Mark Twain somehow managed to have a bastard child named The Great Brain, or Tom as he's called here. He's young, he's smart, he loves profit more than a Ferenghi and he's thoroughly unlikable.
I suppose I should have read the previous books in the series before picking this one up, but life does not work like that sometimes.
And someone really should have told the illustrator that the kids in the story are about 10 and 12 and not 5 and 6. Good illustrations but had f-all to do with the text.
July 16, 2016
I love this series. This series is (to me) the best children's series ever written. It is smart, engaging, all has basis in reality, teaches children about the world (and the world of 1900), has good lessons, and is, above all, fun. I loved them as a child and I am loving reading them to my children now. Even at book #6 Fitzgerald has not run out of ideas. The premise for this book is that (in the last book) the Great Brain Tom had to promise to reform because his swindles and schemes almost cost the lives of two boys so now Tom has to work his magic without them being seen as swindles. We get magic shows, we get him taming a donkey, we get him solving a train robbery, we get him saving a friend from a cliff, we get chapter after chapter of good solid storytelling. The only chapter that fell flat was the great brain being stumped by how to rescue his friend from falling in love with a girl. It is a mystery that poor 12 year old Tom cannot piece together. A little clunky but still cute. What I also love about these stories is Tom is both the hero and villain. In other words, he is two dimensional. He has a heart but also a money loving heart. All in all, another wonderful book in the best children's series ever. No fantasy, no sci fi, just good solid story telling of a brother who was very smart and couldn't help but show it off.
May 23, 2010
The Great Brain books remind me of my childhood. This trip down memory lane was great, and not just for nostalgia. I realized as I read the book that the writing is very impressive. It is clear, simple, interesting, and sounds like it's coming from a ten year old, which is of course what it is supposed to sound like. There are some great stories, and the pacing is good too. Another thing that makes this series good is the theme of people from many different religions all living together, interracting, and cooperating well (for the most part). It's a contemporary message, and it's unfortunate that kids these days don't know about this series. Hopefully there will be a rediscovery. I hope my kids will read them, and maybe even try to swindle me a time or two.
September 17, 2023
There was a lot to enjoy in this book: the community spirit on display when the town builds on Academy on very short notice so that more kids can get a seventh and eighth-grade education, and the interesting detective portion where Tom goes about solving a railway murder-robbery Restrained by the verdict against him in the last book, Tom has to be very wily in his conniving, and most of it isn't so bad, like his magic show which was pure theatrical fun. The Wheel of Fortune is morally more questionable. And the last story in the book about the Game of Outlaw and Posse makes for a fitting denouement, in which we see classic Tom in his mixture of greed and good-heartedness.
January 10, 2021
I bought the series of 8 books over Christmas break because it's been years since I read these books, and found that many of them were products of their time. The last two I think are completely skippable, this is one. Ennnnnnh, for a lot of things, but including the fat kid that only speaks in rhyme, the cowboys/indians game, the way girls put a spell on boys, and probably a bunch of other things.
May 4, 2009
This entry into the series has the same sorts of antics as previous books but doesn't add to the larger character development that reached a climax in The Great Brain Reforms.
Since the Great Brain's trial, J.D. is no longer naively worshiping his brother. In fact, he's suspicious and cynical, which is understandable but takes away a lot of the charm of the narrator's voice.
Since the Great Brain's trial, J.D. is no longer naively worshiping his brother. In fact, he's suspicious and cynical, which is understandable but takes away a lot of the charm of the narrator's voice.
November 11, 2022
Great vacation reading. Love the history of small town Utah.
January 5, 2018
i liked it
March 22, 2017
Ngakak waktu baca soal Puppy Love. The Great Brain gagal total untuk melawan ajian pelet girl's giggling yang membikin temannya, Greg, menjadi gila. Nilai-nilai Greg hancur lebur dan teman-temannya prihatin. Mereka khawatir Greg akan menikah sebelum dia cukup dewasa untuk bercukur wkwkwk. Alkisah The Great Brain bersama adiknya yang malang, J.D., pergi malam-malam ngintip Greg & Sally pacaran untuk sekedar menggali informasi sehingga The Great bisa memahami persoalan dan segera menemukan solusi. Ternyata apa yang dilakukan pasangan yang tengah dimabuk cinta itu malam-malam berdua? Main game tanya jawab bersambung soal ibu kota wkwkwk. Demikian berbahayanya pelet cinta puppy love, sehingga The Great Brain sendiri tak sanggup memecahkan misterinya. Maka, berhati-hatilah kalian yang hampir berusia 13 wkwk.
Di buku ini juga diceritakan soal pembangunan sekolah baru sehingga Tom tidak harus bersekolah di Salt Lake City. Lalu Tom bahagia karena mendapat hadiah atas usahanya memecahkan misteri perampokan di kereta api. Kemudian Tom memenangkan seekor keledai karena berhasil menjinakkannya. Tom juga berhasil menghibur anak-anak (laki-laki!), beberapa anak perempuan, serta beberapa orang dewasa dengan menjadi tukang sulap. Tom membuka casini (pertamina - pertamini, casino - casini wahaha #kriuk). Dan tak lengkap rasanya jika tidak ada satu bab khusus tentang kepahlawanan Tom menyelamatkan nyawa temannya. Ya, Tom kembali menyelamatkan nyawa (dan uang taruhannya).
Di buku ini juga diceritakan soal pembangunan sekolah baru sehingga Tom tidak harus bersekolah di Salt Lake City. Lalu Tom bahagia karena mendapat hadiah atas usahanya memecahkan misteri perampokan di kereta api. Kemudian Tom memenangkan seekor keledai karena berhasil menjinakkannya. Tom juga berhasil menghibur anak-anak (laki-laki!), beberapa anak perempuan, serta beberapa orang dewasa dengan menjadi tukang sulap. Tom membuka casini (pertamina - pertamini, casino - casini wahaha #kriuk). Dan tak lengkap rasanya jika tidak ada satu bab khusus tentang kepahlawanan Tom menyelamatkan nyawa temannya. Ya, Tom kembali menyelamatkan nyawa (dan uang taruhannya).
March 8, 2025
TD is less insufferable than the last book, and there’s an effort to bring the joy back to the series. However, JD is no longer innocent to his brother’s machinations, and that lack of innocence produces a little off-key discordance that saps some of that previous joy. We’re given one of JD’s themes in black an white when he loses a bet because it’s the proper thing to do for the society of the game they’re playing, rather than JD playing for his personal advantage. Maybe it’s TD’s display of the ugly, petty side of libertarianism that creates some of the discordance in these books as they go along.
March 31, 2023
Another great book from the series.
As an 35 year old man, I am fascinated by these books. I am sorry I didnt have a chance to know them as a kid. Happy that I can now. Highly reccomend them to any child and adult, because of the stories, wisdom, warmth and humor that resides in them.
As an 35 year old man, I am fascinated by these books. I am sorry I didnt have a chance to know them as a kid. Happy that I can now. Highly reccomend them to any child and adult, because of the stories, wisdom, warmth and humor that resides in them.
January 10, 2025
My boys and I were absolutely delighted as we continued on reading this series together. I was surprised to see a bunch of bad reviews for this one as we loved it. Sure, it is the same shenanigans, but they are still such great books for boys. The stories have depth, are entertaining, and are often hilarious.
June 7, 2024
Nice to go back to this one too. I soooo remember as a kid the part about the game of "outlaw and posse." Plus, I guess that whole "reforms" thing the Great Brain supposedly did only lasted about a minute or two.
June 23, 2017
I love the series through book five, "The Great Brain Reforms" which was a suitable conclusion. This should not have been.
October 17, 2017
It was great
November 22, 2017
Just a lousy kid.
January 30, 2019
We love this series. Entertaining and funny.
November 17, 2019
As always, great entertainment!
A great read. Tom tries to reform but finds it impossible. JD Learns he loves his brother no matter if he is a crook or cheat.
A great read. Tom tries to reform but finds it impossible. JD Learns he loves his brother no matter if he is a crook or cheat.
February 14, 2020
The series is very formulaic by this point, and is past its best, but still very fun and enjoyable.
February 9, 2021
Read it to my kids. They really liked it.
Back to form after the dip in quality of the previous book.
Back to form after the dip in quality of the previous book.
April 18, 2021
I liked how Tom said he would reform but he didn't.
July 30, 2021
My son and I liked this one, but not as much as the others in the series.
September 23, 2024
Pretty much the perfect book to read with a 10-year-old son. Along with all the great brain books in this series
November 4, 2024
I like that the great brain rescued Parley. I like that they were playing cops and robbers. I like that the great brain could ride the donkey.
July 12, 2025
4.3
I loved the train robbery story!! Very entertaining. Also friendships back then were quite easy it seems.
I loved the train robbery story!! Very entertaining. Also friendships back then were quite easy it seems.
December 5, 2025
4.5 rounded.
August 18, 2025
The writing is solid, however, the chapters are repetitive and lacks character development, which is why I’m giving it 3 1/2 stars instead of 5. That being said, the book is still worth reading.
December 23, 2025
Was traveling with my wife and needed a book that I could pick up and put down at the drop of a hat. Grabbed this off the bookshelf on the way out the door. Always a good time catching up again with T.D.
This is my manyeth (is that a word?) re-read.
Previous reviews are below.
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Read this to my son. This is one of my all time favorites and I've been reading and re-reading this for over 30 years. Great great book.
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Another re-read, another great time.
This one follows the Great Brain as he has supposedly reformed from his conniving ways.
Good stuff.
This is my manyeth (is that a word?) re-read.
Previous reviews are below.
-------------------------------
Read this to my son. This is one of my all time favorites and I've been reading and re-reading this for over 30 years. Great great book.
-------------------------------
Another re-read, another great time.
This one follows the Great Brain as he has supposedly reformed from his conniving ways.
Good stuff.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews