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Monaco Cool
Here is a cheeky, irreverent look at Monaco, and the quirky characters who populate the fairy-tale Principality. A trendy Tex-Mex saloon in the "native" quarter becomes the author's second home as he attempts survival in the world's swankiest neighborhood. The Principality's most eccentric characters cling to Le Texan like algae to a Venice wharf-it is the hub of MONACO COOL.
MONACO COOL's breezy style and charming blend of brio, zest and menace make this a wickedly good treat.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 5, 2013
Robert Westgate is a pseudonym for Robert Eringer. Eringer, a very prolific writer, former investigative journalist, FBI informant and Spy chief for Prince Albert II of Monaco (which ended in a highly entertaining blog and multiple ongoing lawsuits). Eringer's credentials include a stunning early biography on Lech Walesa along with works on the Bilderberg Group and books recalling his FBI exploits. I was wary to buy a book under the authors assumed name until I read the first few pages and recognized Eringer's irreverent style.
The book is certainly entertaining and is very obviously only a slightly veiled, truthful account of his life in Monaco. It is not hard to pick out certain of the characters if you have read much about the Monaco dynasty and their "friends." It is a quick and fun read even if you have never been to the South of France with an insider's personal view of the foibles of the rich, infamous and sometimes powerful.
The book is certainly entertaining and is very obviously only a slightly veiled, truthful account of his life in Monaco. It is not hard to pick out certain of the characters if you have read much about the Monaco dynasty and their "friends." It is a quick and fun read even if you have never been to the South of France with an insider's personal view of the foibles of the rich, infamous and sometimes powerful.
July 15, 2011
Robert Westgate's account of his year's sojourn in Monaco is a pleasant, undemanding snapshot of the place and its (mostly ex-pat) inhabitants. His views of Monaco, and the neighbouring European countries he takes trips over to, are a little overly cynical sometimes. One gets the sense that he is aiming for the American-abroad aloofness of Hemingway (an obvious hero of his) but he ends up sounding a bit crabby and petty at times..
Still, pleasant enough company for a short book to represent this small country. In fact it could have done with a bit of fleshing out, as some interesting characters are introduced but then dropped with alarming brevity. The cover notes state that Westgate is working on a onvel about Monaco, and this book reads like the hastily published manuscript notes for that - but as I say, the book is entertaining and undemanding, if a little overpriced:- a bit like Monaco itself!!
Still, pleasant enough company for a short book to represent this small country. In fact it could have done with a bit of fleshing out, as some interesting characters are introduced but then dropped with alarming brevity. The cover notes state that Westgate is working on a onvel about Monaco, and this book reads like the hastily published manuscript notes for that - but as I say, the book is entertaining and undemanding, if a little overpriced:- a bit like Monaco itself!!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews