What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Rob an Armored Car
In a dying Pennsylvania coal town, three friends are looking for a way out. Mitch is a rebellious malcontent whose bad attitude gets him fired from a chain big box store. Doug can identify any pill by sight and any ‘80s rock song by the first three notes but doesn’t understand credit scores. Kevin got married and had a kid too soon and is now on parole after serving jail time for growing marijuana. The three of them dabble in petty crime and believe they have a talent for it. They start by stealing a high-definition TV, then set their sights on bigger scores. Soon things begin to get out of hand.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
9 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Iain Levison
15 books29 followersIain Levison was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1963. Since moving to the United States, he has worked as a fisherman, carpenter, and cook, and he has detailed his woes of wage slavery in A Working Stiff’s Manifesto.
He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.
He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 4, 2013
Very funny and politically sharp. Life in "middle America" where a dying city's rubble serves as the stage on which working class struggles teeter between escapism and adventure.
Who the fuck studied bar codes? Isn't that why you had bar codes, so you could not memorize them? Could this man be any less interesting?
"Doctor Billings," he said. "Jeffrey Billings."
Kevin nodded, and they shook hands, meaninglessly, again.
Sometimes, you only needed to know one fact about a person. The freak had named his dog after himself.
Who the fuck studied bar codes? Isn't that why you had bar codes, so you could not memorize them? Could this man be any less interesting?
"Doctor Billings," he said. "Jeffrey Billings."
Kevin nodded, and they shook hands, meaninglessly, again.
Sometimes, you only needed to know one fact about a person. The freak had named his dog after himself.
July 22, 2010
I need to admit that I picked up this book because of its interesting title and cover art. I thoroughly enjoyed stepping into the world of these 3 pothead friends all dissatisfied with their mediocre lives. The book follows them from their first nerve-wracking theft of opportunity, through all their bumbling acts of ineptitude as they try their hands at more and more serious crimes, leading up to their armored car heist. I found myself rooting for them and sad to see the story end.
April 5, 2014
PROTAGONIST: Three slacker dudes
SETTING: Pennsylvania
RATING: 4.5
How can you have a rewarding and exciting life when you are living in a dump of a town in Pennsylvania? Career opportunities are not looking great for three friends who hang out smoking pot and bewailing their fate. Mitch has a job at an electronics store selling TVs, but he's just been given the boot after hassling with his insipid manager. Doug is a major pothead whose professional arc seems to be aligned with fast-food restaurants. Kevin has the most potential; he has started his own dog walking business. But then there's the matter of his wife, who is a first-class bitch, thriving on making his life miserable.
In the interest of bettering themselves, they come up with a series of endeavors, most of the illegal variety, that will provide them with money and a bright future. Unfortunately, they aren't very good at pulling off the capers that they plan and fail at just about everything that they attempt. The good news is that Levison presents these adventures in an absolutely hilarious way.
There's an undercurrent of sadness to the hilarity, however; after all, we have three men who are systemically ruining their lives in trying to make a score. Levison does a wonderful job of developing characters who are desperate to change their lives, willing to engage in criminal activity, but all the while resisting the impulse to make them malicious or evil. They are the most good-natured and likable potential criminals that you could hope to meet. The dialogue is pitch perfect; the humor is an integral part of the book without turning it into a comic romp.
I loved the book. It had just the right amount of quirkiness and humor blended with the pathos of three wasted lives. The "big job" that is going to change their future doesn't go as planned, not surprisingly – but it does finally help our friends move on from their thwarted lives. The resolution is superb; each of the three characters finds a path to their own happiness in very unexpected ways.
I became a fan of Levison after reading DOG EATS DOG; after enjoying ARMORED CAR so much, I immediately bought SINCE THE LAYOFFS. His skewed vision of life and deadpan humor is right up my alley.
SETTING: Pennsylvania
RATING: 4.5
How can you have a rewarding and exciting life when you are living in a dump of a town in Pennsylvania? Career opportunities are not looking great for three friends who hang out smoking pot and bewailing their fate. Mitch has a job at an electronics store selling TVs, but he's just been given the boot after hassling with his insipid manager. Doug is a major pothead whose professional arc seems to be aligned with fast-food restaurants. Kevin has the most potential; he has started his own dog walking business. But then there's the matter of his wife, who is a first-class bitch, thriving on making his life miserable.
In the interest of bettering themselves, they come up with a series of endeavors, most of the illegal variety, that will provide them with money and a bright future. Unfortunately, they aren't very good at pulling off the capers that they plan and fail at just about everything that they attempt. The good news is that Levison presents these adventures in an absolutely hilarious way.
There's an undercurrent of sadness to the hilarity, however; after all, we have three men who are systemically ruining their lives in trying to make a score. Levison does a wonderful job of developing characters who are desperate to change their lives, willing to engage in criminal activity, but all the while resisting the impulse to make them malicious or evil. They are the most good-natured and likable potential criminals that you could hope to meet. The dialogue is pitch perfect; the humor is an integral part of the book without turning it into a comic romp.
I loved the book. It had just the right amount of quirkiness and humor blended with the pathos of three wasted lives. The "big job" that is going to change their future doesn't go as planned, not surprisingly – but it does finally help our friends move on from their thwarted lives. The resolution is superb; each of the three characters finds a path to their own happiness in very unexpected ways.
I became a fan of Levison after reading DOG EATS DOG; after enjoying ARMORED CAR so much, I immediately bought SINCE THE LAYOFFS. His skewed vision of life and deadpan humor is right up my alley.
August 6, 2011
I've loved every book this guy's written, the excellent "Working Stiff's..." account of his days as a factotum, followed by a barnstorming novel "Since the Layoffs" about a normal man who becomes a hitman almost by chance, to the best novel he's written "Dog Eats Dog" about two guys blackmailing each other, I was really looking forward to this. Shame that his run of brilliant books was ended then with a limp book like this.
"How To Rob..." tells the story of three friends working dead end jobs in Everytown, USA, where the economy is rubbish and everyones scraping by. I gave up after the first 100 pages (the book is 300 pages) so all I can tell you is what happened in that time. The three friends work low income jobs in restaurants, supermarkets, smoke lots of weed, and the one who works in a supermarket decides to fix some inventory sheets and they boost a couple of flat screen TVs. One of the friends' wives inexplicably decides to sleep with one of her husband's friends and that's it.
I'd keep going but the manner of telling the story is so slow and dull I just can't be bothered. This is unusual as Levison's prose from previous books crackles and I speed through the pages. This time, maybe because he was told longer books sell more, he's stretched the story so the book is his longest to date and easily his most boring. Also maybe because the book contains his biggest cast to date, he isn't used to writing from three or four perspectives and so the book fails due to lack of focus. "Since the Layoffs" focussed on one individual while "Dog Eats Dog" contained two characters and both were fantastic reads.
Anyway, very disappointed with this novel and if you're new to Levison I wouldn't judge him on the strength of this book, get out one of his previous three which are utterly brilliant books. Hopefully in the next book he'll bring back the energy and the interest.
"How To Rob..." tells the story of three friends working dead end jobs in Everytown, USA, where the economy is rubbish and everyones scraping by. I gave up after the first 100 pages (the book is 300 pages) so all I can tell you is what happened in that time. The three friends work low income jobs in restaurants, supermarkets, smoke lots of weed, and the one who works in a supermarket decides to fix some inventory sheets and they boost a couple of flat screen TVs. One of the friends' wives inexplicably decides to sleep with one of her husband's friends and that's it.
I'd keep going but the manner of telling the story is so slow and dull I just can't be bothered. This is unusual as Levison's prose from previous books crackles and I speed through the pages. This time, maybe because he was told longer books sell more, he's stretched the story so the book is his longest to date and easily his most boring. Also maybe because the book contains his biggest cast to date, he isn't used to writing from three or four perspectives and so the book fails due to lack of focus. "Since the Layoffs" focussed on one individual while "Dog Eats Dog" contained two characters and both were fantastic reads.
Anyway, very disappointed with this novel and if you're new to Levison I wouldn't judge him on the strength of this book, get out one of his previous three which are utterly brilliant books. Hopefully in the next book he'll bring back the energy and the interest.
February 10, 2010
How to Rob an Armored Car
By Iain Levison
Very enjoyable book about how people on fairly low rungs of society set about a life of petty (and then not-so-petty) crime. Meet Doug, Kevin, and Mitch, three friends who live in Wilton, Pennsylvania, doing odd crap jobs, hanging out and getting stoned. One day, Mitch gets the idea to steal a big screen TV from the department store where he works. From there, they are off on the slippery slope of crime and the promise of easy living and escape from their usually dreadful lives…which in actuality aren’t that much different or worse than a lot of people out there in many dead end towns across America.
This book is a riot. I laughed out loud at a great deal of it. My favorite line from my favorite character, Doug the cook, who possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of drugs and manages to be happy in spite of every miserable thing that life has to offer:
“Doug realized how nice it was to make new friends, because they weren’t sick of you yet.” (page 137).
This book is not especially deep or meaningful, but it’s certainly something I could relate to at one time or another: wondering if your crap job or crap life can get better, or in this case, wondering if it will get worse. It is thoroughly enjoyable as satire, and has motivated me to seek out other of Levison’s books.
Four stars!
By Iain Levison
Very enjoyable book about how people on fairly low rungs of society set about a life of petty (and then not-so-petty) crime. Meet Doug, Kevin, and Mitch, three friends who live in Wilton, Pennsylvania, doing odd crap jobs, hanging out and getting stoned. One day, Mitch gets the idea to steal a big screen TV from the department store where he works. From there, they are off on the slippery slope of crime and the promise of easy living and escape from their usually dreadful lives…which in actuality aren’t that much different or worse than a lot of people out there in many dead end towns across America.
This book is a riot. I laughed out loud at a great deal of it. My favorite line from my favorite character, Doug the cook, who possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of drugs and manages to be happy in spite of every miserable thing that life has to offer:
“Doug realized how nice it was to make new friends, because they weren’t sick of you yet.” (page 137).
This book is not especially deep or meaningful, but it’s certainly something I could relate to at one time or another: wondering if your crap job or crap life can get better, or in this case, wondering if it will get worse. It is thoroughly enjoyable as satire, and has motivated me to seek out other of Levison’s books.
Four stars!
January 15, 2012
I liked this book a lot. 4 stars might be a bit strong but it was better than 3. Mitch is a stereotypical stoner slacker working in a dead-end job, but Levison wrings all the humor out of that situation that you would expect before shifting to the 3 friends and their attempts to become successful criminals.
My complaint about "slacker" books like this is that they inevitably need to go somewhere, and the talent for doing that isn't always the same as the author's talent for setting the scene. Levison handles this much better than most with a slow descent from Kevin, Mitch and Doug; it always feels believable.
I enjoyed the somewhat unexpected ending, as well as the way the story gave focus to all. 3 characters instead of just sticking with one POV.
I also enjoyed the fact that I read this book immediately after "storming las vegas" by John Huddy, which described one of the most organized and detailed armored car thieves in history. Quite a contrast to Mitch, Kevin and Doug.
My complaint about "slacker" books like this is that they inevitably need to go somewhere, and the talent for doing that isn't always the same as the author's talent for setting the scene. Levison handles this much better than most with a slow descent from Kevin, Mitch and Doug; it always feels believable.
I enjoyed the somewhat unexpected ending, as well as the way the story gave focus to all. 3 characters instead of just sticking with one POV.
I also enjoyed the fact that I read this book immediately after "storming las vegas" by John Huddy, which described one of the most organized and detailed armored car thieves in history. Quite a contrast to Mitch, Kevin and Doug.
Read
July 29, 2011A look inside the mind of the frustrated "man child" as 3 friends resist the pull of societies norms and their friendship is tested after 2 lose their jobs and 1 finds the transition back to normal life after jail difficult. The characters and the setting are compelling, however some of their antics are a little convoluted.
April 9, 2013
Levison was spot on about the circumstances and reasoning that leads to the decisions people make and the chances they take in life. I felt like I have known versions of the main characters at points in my life and it was sometimes painful reading their thoughts and actions. This story was almost too believable for me to thoroughly love, but it was a good book.
August 13, 2009
This was a good example of the "inept-but-lucky criminal" genre, something like a Guy Ritchie movie but taking place in depressed Pennsylvania. Three stoner friends fumble their way through their first forays into criminality, to varying degrees of success.
October 16, 2009
I thought this book was hilarious! The guys kind of reminded me of how the main characters in Office Space might have read on page. Light, quick read, but a lot of fun riding along with these guys.
March 9, 2010
Could have been longer. I felt like it took forever to get to the climax, then petered off afterwards.
October 27, 2010
Starts out hilariously. Could have carried that through the remainder of the novel. Solid, tight knit story evolves over the course of the novel.
February 20, 2013
A rather light-weight and amusing book. There were a few missed opportunities, but overall it was fine.
September 22, 2014
This book is a win for me! I love the characters, and how they grow throughout the book. The plot is bordering on farce, and the dialogue is entertaining. This was a truly enjoyable read all around.
January 24, 2016
Predictable...yet entertaining. Fluff for guys.
April 5, 2024
Came across in library and decided to try it out, skimming some parts but reading the bulk of it in a day. Good, fun book. I enjoyed the three leads, though I preferred Doug > Kevin > Mitch. Kevin's probably the most to lose with his wife Linda and daughter, while he plans these new heists with his two partners, and I enjoyed Doug's budding friendship most with the now-stressed Linda after Kevin's jail time, plus his guilt over their affair. Though I'd've liked to see him confess to Kevin, I don't dislike the ending catharsis where he goes to jail for his two friends so that they can avoid prison time.
Mitch was whatever, bit of an angry bloke. But in general, the book was a fast, fun read, even if I don't smoke pot or connect with it/the underbelly of criminal society. Some fun jokes too, and I found the tone and working class issues fairly down-to-earth. Enjoyable and fun (I even went back to reread sections I initially skimmed over, which is rare and a good sign for me).
Mitch was whatever, bit of an angry bloke. But in general, the book was a fast, fun read, even if I don't smoke pot or connect with it/the underbelly of criminal society. Some fun jokes too, and I found the tone and working class issues fairly down-to-earth. Enjoyable and fun (I even went back to reread sections I initially skimmed over, which is rare and a good sign for me).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2020
Three stooges-like caper about three slacker guys who are barely employed (dog walkers) who steal a flat screen television from a Mart. With that accomplished they aspire for bigger things such as an Italian sports car (failed) selling pills, and then...an armored car heist. Occasional good word usage, at other times a significant amount of swearing. Also see 'The Brinks Job' and 'Finders Keepers/'Money for Nothing'.
May 7, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book. Three battlers who have gone through life doing any job they can to get by decide to steal a few things to improve their lives, with interesting outcomes.
Nice easy read.
Nice easy read.
September 23, 2020
4.5. Really enjoyable read. Well balanced. Funny, with subtle social commentary. I could've used a little more backstory, but that's a nitpick.
September 1, 2021
So fun, so fab, so awesome!!!!!!
January 9, 2024
Hilarious!
January 15, 2025
The story of these 3 moronic losers, always high on dope is pretty pathetic. As expected they flunk everything, the Ferrari theft and the bank heist.
February 23, 2022
Not sure when I first read this, (it was before I joined Goodreads) but I remember loving it and gave it 5 stars. Well, I reread it last year and it's one of many that I forgot to add to my list that year. Downgraded to 3 stars. Pretty good but nothing special, not nearly as entertaining or as humorous as I'd remembered. Definitely not worth a third read down the road, so I'm donating my copy to my library or to one of the library book boxes in my neighborhood.
November 12, 2010
meh, this book was ok. i thought levison tried a little too hard to emulate palahniuk and it came across as cheesy. i'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but that was the vibe i got. also, there were a few typos i noticed in the book. weird! anyway, ok story about some slackers getting into trouble. read it or don't - won't change your life much either way.
May 29, 2012
While I didn't find this book hilarious, it was certainly amusing and was peppered with clever insight and observation. I would recommend it to fans of movies like 'Knocked Up' and 'Pineapple Express.'
August 23, 2011
I was glued from the very start. This book barely made it through one day. I am definitely going to check out his other books.
Read
July 1, 2012This is one of those books with the weird trait that I suddenly liked it much more when I read the last 10 pages. So... it is difficult to rate.
November 28, 2012
Really enjoyed Levinson's writing style, great character development, story was just good, fell short on plot.
May 16, 2014
laugh out loud funny - a great vacation book
October 15, 2009
The most fun reading I've had in a long while. Definitely good for a laugh.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews