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nsfinch's review
adventurous
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Really good true-crime-but-not-murder book for those who enjoy a heist. A wild story that's unimaginable at any time except for the post-Soviet era.
lisanussd's review against another edition
4.0
This was a well-researched fascinating book. The author spent hours interviewing many of the people featured in this book. The biography is about Attila Ambrus who becomes know as the "Whiskey Robber." Attila's biography is written in the backdrop of Hungary post communism. The author expertly paces Attila's story in the complex development of Hungary's new political direction. It was a slow read for me because, although well written, was a story of a man who had addictions and eventually turned to robbery.
At the end of the book, all of Attila's robberies are listed, so at about 2/3 a way through the book, I felt like I had read about enough of Attila's robberies because the cycle was disheartening. Attila gambled his money away and then drank heavily and robbed another bank.
I don't read a lot of biographies, but I read a lot of historical fiction, but this was a treat because of how much the author presented the life of Attila in the backdrop of that time period.
At the end of the book, all of Attila's robberies are listed, so at about 2/3 a way through the book, I felt like I had read about enough of Attila's robberies because the cycle was disheartening. Attila gambled his money away and then drank heavily and robbed another bank.
I don't read a lot of biographies, but I read a lot of historical fiction, but this was a treat because of how much the author presented the life of Attila in the backdrop of that time period.
apileofcranes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
5.0
All around one of my favorite books. I’ve read it once before and listening to the audiobook was just as fun. If you love heists and true (nonviolent) crime, this one is for you. If you love learning about the history and politics of other countries, this one is for you. I would recommend this book to anyone.
ehays84's review
5.0
It is difficult to know how to categorize this book. I suppose you could call it a biography, but it is really almost a true fable of Eastern Europe coming out from the Iron Curtain in all of its chaos. Attila Ambrus' story is so unique (the author concludes by saying that it probably only could have happened in the time and place that it did) that it makes for one of the most interesting and unique stories I have ever read. Huge credit to Rubinstein for doing some incredible research and writing a book that was just plain fun to read, not to mention super informative on topics that most Americans like myself know next to nothing about. And that is coming from someone who spent 5 days in Budapest in 2006, so not too long after the events in this book took place.
I had a great time visiting Budapest. While it had less history and beauty than Prague, the people were extremely friendly, and it was a real learning experience. This book filled in so much knowledge for me about a country I really knew next to nothing about, despite having visited it. I did at least know, before reading this book, from several Rick Steves episodes, of the very mixed history of post-communist Eastern Europe, so I was already prepared for that.
I don't want to give too much away about the story itself, but I can say I was fascinated at every step along the way. It is amazing how you constantly feel sympathy for the "whiskey robber" yet you also constantly know his depravity. He really kind of is the Eastern European "every man" who brings to life, in one man's life, that mixed history of post-communist Eastern Europe.
In conclusion, I listened to this book on audiobook, and I saw that it has gained some recognition for its unique style. I can totally see why, and I hope I find more audiobooks like this where there is one main narrator but many voices that play even smaller roles to help bring the characters to life.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. Do yourself a favor and add it to your reading list.
I had a great time visiting Budapest. While it had less history and beauty than Prague, the people were extremely friendly, and it was a real learning experience. This book filled in so much knowledge for me about a country I really knew next to nothing about, despite having visited it. I did at least know, before reading this book, from several Rick Steves episodes, of the very mixed history of post-communist Eastern Europe, so I was already prepared for that.
I don't want to give too much away about the story itself, but I can say I was fascinated at every step along the way. It is amazing how you constantly feel sympathy for the "whiskey robber" yet you also constantly know his depravity. He really kind of is the Eastern European "every man" who brings to life, in one man's life, that mixed history of post-communist Eastern Europe.
In conclusion, I listened to this book on audiobook, and I saw that it has gained some recognition for its unique style. I can totally see why, and I hope I find more audiobooks like this where there is one main narrator but many voices that play even smaller roles to help bring the characters to life.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. Do yourself a favor and add it to your reading list.
buoymehome's review
4.0
i heartfully recommend this book. read it years ago, read it again recently. it's so bizarre and mental it can only be a true story.
rowanselene's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
4.25
suvata's review
3.0
From Amazon:
During the 1990s, while playing for the biggest hockey team in Budapest, Ambrus took up bank robbery to make ends meet. Arrayed against him was perhaps the most incompetent team of crime investigators the Eastern Bloc had ever seen: a robbery chief who had learned how to be a detective by watching dubbed Columbo episodes; a forensics man who wore top hat and tails on the job; and a driver so inept he was known only by a Hungarian word that translates to Mound of Ass-Head.
During the 1990s, while playing for the biggest hockey team in Budapest, Ambrus took up bank robbery to make ends meet. Arrayed against him was perhaps the most incompetent team of crime investigators the Eastern Bloc had ever seen: a robbery chief who had learned how to be a detective by watching dubbed Columbo episodes; a forensics man who wore top hat and tails on the job; and a driver so inept he was known only by a Hungarian word that translates to Mound of Ass-Head.
spareparts's review
4.0
This begs to be adapted into the kind of midbudget Coen-lite farce that streaming services like to produce by the truckload. Unfortunately, Johnny Depp apparently bought the movie rights somewhere in between terrorizing his exes and tanking every franchise he touches, so that's not happening.
spaceforcewife21's review
3.0
Interesting true story, but boring writing. This is one of those frustrating books where the story is so interesting that the book should be good, but the writing makes it so dull. The book took me much longer than normal to read because in the beginning I couldn't read over 20 some pages at at time before I started falling asleep. On the bright side, it was a really good sleep aid for a while. It did get easier to stick with it longer once Atilla was actively robbing banks.
I've heard that this book is much better as an audio book, which doesn't really surprise me; a good narrator would make the writing more interesting.
I've heard that this book is much better as an audio book, which doesn't really surprise me; a good narrator would make the writing more interesting.