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emily_britton's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
3.5
An interesting story, but written in a style that is much more journalistic than I like.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
relf's review against another edition
5.0
The audio edition of this book is fantastic--really a radio comedy/drama. It is introduced by Attila Ambrus himself, the eponymous Whiskey Robber, as he served time in jail for his string of non-violent bank robberies in Budapest in the 1990s. The author is the main narrator, with voices supplied by a wildly diverse array of people from comedians Dmetri Martin and Eugene Mirman to author Gary Shteyngart, and music by One Ring Zero.
It is the crazy-but-true story of how Attila, a hapless and basically unpaid professional hockey goalie (as well as a pen salesman, pelt smuggler, and serious drinker and would-be high roller), applied himself to the profession of bank robbery, becoming a national folk hero as he left the overworked and under-equipped police sputtering in his wake. Great characters, detailed reporting, and a wry style drive the story along irresistibly. The author even manages to work in a quick background history of Hungary and paints a cynical picture of 1990s Budapest, when the influx of western-style capitalism only changed the style of corruption.
Haven't read the book in book form, but I can highly recommend the audio version as a most enjoyable roller-coaster ride.
It is the crazy-but-true story of how Attila, a hapless and basically unpaid professional hockey goalie (as well as a pen salesman, pelt smuggler, and serious drinker and would-be high roller), applied himself to the profession of bank robbery, becoming a national folk hero as he left the overworked and under-equipped police sputtering in his wake. Great characters, detailed reporting, and a wry style drive the story along irresistibly. The author even manages to work in a quick background history of Hungary and paints a cynical picture of 1990s Budapest, when the influx of western-style capitalism only changed the style of corruption.
Haven't read the book in book form, but I can highly recommend the audio version as a most enjoyable roller-coaster ride.
reneetdevine's review
3.0
Ended this one early. Audiobook had been recommended to me. I enjoyed the style of the audiobook but the content didn't engage me. On to a much desired next read.
jrsbama69's review
5.0
Hard to believe how bad the environment was in Hungary in the timeframe covered in the book. The exploits of the Whiskey Robber and the ineptitude of the police are equally hard to believe. The political environment in Europe during this time was again, hard to believe. The book provides enough of a history lesson explaining the environment and placing Attila in it to create an interesting read. How was he able to pull off all the robberies totally inebriated? The popularity of such a character in the corrupt environment is very believable. Had me pulling for him to “win” all the way through the book.
I also come away from the read even more thankful that I live in America.
I also come away from the read even more thankful that I live in America.
acton's review
4.0
Attila Ambrus has an unlikely job history that would not happen in many places or time periods. He robbed banks, post offices, and a couple travel agencies. He pulled twenty-nine (29) heists. In the same area. How could this happen? The cops in any organized community would have caught him right away, for many reasons--he was living right there in the same community and suddenly had lots of money, despite the fact that his salary was a pittance. He drew no salary for playing hockey--when they let him (he was really bad). He was once employed as the Zamboni driver, but proved to be dangerous at that, so they fired him (after his inattention caused quite a bit of damage).
Attila's criminal history takes place at a time when big changes were happening in Hungary, and many people became disillusioned with their government's attempts to replace communism with capitalism. Corruption was so rampant that the so called Whiskey Robber became a folk hero, embarrassing the establishment, who were, after all, lining their own pockets. The whiskey moniker came from the fact that he often drank before a heist. A couple times, he did this at a bar that was just across the street from his mark. Incredible.
Charming and good looking, Attila Ambrus has an unusual type of intelligence and amazing chutzpah. Most people would rule out riding along on the bottom of a train as too suicidal. Not Attila. The athleticism is impressive, but his mindset is simply out of this world. He achieved a couple stunts I hope they don't do for real in Hollywood.
I found this immensely interesting--the quick lesson in Hungarian history is not something I would have found anywhere else. And yes, there are some very funny parts. Attila Ambrus was released from prison after twelve years, in 2012. I hope he's found a happier life.
Attila's criminal history takes place at a time when big changes were happening in Hungary, and many people became disillusioned with their government's attempts to replace communism with capitalism. Corruption was so rampant that the so called Whiskey Robber became a folk hero, embarrassing the establishment, who were, after all, lining their own pockets. The whiskey moniker came from the fact that he often drank before a heist. A couple times, he did this at a bar that was just across the street from his mark. Incredible.
Charming and good looking, Attila Ambrus has an unusual type of intelligence and amazing chutzpah. Most people would rule out riding along on the bottom of a train as too suicidal. Not Attila. The athleticism is impressive, but his mindset is simply out of this world. He achieved a couple stunts I hope they don't do for real in Hollywood.
I found this immensely interesting--the quick lesson in Hungarian history is not something I would have found anywhere else. And yes, there are some very funny parts. Attila Ambrus was released from prison after twelve years, in 2012. I hope he's found a happier life.
suvata's review against another edition
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.
brendak's review
3.75
Very fast paced narrative non-fiction. The story is incredibly interesting but at times there were too many characters, and too many things going on. I think if I had a better knowledge of history and international politics I would have got a lot more out of it, especially why certain things were of importance in the overall story. It felt very dense and compressed, but still a very interesting story with a lot of humor.