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panohchoc's review against another edition
2.0
An interesting read, especially in regards to Hungary's struggle to function as a new democracy. The government is trying to enforce laws despite its own obvious corruption. When the ones in government are criminals, why should the citizens be law abiding? Leads a robber who is considered a hero. However, I got a little bored reading through the descriptions of so many similar robberies.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
4.0
Unbelievably entertaining true crime story of a Hungarian bank robber in the 1990s.
It's the true story of Attila Ambrus, whose life could represent the struggles of a post-communist Hungary. There's abysmally terrible ice hockey, poorly trained police force that barely have enough guns or cars to go around, let alone forensic evidence equipment, excessive casino gambling and the titular whiskey drinking, and a multitude of absurd wigs. Rubinstein includes enough background information to understand the unique social, political circumstances, but without overpowering the narrative. It's non-fiction that reads like a bittersweet fiction, a comic tragedy of a specific moment in central European history.
I could quote nearly the whole book as an example of Rubinstein's dry humor, but if I flip to a random page I could pull out such a nugget as, "To make up for the absence of a door watcher, he had bought a sheet of cardboard and meticulously drawn in large shadowed block lettering CLOSED FOR TECHNICAL REASONS, and below in smaller print, PLEASE EXCUSE THE INCONVENIENCE. ...Preparation was everything." (pg 109).
Recommend to
First off, immediately getting a copy to mail to my dad.
Give it to readers of crime stories and mysteries, especially those who like a bit of history and would cheer on the (clearly inebriated) underdog.
It's the true story of Attila Ambrus, whose life could represent the struggles of a post-communist Hungary. There's abysmally terrible ice hockey, poorly trained police force that barely have enough guns or cars to go around, let alone forensic evidence equipment, excessive casino gambling and the titular whiskey drinking, and a multitude of absurd wigs. Rubinstein includes enough background information to understand the unique social, political circumstances, but without overpowering the narrative. It's non-fiction that reads like a bittersweet fiction, a comic tragedy of a specific moment in central European history.
I could quote nearly the whole book as an example of Rubinstein's dry humor, but if I flip to a random page I could pull out such a nugget as, "To make up for the absence of a door watcher, he had bought a sheet of cardboard and meticulously drawn in large shadowed block lettering CLOSED FOR TECHNICAL REASONS, and below in smaller print, PLEASE EXCUSE THE INCONVENIENCE. ...Preparation was everything." (pg 109).
Recommend to
First off, immediately getting a copy to mail to my dad.
Give it to readers of crime stories and mysteries, especially those who like a bit of history and would cheer on the (clearly inebriated) underdog.
bjensen's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Well written and excellent narration (this American life vintage vibes). Really neat story but certainly long winded. Could have done with less middle and more end. But that’s just me.
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition
5.0
Our hero is Attila Ambrus, the Whiskey Robber, and he takes us on a hell of a ride. Tough times as a Hungarian living in Romania, tough times in Hungary during the waning of communism, tough times in the Wild West atmosphere of a newborn democracy. One thing that surprised me was how when our Whiskey Robber hero made his choice, he settled down into an intensely focused state of planning and research. To paraphrase him, this wasn't just walking in with a gun and taking some money, this was WORK! He was thinking about, and recording data on, factors that would never even have occurred to me. The book had me completely hooked.
One more thing: I read an article about the audio version of this book and how it has multiple celebrities giving voice to the story, instead of a single person simply reading the book. Might be a good fit if you like audiobooks, give it a try!
One more thing: I read an article about the audio version of this book and how it has multiple celebrities giving voice to the story, instead of a single person simply reading the book. Might be a good fit if you like audiobooks, give it a try!
xishimmerix's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
gianouts's review against another edition
4.0
An engaging amusing listen as an audiobook. Dramatised with great voices and the occasional sound effects this is one of the best executed audiobooks I have listened to. Attila's background and Transylvania & Hungarian history was beautifully told. 4.25/5
blevins's review against another edition
4.0
I'm on a roll with these non-fiction books recently. Let's add this one to the good ones for 2008. It's kind of a zany story about this guy named Attilla from Transylvania who moves to Budapest with no money, no hope for a future and latches onto a lower level hockey team--first as the janitor, then as the goalie despite being terrible. He ventures into pelt smuggling and finally as a bank robber.
Hungary at this time, the early to the late 1990s, was a very corrupt place post fall of the Communist bloc, so Attilla becomes a folk hero to the majority of the people and the press. The book takes a sympathetic approach to Attilla and his madcap crimes and I must admit--I was right there rooting for the guy.
I lived for a short spell in Budapest so really liked reading about the city, the people, the corruption, the Romanians, the gypsies and the wild wild west elements that was being a bank robber at this time.
Very entertaining for anyone interested in crime or oddball stories.
Hungary at this time, the early to the late 1990s, was a very corrupt place post fall of the Communist bloc, so Attilla becomes a folk hero to the majority of the people and the press. The book takes a sympathetic approach to Attilla and his madcap crimes and I must admit--I was right there rooting for the guy.
I lived for a short spell in Budapest so really liked reading about the city, the people, the corruption, the Romanians, the gypsies and the wild wild west elements that was being a bank robber at this time.
Very entertaining for anyone interested in crime or oddball stories.