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Rich Man, Poor Man and Beggarman, Thief Kindle Edition

by Irwin Shaw (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 334 ratings
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Two books in one: Irwin Shaw’s bestselling Rich Man, Poor Man and Beggarman, Thief chronicle one family’s struggle with the forces of change after WWII.
 In Rich Man, Poor Man, siblings Rudy, Tom, and Gretchen Jordache grow up in a small town on the Hudson River. They’re in their teens in the 1940s, too young to go to war but marked by it nevertheless. Their father is the local baker, and nothing suggests they will live storied lives. Yet, in this sprawling saga, each member of the family pushes against the grain of history and confronts the perils and pleasures of a world devastated by conflict and transformed by American commerce and culture.
In Beggarman, Thief, the Jordache family reunites after a terrible act of violence. Wesley never really knew his father, Tom, the black sheep of the Jordache family. Driven by his sorrow and a need for justice, Wesley uncovers surprising truths about his estranged family’s complicated past.

An important voice in twentieth-century American literature, Irwin Shaw has been called “one of the great storytellers” by bestselling author William Goldman, for his ability to take readers on a gripping ride from World War II to Vietnam and beyond.
 
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  1. Print length
    1178 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Open Road Media
  5. Publication date
    December 10, 2013
  6. File size
    14138 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Shaw whisks us off from a standing start to a velocity well beyond familiar limits.” —The New York Times

About the Author

Irwin Shaw (1913–1984) was an acclaimed, award-winning author who grew up in New York City and graduated from Brooklyn College in 1934. His first play, Bury the Dead (1936), has become an anti-war classic. He went on to write several more plays, more than a dozen screenplays, two works of nonfiction, dozens of short stories (for which he won two O. Henry awards), and twelve novels, including The Young Lions (1948) and Rich Man, Poor Man (1970). William Goldman, author of Temple of Gold and Marathon Man, says of Shaw: “He is one of the great storytellers and a pleasure to read.” For more about Shaw’s life and work, visit www.irwinshaw.org.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00GSE3XO2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media (December 10, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 10, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 14138 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 1178 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 334 ratings

About the author

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Irwin Shaw

Irwin Shaw

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Irwin Shaw (1913–1984) was an acclaimed, award-winning author who grew up in New York City and graduated from Brooklyn College in 1934. His first play, Bury the Dead (1936), has become an anti-war classic. He went on to write several more plays, more than a dozen screenplays, two works of nonfiction, dozens of short stories (for which he won two O. Henry awards), and twelve novels, including The Young Lions (1948) and Rich Man, Poor Man (1970).

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
334 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth a Second Read!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2018
Verified Purchase
I had forgotten how good this book was, and what a good story teller Irving Shaw was. I read both volumes back to back, and wish I could find the TV mini-series to watch again, even though they changed quite a bit of the storyline on TV, as usual. This book is almost impossible to put down. I even found myself laughing and crying at times. Shaw was a master at writing broad sweeping novels about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations and circumstances. I'm going to have to reread his other novels now. Loved the biographical info and photos of Shaw and his wife, included at the end of the second book. So glad I downloaded this set! If you like long, complicated family sagas spread across several generations, you can't go wrong with this tale that spans the tumultuous years of the 20th Century and reminds those of us who actually lived through those times of "the way we were."
10 people found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Juicy Slice of Americana
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2016
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This phenomenal best-seller still holds up well amid the trashy pulp published forty-odd years later. Indeed, compared to most, it might seem like a Pulitzer prize-winner, even though its style in very much in The Godfather vein. When it was made into a 1970s mini-series it became an ABC ratings blockbuster that launched the careers of Peter Strauss (Rich Man) and Nick Nolte (Poor Man), both of whom are still going strong. The parallel, but unequal struggles of the upwardly mobile Rudolph Jordache and his ne'er do well younger brother Thomas are chronicled from the end of World War II until the Watergate and Vietnam era, when America lost faith in itself. Great characterization, with scenes that are so vividly wrought that it is almost like watching the mini-series again, but much, much better.
9 people found this helpful
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Dale O'Neal
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Combination
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2014
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This was a very good book combination. I enjoyed both books and was happy that I could "continue" the story. If there had been a 4.5 rating, that is actually how I would rate them. I only rate a 5 star if I consider a book one of the best I have ever read ... these didn't quite make that cut, but they were close.
10 people found this helpful
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Doris M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2020
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I had read, "Rich Man Poor Man" many years ago. I also watched the mini series. I enjoyed both back in the day, so decided to read again. I had not read Beggarman Thief, so it was great to read the followup story.
3 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer Glenda Johnston Akins, Ed. D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Even Better This Time
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2017
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I read these books many years ago and knew they were an excellent read even if I couldn't remember any details of them.
I was right and couldn't put them down. Is that what constitutes the superior rating I've given them, the test of time? I think so.
An excellent and captivating story, fine development of characters, and a quickly paced plot.
'Excellent and enjoyable!
3 people found this helpful
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Cling Peaches
5.0 out of 5 stars Irin Shaw always has a good story to tell. Never fails.
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2014
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How wonderful to be able to read all in one book. Only on Kindle would such a heavy tome be a breeze to carry any where. When the story is well written, & I am caught up in it, I hate for it to end. Never have been a fan of short stories. Great read, great escape, worth every penny. Irwin Shaw can really tell a story." Night work" is my personal favorite.
10 people found this helpful
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Gift Card Recipient
4.0 out of 5 stars Irwin Shaw was a better writer than he got credit for
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2016
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Irwin Shaw was a better writer than he got credit for. I read this book ages ago and read it again just recently. Very well written book. The TV movie was awful - stick with the book.
One person found this helpful
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Patricia Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars A long book worth the read
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2019
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I really enjoyed this story. Shaw was an excellent, talented writer. Not only is this a writer who makes the story interesting but throws in some philosophical issues that makes for very good reading.
As always, happy reading.
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