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Title: Hardboiled America: Lurid Paperbacks and the Masters of Noir by Geoffrey O'Brien ISBN: 0-306-80773-4 Publisher: DaCapo Press Pub. Date: April, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $17.50

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent History and Criticism
Comment: O'Brien very skillfully weaves an early history of paperback books together with literary criticism of the genre of hardboiled/detective "pulp" fiction. He spends a great deal of emphasis on the original cover art of these books, arguing that they formed an inseparable part of the reading experience (which all paperback collectors will agree with)...an experience completely lost in modern reprints with their supposedly "artistic"/"tasteful" covers. Many covers are reproduced throughout the book. O'Brien is himself an engaging author, making this book a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Rating: 5
Summary: A great book is back in print
Comment: Hardboiled America is a key book for both mystery fans and paperback collectors. As a collector I first purchased the book for its reproductions of classic paperback covers. Hardboiled America's strong point, though, is its provocative and detailed coverage of niche authors. I credit O'Brian for introducing me to many of my favorite books and writers.

When first published, few of the authors discussed in O'Brien's book were in print. Thankfully, with the resergence of interest in noir fiction in the past decade and a half, books by the likes of Jim Thompson, David Goodis, and many others are easy to find. This is a relief, as readers of Hardboiled America will be inspired to seek out the work of numerous authors discussed within.

Rating: 5
Summary: Superb review of the genre by an excellent writer.
Comment: I first read O'Brien's book several years ago (in an earlier edition) on the recommendation from a collector who is also a fan of Jim Thompson. O'Brien is insightful, informative, engaging and right on in his assessment of an era of paperbacks and pulp noir that will never be truly recreated. What a wonderful work of literary criticism, beautifully illustrated and classically rendered. A treasure for the noir lover! I have it right next to my first edition original of The Killer Inside Me.

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