Top Cases of The FBI (American Criminal History)

By: RJ Parker

Narrated by: David Gilmore

Length: 2 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the most fascinating law enforcement agencies in the world is the FBI. From the J. Edgar Hoover days to the present, the Bureau has investigated the most famous cases, including, mobsters, gangs, bank robbers, and terrorism. They have also received a few black eyes, including the Waco siege and the Ruby Ridge case.

In Top Cases of the FBI, RJ Parker captured 12 of those cases and prepared case files on these criminals, up to and including their sentencing or demise.

These cases include:

• John Dillinger and his Gang of Bank Robbers
• Mobster John Gotti
• Bonnie and Clyde
• Mobster Al Capone
• The Jonestown Massacre
• Oklahoma City Bombing
• The Unabomber
• The 1986 FBI Miami Shootout (In the line of fire)
• Ruby Ridge
• Waco
• Patty Hearst
• The D.C. Beltway Snipers

©2012 RJ Parker (P)2012 RJ Parker

TRUE CRIME BUFFS WILL FIND IT REPETITIVE.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend it to someone new to true crime books. If you're into true crime, you will already have read the books on these cases and find the book so-so. Parker is a good writer so I many pick up other books by him now that I know that.

If you’ve listened to books by RJ Parker before, how does this one compare?

This is a first and I like his writing style. I'm definately going to read more of his books.

What three words best describe David Gilmore’s performance?

He's ok, but not excellent.

Do you think Top Cases of The FBI (American Criminal History) needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Only if he gets fresh cases that true crime buffs wouldn't have read about already.

Any additional comments?

If you are new to true crime reading, you should check out this book. It will make you want to read more about the cases he talks about.

Wikiloo

This audiobook is like having someone read a handful of wikipedia pages to you. Not bad but... weird.

Yawn

What a bore. As someone else mentioned there is no new information here. And the stories are way to fast to get any meaningful information. Its the equivelent of reading a short blurb in a newspaper column to get you back up to date by highlighting all of the essential information but leaves out the parts that would give more depth to the stories.

Well executed/narration/detail-not stor. I thought

What made the experience of listening to Top Cases of The FBI (American Criminal History) the most enjoyable?

superb tone inflection of narrator and ultimate outcome of top players included

Who was your favorite character and why?

Weavers (Ruby Ridge) - i didn't realize it was SO botched

What does David Gilmore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

he's 3/4 of the book's success ON AUDIBLE (note ON)

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

the major scores and belly-flops of the FBI

Any additional comments?

I was surprised that most of their major successes were practically ancient....c'mon, John Dilinger??? Surely there's something more recent. Or is there?

No insight

Very disappointed in this book. He author recites the history of the criminal but adds no insight into the criminals or their crimes. I was at least expecting some information on the FBI investigations and how the criminal was captured but there is nothing. All this book provides is a list of significant events - pretty much what I could have gotten from an internet search.

No Detail

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

If all that was wanted was a quick overview of the cases and a listing of films on the subject, it would be fine. Otherwise, it would be cheaper to use Wikopedia and you might get more detail.

What could RJ Parker have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Fill in the blanks.

Any additional comments?

This book feels like it was dashed off in a few weeks.

I Like It!... The Good Guys Win!!!

I thought this was a fantastic collection of the top cases of the FBI. Most of them happened in my lifetime, so I actively followed them in as much detail as I could. This book gave me even greater detail and insight into some of the great cases of the FBI. It covered such high profile cases as the Unabomber, Patty Hearst, the Jonestown massacre and the Oklahoma City bombing.

For anyone out there who likes, intrigue, suspense and crime drams, this book is a must!!!

Sucked

This was the worst book I have ever listened too! Narrator was dry and boring. Content was nothing new.

As good as a history book

Would you consider the audio edition of Top Cases of The FBI (American Criminal History) to be better than the print version?

Top Cases of The FBI by RJ Parker is fraught with details of twelve notorious criminals and event cases in US History. Criminals such as John Gotti, Al Capone, Bonnie & Clyde and events including Jonestown Massacre, Waco and Ruby Ridge to name a few. Great for my True Crime collection. Highly recommend this book.

What about David Gilmore’s performance did you like?

Excellent

Great read, but I may be biased!

What made the experience of listening to Top Cases of The FBI (American Criminal History) the most enjoyable?

The individual stories of each of the criminals in this book reveal more back-story than most people know about the events that lead up to the crimes committed by the offenders, and include follow-up that bring the stories to closure. Mr. Parker took the time to really dig, and fleshed out each chapter with extensive detail.

What did you like best about this story?

Each chapter brought out little-known facts about the perpetrators histories.

What does David Gilmore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He (I) uses deep, mellow tones, paced the read nicely, and took the time to find the correct pronunciations of the individuals' names.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I listen to audiobooks during my commute, which is 45 minutes.

Any additional comments?

This book is only one of many fascinating collections of crime stories researched by RJ Parker. In today's times of "Hollywood-ized" TV shows that race you through entire cases in 44 minutes, it was interesting to hear how these cases actually played out in real life.