You Can't Win

De: Jack Black

Narrado por: Bernard Setaro Clark

The favorite book of William Burroughs. A journey into the hobo underworld, freight hopping around the still Wild West, becoming a highwayman and member of the yegg (criminal) brotherhood, getting hooked on opium, doing stints in jail or escaping, often with the assistance of crooked cops or judges. Our lost history revived.

With an introduction by Burroughs. A BookSense 77 selection.

©2001 Jack Black (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

One of the best books I’ve read in a while

This was an excellent book. It was very well written, and it covers an interesting bit of history in the American west. I initially read it because it is set in part in Pocatello, Idaho. However, I think even folks who are not particularly interested in the history of the American Northwest will find this an absorbing read.

The author covers his life as a career criminal in the late 1800s and early 1900s in great detail. There is enough detail that it did make me wonder if everything is entirely factual; however, it seems like he is just presenting his memories as he remembers them. After doing some very minimal research, I haven’t found anything to suggest that it isn’t factual.

Despite being the memoir of a criminal, it doesn’t read like a Robin Hood story or a gangster movie. It presents the appeal of the criminal life with respect to adventure and all that, but it also presents the many troubles this kind of life brings. It doesn’t try to justify wrongdoing or present the author as a hero.

What a life

A great window into the life of a bum, Johnson, and professional thief in the 1890s

Ups and Downs Of a Life On The Road

This really is a great snapshot of its time. From the mentions of iconic cities in the US and Canada, to the moral code that he and his fellow thieves stick by. Additionally, Jack’s ability to travel all around the West at the drop of a hat adds to the suspense of never knowing what the next page has in store, or where Jack may be in the world. A really fun read and a great performance.

Where the Beat Generation and cadence came from

From the opening line to the closing sentence this is a groundbreaking piece of writing. You can hear not just Kerouac, but the phrase on the road twenty times. Jack Black was an honorable person and we can all learn from his simple truths. Sadly the prison system has not risen to where he hoped it would go. Great book, perfect narrative cadence. ~wjm

an old road warrior

I once roamed this country and this book was recommended by a dear old friend who adventured more than me the tails of woe and adventure are beyond compair

The narrator

Maybe it’s just me but I feel like the narrator really puts you in this book almost like your in jacks head himself. I wish I could find more books like this one

The Original Hobo Narrative

This is the real deal: the original Depression-era train-hopper hobo narrative. It’s so poignant and beautifully written, it never went out of print.

Jack Black's clean, uncluttered prose— and complete lack of self pity— make it easy to feel present in the book to this day.

When William S. Burroughs came along, years after this book was published, he wrote it was “the best book I ever read.” His intro to this edition "You Can’t Win" helped it become the cult classic of a new generation. You can really see Black’s influence on the Beats.

"You Can't Win" in one of the best memoirs I’ve read: freight-hopping, a brotherhood of theives, drugs, prison—and, profoundly, librarians.

—Rip-roaring introduction by Burroughs, included!

Wonderful tale about crime after resconstruction

If you could sum up You Can't Win in three words, what would they be?

What is success?

What was one of the most memorable moments of You Can't Win?

The author is telling the story of the first time he was arrested and stood trial. While the jury was deliberating, he made a bold escape only to later find out the jury found him not guilty.

What about Bernard Setaro Clark’s performance did you like?

His voice acting was excellent; He brought distinction to each character without over doing it, captured the slang of the period and found a rhythm that made listening a pleasure.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed often, and felt it often as the author hit close to home.

Any additional comments?

A wonderful book that explores a time in history that I've never been familiar with. It captured the slang, the sub-cultures and attitudes of the time.

Unlike anything you've ever heard

The author, going by the name Jack Black (Blackie), tells what he learned about crime and punishment in this memoir. His descriptions of life around the turn of the 20th century will fascinate, I'm certain.

This book is organized as chronological slices of life with analysis along the way. Blackie is thoughtful, even endearing. But he's a pure thief. His tales span everything from picking the pockets of a passed-out drunk to nighttime residential burglaries where he removes valuables from under pillows of sleeping victims.

I thought going in this entire book might be a composite of criminals. Listening convinced me though it's all genuinely represented. Later, after finishing the book, I saw the Thomas Callaghan (aka, Jack Black) photo online in the January 5, 1912 edition of the San Francisco Call newspaper.

Blackie crafted his tale as something of a lost soul wandering through a sad existence. I believe this represented his state of mind at the time of the writing but not during his youth. He acquired a philosophical attitude, perhaps a result of so much time being incarcerated.

The narration was outstanding as I sensed it was Blackie's.

Delves through his constant pain in a different more coarse time. Born to struggle with self and society

Loved the whole story and every twist and betrayal that came your way as the narrator gently guides you through his hell