Looking for the real Weasel: Train Robber, Racer, Rogue - who was Roy James?

A fabulous read that entertains, informs, and engages. Not only are there laughs a plenty, but there are some great nuggets of 'hidden' history and some wonderfully human vignettes. Has anyone seen a review by Bernie?

Enjoyable background to Roy James

I enjoyed this. The format is clever, the author works backwards through The Weasel's life to understand what made him the man he was, with some funny moments along the way. The Bernie Ecclestone thing is particularly amusing, the little conversations with F1 drivers like Derek Warwick and Jan Lammers and other racers are interesting, and some of the criminal things James planned or discussed with friends are plain crazy. Quite a bit about the author's travels and research is shared in a funny way. Roy James was a misunderstood man, it seems, this is a story well told with this book.

As a fan of Rich’s other motoring related books, I was interested to read this, knowing nothing about the subject of the book, Roy James. It’s well researched and written, in his usual style, with plenty of humour. Highly recommended.

I wanted to like this book but it appears to be self published. This is apparent for two reasons:1. The quality is similar to the photocopied books you could buy in Saigon in the 90s2. Dipping into it the first thing I read is a tedious and unamusing story about a track day in an MX5 which has nothing to do with Roy James3. There appear to be very little in here which is not already covered by Gordon Cruickshank’s article in the December 1998 edition of Motorsport magazineI will probably return it for a refund

It's incredible really that someone has found something new to talk about with the train robbery, and what a story to tell of an a man who seems to have been misunderstood in his life time. The format of the book (spoiler: starting from the present day backwards) is unique to me and not one I've come across when reading biographies before."The Great Train Robbery" passed me by, much because I wasn't born until a few decades after, but having enjoyed the author's writings in other places I gave the book a shot. I am seriously glad I did, as it's not only entertaining but it's well presented and, most importantly, an easy enjoyable read.6/5 stars, would buy it again.

Not your normal crime book but interesting enough to keep reading it to the end!

Great fun read, about a member of the Great Train Robbery gang, who was something of an enigma. Some excellent research, and stuff I didn’t know after having read several books about the Robbery.