The Great Gold Steal

by Ted White, Stan Lee (Introduction)

The titanic exploits of the most spectacular superhero of them all--the glory-studded powerhouse known as Captain America.

Genres: Fiction, Marvel, Superheroes, Action, Comics

128 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1968

About the author

Theodore Edwin ("Ted") White is a Hugo Award-winning American writer, known as a science fiction author and editor as well as a music critic. In addition to books and stories written under his own name, he has also co-authored novels with Dave van Arnam as Ron Archer, and with Terry Carr as Norman Edwards.

Reviews

[Sineala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you want to read an official Captain America novel from 1968? Do you want to read a Captain America novel where the secret of the super-soldier serum is LSD? Do you want to read a Captain America novel where the villains triumphantly unmask Captain America, only to realize that they have no idea who this is?

This book definitely makes some interesting narrative choices, all right, but it's surprisingly well-grounded and realistic, much more so than I was expecting. It's a fairly gritty thriller, actually. There is a whole lot of period New York City detail, which is entertaining, and I really liked the characterization of Steve in this one, and the themes of identity and alienation. I think this is definitely the most solid of the older Marvel prose novels; it had a depth I wasn't expecting.

I really wasn't expecting to read about Captain America dropping acid, either. Thanks, 1968.

My other favorite scene was the one where Steve talked about how superheroes definitely weren't famous people under their masks, and certainly not handsome playboys. Steve. Buddy. You're going to feel SO DUMB in about fifteen years. I'm just saying.

[Jean-Francois Boivin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprisingly violent and realistic account of Cap foiling a major heist a gang of crooks are trying to pull at the Federal Reserve Bank in NYC. Supposed to tie-in to the comic book continuity (according to footnotes by Stan Lee that refer to events from Tales of Suspense and The Avengers), but some fans would complain about Cap's characterization. For example at some point he picks up a gun and shoots someone in the leg. But it's a nice, fast read (aside from the long descriptions of which roads and avenues characters take when they drive, and which direction, near which highway or bridge, etc.) Best part is a detailed account of Cap's "origin", from his childhood to his enlistment in the Army's secret program, to his being frozen for 20 years then discovered by The Avengers. These two or three chapters are worth the read alone. Too bad this was only the second of two books released by Bantam in the 60's, and there wasn't more.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book based on the comic character. Very recommended

[JoeK · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very good, or at least not the kind of Captain America that I was expecting. Even the shortest Doc Savage novel had more action than this novella, and the shame is that the author ways obviously acquainted with the Doc Savage series, since the trope of someone dying on Doc's doorstep to warn him was used in this tale, and the messenger was none other than "Andrew **Monk** Mayfair" on of Doc Savage's aides. Although in this case he was a hardened criminal who inexplicably turns on his employers and a million-dollar payday to warn Cap about the scheme.

Inexplicable describes the whole scheme. Everyone involved seems to know that is will fail to pay off, including the Soviet backers. Surprisingly, the mastermind behind the whole plan “John B. Gaughan” is the only person who doesn't. Even more surprising is that he turns out to be the Captain's arch-nemesis, the Red Skull in disguise, which makes the plan even more ludicrous for the sake of a cheap, throw-away surprise reveal at the end of the story. No attempt is made to explain whether the Skull had replaced/impersonated a real person or if he achieved his this infiltration of the Federal Reserve Bank by getting a real job and managing the day-to-day business for months (possibly years) until all the pieces could be put into play.

Boring by any standards, I can see why this book failed to launch a series, especially when you consider the other books that were appearing on the book store shelves at the same time in 1968.

[James Conder · Rating 5 out of 5]

So apparently the Super Soldoer serum is based on LSD? Good to know. It was fun to see a nod to the old pulps, with a character named Monk Mayfair.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thin novel, slight plot: a lot of story padding to make up for the fact that the characters are shallow and the crime itself is pretty simple.

[Amy Miller-Bowen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story was flat.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice mix of silver age comic and pulp novel.
Steve Rogers is well written, the plot is thin, but interesting, and there's some nice action set pieces.

The ending is rushed and the explanation of the villain's masterplan a bit clunky, but a fun read.

[Steve Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read this as the 1st step in my catching-up-on-superheroes mini-phase.

Used to be a comic fanatic as a kid. Don't read them anymore (actually, just can't get into them).

I do love the superhero movies since it keeps the 12 year in me alive.

... As did re-reading this very short novel ... or, at least, to a point since it provided a quick fix.

Best part for me was the brief mention of the Avengers ... one of my favorite comics.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was written in 1968 and is full of old cliches so it's kind of funny to read. The story is weak at best but it Does reveal how Captain America came to be, I forgot what a tool he was as a kid. There is some mention of politics and corporate greed that would totally fit in today's headlines. the writing itself feels a bit noir, but not too heavily done I personally thought it would have been better if it was done all campy like but whatever.
So I will give a very brif outline but no spoilers.
but if you don't want even that stop here if you are planning on reading this book.
The story is about a Gold Heist From one of the federal Reserves. Captain America comes to the rescue, And scene.....

[Michael P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It must have seemed a good idea. Begin a series of super-hero novels and employ successful sci-fi writers to create them. The result, however, was a trifle flat and the series ended with the first two books.

This one has a ridiculous story, too much characterization and back story for the hero, and not enough of either for the other characters. They only good things about it are the cover, which is beautifully rendered, and the scene in which a gang of baddies capture and unmask the Captain, but nobody has any idea who he is. Nicely thought through, Mr. White.

This basic concept for a series of novels would find more but limited success in the seventies, and real success in the nineties.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ted White was never a really great writer, but he always told stories with a lot of verve and enthusiasm at a break-neck pace. Originally published just a few years after Captain America came back in THE AVENGERS (the comic book, not the movie; we're talking almost fifty years ago here!), this is a short novel detailing how Cap saves the world economy from a trio of criminals trying to rob the World Bank. I don't think it fits in with the commonly accepted Marvel continuity, but it's a fast, fun read; a diversion with no claims or aspirations. The cover is excellent.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

an old novel published just a few years after Cap made his reappearance in The Avengers #3. Written in old pulp style, it concerned efforts of a criminal group to loot the Federal Reserve Bank in New York of $13,000,000,000 and Cap's battle to stop them before they brought America's economy crashing down.
A fun read.

[Alan Broz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've owned this book since 1968, when I found it in a library 2-for-1 trade shelf. Very short, very simplistic, and lots of fun for nostalgia's sake. Great cover art, and a great version of Cap's creation. Story-wise, I wouldn't expect too much.

[Russ Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. I read it when it was brand new. It wasn't the greatest book ever, but I enjoyed it a great deal.

[Tn_814 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this characther. Because this characther is captain america.