Jack Reacher

[Beef Rindly]

Has anybody read any of these books?  I must say, it's not the best literature I've ever read, but I shamefully enjoy it.

Before I got into mustachianism, I used to like the idea of his lifestyle (the minimalism aspects), but I thought it was unrealistic.  Mustachianism suits me very well though.  Anyways...

Has anybody ever considered how much it must actually cost to live like he does?  Staying in hotels almost every night, eating out at restaurants, and buying new clothes every couple of days... Not to mention, what does he do when he's not solving some mystery?

Although they like to sell it as a low cost, minimalist lifestyle, I think it would take a serious nest egg to live like that.

[goose318]

They are defiantly entertaining books to read. If I remember correctly around the middle of the series he sells a house that was left to him so he got that plus his army pension. So i would say that he is living the retired life, only he is doing it above his SWR.

[MoCoMatt]

If he stayed in cheaper hotels, kept his meal costs down in the $10 per meal range, and kept his clothes budget to around $1000 per month he could do it on 1.5-1.7 million nest egg I think.

[rightstuff]

Reacher is a guilty pleasure for me as well.  As I recall he gets "plunder" from the bad guys at times to supplement his day to day expenses. 

Definitely a bad-ass mustachian!

[nataelj]

I love that this topic is on here.

A few thoughts. First, he doesn't have a lot of money early on because in one of the first few books he runs out of money and starts out the book doing manual labor in Florida somewhere. He digs pools during the day and then is a bouncer for a local strip club or something in the evening (which also means he got meals free I think). So while I agree, the way he lives would require a decent sized nest egg, I think in practice he just goes until he runs out of money and then builds it up again. Also, in the movie he had an Army pension, but I think he got out as a Major in the books so I'm not sure he reached retirement, and thus wouldn't have an Army pension.

Of course, this being fiction, the building up of wealth part seems far easier for him (e.g. "plunder" as mentioned). That same book he starts out working is the one where he inherits the house he later sells, and you figure the cost of most of his adventures would be fairly low because he keeps getting free meals from friends or the women he inevitably ends up sleeping with (or from captors when taken hostage; free transport too on that one!).

That said, if you get those booklets from truck stops you can stay in hotels for as low as 20-40 bucks a night on weekdays in out of the way places.

So I think it really is more that he is as cheap as he can be, lets his hot girlfriends cover meals half the time, and when fate does not deliver a bunch of money into his hands he stops to build it up again when he runs out.

[nataelj]

Also, given that he re-wears clothes for up to a week and buys new ones from thrift stores (no laundry costs either) I think $1000 is way over for a clothing estimate. I'd bet more like $100 for 4-5 full sets of clothing a month from Goodwill.

[begood]

These are my favorite books - I reread them often while I wait for a new one to come out! I keep trying other authors who write badass characters, but none come close to Reacher.

It's a very clever premise, the vagabond life that just happens to take him to places where he can put his fists and his mental acumen to work for the Greater Good.

I think he says in one book that he negotiates on unused hotel rooms at the end of the night to get a better price - somewhere around $25 if I recall correctly.

I was really struck by his thought process about the anchor the house and surrounding yard would be to him, and all the things that would have to be taken care of. Most of us just accept those things as part of the price for living in community, but it's a fascinating look at "What if...?"

[dude]

A friend of mine could not put these books down, even when he and I were camping and climbing one weekend.  It was pretty annoying, but they must be pretty engrossing.

[CabinetGuy]

Try Vince Flynns books.  Mitch Rapp is a pretty good character.  I haven't yet read any Jack Reacher books.  Honestly just thought it was a movie...

Jon

[randommadness]

A few thoughts. First, he doesn't have a lot of money early on because in one of the first few books he runs out of money and starts out the book doing manual labor in Florida somewhere. He digs pools during the day and then is a bouncer for a local strip club or something in the evening (which also means he got meals free I think). So while I agree, the way he lives would require a decent sized nest egg, I think in practice he just goes until he runs out of money and then builds it up again. Also, in the movie he had an Army pension, but I think he got out as a Major in the books so I'm not sure he reached retirement, and thus wouldn't have an Army pension.

He could have homesteaded or been prior enlisted.

Never read the books but I did enjoy the movie!

[begood]

Try Vince Flynns books.  Mitch Rapp is a pretty good character.  I haven't yet read any Jack Reacher books.  Honestly just thought it was a movie...

Jon

I have read a few Mitch Rapp books, Jon - I think I got to the Reachers first and am having a hard time finding anything that lives up to those. Definitely give them a try if you like Flynn's style. There are now nineteen Reacher books, with a twentieth expected later this year, plus some shorts and novellas that go back and show us Reacher as a kid, teen, or young man.

I had a difficult time enjoying the movie, though I did finally watch it. In the books, Reacher's physical presence is a huge part (pun intended) of his character. He's 6'5" and weighs 250 lbs - slabbed muscle. I just couldn't wrap my head around Tom Cruise in the role.

Here's the list of Reacher books in order, though I started with book six and roamed up and down as I could get my hands on them:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/40549-jack-reacher

[jrhampt]

Hooray!  I love Reacher, and I'm excited for the new book to come out this year.

[Beef Rindly]

I love that this topic is on here.

A few thoughts. First, he doesn't have a lot of money early on because in one of the first few books he runs out of money and starts out the book doing manual labor in Florida somewhere. He digs pools during the day and then is a bouncer for a local strip club or something in the evening (which also means he got meals free I think). So while I agree, the way he lives would require a decent sized nest egg, I think in practice he just goes until he runs out of money and then builds it up again. Also, in the movie he had an Army pension, but I think he got out as a Major in the books so I'm not sure he reached retirement, and thus wouldn't have an Army pension.

Of course, this being fiction, the building up of wealth part seems far easier for him (e.g. "plunder" as mentioned). That same book he starts out working is the one where he inherits the house he later sells, and you figure the cost of most of his adventures would be fairly low because he keeps getting free meals from friends or the women he inevitably ends up sleeping with (or from captors when taken hostage; free transport too on that one!).

That said, if you get those booklets from truck stops you can stay in hotels for as low as 20-40 bucks a night on weekdays in out of the way places.

So I think it really is more that he is as cheap as he can be, lets his hot girlfriends cover meals half the time, and when fate does not deliver a bunch of money into his hands he stops to build it up again when he runs out.

This opens up a whole new area to explore in the Travel Hacking realm.... Intentional kidnapping expert - how to get kidnapped and see the world on a budget!

[damize]

Also, given that he re-wears clothes for up to a week and buys new ones from thrift stores (no laundry costs either) I think $1000 is way over for a clothing estimate. I'd bet more like $100 for 4-5 full sets of clothing a month from Goodwill.

I just finished 61 Hours..in it Reacher estimates that he spends $10,000 on clothes annually, then justifies it by the lack of stuff needed to clean and store clothes (house, wash machine, etc). 

[mm1970]

love these books, have read them all.  I always put them on my Amazon wish list and someone buys them for me for Christmas.  Always paperback or hardback (not kindle!) so it's easier for my spouse to read them too.

[begood]

My mister had to travel to Korea for work last week, so I loaned him my Kindle with six Reacher books queued up on the home page. :)

[former player]

What is never explained is how Reacher keeps his toe nails cut.

It's a nagging implausibility that I try not to let undermine enjoyment of the books.  Footcare is a major problem for the homeless. 

[JLee]

What is never explained is how Reacher keeps his toe nails cut.

It's a nagging implausibility that I try not to let undermine enjoyment of the books.  Footcare is a major problem for the homeless.

With nail clippers in the hotel room? :P

[MMMaybe]

Try Vince Flynns books.  Mitch Rapp is a pretty good character.  I haven't yet read any Jack Reacher books.  Honestly just thought it was a movie...

Jon

I have read a few Mitch Rapp books, Jon - I think I got to the Reachers first and am having a hard time finding anything that lives up to those. Definitely give them a try if you like Flynn's style. There are now nineteen Reacher books, with a twentieth expected later this year, plus some shorts and novellas that go back and show us Reacher as a kid, teen, or young man.

I had a difficult time enjoying the movie, though I did finally watch it. In the books, Reacher's physical presence is a huge part (pun intended) of his character. He's 6'5" and weighs 250 lbs - slabbed muscle. I just couldn't wrap my head around Tom Cruise in the role.

Here's the list of Reacher books in order, though I started with book six and roamed up and down as I could get my hands on them:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/40549-jack-reacher

I couldn't bring myself to see the movie. Not only does Tom Cruise annoy me intensely but he looks nothing like Jack Reacher! Love the books.

[Lyngi]

I love the Reacher books.  I'm kind of spoiled now, I can't stand to read other authors.  I know they're not "lit ra chure" but they're a good read, I love it when the bad guys get their a** handed to them.   I had serious reservations about Tom Cruise playing Reacher, but I enjoyed the movie.  He has an attitude and it's  cool.  I just think of it as another Reacher adventure. 

[steveo]

Great books and Reacher lives a pretty bad ass lifestyle.

[Nickyd£g]

Try Vince Flynns books.  Mitch Rapp is a pretty good character.  I haven't yet read any Jack Reacher books.  Honestly just thought it was a movie...

Jon

I have read a few Mitch Rapp books, Jon - I think I got to the Reachers first and am having a hard time finding anything that lives up to those. Definitely give them a try if you like Flynn's style. There are now nineteen Reacher books, with a twentieth expected later this year, plus some shorts and novellas that go back and show us Reacher as a kid, teen, or young man.

I had a difficult time enjoying the movie, though I did finally watch it. In the books, Reacher's physical presence is a huge part (pun intended) of his character. He's 6'5" and weighs 250 lbs - slabbed muscle. I just couldn't wrap my head around Tom Cruise in the role.

Here's the list of Reacher books in order, though I started with book six and roamed up and down as I could get my hands on them:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/40549-jack-reacher

I couldn't bring myself to see the movie. Not only does Tom Cruise annoy me intensely but he looks nothing like Jack Reacher! Love the books.

I totally agree!  I refused to watch the movie as it would destroy the picture I have in my head of Reacher.  And I LOVE Reacher!  I don't think I could live his life but it's definitely interesting - travelling wherever you want on the bus, buying clothes at a thrift store and binning what you're wearing, staying cheap hotels and motels...I tried to work out his costs too but given that he profits from the criminals he busts occasionally, works when he needs to, and sold his inherited home for a lot of money, I would say he is definitely FIRED!

Another character I like who is FI is John Sandfords Lucas Davenport.  He is a detective in Minneapolis who, while kicked off the force for violence, developed online games/apps which he then sold for millions.  He is not very frugal though - drives a porche and an SUV, goes to Europe annually to buy tailor made suits and Hermes ties...but then he also lives pretty simply, fishing, spends a lot of time with his family and exercises.  I love the fact that being FI allows him to not give a shit about the politics running throughout the books, he just concentrates on getting the baddies.

[Prepube]

I read these books from book 1 through the last one (cant remember what it was called) as if it was a single book.  By the end of like 15 books, i no longer needed a watch because i always knew what time it was without looking, and I decided that in retirement i would just drift with nothing but a toothbrush from town to town solving mysteries and crimes.  Then i read a few Bosch books and changed my mind.  I would rather consult on one movie script and make a shitload of money, and get a job as a detective in LA with a big house up in the hills.  Then I thought, no, i will be a psychologist from boulder Colorado who does profiling or a game developer in Minneapolis or a D.C. cop or an ex-secret service guy.  All of these characters sort of run together for me and whether it is Sandford's Prey series or Bosch or Rapp or Reacher, they make me want to be a detective with a 20 something girlfriend with long legs and a push-up bra.  Its the Bogart in all of us that comes out in these books and they have their roots in the crime thrillers of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett.  If you like Reacher, try these early noir books and you'll see where he came from. 

[Misstachian]

Love these books. One of my favorite scenes is when bad guys break into Reacher's hotel room to trash his stuff and find...only one personal item.

But when he finds it broken, THAT'S when he gets mad.

No mortgage or rent, no car, public transportation or hitching, diner meals, no stuff, no suitcase, thrift store clothes every few days, lots of walking, a few days of manual labor here and there to top up cash, no cell phone, no keeping up with the Joneses. I don't want the lifestyle but it is nearly as minimalist as it gets, plus allows Child to move Reacher into new situations constantly.

I recommend them highly for those who enjoy thrillers/suspense, but even folks who haven't read the genre can be seduced by these. Smart and fun.

[former player]

I read these books from book 1 through the last one (cant remember what it was called) as if it was a single book.  By the end of like 15 books, i no longer needed a watch because i always knew what time it was without looking, and I decided that in retirement i would just drift with nothing but a toothbrush from town to town solving mysteries and crimes.  [....]  Its the Bogart in all of us that comes out in these books and they have their roots in the crime thrillers of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett.  If you like Reacher, try these early noir books and you'll see where he came from.

Interesting.  I tend to see them more as being a modern version of the spaghetti western -  wandering man rides into a town where something bad is happening, rights the wrongs, kills the bad guys, beds the woman and leaves.

[Prepube]

I agree with that.  Combo of noir and spaghetti western.  Reacher can be a dark brooding character.  Childs always puts him someplace for the duration of the book, and the wandering stranger persona goes away mid-book as he settles into his surroundings and meets people.  I think that's why Childs gave him a house to take care of...

Actually, I like the books because they are written at around the seventh grade level, and i don't have to think while reading them.

[mm1970]

Try Vince Flynns books.  Mitch Rapp is a pretty good character.  I haven't yet read any Jack Reacher books.  Honestly just thought it was a movie...

Jon

I have read a few Mitch Rapp books, Jon - I think I got to the Reachers first and am having a hard time finding anything that lives up to those. Definitely give them a try if you like Flynn's style. There are now nineteen Reacher books, with a twentieth expected later this year, plus some shorts and novellas that go back and show us Reacher as a kid, teen, or young man.

I had a difficult time enjoying the movie, though I did finally watch it. In the books, Reacher's physical presence is a huge part (pun intended) of his character. He's 6'5" and weighs 250 lbs - slabbed muscle. I just couldn't wrap my head around Tom Cruise in the role.

Here's the list of Reacher books in order, though I started with book six and roamed up and down as I could get my hands on them:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/40549-jack-reacher

I couldn't bring myself to see the movie. Not only does Tom Cruise annoy me intensely but he looks nothing like Jack Reacher! Love the books.

I totally agree!  I refused to watch the movie as it would destroy the picture I have in my head of Reacher.  And I LOVE Reacher!  I don't think I could live his life but it's definitely interesting - travelling wherever you want on the bus, buying clothes at a thrift store and binning what you're wearing, staying cheap hotels and motels...I tried to work out his costs too but given that he profits from the criminals he busts occasionally, works when he needs to, and sold his inherited home for a lot of money, I would say he is definitely FIRED!

Another character I like who is FI is John Sandfords Lucas Davenport.  He is a detective in Minneapolis who, while kicked off the force for violence, developed online games/apps which he then sold for millions.  He is not very frugal though - drives a porche and an SUV, goes to Europe annually to buy tailor made suits and Hermes ties...but then he also lives pretty simply, fishing, spends a lot of time with his family and exercises.  I love the fact that being FI allows him to not give a shit about the politics running throughout the books, he just concentrates on getting the baddies.

I was skeptical also, because Tom Cruise is so...short.

But really, he did a great job.  The movie was quite enjoyable.  Lee Child was in the movie.

[MrFancypants]

I was skeptical also, because Tom Cruise is so...short.

But really, he did a great job.  The movie was quite enjoyable.  Lee Child was in the movie.

I agree.  Granted, I haven't read any of the books yet so I'm at an advantage, but I thought this was a really great movie.

Maybe it wasn't 100% faithful to the books, but it's pretty much impossible to take a story from a novel and make a good movie out of it.

Say what you will about Tom Cruise, but as an action actor, he's excellent.  There aren't many people out there who can match his skill in the physical acting department.

[DoubleDown]

I just picked up a couple of Jack Reacher paperbacks at the thrift store over the weekend (that's very meta -- if only I had bought some throwaway clothes while I was there!). Anyway, assuming that some amazing cosmic coincidence didn't lead me to get Books 1 and 2 in the series, does anyone know if reading them out of sequence will suck? Should I check out the first books at the library and read them in sequence, or is there no order to them whatsoever? In particular, I'd prefer to read the first book if it provides all the back story on Reacher.

[DoubleDown]

I just picked up a couple of Jack Reacher paperbacks at the thrift store over the weekend (that's very meta -- if only I had bought some throwaway clothes while I was there!). Anyway, assuming that some amazing cosmic coincidence didn't lead me to get Books 1 and 2 in the series, does anyone know if reading them out of sequence will suck? Should I check out the first books at the library and read them in sequence, or is there no order to them whatsoever? In particular, I'd prefer to read the first book if it provides all the back story on Reacher.

Reading out of sequence isn't too much of an issue.
Most books handle you as if you where a new reader.
I started in the middle (one shot actually) and after a few books got the first ones to read them in order.

Love them, they are great to read.

Go figure, One Shot was one of the two books I got. Thanks for the advice, I'll jump in as soon as I'm finished with the other book I'm currently reading!

[libertarian4321]

I've read several of them.  The can occasionally get ridiculous, but generally enjoyable, if you don't think too hard.

[begood]

I started with book 6 (Without Fail - still my favorite!), then read a couple of the later ones, because that's what I found at the beachside grocery store where were on vacation at the time. Then I joined paperbackswap.com and that's how I got the rest. So I read them ALL out of order and it doesn't seem to have hindered my enjoyment of them one bit!

I got an e-mail from Amazon touting his upcoming (September) release. Title? MAKE ME. I love that. It's so very Reacher!

[mathlete]

I never read Jack Reacher but I'll chime in to say that trashy books are awesome. They are popular, so there are a lot of copies in circulation, and because they sell well, authors will write a ton of them. That makes them super cheap at second hand stores and they're very entertaining to read!

Unfortunately I don't do much pleasure reading these days.

[driftwood]

Is the storyline in the books in order by book?

In book 1: Killing Floor his brother who works for the department of treasury dies.
In book 7: Persuader he mentions his brother "works" for the department of treasury.  Not "worked"...

[begood]

Some books go back in time - they are not in strict chronological order.