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Customer Reviews of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

a very special piece of writing
If you have seen and enjoyed the John Huston film of the same name, and believe it to be one of the greatest films ever produced, then it is mandatory to procure and read this book. <
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>This review is written from the perspective of someone who has seen the film at least a half dozen times before reading the novel for the first time. The film is mostly faithful to the novel, so no nasty surprises await those weaned on the film. While less dramatic in some ways, the book provides a better explanation for the motivations of the characters. This necessarily leads to significant, though not unpleasant, changes in some of their fates compared to the film (or perhaps, better said, vice-versa). Some of the more interesting scenes also are expanded, such as the encounter with the bandits at the camp, and more background is provided about the bandits themselves and the efficient and clever way that they are ultimately dealt with by the local people. <
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>Though a little slow going at first, once accustomed to Traven's writing style and well into the meat of the story, the feeling of the realization that a very special experience is in store for you simply builds and builds and continues doing so until the satisfying conclusion of the book is reached. This is a masterpiece, a gourmet treat for the soul, a book to relish during a lazy morning spent in a soft bed, or sitting by a cozy fireplace. <
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>As in many screen adaptations, seemingly ancillary elements were culled for the film. However, those elements, namely the description of the factors which led to the oppression of the native peoples of Mexico, provides a pervasive, unifying theme throughout the novel. This lends an enriching, interesting counterpoint to the story of the central characters. <
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>There is a tiny bit of information given about the mysterious B. Traven, just enough to make you want to learn more. A speculative look at his identity is presented in the extras which are included with the newly-released reissue of the film on DVD.

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Superb Tale of Greed and Betrayal
This is a gripping story of danger, greed and betrayal. Fred Dobbs is a U.S. drifter scraping by on odd jobs down in Mexico during the 1930's. Dobbs meets another drifter named Curtin, and the two become enticed by tales of gold from an aging prospector (Howard) they encounter in a flop house. The three Americans soon head for the hills, at which point the story's protagonist switches from Dobbs to this gold-seeking trio. The men find gold on a mountain in the Sierra Madres, along with brutal heat, ceaseless labor, and unwanted threats from bandits and outsiders. As their find increases, Dobbs begins to show signs of "gold fever," a deadly suspicion that Howard has warned about. Additionally, getting their loot safely to the city to cash in may prove another worrisome challenge. Readers feel like we're right alongside the three as they dig for gold, make survival decisions, and grow suspicious of one another. We see the darker side of human nature, and learn about Mexico and its remarkable people. <
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>Author B. Traven (1890?-1969) was a private man of leftist/anarchist views who lived in Mexico after apparently being born in Chicago and raised in Germany. Traven comprehended human nature, felt compassion for the poor, and took a couple swipes at capitalism, politicians, and the church. If you liked the classic 1948 film (starring Humphrey Bogart), you should find this superbly readable book even better. <
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Haney's Book Review
This was a exceptional novel written by a brilliant author. B. Traven captivated the readers mind in this exciting tale about a man with no sense of direction in life and finding two companions to travel along with while finding gold; and what greed can do to a persons psychological thinking. Traven sets the scene in Mexico in the early 1930's right about the time of the oil boom. Dobbs is an a American nobody looking for work in Mexico. He finds work but decides not to stay because he was getting cheated. He met the other main character Curtin while working. Dobbs was in his hotel one night and heard a story about a gold hunt from an old man. He told this story to Curtin and their quest began. They took the old man (Howard) with them because of the fact that he had great knowledge of prospecting. Traven does a magnificent job in describing the trials and tribulations the group of 3 had to go through and what they endured. I loved this book because it had so many captivating stages in the story. Some parts could drag on a little bit but when getting past that it was hard to stop reading. I first saw the movie a couple of years ago and was infatuated with the adventure. My father told me we had the book in our dusty book case. I tried reading it but I just couldn't get into it. Probably because I was to young to understand Traven's perspective. This past couple of months I decided to pick it up and I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this daring book about adventure and discovery to anybody who loves adventures.