The Tower Treasure #1 (The Hardy Boys)

I haven’t thought about the Hardy Boys in decades. I was hoping to read what would be a happy flashback to a time in my youth. But. It’s not quite the way I remember it. This time The Tower Treasure presented itself as a fascinating relic. Quaint. An ode to different time, a time that no longer exists. The dialog is stilted, the plot simplistic, and the mere mention of their mother had me confused…I don’t recall a mother being part of these books. She’s mentioned a couple of times in passing, loath to have anything to do with ‘detecting.’ Still. It had its moments; I didn’t mind reading it.

I bought it for my Grandson because I read it many years ago and I always Loved the Hardy Boys

I grew up having read a handful of the abbreviated and censored versions you can find in any public library. When I went to read a couple of the volumes to my own boys (first graders), I discovered there were more authentic versions, but initially had a hard time finding affordable copies. These facsimiles were just that. I bought the first six, but doubt I will buy any more as there are so many other things to read that just weren't around in 1927, and many of them are even now at the library.I've read that the justification for the 1959 revisions and the subsequently more popular editions of these stories was the removal of crude racial and social stereotypes, and to accommodate the changing role of women. Of course they were sold rather on the premise of an update reflecting advancements in the methods detectives use. I decry the censorship not as a transgression of an individual's artistic expression, although one could certainly argue that McFarlane's work was vandalized, but rather as a revision of our own history and an offense to our cultural heritage. The atrocities of our culture's past aren't sacred, but it is foolish to think they can be wiped out simply by recompiling a banal story around a similar plot line that is void of substance, good or bad. The result is to effect something of a mind-numbing dystopia.Let's face it. The Hardy Boys could hardly have ever been considered literature, but the revisions only served to entrench that perception. These originals are comprised of a series of half-decent yarns that entertain the reader through the story's development and the character's personalities. Whereas the censored versions are more apt to give the reader a good laugh at the absurd sequences that were necessary to chop as many as five chapters from the books, and the sort of dull conformity of the heartless protagonists and the plain, stock characters that comprise their chums.In the end, I suppose either version would serve the purpose of informing one's cultural literacy of the US in the 20th century. Depending on the version you choose, you may have varying opinion on the same.

The book arrived in very good condition. It was exactly what I expected and the delivery was within the time-frame advertised.

Shipped fast.

Good book I enjoyed reading it even though I’m a little out of the team bracket I still enjoyed it

I enjoyed reading this book. I had read the Hardy Boys in 7th grade and I liked them. there is nothing objectionable in them. I liked that they are respectful with there parents and with other people. they have a good relationship with there friends. I am very grateful that there are books out there that are safe to read. I will be buying the complete sets of the Hardy Boys and Nancy drew mysteries.

I read the Hardy Boys fifty some years ago and with "The Tower Treasure" audio book my grandsons are enjoying the stories as much as I did. They listen to audio books while settling down for sleep at night and this is the first time, according to their mother, that they listened to a cd and were so glued to the storyline that when the first one ended they put the second cd in. Their mother had to tell them it was time for sleep at the end of the second cd. Usually they have fallen asleep before the first cd is finished. They loved the characters and as I said were really hooked into the story.

I got two of these in the 70's when my parents had a old friend over from the US and they're still here (the books not the old friend) and I remember them being cracking books. So to christen the Kindle I ordered this guy, even though I'm rather older now. Fantastic book. Can't believe you can spin a plot around a red wig but there you go. Excellent. Away to buy the second one now. Not sure about the £4.79 bit for a Kindle version mind you, bit expensive perhaps, but whatever. Well worth a read.

Dated sleuthing; there is a certain nostalgia to reading the Hardy Boys. It’s not just the absence of modern technology that dates the story but also the attitudes of the main players is surprising. If I didn’t know the ages of the 2 boys was 17 and 18 I would have assumed them to be no older than 14.

At nearly 70 I realised I have never read a Hardy Boys book. I wanted to start with the first one (although this has the number 31 on the spine). Paperback versions are hard to find. This was good value. Although somewhat dated and with undertones of 'Happy Days', I enjoyed it and will be looking for more.

Why did I read this book?: well, my mum and dad recommended this book as they read it when they were my age so I decided to have a go and now it's made me want to read the restWhy did I choose this rating?:I love mysteries and cliff-hangers and the 'Hardy Boys's' puts these together perfectly with changers that will blow your mindwho would I recommend this book to?: anyone who loves mysteries and anxiousness in not knowing what's next also for people who don't put books down!

Loved these books as a child and loved it now. Read all of the hardy boys books when in junior school and was worried that after over 20 years the books would be showing their age but I was not disappointed. A very good read, and while some of the language used may have fallen out of favour it is still a great story for any age.