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The Pale-Faced Lie: A True Story by [David Crow]

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David Crow

The Pale-Faced Lie: A True Story Kindle Edition

by David Crow (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

1,329 ratings

in Family & Personal Growth

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WINNER OF THE SPUR AWARD FOR BEST WESTERN FIRST NONFICTION BOOK • FINALIST FOR THE SPUR AWARD FOR BEST WESTERN CONTEMPORARY NONFICTION • IPPY SILVER AWARD FOR BEST MEMOIR

A violent ex-con forces his son to commit crimes in this unforgettable memoir about family and survival

“Cinematically gripping.”—Kirkus Reviews

Growing up on the Navajo Indian Reservation, David Crow and his three siblings idolized their dad. Tall, strong, smart, and brave, the self-taught Cherokee regaled his family with stories of his World War II feats. But as time passed, David discovered the other side of Thurston Crow, the ex-con with his own code of ethics that justified cruelty, violence, lies—even murder.

A shrewd con artist with a genius IQ, Thurston intimidated David with beatings to coerce him into doing his criminal bidding. David’s mom, too mentally ill to care for her children, couldn’t protect him. One day, Thurston packed up the house and took the kids, leaving her with nothing. Soon he remarried, and David learned that his stepmother was just as vicious and abusive as his father.

Through sheer determination, and with the help of a few angels along the way, David managed to get into college and achieve professional success. When he finally found the courage to stop helping his father with his criminal activities, he unwittingly triggered a plot of revenge that would force him into a showdown with Thurston Crow. With lives at stake, including his own, David would have only twenty-four hours to outsmart his father—the brilliant, psychotic man who bragged that the three years he spent in the notorious San Quentin State Prison had been the easiest time of his life.

The Pale-Faced Lie is a searing, raw, palpable memoir that reminds us what an important role our parents play in our lives. Most of all, it’s an inspirational story about the power of forgiveness and the strength of the human spirit to overcome adversity.

Length: 358 pages	Word Wise: Enabled	Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This painful memoir . . . delivers a truthful and ultimately empowering missive about the long shadow cast by an abusive parent."--Publishers Weekly

"For fans of Tara Westover's Educated, The Pale-Faced Lie: A True Story is a disturbing yet captivating memoir of how one man's psychopathic delusions can imprison an entire family . . . an empowering memoir."--New York Journal of Books

"Crow's memoir is cinematically gripping. . . . An extraordinary remembrance that's both gut-wrenching and inspiring."--Kirkus Reviews

"A hard-hitting, gut-punch memoir that should be on any reading list about family relationships and abuse, true crime, and Native American culture and interrelationships."--Midwest Book Review

"The Pale-Faced Lie by David Crow is one of the most enlightening and entertaining true stories I have ever read. . . . Every page brings new action and excitement, delivered with easy dialogue and sincerity. If you're looking for an absorbing and touching read, grab The Pale-Faced Lie today." 5 STARS--Readers' Favorite

"A compellingly and graphically written memoir about a supremely dysfunctional family."--David Steinberg, Albuquerque Journal

"It's hard to imagine a worse childhood than author David Crow and his siblings experienced. But his compelling and heart-wrenching memoir rises above the horror as a powerful testimony to the enduring strength of the human spirit. Crow's skill as a writer and his amazing lack of self-pity make this true story even more engaging."--Anne Hillerman, New York Times best-selling author

"Let me tell you, The Pale-Faced Lie is a hard and brilliantly insightful look into dealing with the hand we're dealt and improving it."--Joe R. Lansdale, award-winning author of over 40 novels, including Paradise Sky and Cold in July

"[Crow] has considerable wisdom to impart and an unexpected ending that will linger in memory. I promise that you've never read a book quite like this one."--Jeff Guinn, New York Times best-selling author

"Heartbreaking and gut-wrenchingly honest. Anyone with a troubled childhood should read The Pale-Faced Lie. David Crow's book is proof that hope rises from the ashes."--Chris Enss, New York Times best-selling author

"David Crow's incredible resilience shines through this story of triumph over adversity. . . . What makes one child so persistent and undefeatable, and another crumble? It's a question for the ages, but we can never have enough of these kinds of stories and examples."--Toby Neal, award-winning author of Freckled: A Memoir of Growing up Wild in Hawaii and the USA Today best-selling Paradise Crime Mystery series

"A memoir of an extraordinary life that is lifted by extraordinary storytelling. . . . It is emotionally engaging, consistently entertaining, and nearly impossible to put down."--James Anderson, author of The Never-Open Desert Diner and Lullaby Road

"The Pale-Faced Lie is as gripping as some of the best-selling fiction books ever written. David Crow's amazing true story is hard to read, but even harder to put down. I missed one of my own deadlines because I didn't want to stop reading!"--Sherry Monahan, award-winning author of The Golden Elixir of the West; Tinsel, Tumbleweeds, and Star-Spangled Celebrations; and The Cowboy's Cookbook

"The Pale-Faced Lie is a riveting account of a world turned upside down. A very visual, engaging, and well-written book that will make the reader cringe, cry, and cheer for a boy on a treacherous journey to adulthood. Couldn't put it down."--Felix F. Giordano, best-selling author of the Jim Buchanan novels

"A dramatic tale of strength, learning, love, and hate. You won't be disappointed."--Mark Reps, author of the Zeb Hanks: Small Town Sheriff Big Time Trouble series

"In The Pale-Faced Lie, David Crow paints a burning picture of his singular life, from his more-than-challenging early years on a Navajo reservation, to a life-altering move to an affluent suburb, to breaking into the wilds of DC's jungle of movers and shakers. Mismanaged by a criminal father--keep an eye out for what happens in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia--Crow somehow emerged with the strength and thoughtfulness to write this gift to us. A grand read and an even grander lesson of life--be prepared to be all-consumed."--David T. Beddow, author of A Ferrie Tale

Product details

File Size: 6395 KB
Print Length: 358 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Sandra Jonas Publishing (May 7, 2019)
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07P1J7P71
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray:

Enabled
Word Wise: Enabled
Lending: Enabled
Screen Reader: Supported
Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #303 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #1 in Men's Inspirational Spirituality
- #1 in Family & Inspirational Spirituality
- #1 in Family & Personal Growth

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Customer reviews

5 star		85%
4 star		10%
3 star		3%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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R. H. Mann

Buy It, Read it in one (or two) sittings, pass it along to a friend...

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

It's a little past 4:00 in the morning and it's time to go to work. I got exactly three hours of sleep last night. Why, you might ask? Because I decided to read a couple pages of The Pale Faced Lie before turning in and wound up reading the last two-thirds of the book completely unable to put it down. Just when you think that David Crow's improbable drama couldn't twist and turn any further, it does and leaves you completely agape. I'll be completely honest - David is a friend and colleague, but I would not have guessed in a million years his backstory which stands in stark contrast to his sincerity and kindness. The characters and scenes that he paints for his readers remind me of Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil, and the storyline of his cruel and deeply abusive childhood is right out of Dickens. I agree with the sentiments expressed by other reviewers here - this would make a fantastic screenplay. Bravo, David!

177 people found this helpful

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B. Crosby

So you aided and abetted a possible homicide?

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2019

Verified Purchase

Hello, is there a statue of limitations on aiding and abetting a possible homicide by helping bury the body? Can someone look into this and get back to me? I'll have to say, I read this book all the way through in a couple nights, because I come from a similar dysfunctional family, and just like my tendency to be drawn to messed up people and Jerry Springer episodes, I couldn't pull myself away. Let me just say, I'm not entirely convinced the author is morally enlightened here, and I'll explain. It seems the only reason he has lived the straight and narrow since his childhood is fear. He fears winding up like his father. I'm sorry, but that's insufficient for me. You should be motivated by not wanting to hurt people and being remorseful about hurting people in the past. He has yet to show any remorse for any of the victims of his pranks as a child, some extremely dangerous and potentially deadly. The drunk victims of all his cherry bombs he put next to their bodies? They could have lost fingers or eyes. The victim of the two cars wrecked by him launching a truck tire down a hill? Nothing. Sure, he feels bad about locking his mother out of the house after she returned from the hospital, but he spends a sentence on it. He spends more time regaling on his childhood exploits, as if proud of them. I was waiting for the huge mea cupla moment where he reflects on his childhood and shows real remorse for all the horrible things he did, but crickets. He doesn't sound like he's taken any responsibility for his actions as a child, and even as an adult. Any remorse for helping your father bury a dead body of a possible homicide? Any wondering about if the person is a woman or pregnant or if their family is wondering what happened to them? Nothing? Crickets? I know morally ambiguous, untrusty narration is like a cool thing these days, but this is ridiculous. Seriously, someone find out if the statute of limitations expires on aiding and abetting a possible homicide and get back to me on that.

145 people found this helpful

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Dr Woh

Incredible Read

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2019

Verified Purchase

I experienced every emotion while reading this book. Sympathy, empathy, surprise, disbelief, and support are a few of feelings while following this full-life coming of age saga. The fact that it is a true story answers some of my questions of why some people turn out like they are, but makes me appreciate the people who have overcome incredible obstacles in life to succeed, move on, and forgive. This book had me cringing at some of the experiences the author had, empathize with some of his feelings, rooting for him to win in the end, and celebrate with him at the finish line. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a serious book with a true story, told in a humorous and non-pity evoking way, with a very evident moral of the story. It also sheds quite a revealing light on some of the institutions that still exist in our country. I will read it again.

84 people found this helpful

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JerryProut

Love in the face of abuse

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2019

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Poignant and powerful, this is a story about the strength of love for a father — even in the face of the most unpleasant realities. Crow is candid in his confession of truths too hard to face, yet finally, too painful not to confront. its a book that makes you want to reach out and put your arm around the author and his siblings. Not an easy book to read but one hard to put down.

77 people found this helpful

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Ed Klaas

You won’t want to put it down!

Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

So, you think you know a guy and then you find out you don’t really know anything. I have known David for years, and have always had the greatest respect for him (and still do!), but I had no idea of the life he lived before becoming the success that he is today. His book is an easy page-turner of a read and I couldn’t put it down. Now that I have finished it I have thought about it all week long. It has staying power! Wow, just wow! Like other inspiring stories about famous athletes, leaders or everyday people who overcome incredible adversity to persevere, The Pale-Faced Lie is a book that will shock, amuse, anger and ultimately inspire. David’s decision to give in to the power of love made all the difference. It is unlike any book I have ever read. Buy it and share it with your friends and family. I bought four copies and will force them on people I know who could learn from David’s inspirational example. Well done, brother! Bravo Zulu!

65 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Reads like a Stephen King movie!!

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2019

Verified Purchase

The story of child abuse and mental torture perpetrated by a delusional father and husband who is both borderline genius and pure evil, reads like a Steven King movie. While emotionally drawn to the family's plight and wanting their torture to come to an end, you are still compelled to find out what happens next. it's a definite page turner- a cathartic tale that reveals how a son tries to cope with a demon for a father, his love of his family, and how human spirit perseveres. Written so you can actually live all of the incredible challenges the author had to survive from miserable environments to emotional torment. It will touch a multitude of your emotions from humor to heartbreak. The book tells a riveting and bizarre story of a childhood filled with fear, danger, hate, and lies, and how the writer finds reconciliation with the only answer that can bring it to an end: forgiveness.

55 people found this helpful

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Top international reviews

Kindle Customer

Amazing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

It's truly amazing that these children grew up

to become the professionals they are. What an incredible story and so very sad that any child suffered so much. What a courageous and wonderful man.

One person found this helpful

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Gwen

Excellent read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2019

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Couldn't put this down - amazing story of an amazing mans' life struggle

One person found this helpful

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Susan Carr

Good writing so far

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2019

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I am terrible as i can only read books I can't put down after the first chapter. So maybe it's me? Impatient? To be fair I have not read all of it so I can't judge so quickly. I wish it well and will go to back to it soon :)

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Sandra Blake

Emotionally gripping

Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2020

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This book touched me in so many ways. Mostly because it showed what children sometimes have to endure from their parents. The damage, abuse, heartache, choices, neglect, you name it. As you read this you can’t believe that people can be such horrible parents and never have to pay for what they did. Just a real life story. I hated to end this book

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Bob

Gripping Story of father and son

Reviewed in Canada on November 17, 2019

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A gripping story of forgiveness. A boy gross up under the influence of his criminal father who wants to make his son exactly like him. A battle of a strong son under unusual circumstance.

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Carolynn M Leeuw

Arrived exactly when it was suppose to

Reviewed in Canada on December 9, 2019

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Excellent book well written I hpe this author writes more books he is worth the read

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N M Waiariki

A true story

Reviewed in Canada on July 29, 2019

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I enjoyed the rawness and reality of this book.

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Amazon Customer

EXcellent read!

Reviewed in Canada on November 17, 2019

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Excellent read. Hard to fathom what this boy and man went through and overcame.

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