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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

6,461 ratings

in Family & Personal Growth

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Spur Award Winner for Best Western First Nonfiction Book • Spur Award Finalist for Best Western Contemporary Nonfiction • IPPY Silver Award for Best Memoir • Next Generation Indie Award for Best Memoir (Overcoming Adversity) • International Book Award for Best True Crime • Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal, Nonfiction Drama

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

Growing up on the Navajo Indian Reservation, David Crow and his three siblings idolized their dad, a self-taught Cherokee who loved to tell his children about 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. Intimidating David with beatings, Thurston coerced his son into doing his criminal bidding. David’s mom, too mentally ill to care for her children, couldn’t protect him.

Through sheer determination, David managed to get into college and achieve professional success. When he finally found the courage to refuse his father’s criminal demands, he unwittingly triggered a plot of revenge that would force him into a deadly showdown with Thurston Crow. 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.

Raw and palpable, The Pale-Faced Lie is an inspirational story about the power of forgiveness and the strength of the human spirit.

“Cinematically gripping.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Empowering missive about the long shadow cast by an abusive parent.”—Publishers Weekly

“For fans of Tara Westover’s Educated, The Pale-Faced Lie . . . is a disturbing yet captivating memoir about how one man’s psychotic delusions can imprison an entire family.”—New York Journal of Books

Print length

358 pages
Language

English
Publication date

May 7, 2019
File size

6394 KB
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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

About the Author

David Crow spent his early years on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona and New Mexico. Through grit, resilience, and a thirst for learning, he managed to escape his abusive childhood, graduate from college, and build a successful lobbying firm in Washington, DC. Today, David is a sought-after speaker, giving talks to various organizations around the world. Throughout the years, he has mentored over 200 college interns, performed pro bono service for the charitable organization Save the Children, and participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. An advocate for women, he will donate a percentage of his royalties from The Pale-Faced Lie to Barrett House, a homeless shelter for women in Albuquerque. David and his wife, Patty, live in the suburbs of DC. --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Product details

ASIN : B07P1J7P71
Publisher : Sandra Jonas Publishing (May 7, 2019)
Publication date : May 7, 2019
Language : English
File size : 6394 KB
Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 358 pages
Page numbers source ISBN : 0997487151
Lending : Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #1,561 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1 in Biographies & Memoirs of Criminals
- #1 in Children's Studies
- #1 in Family & Personal Growth

Customer Reviews:
6,461 ratings

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B. Crosby

So you aided and abetted a possible homicide?

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2019

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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.

552 people found this helpful

Helpful

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!

328 people found this helpful

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Tree Hugger

I kept hoping it would get better. It did not.

Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2020

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This was a really odd memoir. Clearly this kid had a traumatic childhood, a maniac father and a depressed and ineffective mother. That said, I had trouble believing all of the events. But even assuming one did believe all of the dysfunction and trauma, what's lacking more than anything in the retelling of his life is any sort of reflection, growth, or understanding of who is parents were and why they were so damaged and why and how he and his siblings became successful in life despite childhood abuse and neglect. There's also the disturbing fact that he and his brother were, themselves, delinquents and often violent and destructive. I suppose that can be a manifestation of a traumatic childhood but then discuss this. Reflect on it and bring us into your head, your heart, your mind. As an older child and even young adult, he continued to stay tied up in his father's criminal activity and even helped bury someone his father killed. Perhaps this should be discussed with the police. Maybe the family of that person has been searching for him for decades. Just hearing about a whole lot of violence and abuse doesn't make for a good story. The writer needs to research the lives of his parents and examine his own life in the context of this crazy family. None of that occurs. On top of all of this, Crow is not a very good writer. I'm not sure why I finished the book. As my headline says, I kept hoping it would get better. I did not. A waste of my time. Cannot even remotely recommend this and I have no idea why it has received such glowing reviews.

177 people found this helpful

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Dr Woh

Incredible Read

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2019

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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.

157 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.

123 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Roger Dodgson

It is not just the people’s of colour that have been treated badly.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2020

Verified Purchase

Since my early boyhood, when my father used to read my brother and I western stories by Zane Grey, I have had an interest in the native Americans, their culture and the absolutely awful way they have been treated by the American politicians.
This book is yet another in a long line of stories of how badly the “Indians” have been treated!
It is an extremely interesting read for anyone interested in American social injustice. Just as bad the treatment of the negro slaves and their descendants.

3 people found this helpful

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.

2 people found this helpful

sjoyjoy

Very moving read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 7, 2021

Verified Purchase

Fantastic read, so glad you have your life on track after such a terrible child hood!! I wish I could read more... Hoping all is still well!

R. W. Kent

A triumph out of despair

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2021

Verified Purchase

This is an exceptional story, it grips from the start and hooks you in completely on an emotional level.

It drags you to the depths of despair, when you can’t believe that somebody grew up with a morale compass in this environment. It’s a triumph of how humanity is completely flawed and also remarkable, but simply this is just a great book.

Sarah Hrybyk

Excellent read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

Excellent read.

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