{"id":1895,"date":"2025-02-06T18:26:31","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T18:26:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=1895"},"modified":"2025-02-06T18:26:31","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T18:26:31","slug":"review-once-upon-a-time-in-tel-aviv-a-bank-robbers-story-by-mike-mazursky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=1895","title":{"rendered":"Review: Once Upon A Time in Tel Aviv: A Bank Robber\u2019s Story by Mike Mazursky"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/div>\n

Synopsis:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Exotic locale, fast money, nerves of steel and a torrid love affair. What else does a bank robber need?<\/p>\n

Born in the former Soviet Union but raised in Brooklyn, New York, Mike grows up the black sheep of an educated, law-abiding Jewish family. Drawn to the criminal life he realizes that the risks of testing the American justice system are best left to someone else, so he moves to the land of his forefathers where things are a bit less draconian and the weather a lot more inviting\u2026<\/p>\n

After a brief stint in the IDF, Mike is living the expat life in Tel Aviv. Idolizing the legendary hold up men of yesteryear since his youth, he becomes a prolific bank robber in his own right. Operating for years under his gentleman bandit credo of non-violence and torn between his love for the beautiful Ortal and his lust for adventure, Mike knows he has to get out while he still has the chance\u2026<\/p>\n

Written almost entirely behind bars during his incarceration within the Israeli prison system, Once Upon A Time in Tel Aviv is both introspective, defiant, and at times, tongue in cheek, as Mike Mazursky takes us into the soul of a modern-day outlaw searching for meaning, easy money, bad press, and a good time before time runs out\u2026<\/p>\n

Favorite Lines:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe way I saw it\u2026recklessness was a different kind of freedom. And freedom\u2026freedom is a different kind of love story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA girl I was in the IDF with once told me that my refusal to learn Hebrew stemmed from my refusal to integrate into Israeli society or to society as a whole in general and was a clear indication that I was an anti-social criminal personality who should be kept as far away from the military as humanly possible. I told her that was a hell of a whole lot coming from a girl who only finished high school about thirteen months ago and that maybe she ought to get to know a guy before passing judgement on him like he was the frikkin anti-Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe problem with certain people is\u2026 the more drinks they have, the more obnoxious they get.\u201d<\/p>\n

My Opinion:<\/strong><\/p>\n

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.<\/p>\n

Once Upon a Time in Tel Aviv <\/em>\u00a0is a gripping and unapologetic journey into the mind of a modern outlaw. Written almost entirely during the author\u2019s time behind bars, this book is listed as a fiction but I often times found myself curious if it was more of a memoir.\u00a0 This story blurs the line between introspection and adrenaline-fueled adventure, giving readers an intimate look at a man who built his life on risk, charm, and the thrill of the heist.<\/p>\n

Mazursky\u2019s storytelling is raw and compelling, balancing humor, defiance, and a surprisingly philosophical edge. Born in the Soviet Union and raised in Brooklyn, Mike\u2019s early life set the stage for a rebellious path that ultimately led him to Israel, where he became a prolific bank robber\u2014operating under a strict code of non-violence. His adventures are cinematic, filled with high-stakes crimes, the intoxicating allure of fast money, and a passionate love affair that complicates his already precarious existence.<\/p>\n

Beyond the action, what sets this book apart is its deeper exploration of freedom, morality, and the inevitability of consequence. Mazursky doesn\u2019t just glorify his choices\u2014he dissects them, offering readers a candid glimpse into the psychology of a man living on the edge. His writing is sharp, witty, and often laced with dark humor, making for an engaging read that\u2019s equal parts crime thriller and philosophical reflection.<\/p>\n

Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n

For fans of true crime, outlaw stories, and fast-paced, no-holds-barred storytelling, Once Upon a Time in Tel Aviv<\/em> is a must-read. It\u2019s a bold and unforgettable tale of a man chasing adventure and identity, knowing that time is always running out. Happy reading!<\/p>\n

Check out\u00a0Once Upon A Time in Tel Aviv: A Bank Robber\u2019s Story<\/em><\/a> here!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Synopsis: Exotic locale, fast money, nerves of steel and a torrid love affair. What else does a bank robber need? Born in the former Soviet Union but raised in Brooklyn, New York, Mike grows up the black sheep of an educated, law-abiding Jewish family. Drawn to the criminal life he realizes that the risks of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1896,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1895","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1895"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1895"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1895\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}