The Efficiency Expert
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Read by Delmar H Dolbier
Our hero, Jimmy Torrance, Jr., has a hard time finding suitable employment after a brilliant (athletically, at least) college career, despite all kinds of assistance from his friends in the underworld and the wealthy and sophisticated young woman with whom he falls in love. Set in contemporary America, mostly Chicago, this 1921 short novel is one of a handful of Burroughs' works that does not take us to a fantasy or an exotic setting. (Delmar H. Dolbier) (5 hr 11 min)
Chapters
| Jimmy Torrance, Jr. | 11:19 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Jimmy Will Accept A Position | 13:16 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| The Lizard | 14:20 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Jimmy Hunts a Job | 10:25 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Jimmy Lands One | 13:13 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Harold Plays the Raven | 10:56 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Jobless Again | 9:28 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Bread From the Waters | 9:51 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Harold Sits in a Game | 10:48 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| At Feinheimer’s | 6:59 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Christmas Eve | 15:41 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Up Or Down? | 12:15 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Harriet Philosophizes | 7:35 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| In Again - Out Again | 8:48 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Little Eva | 10:19 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Jimmy Throws a Bluff | 14:01 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Jimmy on the Job | 8:19 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| The Efficiency Expert | 12:20 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Plotting | 12:01 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| An Invitation to Dine | 8:32 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Jimmy Tells the Truth | 13:50 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| A Letter From Murray | 10:09 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Laid Up | 6:50 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| In the Toils | 10:18 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| Circumstantial Evidence | 12:43 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| ‘The Only Friends He Has’ | 12:02 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| The Trial | 11:08 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
| The Verdict | 13:41 | Read by Delmar H Dolbier |
Reviews
Santana
Firstly, thank you for the excellent naration. Secondly, my goodness, what an excellent story from E.R.B. This is an absolutely must read, or listen, as the case may be. I found myself chuckling and laughing out loud repeatedly throughout this narration due to the outstanding character observations, situations, and conversations expressed within this dark hilarious tale. I think this story epitimizes the underappreciated genius of Mr. Burroughs.
WOW
Brett Miller
A true hidden gem. This doesn't have the popularity of Tarzan, John Carter, Pellucidar, or even the mad king; but it is easily Burroughs best work in regards to characters. Set in Chicago, and filled with well developed personalities. Society and the underworld mesh into a great story. absolute must read.
ken lunstrum
A LibriVox Listener
A splendid narration of a very good story. The near raider does a fantastic job with all the voices.
unexpected and excellent
Akku
This wasn’t what I’d expected. I expected Tarzan or war lords on mars or something. I read nothing before it started. So it was all new to me. It started off a little bit PG Wodehouse but then starts taking a far more interesting turn. There’s a lot in this story from a century ago which a lot of folks can still learn from. I actually find the protagonist a little “thin” and he seems more that he’s there to hang a cast of fascinating supporting characters off than to be engaged with himself. There are some great characters in this. All very good.
Terrific - one of my favorite Librivox books!
lanternland
Great old fashioned story that's got it all - intrepid hero; beautiful but treacherous woman; beautiful and true woman; whore with a heart of gold (Little Eva, the most memorable person in the book); honorable outlaw (Lizard, the second most); despicable villains; crooked boxing matches; and surprises and twists galore! The reader, Delmar H. Dolbier, does a GREAT job - though I have to admit that his female voices are pretty pathetic - but they work anyway! This is one of my top favorites and I'm listening to it all over again now.
One of ERB'S best!
Seven Archers
This is not the normal Edgar Rice Burrough's story that I'm used to, I definitely didn't expect it to be as good as it was, he did an excellent job of character development and plot. It was immensely entertaining. The reader is one of the best on LibriVox!
A simple story of good vs. evil
CLdoubleU
+... told by an excellent narrator with energy and enjoyment on his and my part. I especially enjoyed the 1920's contemporary language and the many idioms of the time used by ERB. I enjoyed every chapter as read by the reader. Well done.
WOW! Great Read!
Anewelding
I would never have thought I would find a book like this from grb. Great story great narrator actor reader and just to All Around good book in one of those books that you see it you see the ending coming but it was worth it