Never love a stranger, hardcover/harold robbins

Based on a $100 bet with his boss that he couldnt write a novel, Harold Robbins penned his first book, Never Love a Stranger .

Not only did Robbins win the bet, the novel became a bestseller, was adapted into the classic noir gangster film of the same name starring John Barrymore and Steve McQueen, and launched the career of one of the worlds best-selling authors of all time.

Never Love a Stranger , still considered one of Robbins most powerful books, tells the story of Francis Frankie Kane, an orphan growing up in the dirty world of New Yorks Hells Kitchen.

After being kicked out of a Catholic orphanage when it is discovered that he is of Jewish descent, a confused and deeply distraught Frankie turns to a life of crime.

Its the only life he knows, and hes good at it.

Frankie quickly makes a name for himself and becomes one of New Yorks most dangerous men, ruling the city with an iron fist and indulging in his passion for sex, power and the best things in life -regardless of whether theyre for sale.

But Frankies childhood friend, Jerry, grows to become a tough-as-nails district attorney-determined to bring Frankie down.

More than 25 New York Times bestsellers later-many reaching the #1 spot-and with over 750 million copies sold to date, Robbins became one of the most successful authors of all time.

This is the novel that started it all-giving the world its first taste of Robbins world of sex, corruption, and intrigue.