The Pale-Faced Lie

A True Story

By: David Crow

Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab

Growing up on the Navajo Indian Reservation, David Crow and his 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 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 24 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.

©2019 David Crow (P)2020 Tantor

A Sad, Riveting Childhood Tale

When I purchased this audiobook, for some reason I thought it would be tamer. It turned out to be one of the most riveting books I’ve read this year.

David Crow tells his story about his childhood memories from a clear first person perspective. The story he tells about growing up with his parents, especially his father, is so appalling it almost seems like fiction.

David’s portrayals of growing up, believing, as we all do, what his father told him and then learning how to navigate the fine line between his father’s tepid acceptance of him and being beaten for the slightest infractions are disturbing, to the point I had to stop listening at times.

This book will leave you wanting to understand why these types of parents exist and what can we do to help those children that are in their clutches. You must read this book.

Great book!

I listen to Audible books while taking long bike rides or when traveling. This book sparked my interest from the beginning and carried me thru to the end. Well done David Crow, well done. Thank you for sharing your story.

excellent

This was an exceptional story. I had a lot in common with the relationship that David Crow had with his father. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story about family and betrayal.

Excellent Memoir

I was hooked from the first few lines. Haunting and powerful, this is a memoir like no other, a story that stays with you. Saying the author came from a “dysfunctional” family seems inadequate - there should be a new word for the childhood and parents he and his siblings endured. Kudos to all of them for overcoming and succeeding!

A look inside

This can be a tough read but as a former school teacher of 26 years it gave me a glimpse of what some of my students might have been experiencing in their families. One never knows the whole story. Thank you for your bravery in sharing Mr. Crow, and forgiving. Grace and mercy prevail, always!

Couldn’t stop listening!

I literally couldn’t stop listening to this book! It’s so good. It’s unbelievable what the author went through as a kid and even an adult. Definitely recommend it.

keeps your attention throughout

very few dull moments... For the most part, detail packed and keeps you interested with an intriguing storyline...

You Won't Be Disappointed

Excellent in every way. A highly compelling, sometimes gut wrenching, sometimes funny story. Superbly narrated!

Very familiar

This book is incredible and help me through my past in words I can’t find.

Pale faced lie

I loved this book. It is wonderfully narrated and so interesting I hated when it ended