Preview
  • Norco '80

  • The True Story of the Most Spectacular Bank Robbery in American History
  • By: Peter Houlahan
  • Narrated by: Joe Barrett
  • Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (938 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

Norco '80

By: Peter Houlahan
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.79

Buy for $25.79

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

In the spirit of Killers of the Flower Moon and The Onion Field, Norco '80 is a gripping true crime account of one of the most violent bank heists in US history.

Norco '80 tells the story of how five heavily armed young men - led by an apocalyptic born-again Christian - attempted a bank robbery that turned into one of the most violent criminal events in US history, forever changing the face of American law enforcement. Part action thriller and part courtroom drama, Norco '80 transports the listener back to the Southern California of the 1970s, an era of predatory evangelical gurus, doomsday predictions, megachurches, and soaring crime rates, with the threat of nuclear obliteration looming over it all.

A group of landscapers transforms into a murderous gang of bank robbers armed to the teeth with military-grade weapons. Their desperate getaway turned the surrounding towns into war zones. When it was over, three were dead and close to 20 wounded; a police helicopter was forced down from the sky, and 32 police vehicles were destroyed by thousands of rounds of ammo. The resulting trial shook the community to the core, raising many issues that continue to face society today: from the epidemic of post-traumatic stress disorder within law enforcement to religious extremism and the militarization of local police forces.

©2019 Peter Houlahan (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Norco '80

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    490
  • 4 Stars
    264
  • 3 Stars
    113
  • 2 Stars
    53
  • 1 Stars
    18
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    476
  • 4 Stars
    207
  • 3 Stars
    97
  • 2 Stars
    28
  • 1 Stars
    19
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    463
  • 4 Stars
    220
  • 3 Stars
    92
  • 2 Stars
    30
  • 1 Stars
    19

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

superb

i read a lot of narrative history and have fairly high standards. the work the author put into both his research and writing is obvious and makes for an enjoyable and informative read
you should read the whole book...but the prologue alone...with its scope of the social and religious tones of the 1970s in America is worth the price if the book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible

This is a fascinating true story. It is very compelling. It's true, but unbelievable in certain respects, It is well written and narrated. Don't miss it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A lot of story

I had this robbery confused with the (years later) North Hollywood one, so initially, I was disappointed.

The book starts off with background of the robbers as well as the police officers involved. Some of the details, especially of the robbers, bored me to tears.

Once the heist starts, it gets your attention and holds on to it. I had no idea the chase was going to go as long and as far. Finally, they're all in custody and you see...there's a couple more hours of listen involved.

The story then goes into the trial, which I would describe as "circus." The lawyers, the judge, the investigators, the games...the whole thing goes on and on. Amazingly, the jury endures the whole thing and gets it right.

I would recommend this book, just stick with it past the first tiring hour or so.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen!

Intense, well researched story.

The only criticism I have with Joe Barrett’s performance is his interpretation of Manny (comes off as stereotypical Mexican bandito).

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfectly Told

This was a pleasing, engaging audio book. The characters plenty, but well-defined. Narrator was great. And, good storytelling. The writer is extremely capable

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Spellbinding!

This book is so absorbing and detailed, I listened to it twice to make sure I didn’t miss a word. Author Houlahan tells the story of the Norco 1980 bank heist from every angle. The listener gets to know every person involved and why they did what they did. This bank robbery had lasting consequences for police forces across the U.S. Its a must-read for anyone interested in history, crime, survival culture or organized religion.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Very Awesome Read

I worked for San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, as a deputy, for almost 20 years. I saw 1 training video about the Norco bank robbery. This book sheds so much more light on the event than the training video. I never knew Sgt. McCarty was involved. I have a whole new respect for him.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Drowning in irrelevant detail

I’m amazed this book has garnered so many awards and kudos. It reads as if the author basically transcribed Word for Word court records. I never could fully relate to or understand the key characters and it was far too much role calling of all of the police involved. As far as the audiobook goes, I’m afraid I did not care for the reader at all.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Action Packed!

Very enjoyable. The author’s pacing allows readers to vicariously experience how quickly or slowly time can seem to pass, in the chaotic situations that story’s subjects are drawn into.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Great Book-Problems with Editing

There is an annoying problem with the way this book is edited. Each time the narrator finishes a passage, it sounds like the audio is clicked off so when the next passage is clicked on, one often miss the first syllable of what the narrator is saying.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!