The original text seems to be rather fragmented and unclear. However, I'll do my best to rewrite and expand it based on what's provided.

4,38 is an interesting number. It could potentially represent many things. Maybe it's a quantity of something, like 4,38 apples in a basket. Or perhaps it's a measurement, such as 4,38 meters. It could also be a code or an identification number. Without further context, it's difficult to determine its exact meaning. But regardless of what it represents, 4,38 has a certain significance. It might stand out in a series of numbers or have some sort of importance in a particular situation. We can only wonder what lies behind this seemingly random number.

Please note that this is a bit of a stretch as the original text was very limited. If you can provide more context or clarify what the numbers are supposed to mean, I can create a more accurate and meaningful rewrite.

The great thing about this book is also its downfall.

The story about Hemingway in Cuba is filled with a plethora of facts and trivia that are truly amazing to read and discover. It offers a fascinating glimpse into Hemingway's life and times in that particular setting. However, this abundance of details also makes the book rather dense. It seems as if Simmons had a difficult time omitting the technical knowledge he unearthed during his research for the book.

That being said, at the conclusion of the book, the narrator provides an explanation as to why he doesn't write in the style of Hemingway and why it is challenging for him to leave out details. In a sense, it is Simmons' way of justifying the way he wrote the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed being transported to Cuba in 1942 through the pages of this book. It left me with a deep sense of intrigue regarding Ernest Hemingway and his works.

This book is highly recommended for those who have a penchant for historical novels and a love for Ernest Hemingway. It offers a unique perspective on the famous author and his experiences in Cuba.

I firmly believe that Dan Simmons is an incredibly underrated writer.

He fearlessly jumps between different genres, and in every single one, he manages to excel.

In recent years, his focus has shifted towards historical novels.

In "The Crook Factory", he delves into Ernest Hemingway's counterespionage efforts in Cuba during World War II.

What makes this even more astonishing is that in the afterword, Simmons claims that the story is 95% true.

Not only that, but he also manages to incorporate many other well-known celebrities into the narrative.

Names like Ian Fleming, J. Edgar Hoover, Marlene Dietrich, Gary Cooper, and many more are all part of this captivating story.

This book is highly recommended for anyone who loves a good historical novel with a touch of mystery and a cast of fascinating characters.

It's a must-read for fans of Simmons and those who are looking for something new and exciting to read.

Don't miss out on this amazing work of literature.

The story is engaging, although it may seem a little long in the tooth. Some of the exposition of characters involves an onerous amount of detail. However, Simmons writes well.

I believe we will witness an advancement in his integration skills in his further novels. Simmons truly stands out as deft in the genre of historical fiction. It's interesting to note that even if not much of it is _actual_ fiction.

His ability to bring historical periods and events to life through his writing is remarkable. The way he weaves together the details of the story and the characters makes it a captivating read.

Despite the potential drawback of the extensive character exposition, the overall quality of the writing and the engaging nature of the story make it a worthwhile read. I look forward to seeing how Simmons continues to develop and improve in his future works.

As boring as Hemingway’s novels themselves, that description seems rather appropriate.

Look closely, Dan Simmons is indeed regarded as one of the greatest authors alive today. His extensive bibliography truly speaks volumes for itself. With ‘The Crook Factory,’ readers are presented with a unique blend where more facts than fiction are offered. Simmons himself states in the afterward that a remarkable 95% of the novel is based on truth. This aspect is quite fine, especially considering that some of those facts pertain to fascinating historical events. However, other facts, such as the FBI records that consume several pages with rather textbook-like material, can prove to be a bit overwhelming and daunting.

The multiple cameos from famous actors, politicians, and authors added an element of fun to the narrative. The main character’s annoyance with Hemingway’s forced macho behavior felt entirely suitable, as I found myself in complete agreement with him. Nevertheless, this particular work just didn't grip me as strongly as some of Simmons’ other novels. I firmly believe that Simmons has the talent to publish even his “to-do list” and still make it at least a fraction interesting. Sadly, that's precisely what ‘The Crook Factory’ was to me; it contained only a fraction of interesting material. Overall, I would rate it 2.5 out of 5.

Entertainment pure! At the beginning, the author was able to string together facts with fiction, but in certain parts sacrificed the pace of the story to provide information about the historical context. Fortunately, as we delved deeper into the romantic landscapes of Cuba in the forties and the world of espionage during World War II, Simmons abandoned that tendency, not being dragged into the common obsession of some writers of the genre to "spit out" everything they have researched.

However, it is obvious to the reader that the author's research was indeed extensive, although mostly only implied in the text, reflecting the idea of the "iceberg" that Hemingway referred to when talking about what was visible and invisible in a novel. From using as much of the real Hemingway in his "Hemingway" as possible, making him as faithful and real as possible, to dissecting the functioning of the information systems of various countries, Simmons was meticulous. However, he did not let this overload of data prevent him from skillfully filling the gaps of the "facts" with his story, to the point that at times it is difficult to understand where the truth ends and the fiction begins. Something particularly difficult, considering that many of the historical facts, duly documented, such as, for example, the landing of the German spies in Long Island or Assault Unit 30, seem to have come out of the sitcom «'Allo'Allo!».

This combination of historical accuracy and fictional creativity makes the book a truly engaging read. It takes the reader on a thrilling journey through a bygone era, filled with mystery, danger, and romance. Simmons has managed to create a world that is both believable and captivating, making it difficult to put the book down. Whether you are a history buff or a lover of fiction, this book is sure to satisfy.

James Bond is a fictional character known for his charm, intelligence, and heroic deeds. But what if there was a real-life version of James Bond who was also suicidal?

This real James Bond might have all the skills and abilities of his fictional counterpart. He could be a master of espionage, a skilled fighter, and an expert in handling high-tech gadgets.

However, despite his many talents, this real James Bond would be struggling with inner demons. The constant stress and danger of his job, along with the loss of loved ones and the moral ambiguity of his actions, could have taken a toll on his mental health.

Suicidal thoughts might have crept into his mind, as he felt trapped in a life he no longer wanted. He might have considered ending it all, but at the same time, his sense of duty and honor would prevent him from doing so.

This real James Bond would be a complex and tragic figure, a hero who was also a victim. His story would be one of struggle, pain, and ultimately, perhaps, redemption.

Another absolutely GREAT story by Dan Simmons!! I am never ever tired of reading his works and he doesn't disappoint again in this historical fiction tale about Ernest Hemingway and his stranger than life exploits as a spy for the U.S. down in Cuba during World War II.

Like many of Simmons's novels, there is at least as much fact as there is fiction in this brilliantly crafted tale of espionage, politics, drama, and intrigue down in the Caribbean during the first years of American involvement in the war with the Axis Powers.

The premise is firmly rooted in obscure historical fact, which Simmons has a remarkable nose for uncovering. He then uses the framework of history as a template and fills in the rest with his one-of-a-kind imagination. The way he creates a fictional account of factual events, where no one really knows what exactly took place, is similar to works like "Drood", "The Terror", and "Black Hills".

The way Simmons writes is simply page-turning. His prose is that of a master craftsman, changing ever so slightly depending on the topic, the time period, and the voice of the narrator and point of view for the story. If you peruse other books by Simmons, you will be amazed at his ability to write in any genre as if he was born into it.

This book has a little bit of everything - love, action, mystery, suspense. It has anything you could be looking for. I truly wish I could discover the wealth of information that Simmons gathers about these rather obscure historical events that actually occurred. In fact, in "The Crook Factory", right after the end, Simmons details all the facts surrounding the story and inserts the actual FBI documents and correspondence from the 40's. It truly brings to life an author most of us know, but not to this depth.

As I state in every Simmons review I pen, I would read his shopping list if he were to publish it. And I mean it wholeheartedly.

You cannot go wrong with Simmons.

I fell in love with Simmons' writing while reading The Terror.

My appreciation for the search for the NW Passage and my love of horror melded this book perfectly.

I will say I was skeptical coming into this book. I am not a huge espionage reader nor a fan of Hemingway.

BUT, anything centered around the "true" facts of this story is really informative!

I do appreciate Simmons' transparency on what was true and false. It's inspired me to read more on the FBI, Hoover, and some of the mistakes that were made during the war and during the Red Scare in the 50's.

This book has opened my eyes to a whole new world of historical events and their fictional interpretations.

It makes me want to explore more of Simmons' works and see how he weaves together fact and fiction in other stories.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good historical horror or mystery.

It's a captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

A heroic journey in Cuba during World War II, with guide the special agent Joe Lukas!

The incredible story of Che Guevara and the Factory of Liars, which becomes even more incredible when one takes into account that it is 95% true!

This adventure takes us back to a time of great turmoil and conflict. Joe Lukas, a skilled and fearless special agent, leads the way as we explore the hidden corners of Cuba.

Che Guevara, a revolutionary icon, plays a central role in this tale. His actions and decisions shape the course of events, and his charisma and determination inspire those around him.

The Factory of Liars, a mysterious and shadowy place, holds many secrets. As we delve deeper into its mysteries, we uncover a web of lies and deception that threatens to undermine everything we know.

But through it all, Joe Lukas and Che Guevara remain steadfast, determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to those who have been wronged.

This is a story of courage, adventure, and the power of truth. It is a story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading.

This was an extremely well-written "Novel" that detailed some seemingly true adventures. Ernest Hemingway had these adventures in Cuba during World War II as he chased spies.

However, it gave the impression that someone was penning a nonfiction book. Ernest was vividly portrayed, and the same goes for Martha Gellhorn, along with all the other celebrities who made a brief appearance (Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman, for example).

The point of view was that of another professional spy who was inserted into Ernest's circle by J. Edgar Hoover. But for some reason, there wasn't much suspense. After all, we all know that Ernest lived for another 20 years or so, so there was no uncertainty about his losing his life.

As I mentioned earlier, it was very well-rendered, but I found myself skimming through certain parts here and there.

The book is a fact-based fictional work that delves into Ernest Hemingway's little-known Caribbean-based spy operation in Cuba during the height of WWII.

J. Edgar Hoover, the tyrannical head of The Federal Bureau of Investigation, was deeply suspicious of Hemingway's supposed 'leftist leanings'. He enlisted FBI agent Joe Lucas to keep tabs on the spy ring.

The novel is told from Joe's point-of-view. Initially, he disliked and distrusted Hemingway. However, the novel documents his change of heart towards the author.

This historical novel is a gripping tale of riveting suspense. The characters are unbelievable yet accurately modeled on the real participants. It offers a real insight into what Hemingway's real personality might have been like.

In the "Author's Note" at the end of the book, Dan Simmons acknowledges that although THE CROOK FACTORY is a work of fiction, "the vast majority of details, characters, incidents, dialogues, and wartime events are true".

I can't recommend this book enough. I am truly impressed and definitely want to read more by Dan Simmons. His ability to blend fact and fiction in such a captivating way is remarkable.