Rating: 
Summary: Top Notch !
Review: This is one of the best non-fiction, "true crime" book I have ever read. I found it impossible to put it down (read it non-stop fro 5 hours). I recomend it to everyone !!
Rating: 
Summary: An imposter in every way
Review: The idea of an ex con artist telling his story intrigued me...until about the 3rd page. This guy is an imposter in every sense of the word, and his biggest con is getting people to spend money on this book. (There's going to be a movie??? Even worse). I erroneously expected there to be even a light undertone of remorse, now that he has supposedly been rehabilitated and makes his money "legitimately". Abagnale comes across as a sociopath with no discernible conscience regarding his past actions.
His stories ARE fascinating, not because of his cleverness, but because of his audacity. This is what enables him to get away with his cons. But I found them difficult reading, because his egomaniacal personality gets in the way. This is a guy that refers to women as "broads" and "foxes". Every thing he says and does results in people melting in his hands like butter, and smiling broadly at the opportunity. Equally astonishing is his persistent bragging that he never took advantage of individuals, only banks and corporations.
I won't go so far as to tell you not to read this book, most people will find his stories, if not him, amusing. But don't put more money in this man's pockets by buying it--borrow it.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Story
Review: Very amazing indeed. Thing is...I can't believe it's all true! Frank is a genius, and especially he did it all as a teenager/young adult. This is a must, especially before the film comes out in December, so you will know how GREAT the film will be.Spielberg,DiCaprio,Hanks,Walken, and a great story in Catch Me If You Can...can't get any better than that.
Rating:
Summary: I didn't want this book to end...
Review: The episodes in Mr. Abagnale's life of crime are unbelievable and would make an award-winning movie. After reading "Catch Me If You Can," I found myself talking about this book incessantly. The writer takes the reader on a adventurous foray into the mind of a criminal genius...I began to hope that he would escape capture as I wanted this book to never end. The one thing that stayed with me upon completion was that the book covered such a short portion of his life... he was 15 when his life of conning people (or should I say "banks")began and in
his early twenties when he was (successfully) captured. I wanted to know more about his life after being released from jail and joining the FBI's Financial Crime Unit. The book was thoroughly enjoyable and a great read for anyone! I particularly liked the descriptions of the planning of each "caper" and I found myself laughing outloud at his
sheer luck in not getting caught. Unfortunately, I was amazed and astonished at how easy it was for him to don a pilot's uniform to get aboard a plane, construct a forged ID, work as a pediatrician and college professor. I am very relieved that he works on the right side of the law NOW.
Rating: 
Summary: Are we supposed to feel sorry for him?
Review: I realize it takes a big ego to do what Frank Abagnale Jr. did. However when he talks about the hardships of prisons in France I could not bring myself to feel sorry for him. What ever was done to him, it obviously didn't work. He went right back to scamming people. I know he is supposed to be some sort of Anti-Hero, but that just doesn't work for me. He comes across more as an arrogant jerk than an anti-hero. I just could not bring myself to root for him in anyway. The only reason I finished the book is because I was on a long flight, and had nothing else to read. Here's hoping the movie is better.
Rating: 
Summary: a perplexing mistake
Review: I found this book an exhilarating ride from start to finish. As hi-tech drifters go, Frank Abagnale has few peers. I'm just alittle disappointed in a glaring mistake. On page 45, we go along with him on his first ever deadhead trip, to Miami as it turns out. It's clearly stated that he arranged right there at the Eastern airlines desk, that first 'jump'. However, only ten pages [and 2 years of scams] later, he mentions the deadhead trip that nearly proved his undoing. It was on National Airlines; a flight from New Orleans to Miami. Frank marks this flight in nostalgic terms--saying how, here he was 'again' on a 'National' flight to Miami, deadheading, his very first 'jump' having been on National Airlines. If Eastern arranged him on a carrier [for that first trip two years previous] OTHER than Eastern, that wasn't made clear. I assume it was Eastern he first flew...why the glaring mistake??
I only mention this detail 'cos I care about the veracity of the other subsequent details!
Great book, Frank, And I can't wait for the film. Leonardo DiCaprio as you, though?! Too baby faced. Tobey Maguire--much more convincing!
Rating:
Summary: Cover to cover in three hours flat
Review: An absolutely fascinating read. While not a how-to guide to running a professional con, this autobiography reads almost like a fiction story. Frank Abagnale's life story could not have been any better crafted for a novel. The story itself progresses steadily, leaving the reader both entertained and educated about the confidence scams that the author employed throughout his brief but lucrative career. I couldn't recommend the book more highly.
Rating:
Summary: You'll be caught...
Review: Frank Abagnale is an accomplished fellow. He has been an airline pilot, a pediatrician, a bank security guard, a layout artist, a teacher and an attorney. Well, okay, he was none of those things but he sure fooled everyone around him. Frank Abagnale nonchalantly meanders through life, leaving a trail of extreme fraud in his wake, and boy was it noticed. This book is very well written and reads like a fun, espionage novel. But, about halfway through you are reminded that this is not a novel, but a true story! And when his crimes catch up with him, the experience is horrific. This book has inspired a film by uber director, Steven Spielberg with Leonardo DiCaprio as the under 21 Abagnale. But, before that happens, this is a great story of a most interesting man...
Rating:
Summary: I can't remember when I laughed so much!
Review: I agree with one review about the abrupt ending, leaving us hanging as to what eventually happened to this guy, but my husband and I both enjoyed the book (audio) so much, I have to give it 5 stars anyway! While I certainly can't condone Abagnale's fraudulent ways, he seemed like the kind of guy who wouldn't hurt a fly. But a guy with the gonads of an elephant. It made me remember that people will very often just take you at your word even if you aren't as slick as Abagnale. His gall is amazing. Imagine finding out who the "big guy" in a huge financial institution (an arrogant s.o.b.) and dressing up like an affluent client, going in and saying something like "I need to cash a rather large check - J.P. will okay it. Oh, he's not in? That's right, he told me that last week, well just let me speak to his secretary. Hi, John Jones here, tell J.P. I'm sorry I missed him and Joan and I are looking forward to the event next week. He'll know what I mean." The bank officer, not wanting to give the "big guy" one more thing to get angry about, agrees to cash the check. This is the kind of well-thought out scheme Abagnale pulled regularly. Who else could steal the night deposits, enlisting a couple of State Troopers who show up to help him or con his way out of jail, getting the warden & guard to help him? I can't help myself - I love this guy!
Rating:
Summary: Catch Me if you can
Review: Great book could hardly put it down!!It Really show's how the airlines have been lax in security! The Book may become a movie!
|
