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Summary: The Pretender Meets Milken!
Review: What a terrifically humourous book about real crime. Now, that in itself is an unusual statement. This is not crime as in, well, In Cold Blood. It's more like The Pretender from T.V. meets junk bond scammer Michael Milken.Twenty years ago author and central chameleon character, Frank Abagnale, was not only a criminal but a New York Times bestselling author. Along with an upcoming movie, this true life adventure story is being re-released. This daring con man divulges everything from forgery of over $2.5 mil in checks, to being a pseudo-pilot for Pan Am, a sociology college professor, supervising doctor, everything but an Indian Chief--maybe that too if monies were involved. For five years his ego lead him around the world as Frank Abagnale aka Robert Conrad, Frank Adams and Robert Monjo. Maybe even more. Playing up life as if he owned the secrets of the Universe. You just have to admire a guy like that. Rather the way you pull for the fictional characters, Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid. Only Frank lives-to now help the Government prevent the type of fraud and debunking our modern day bandit loved to pull off. This is just a great rollicking read & I await the movie with much anticipation. other reading suggestion: "The Millionaire-Story of John Law" by Gleeson Thanks for your interest & comment votes--CDS
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Summary: Best Con Artist Story I've Read
Review: A very interesting read about the ultimate con artist. The author's writing style is the only reason this book doesn't get five stars. He is a big fan of bad puns and and using sentences like "New York has more beautiful chicks than a poultry farm." Further, the author never misses the opportunity to remind you of his sexual prowess. These shortcomings aside, this was a terrific read. His cons become more elaborate and unbelievable. Highly recommend this one.
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Summary: Un-put-downable
Review: Written with the kind of flowing speed that suits a man-on-the-run, this tale of a true-life con artist absolutely surpasses any action adventure The Jackal-type rip-off movie you might consider seeing on the same topic. Sure, author Frank Abagnale isn't afraid to blow his own horn or relate his prowess with women, but as he says on the opening page, "Modesty isn't one of my virtues...virtue isn't one of my virtues." My husband read this in two sittings, and then proceeded to talk about it for an entire week - so I read it, too. It's full of wit, thrills, and shenanigans that you just can't believe Frank thought up or pulled off - but he did. My only regret? That the book didn't add any postscript - how he went from being a 21 year old criminal to the man he is today. I'll buy the sequel!
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Summary: Antisocial Personality Disorder has its upside...
Review: I read the first edition of this book and was struck by how clearly the author's actions illustrated a psychopathic thought process. That he has chosen to channel his actions into a "socially acceptable" career makes for a fascinating read! Too often we are shown "profiles" of psychopaths in the serial-killer-with-cold-dead-eyes category. Here's the more common version... ENJOY!
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Summary: A Banker's Evaluation
Review: I have seen and heard Frank Abagnale speak to banking groups on security challenges in the financial industry. He's done it all and now he tells you how he did it! Abagnale's story borders on incredible...from an airline pilot to an attorney to a physician on staff at a reputable hospital....how could anybody get away with being "the great imposter"? Well, Frank did! It's an interesting book that will keep you asking the question..."How could anybody get away with that?" Buy it today!
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Summary: A Riot!
Review: Highly entertaining--I read this one in one gulp. What Frank Abagnale, aka Frank Williams, Frank Adams (etc.) managed to pull off in a short time was nothing short of amazing. Forgery, counterfeiting, impersonating a pilot, doctor AND lawyer, and even a bank heist, thrown in for good measure. I swear that while I was reading the book, I could have been easily convinced to quit my legal job and run a few scams. It isn't so much the lifestyle that draws you in--expensive clothes, money lying around--it's that you really want to be that clever. The money was always incidental to him; he would get his thrills by outsmarting people. You get vicarious thrills reading about it. The book does have its sobering moments, such as his description of serving time in a French jail. Another negative: his incredible arrogance, especially in his dealings with, and depictions of, women--it was overkill to keep referring to his (over-)active libido and reminding us that he had women in every port that he used without thought to their feelings. My impression was that he was (or is) unrepentent about using them, as if he thought they were complicit in his deception by their ignorance. Nonetheless, a hilarious, fast-paced, morally ambiguous tale that will leave you rooting for a not-so-bad guy and wondering: Could I really do that?
Rating:
Summary: HIGHLY recommended
Review: I bought this book for the subway ride, but I've had to restrain myself from reading it on lunch breaks and at night. I've only got two chapters left, and as much as I'm dying to read the rest, I don't want it to end! Very fluid, smoothly written, and by far the most enjoyable book I've read all year. The main character (and author) is extremely likeable despite his crimes, and his adventures are simply amazing. The biggest delight is knowing that this is actually a true story!
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Summary: Hilarious!
Review: I used to have a copy of the original 1980 edition of Abagnale's book, and lost a good friend several years ago when he skipped town with it. I've been waiting for the re-release anxiously. You might expect it to be hard to root for someone with multiple felony convictions to get away with it. In fact, Abagnale's story is so interesting and so funny that you can't help but like him. This is reinforced by the fact that he seems to have so much fun with it himself, often playing up a role more than he strictly needs to, with hilarious results. This book is terrific. There are no slack moments, no dull episodes, and some of them are outstanding (the time when he poses as a pediatrician and has to feign medical knowledge is perhaps the funniest thing I've ever read, followed closely by his attempt to pass himself off as an assistant attorney general). The fact that Abagnale has come clean and now works on the right side of the law is just one more reason to buy and read this tremendous book.
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Summary: Great read.....
Review: I read this book several years ago after seeing him on a talk show. It keeps you attention from cover to cover and you just can't believe some of the stuff this guy gets away with. Unbelieveable. Makes your life really seem dull compared to his.
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Summary: An amazing adventure!
Review: I first read my dad's dogeared copy of this book a few years back and cannot tell you how happy I am that it's back in print. Abagnale's story is terrific, and that it's true is simply amazing. He impersonated airline pilots, lawyers, and college professors before he was 21 years old, passing fake checks and bedding beautiful babes along the way. And he got away from the cops around the world no matter how many times he was ALMOST caught. That Leonardo DiCaprio will play Abagnale in the soon-to-be-made movie will hopefully get this real-life adventure book the sort of wide-spread attention it deserves!
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