Rating: 
Summary: Pure Fun
Review: ...Or, perhaps, impure fun. We humans certainly are perverse creatures. Everybody hates being swindled, but at the same time we seem to love a good tale of grift. I don't know if this is a pack of lies or the honest-to-God truth, but it's a great read either way. There are numerous technical details that require familiarity, so if Abagnale made up the story, he sure did his homework. And if he didn't make it up, wow, what brass you-know-whats.Unlike a few reviewers, I liked everything about the book: the swagger, the dry humor, the dated, slightly un-P.C. language, the technical tidbits, and, of course, the outrageous chutzpah. The cocky attitude fits the story perfectly. After all, this is a kid who grew up in the Bronx during the 1950s, not David Niven. But I am curious how I'm going to like Leonardo DiCaprio in the role. Doesn't seem to fit the image. Nevertheless, I'll be heading to the video store real soon.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Be Conned While You're Reading!
Review: Frank Abagnale's story certainly is a fascinating one and although many events can be backed up by the FBI, bank officials, etc., I kept smelling a rat while reading this book. Abagnale admits himself that he could charm just about anyone and I couldn't help thinking there was A LOT of embellishment in this story - possibly even situations that never actually happened - after all - this book WAS written by a con man! One example that comes to mind is when he talks about being in a French prison and sees a strange-looking person with waist length hair he didn't recognize: it turns out he was looking in a mirror. Well, no one grows hair that fast in six months...There are many more situations that will have you wondering about their truth. Still, one assumes the general story is true but don't believe EVERYTHING you read in this book.
Rating:
Summary: A book far better than the film
Review: ...and there was nothing wrong with the film! Although the film was only 'inspired by' the book, perhaps 30% of the book is in the film. With one or two notable exceptions (the relationship between FBI and Abagnale, and Franks con of fellow schoolmates, which is not in the book, and the ending of the film) I found the book to be far more fascinating than the film. From his first con of his father, through his career as paperhanger, cheque swindler and con man, Frank Abagnale at 17 was at the time the youngest of his breed ever. Here he describes how he was able to take advantage of banks, airlines (one of his most successful scams as a co-pilot allowed him to travel throughout the USA and then the rest of the world), hospitals, universities... almost any institution one might care to name. Frank scammed them all, with charm, flair and ingenuity. He was caught occasionally, and if he couldn't talk his way out of it, he could usually escape (not from the French, and he didn't even try with the Swedes). Far from being a hardened criminal, Frank essentially did this to fund adventures with women, much like any teen might want to do. Frank's sheer out and out daring, his intelligence, his ability to lie at the drop of a hat and unrepentantly, and the unorthodox nature of his crimes make for compelling reading. The book does end a little up in the air, but this is resolved by an Afterword. A charming and entertaining read.
Rating:
Summary: An intriguing, hard to believe story!
Review: At times, when reading this novel, it feels like I'm just reading a really interesting fiction story that is indeed written well by the author. Then I have to remind myself that this did happen, and this person is famous because of it.
The author really does a great job explaining everything from his actions to the thoughts of those around him, especially since he is the main character in this story. He makes it very clear and hardly confusing. I enjoyed reading it because of the detail involved in letting the reader create an image of the events taking place in their own mind. It is written exactly like it is, without creating extra detail that might not be relevant to the plot.
I was really drawn to the story the entire time I was reading it, and at no time was I bored or uninterested, but it kept me turning pages and wanting to know what happens next. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good, true story filled with detail and adventures that leaves you hungry for more.
Rating:
Summary: Quick read
Review: This book was interesting. I haven't seen the movie, but Frank Abagnale impressed me with his ability to transform himself. The book is written quite simply, making it a quick read, but worth the time it takes to read it. This story doesn't really have a sort of moral highground or super-enlightening sense to it, but it's a fun read.
Rating: 
Summary: Gotcha! . . . . . If You Believe This Guy
Review: I heard him speak to 500 agents at an insurance convention about 10 years ago. He talked - bragged - about his allegedly true adventures. During the few days left of the convention I was able to ask the majority of agents (my customers) their honest opinion of Abignale's claims. Most men have a built-in BS detector and unanimously, theirs went off within the first few minutes. They laughed him off as an ego-maniacle con artist. I'm sure this is a compliment to Abignale. Here's an example of his shoddy attempts at showmanship:
When his BS stage performance was finished, he attempted a Grand Finale by reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out a red handkerchief - which turned out to be a pair of women's bikini panties. "Proof" of course, of his close acquaintenships with airline stewardesses from his "pilot days". A few days later, I made the mistake of wasting my money on his paperback. Comparing the stories he told on stage to the
versions in his book, there were so many inconsistencies, I threw the book away. I later found out that one of my good friends - young and attractive - knew him personally. She insisted that everything he said was true and how could I doubt him, especially since he went straight and is now working on the right side of the law? To me, her defense highlighted his talent at scamming the gullibles who need to believe they're as beautiful as he tells them they are. Regardless of how much they claim to be reformed - does a professional liar EVER tell the truth?
Rating:
Summary: How to be a Con Man 101
Review: I thought this inside look into the life of a former con man was entertaining and outrageous. Disguised as a Pan Am pilot, Frank W. Abagnale -- a.k.a., Frank Williams, Frank Adams and Robert Conrad -- conned, forged and duped his way to the position as one of the most notorious scam artists in the country. And the amazing part is that he had achieved the aforementioned status before his twenty-first birthday! Abagnale retells his criminal excursions with sharp wit, precise details and unmistakable arrogance. I assume that all scam artists feel a sense of superiority knowing that they have duped the FBI, and Abagnale is no exception. This is a fun and quick read that should not be missed. I look forward to watching the film version of this gem...
Rating:
Summary: A true and daring story of a teanaged con man
Review: I've seen the movie and read the book and I enjoyed both. The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the con man of the title being pursued by Tom Hanks as the FBI agent. The book is a true story about a 16 year old New York runaway who leads the FBI and other law enforcement on a 5 year globe trotting escapade of bouncing check, forged payroll checks and life in the fast lane. The author impersonated a Pan American pilot, a pediatric doctor, and an attorney among others. He did this mostly as a teenager who dropped out of high school. Obviously he is not your average drop out, but an intelligent and scheming confidence man. He was more that just a two-bit paper hanger, as he developed techniques using the Federal Routing identification number that had not been used before. After being caught and imprisoned in France, Sweden and United States, Frank Abagnale used his expertise and talents to improve the check banking system, help catch other criminals, work with the FBI, and start his own secure documents corporation. In the back of the book is a question and answer section with the author where he reveals that the movie is 80% accurate. Obvious you can not put a book covering 5 years into a 2+hour movie so some events were altered, and of course some events in the book were omitted from the movie. I give this book my highest recommendation as a fun and enjoyable read. I myself enjoyed all that much more knowing that this is a true story, written by the actual perpetrator, of his exploits as mostly a teenager. Adults as well as teenagers will like this book. This is a an easy read and a fun book to read, I hope you enjoy it as much as me. I'm also planning to read the author's other book, "The Art of the Steal". Older reades will see some similarities in the true book/movie, "The Great Imposter" which starred Tony Curtis.
Rating: 
Summary: HOW TO SUCCEED AS A TOTAL DIRTBAG!
Review: This guy actually seems proud of his exploits. Wow. Has he no shame? And why does our world embrace the bottom of the barrel like this? It's an interesting read...but like the movie "The People Vs. Larry Flynt" it glorifies someone who is deviant and destructive, then people cheer him on. I don't get it! But the bigger the creep/con man/hellraiser you are in this world...the more the gullable public wants to hear about you. What a shame. ...
Rating:
Summary: Work of (Con) Art
Review: Nothing beats reading the autobiographical book by the man himself. Written in great detail with all actual names and events altered, Frank W. Abagnale is the result of a slightly dysfunctional and broken family. To fulfil his creative instincts and barrage of fantasies/curiosities, Frank masqueraded as a pilot, a doctor, a professor and most of all, a suave young gentlement whose charm was irresistable to hoards of women. While doing everything, Frank also passed millions of dollars in fradulent checks around many countries worldwide before 21 and concealed his tracks so well that the detective hot on his case was unable to arrest him.
The book has much insight to offer. Every little detail from how Frank planned his missions to how he meticulously and painstakingly crafted his means to achieve his wants (or what had become needs by the time he was in too deep). In short, he was insatiable, risk-taking and anti-corporation.
At the end of the day, Frank's ruse worked due to a combination of factors: his eye for detail, craft for fogery, wit, intelligence, inclination for risk and most important of all, LUCK. When his luck did run out, life became hell as he spent his days from prison to prison.
The book is indeed a mind blowing reading that took you inside the world of a pubescent conman!
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