Rating: 
Summary: Mason should be back in prison, because he stole my heart
Review: It obvious that Mason enjoyed being a thief. It's obvious because he says it in his book, but also because the description of how he became thief and how he pulled off some of his biggest heists is riveting. There is a certain smart ass joy to his retelling of stealing Phyllis Diller's jewlery not once but twice. However, Mason had no joy in dealing with the police. Fighting the law is never fun, and that's what takes up a good part of the second half of the book. Mason twists his way past the cops eventually (doing very little jail time in the end) but his deaings with the police seem to hinder both him and the book.
Mason also skims over the sex and drug use that seemed to steadily became a part of his life during the 1970's and 1980's, but that may have been a wise move. I was curious to look deeper into how Mason was living and why he was doing what he was doing, but, perhaps thet's better left to another author.
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling and thought-provoking
Review: One of the best books of its kind I've ever read. Yes, the detailed accounts of heists are thrilling, but what sets this book apart is the deeply penetrating insight into the mind of an extraordinary individual. Mason pulls no punches in his brutal self-examination, and the result is a work of profound observation that haunted me for days. Best of all, the writing is splendid. (I "confess" to being a fan of Lee Gruenfeld's novels, which is why I bought the book in the first place.)
Rating:
Summary: It's a no-brainer to imagine this book as a caper film
Review: Reading the mostly-wonderful "Confessions...," I kept wishing I knew a way to bring it to the attention of William Goldman, the screenwriter of "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid". Even before author Mason mentions that was one of his favorite films, he seems to be a character right out of Goldman's wheelhouse: The rogue who is likable, almost despite himself. There's a seriously perfect movie to be made--here's hoping it's made soon and made well. I just wish the actors I kept picturing (Roy Scheider, George Carlin, Frank Sinatra) weren't either too old--or in Sinatra's case, too dead--to play Mason in his prime.
Rating:
Summary: It's a no-brainer to imagine this book as a caper film
Review: Reading the mostly-wonderful "Confessions...," I kept wishing I knew a way to bring it to the attention of William Goldman, the screenwriter of "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid". Even before author Mason mentions that was one of his favorite films, he seems to be a character right out of Goldman's wheelhouse: The rogue who is likable, almost despite himself. There's a seriously perfect movie to be made--here's hoping it's made soon and made well. I just wish the actors I kept picturing (Roy Scheider, George Carlin, Frank Sinatra) weren't either too old--or in Sinatra's case, too dead--to play Mason in his prime.
Rating:
Summary: great book !!!!!!!!!!
Review: Unlike conventional accounts of talented criminals, this book takes us farther into the mind of a fascinating man, examining his development and motivations and giving us exciting, often moving gimpses into what life is like during those times when he is not out stealing fabulous jewels. We hear about people being "on the lam" for long periods of time, but rarely get to know what it really means to be hiding in plain sight. To me, that was almost as interesting as the actual robberies, and those were incredible. My highest recommendation to all readers.
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