Larceny

Larceny
Average customer rating:

The Game of Loyalty

Snitching is for suckas!

Terrible

Skeletons and Loyalty

Liked It

Larceny
Jason Poole
Manufacturer: Triple Crown Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0974789550

Book Description

In the hood, a snitch is the worst thing a person could possibly be. Rolling over on your best friend who has been with you through thick and thin, hungry and full, freedom and state bids - that's "the cruelest lie told in silence". In this tale that plucks the innermost chords of emotion, jealousy turns to envy then to backstabbing as we observe two friends that have struggled together, hustled together and endured separate prison terms. While Jevon experiences the fruits of the hustle during his partner's first stint, Bilal humbly does his time like a true soldier after taking a manslaughter charge for his "brother". Will their friendship survive the broken bond of brotherhood, or will dishonor come before death?

Customer Reviews:

The Game of Loyalty.......2007-07-19

This book skipped from first person to third person and sometimes mixed both in one paragraph...but it got interesting slowly but surely. Jovan was a master of disguise and a wickedly clever assassin. I kind of figured Bilal never forgave Jovan for the death of Mal-Mal but any and all beef was concealed as set-ups were dished out one by one. I felt that I never got to really know the Sonya character. She was one big mystery. Her past and secrets should have been disclosed in the beginning making her Jovan's Bonnie to his Clyde. That would have made for a better story to tell. The innocent love-struck and over-bearing character she portrayed didn't quite fit later developments. Overall, Larceny is worth a read.

Snitching is for suckas!.......2007-06-02

Bilal takes a charge of manslaughter for his bestfriend aka brother Javon. Thinking he will hold him down out in the streets he keeps his mouth shut and does his time. In jail Bilal develops and changes alot. Once out of jail he learns that everybody aint your friend and the story truly begins. I dont want to tell it all but I will say I enjoyed reading this book. Yes it has errors and typos but it is to be expected when you get a Triple Crown novel. I would recommend this read to anyone want a good fast paced read.

Terrible.......2007-01-03

I don't really read "hood" books, but one boring night at work I had nothing to read and this book was on the book shelf. What a total waste of time. The story is dumb and the legal stuff was totally unrealistic. It read like a teenager wrote it, grammatical errors and all. Definitely do not spend your money on this trash. Amazon needs to get a "0" star rating

Skeletons and Loyalty.......2006-08-31

I like the book even if some parts seem dumb and unrealistic I still wanted to read more. The author has a way of capturing his audience the best book ever was "Convict Candy" to me was written better than this one. In all I enjoyed the book and will love to read more books by him.

Liked It.......2006-08-05

It was a good read aside from the grammatical errors and whatnot. I didn't like how the author kept flipping back and forth between Javon and Sonya's lunch date and Javon's past. Also when making phone calls the Ring, Ring, Ring grew annoying. That part was like an elementary school student writing for the first time. And the ending=unrealistic.

And for all women I do not like how Sonya was portrayed. She was self-proclaimed as "That bitch" but her behavior towards Javon was clingy and demanding.

In a nutshell though, a good read.

Where the Money Was: The Memoirs of a Bank Robber (Library of Larceny)

Average customer rating:

Willie Sutton was an amazing man
Excellent Read!
Review of Where the money was.
Fast-paced Reading!
Where the Money Was

Where the Money Was: The Memoirs of a Bank Robber (Library of Larceny)
Willie Sutton , and Edward Linn
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Criminals | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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The Encyclopedia of Robberies, Heists, and Capers

ASIN: 0767916328
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Book Description

The Broadway Books Library of Larceny
Luc Sante, General Editor

For more than fifty years, Willie Sutton devoted his boundless energy and undoubted genius exclusively to two activities at which he became better than any man in history: breaking in and breaking out. The targets in the first instance were banks and in the second, prisons. Unarguably America’s most famous bank robber, Willie never injured a soul, but took on almost a hundred banks and departed three of America’s most escape-proof penitentiaries. This is the stuff of myth—rascally and cautionary by turns—yet true in every searing, diverting, and brilliantly recalled detail.

Download Description

For more than fifty years, Willie Sutton devoted his boundless energy and undoubted genius exclusively to two activities at which he became better than any man in history: breaking in and breaking out. The targets in the first instance were banks and in the second, prisons. Unarguably America’s most famous bank robber, Willie never injured a soul, but took on almost a hundred banks and departed three of America’s most escape-proof penitentiaries. This is the stuff of myth—rascally and cautionary by turns—yet true in every searing, diverting, and brilliantly recalled detail.

“A slam-bang story loaded with anecdotes and marvelous vignettes.”
   UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL

“Willie holds the undisputed title as the world’s most endearing bank robber... A lively, disarming memoir of a very gentlemanly rogue.”
   COSMOPOLITAN

“The most famous bank robber since Jesse James... crafty, humorous, pragmatic, worldly-wise.”
   THE NEW YORKER

Customer Reviews:

Willie Sutton was an amazing man.......2006-09-27

I stumbled upon this book in the library, and thought it looked pretty interesting, so I checked it out. Little did I realize how interesting it would be. This book details the life of Willie Sutton, bank robber extraordinare, a man who held the #1 most wanted spot for over two years. I expected him to be a thuggish man, but boy was I wrong. It turns out he was quite a gentleman and intellectual, who had some kind of compulsion to rob banks. He never fired a gun, never physically harmed anyone, and managed to steal so much money from the government that they made him their most wanted man. When they caught him and sent him to prison, he spent his time reading Kierkegaard, Kant, Victor Hugo, etc. He then escapes from a maximum security prison which no one has escaped from in it's 100+ year existence, and works in a nursing home while trying to lay low, because he wanted to help people. He gets caught again, escapes again from a maximum security prison, makes the Most Wanted list, and is finally caught when he is in his 50's. He ends up with three life sentences. He decided he was too old to escape from prison again, so instead he spent a few years reading all the law books he could get his hands on, appealed all of his court decision, and had all of them overturned on technicalities that he had come across while reading. He spent the last 10-15 years of his life peacefully, as a law abiding citicen. Quite an interesting story to say the least. When asked by a reporter why he robbed banks, he supposedly said "Because that's where the money is." Hence the title of the book.

I did a little research on Sutton after I read the book, thinking that perhaps he had just tried to make himself look good. It turns out that he spent his post-jail life lecturing on prison reform and helping banks increase the level of their security. Mr. Sutton is perhaps the only class act robber I have read of this side of Robin Hood.

Overall grade: A

Excellent Read!.......2006-03-10

Excellent fast paced read. Will keep you interested all the time. A real journey thru a bank robber's life. Must Read!

Review of Where the money was........2004-08-23

This book was a great read.I remember hearing about Willie Sutton when I was a child.I have also read I,Willie Sutton which was written in 1953.This is by far the better book.Willie kept the code until the latter years of his life.After reading both books I saw the truth in this publication.Highly recommended.

Fast-paced Reading!.......2002-01-26

This book makes you feel like you are side-by-side with Willie thru the planning, bank robberies, getaways, and even prison breaks. It is written in down-to-earth language and makes you feel like Willie is your buddy, and you are sitting there listening to him tell his story. Willie makes you feel like it was okay to rob the banks, and you find yourself rooting for him. It was amazing how his mind worked, so methodically planning breaking INTO the banks, and the same mindset is what helped him break OUT of prison.

"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

Where the Money Was.......1997-12-15

Where the Money Was by Willie Suton was an excellent book. It takes you through his crimes, escapes, and prison time. I would recomend it to anyone.

At Large: The Fugitive Odyssey of Murray Hill and His Elephants

Average customer rating:

hard-hitting, balanced account of elephant custody battle

At Large: The Fugitive Odyssey of Murray Hill and His Elephants
Gary Ross
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0679409378
Release Date: 1992-05-26

Customer Reviews:

hard-hitting, balanced account of elephant custody battle.......1999-05-02

In At Large, Gary Ross presents a straight-forward account of an aging circus man who sells two elephants he has raised from babyhood, then repossesses them when the new owners fail to make their payments and the "girls" show signs of abuse. Ross pulls no punches in this amazing true story of how the nearly penniless Murray Hill manages to hide two elephants from the authorities and the furious buyers for five years. This book is very readable; in fact, it's hard to put down. It is evident that the author is determined to present an unbiased report, allowing the facts of the story to create a powerful effect on the reader. A good journalist, Ross does not force conclusions upon the reader, but presents the circumstances and charactors in a bluntly colorful and often humourous way. The beauty and grace of the elephants above all come out. But the tangled court battle for possession of these innocent creatures casts a substantial shadow of doubt and distrust on the American justice system.

Average customer rating:

Speechless!!!
Great Fun
Another Good Grisham
a good read
Exemplary

The Partner
John Grisham
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0385472951
Release Date: 1997-02-26

Amazon.com

Literary slugger John Grisham returns with a story about-- surprise!--a lawyer in trouble. Patrick Lanigan had been a young partner in a prominent Southern law firm. He had a beautiful wife, a new baby girl, and a bright future. Then one winter night Patrick was trapped in a burning car; the casket they buried held nothing but ashes.

A short distance away, Patrick watched his own burial then fled. A fortune was stolen from his ex-firm's offshore account. And Patrick ran, covering his tracks the whole way.

But, now, they've found him.

Book Description

They watched Danilo Silva for days before they finally grabbed him. He was living alone, a quiet life on a shady street in Brazil; a simple life in a modest home, certainly not one of luxury. Certainly no evidence of the fortune they thought he had stolen. He was much thinner and his face had been altered. He spoke a different language, and spoke it very well.But Danilo had a past with many chapters. Four years earlier he had been Patrick Lanigan, a young partner in a prominent Biloxi law firm. He had a pretty wife, a new daughter, and a bright future. Then one cold winter night Patrick was trapped in a burning car and died a horrible death. When he was buried his casket held nothing more than his ashes.From a short distance away, Patrick watched his own burial. Then he fled. Six weeks later, a fortune was stolen from his ex-law firm's offshore account. And Patrick fled some more.But they found him.

Customer Reviews:

Speechless!!!.......2007-08-17

If I could rate this book on the first 363 pages it would without a doubt be a 5 star novel. However, the u-turn that Grisham pulls on the last two pages simply ruined it all for me. It was a twist in its worst sense, even lacking sense. With a chapter left I was already planning which Grisham novel I would dive into next. Being finished, I'm not sure if I'll read any more of his novels, the Partner being my fifth. A very unfortunate end to a very promising novel IMO.

Great Fun.......2007-07-29

A great airplane read. Sure it is fanatasy and a bit over the top. But, so are Spiderman and Superman. A very fast read that requires little mental effort. If you want to be entertained, this is a good book for you.

Another Good Grisham.......2007-07-13

This one was very good. My expectations were low for some reason, but I really enjoyed this. I liked the character in the story, but thought that he should have come clean with one of the main events early on in the plot. Overall, a good one.

a good read.......2007-06-27

I love John Grisham novels, they are great for on the beach, flying, or just about anyplace you would like to have a fun book to read. He keeps you interested to the end. It is always a treat to sit down and enjoy one of his books.

Exemplary.......2007-03-29

I am only three quarters through this novel and if it ended there, I'd be completely satisfied already. There is surprise at every turn. The legal behind the scenes is superb. The characters, especially Patrick and Sandy keep you on the edge of your seat like in a real great movie show. The multiple identities are a real plus, not to mention how this reflects on our modern day legal system. Also recommended is the novel " The Den of Iniquity " by George Norton where he also has the scoop on legal America, though that story is a shorter read.

Conman : A Master Swindlers Own Story (Library of Larceny) (Library of Larceny)

Average customer rating:

concentrated

Conman : A Master Swindlers Own Story (Library of Larceny) (Library of Larceny)
J.R. 'Yellow Kid' Weil , and W.T. Brannon
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

True Crime | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0767917375
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Book Description

The story of Joseph “Yellow Kid” Weil, a man who could—and often did—pull off scams to outshine The Sting.

In his long career as a confidence man, Joseph “Yellow Kid” Weil swindled the public of more than eight million dollars and established the reputation for robbery and trickery. Always beating the police at their own game, “Yellow Kid” used phony oil deals, women, fixed races, and an endless list of other tricks to best an increasingly gullible public. One day, he was Dr. Henri Reuel, a noted geologist who traveled around and told his hosts that he was a representative for a big oil company—all the while draining them of the cash they gave him to “invest in fuel.” The next day, he was director of the Elysium Development Company, promising land to innocent believers while robbing them in recording and abstract fees. Or he was a chemist par excellence who had discovered how to copy dollar bills; promising to increase your fortune, he would multiply your bills—then take the booty once the police arrived.

Originally published in 1948, here is Weil’s true and amazing story, with a smart and witty Afterword by none other than Nobel Laureate Saul Bellow, who profiled “Yellow Kid” for The Reporter in 1956. It is undeniable proof that “Yellow Kid” was the con man par excellence—the virtuoso scam artist, bar none.

Customer Reviews:

concentrated.......2007-01-11

Not for those with short attention spans, this biography presents detailed story after detailed story. It gave me over a dozen evenings reading by the fire. Great value!

Average customer rating:

Aunt Eulonia Meets Her Maker
Love it, humor and a mystery!
Funny Cozy
Good Beginning
Abigail Timberlake is Funny!

Larceny and Old Lace (Den of Antiquity)
Tamar Myers
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0380782391

Book Description

For Whom The Bell Pulls Tolls

As owner of the Den of Antiquity, recently divorced(but never bitter!) Abigail Timberlake is accustomed to delving into the past, searching for losttreasures, and navigating the cutthroat world of rival dealers at flea marketsand auctions. Still, she never thought she'd be putting her expertise in mayhemand detection to other use -- until crotchety "junque" dealer, Abby's aunt Eulonia Wiggins, was found murdered!

Although Abigail is puzzled by the instrument of death -- an exquisite antiquebell pull that Aunt Eulonia never would have had the taste to aquire -- she's willing to let the authorities find the culprit. But now, Auntie's priceless lace is missing,and somebody's threatened Abby's most priceless possession: her son, Charlie.It's up to Abby to put the murderer "on the block."

Customer Reviews:

Aunt Eulonia Meets Her Maker.......2005-05-09

To be perfectly honest, I picked this book up because I liked the cover. I was looking for another mystery series to start and this one simply caught my eye. I was not disappointed.

Being the first book in the Den of Antiquity series much of this book is taken up in introducing the reader to the cast of characters and the setting. The setting being an antique district in Charlotte, North Carolina and the heroine's hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina. Having been to both locations on several occasions I didn't need much of an introduction here. The heroine in question is Abigail Timberlake, a mid-forties divorced mother of two who owns an antique shop from which the series takes it's name. Among the other characters are Abigail's Aunt Marilyn, who claims that Marilyn Monroe stole her persona and a cop whom Abigail lusts after through the whole book. Her fellow antique dealers include a retired Army Major who has a pair of Hitler's pajamas for sale, a lady who blames all crimes in the area on the swarms of Yankees that have descended on the South, a Bible thumping Pentecostal who can't stand Abby's Episcopalian Faith, and a gay Jewish guy who's sister dresses like a woolly worm.

The mystery begins when Abigail's elderly Aunt Eulonia is murdered and only gets deeper when Abby finds out that her aunt was hiding something very valuable. One of the beauties of this story is that the main character does not consider herself an amateur sleuth at all but only butts in to defend a friend that is charged with the murder. Unfortunately she almost gets killed in her effort but she does find the real killer. She makes the discovery by pure accident and the solution came as a huge surprise to her and to me also for that matter.

Myers does a wonderful job of giving this story the flavor of the South and if your not careful you may just start craving grits. There is even a discussion of that great nemesis of all Southerners, kudzu. If you have ever been in the South you have seen kudzu, whether you knew it was kudzu or not. If you have stood still in the wrong place for more than ten minuets this vine from Hades has probably swallowed you up. There is a lot of humor in this book, like the dissertation on kudzu and I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. The writing is clear and crisp but I did get lost in the dialogue a time or two.

I think that I have found a series that I am going to like very much but I would suggest to the author that Abby stop calling people Buster. I have never ever heard a Southern woman call someone Buster, unless of course that was his real name.

Love it, humor and a mystery!.......2004-10-16

This is a new series I will have to read. I love Abigail and the crazy cast of characters in this book. Yes the mystery is light, but it is a good and enjoyable read.

Funny Cozy.......2004-02-09

I started reading "Larceny and Old Lace " after finishing all of the books in the Pennsylvania Dutch series.
Although Magdalena and Abigail are as different as night and day, both have spunk, are funny and make great heroines for these cozy reads. Tamar Myers' style is definitely present in all its glory.
The only thing I was struggling with is the fact that one of the characters seems to change names about three quarters through the book: The slightly annoying, numbers crunching fellow antiques dealer Gretchen is suddenly referred to as Heather. Did I miss something or is this a serious oversight on behalf of Tamar Myers' proofreaders?
Despite this little flaw, I loved this book and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Highly recommended to cozy mysery fans.

Good Beginning.......2003-09-03

I was already reading Myers' Penn Dutch Inn Series when I began this one. The Den of Antiquity series begins with Larceny and Old Lace. After reading this first book in the series, I was hooked and almost lost interest in the other series.

I do not have a whole lot of knowledge or interest in antiques. I was not too sure if I would be able to keep up with that aspect of the story. As it turns out, you don't have to have either to enjoy this book. For antique buffs, you should enjoy the references and descriptions of the many antiques mentioned in Larceny and Old Lace. For those of us with little or no interest in antiques, Myers does an excellant job of not talking over our heads and bogging us down. The only complaint is that there are just a few too many characters so it is hard to get to know some of them. This is not all that uncommon with books that are the first in a series. If you continue to read the series, you will become more familiar with and, I think, grow to love the characters that are the major players in Abigail's life. So just be patient with this first book. The best thing about Larceny and Old Lace and the others in the series is the sense of humor. If you are like me, I enjoy mysteries that are not very complex and that will make you laugh. I have read many different series by various authors and have found Tamar Myers has the best sense of humor out of all of them. When you are done, you will remember the wonderful main characters, interesting story and laugh-out-loud humor. This is a series that only gets better as it goes. Start with Larceny and Old Lace and move ahead to Gilt By Association.

Abigail Timberlake is Funny!.......2003-08-07

This is starting out to be a funny series. I laughed out loud quite often. The mix of Southern belle with tough cookie that Abigail is is quite refreshing. Yes there are holes in the plot and some of it doesn't make sense at times, but the book is still funny. I think I may enjoy this more than the Magdelena Yoder series. We'll see. In this book, Abigail's old aunt who also sells antiques is killed with an antique bell pull (by the way there are lots of antiques strewn throughout the book). Abigail sets out to find a killer, and almost gets killed herself. Lots of laughs.

McGoorty: A Pool Room Hustler (Library of Larceny)

Average customer rating:

The tale of a life wasted
Have a sense of humor...
McGoorty
Pool's Fool
If vulgar doen't bother you

McGoorty: A Pool Room Hustler (Library of Larceny)
Robert Byrne
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Criminals | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 076791631X
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Book Description

The Broadway Books Library of Larceny
Luc Sante, General Editor

McGoorty is master billiards writer Robert Byrne’s racy account of the life of Danny McGoorty, a billiards champion of that bygone era when cue artists were often scam artists and pool rooms were held to be dens of iniquity. Hustler and hobo, womanizer and fashion plate, McGoorty was at once eyewitness to Capone’s Chicago and the feats of greats like Willie Hoppe and Willie Mosconi. In an all-American voice at once sarcastic, profane, humorous, and chock full of colorful lingo, he relates his colorful and seedy life and times with a unique style and brio.

Download Description

McGoorty is master billiards writer Robert Byrne’s racy account of the life of Danny McGoorty, a billiards champion of that bygone era when cue artists were often scam artists and pool rooms were held to be dens of iniquity. Hustler and hobo, womanizer and fashion plate, McGoorty was at once eyewitness to Capone’s Chicago and the feats of greats like Willie Hoppe and Willie Mosconi. In an all-American voice at once sarcastic, profane, humorous, and chock full of colorful lingo, he relates his colorful and seedy life and times with a unique style and brio.

“Pool hustler, hobo, alcoholic, ladies’ man, and tournament player... McGoorty was a Runyonesque character and a first-rate raconteur. The result is a memoir that should rack up many readers, even among those that don’t know a cue from a swizzle stick.”
   PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“At times funny, occasionally filthy, here and there exaggerated, but it’s an entertaining story of a guy who doesn’t try to pass himself off as any sort of giant at the table: just a fellow who loved the game.”
   WILLIE MOSCONI, NINETEEN-TIME WORLD STRAIGHT POOL CHAMPION

Customer Reviews:

The tale of a life wasted.......2005-02-20

Danny McGoorty was a gifted pool and billiards player. He was also a lazy, drunk petty thief. He spent his life trying his best to avoid honest work. He took as much as he could get from everyone that crossed his path without ever giving anything back. He died bitter and broke.

There, now you don't need to read the book.

Have a sense of humor..........2004-10-25

This isn't "Rudy" Ruettiger and it's not an "inspirational" sports biography. You're not going to learn much about how to play billiards either. If you read this expecting some moral triumph, you are going to miss the point. McG was a sad, pathetic drunk who told truths, lies, half-truths about his failed career as a billaird player. This said, he had a real wit and a flair for pegging people. More than anything, this is a good Depression-era American period piece. It's also a look inside the mind of one candid, unscrupulous character. McG is a funny guy, a sad guy, a nice guy and a wicked guy. Even when he lies he's sincere. If you ever knew a bum, drunk or poolroom hustler you liked and hated at the same time, give it a shot. But this book doesn't belong on the shelf with Byrne's instruction books, or really even with the other billiards biographies; it belongs next to the other volumes of the Library of Larceny: Ponzi, Liebling and Sutton.

McGoorty.......2004-08-23

I can't imagine anyone wanting to write a book about this man.He was nothing but a vulgar,lazy,lying alcoholic.Half of the things that he says are nothing but B.S.For instance,Chicago police officers murdering suspected gangsters @ black men for 200$ a pop.I could go on @ on but you should get the idea.Save your money.As for me, I am going to line my cats litter box with my copy.

Pool's Fool.......2004-04-14

This book is one of the few biograghy's i've read that had a true voice of the subject. Gritty, smutty, vulgar and incitful.It tells the tale of the wayward life led by one of this country's greatest pool and billiards players, witten from audiotapes by Robert Byrne, Mcgoorty comes to life.

If vulgar doen't bother you.......2001-11-13

This is another wonderfully written book by Robert Byrne. It shows the vivid life of a pool hustler/hobo/drunk/real person that was in his prime in the 1920's-1950's. If gives a real sense of McGoorty and his life in what apear to be his own words. He also shares extremely colorful insight, his opinion, into several famous and well known professional billiard players and World Champions of his era. It is full of real life experiences during those times; however, the language and crude tone are very vulgar. If you're not offended it is an enjoyable interesting read.

Ponzi: The Incredible True Story of the King of Financial Cons (Library of Larceny)

Average customer rating:

Ponzi
A great read
great for book clubs!
An engaging tale...
Perhaps the finest overview of Charles Ponzi!

Ponzi: The Incredible True Story of the King of Financial Cons (Library of Larceny)
Donald Dunn
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Business | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Criminals | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

True Crime | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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Conman : A Master Swindlers Own Story (Library of Larceny) (Library of Larceny)
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McGoorty: A Pool Room Hustler (Library of Larceny)
Where the Money Was: The Memoirs of a Bank Robber (Library of Larceny)
Ponzi's Scheme: The True Story of a Financial Legend

ASIN: 0767914996
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Book Description

Just who was the man whose name has become synonymous with the classic “rob-Peter-to-pay-Paul” scam in which money from new investors is used to reward earlier ones? In December 1919, he was an unknown thirty-eight-year-old, self-educated Italian immigrant with a borrowed two-hundred dollars in his pocket. Six months later, he was Boston’s famed “wizard of finance,” lionized by the public and politicians alike. Based on exclusive interviews with people who knew Charles Ponzi, lent him their money, and exposed him, Donald Dunn’s Ponzi recreates both one of America’s most notorious and colorful financial con artists and the mad money-hungry era in which he thrived.

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“No swindler in history has operated with more style than the legendary figure colorfully chronicled in this book.”
   THE WASHINGTON POST

“Packed with details and color and yielding a narrative that flows as easily as that of a good pulp novel.”
   CHICAGO DAILY NEWS

“Ponzi was superb at his game and following his financial twists and turns is lots of fun.”
   SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER

Customer Reviews:

Ponzi.......2005-08-17

Written like a novel, this is the true story of Charles Ponzi, the most famous con man using the "rob-Peter-to-pay-Paul" scam. I found the book to be entertaining without a dull spot. After several unsuccessful cons, he started with a small stake and took people's money and paid them 50% in 45 days. When other people heard, the number of investors mushroomed. He finally made about $8,000,000 (in the 1920's) in this pyramid scheme before he was caught.

A great read.......2004-07-22

?Ponzi? chronicles the life of Charles Ponzi who is synonymous with the scam of paying off new investors with old investors money. This entertaining character would promise a 50% return on investment in 90 days.

To recruit investors Ponzi would hire people on a freelance basis, whereby they would earn 10% of new investors money. For example, if they located someone willing to invest $1000 they would earn $100. These recruiters would target both the poor and the wealthy. This caused such a surge in demand that Ponzi could afford paying off old investors with the new money that was constantly pouring in.

Each major city eventually had someone working for him, and eventually there would be thousands of investors lined up, waiting patiently for hours for the privilege of investing.

At one point major banks had to shut down because most account holders were withdrawing all of their funds to invest with Ponzi. Ponzi of course had enough money to rescue some banks from bankruptcy and became a majority shareholder.

These investments were based on a bogus business of buying and selling International Reply Coupons.

This is thrilling to read and at times what happens sounds too unbelievable to be. Other scenes are hilarious as the story moves around from one con to another. My only complaint with this book is that at times the author ?Donald Dunn? dictates what Ponzi is thinking, when there is no actual way for him to know.

This is a great addition to the ?Broadway Books Library of Larceny?. You might also want to read another book in this series titled ?Where?s the Money?, which is the autobiography of Willie Sutton, a famous bank robber.

great for book clubs!.......2004-04-16

This book is a great read that all will enjoy! Fascinating story and very well written. I am recommending PONZI for my next book club meeting. And I can't wait for the movie to come out!

An engaging tale..........2004-04-05

Like a great crime drama, "Ponzi" takes you down the amazing road of a simple huckster, and how close he came to making it big. I knocked it out in under 3 days; it's impossible to put down!

Perhaps the finest overview of Charles Ponzi!.......2004-04-05

To understand the Ponzi scheme, is to understand the basic root of all types of [cheating]. This book gives a wonderful overview of the life and times of Charles Ponzi. It is written as a historical novel, but seems to be very well researched! The epilogue alone is full of details concerning an important subject about whom little has been written. I only wish the book was footnoted as to references. Donald Dunn has done history a great service by documenting the life of Mr. Ponzi. THIS BOOK IS A "FUN READ" ABOUT A SERIOUS HISTORICAL EVENT!

Do You Sincerely Want to Be Rich?: The Full Story of Bernard Cornfeld and I.O.S. (Library of Larceny)

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Do You Sincerely Want to Be Rich?: The Full Story of Bernard Cornfeld and I.O.S. (Library of Larceny)
Charles Raw , Bruce Page , and Godfrey Hodgson
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0767920066
Release Date: 2005-05-17

Book Description

In the fall of 1955, Bernard Cornfeld arrived in Paris with scant money in his pocket and a tenuous relationship with a New York firm to sell mutual funds overseas. Cornfeld, a former psychologist and social worker, knew how to make friends fast and soon targeted two groups of people who could help him fulfill his economic ambitions: American expatriates who were looking to build their own fortunes and servicemen abroad who loved to live high-rolling lives and spend money. Using the first group as door-to-door salesmen and the second group as his gullible target, Cornfeld built a multi-billion-dollar and multi-national company, famous for its salesmen’s winning one-line pitch: “Do you sincerely want to be rich?” In this eye-opening yet entertaining book, an award-winning “Insight” team of the London Sunday Times examines Cornfeld’s impressive scheme, a classic example of good, old-fashioned American business gumption and guile.

Prisoners: Murder, Mayhem, and Petit Larceny

Average customer rating:

A Fascinating Chronicle
a provocative story and compelling photographs

Prisoners: Murder, Mayhem, and Petit Larceny
Svenson
Manufacturer: Blast Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0922233187

Customer Reviews:

A Fascinating Chronicle.......2006-12-03

This is just the kind of morbid and intensely nostalgic book that I expect to write someday. Arne Svenson stumbled upon an incredible cache of abandoned glass plate negatives in an old building in Marysville, California (quite close to the Castle DeSpair, incidentally), many of which were old prisoner photographs that had been taken by town photographer Clara Smith when under contract with the city between 1900 and 1908. Her office had been in the building, which was set to be demolished, which explains why Svenson stumbled upon such a golden cache. The best thing about these pictures was that the name of the criminal and their alleged offence had been scratched directly onto the plates - which allowed a great opportunity for further investigation. By searching crumbling old Marysville newspapers and San Quentin prison records, Svenson was able to piece together the stories behind many of the images - 70 of which are presented in this fascinating book. Unfortunately, many of the stories are of the Petty Larceny variety, rather than the much more interesting murder/assault variety, and that prevents the book from getting a five-star rating on the Morbid-O-Meter, but for fans of prison historical documents and old newspaper clippings, this is quite a find. Due to the photographer's experience in portraiture, most of the images have more of a portrait gallery feel than a mug shot feel, which adds to their period mystique. A beautiful work.

a provocative story and compelling photographs.......2000-01-22

The story of how Arne Svenson found the glass negatives used to produce the images in his book Prisoners is wonderfully told. He discovered a few in an antigue store and was able, over the next few years, to track down hundreds more of these compelling images. The faces of the prisoners pictured so haunted him that he set out to discover who each man was, even though the photographs had been taken nearly 100 years previous. The information he discovered is extensive; through newspaper and legal records of the day he was able to reconstruct the crimes of each of these men. The stories are riveting; a boy of 14 accused and convicted of murder, a one-armed drifter jailed for stealing a blanket, an elderly opium fiend run out of town. But what I found even more moving than the sad stories of these men were the photographs of them. They look more like portraits than mug shots, I find myself going back to look at these faces over and over again. A thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking book. Hopefully Svenson will stumble across another cache of fascinating images soon!

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