About book The Mark Inside: A Perfect Swindle, A Cunning Revenge, And A Small History Of The Big Con (2012)
This is a 3.5 situation. A little dense sometimes, or I was, but for the most part this is a real gem of a thing. Kicked into high gear for me whenever Reading discussed the connections between The Con and America, like, basically all of chapter two for instance. Also I really just ADMIRED so many of the cons in this! Which is ridiculous! Because they are cons! But they were all so damn elaborate and exploited so many weaknesses in the country's early development, and it's hard not to admire the creative thinking that was going on there. ALSO I spent a lot of time reading this book thinking, "hah, I'd never be conned" but you guys I totally HAVE been conned, short-game style, so it just goes to show you. Great true narratives about big-time swindlers and a particular mark who dedicates his life to catching those who swindled him and, subsequently, to popularizing tales about his adventures. It's really quite astonishing how elaborate the swindling set ups are, and how widely they flourished in the early part of this century, elevating their practioners to the status of folk heroes (villains?) and secret leaders of shadow governments. I saw the Sting when I was in high school, but had no idea that the plot wasn't a one-time flight of fancy, but rather a way of life for many.The author introduces us, not only to an astonishing array of fascinating historical facts and figures, but also to the language and to the psychology of a swindle. Drawing parallels with other aspects of society (in particular the growth of mercantile and stock exchanges), she convinces the reader that our inner marks are quintessentially modern American: bubbling with hope and optimism, we become sophisticated yet remain suckers.If you thought history was boring, this book will change your mind.
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Yawn. Would have been an interesting. Story in 100 pages but the other 140 ruined it.
—Mouche
I very rarely abandon books, but did this one. Did not hold my interest.
—DSolon3718
Excellent heist & pursuit tale - falls apart a bit towards the end.
—denise
Good primer on the art of the con. Reads like a text book.
—Azura
