Great Hoaxes and Famous Imposters

by Carlson Wade

1976, Jonathan David Publishers, NY. Hardcover title, 239 pages. We're talking about folks who live by their wits, "tricky connivers whose exploits are more thrilling than fiction."

Genres: Nonfiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Sherry]

I enjoyed it but wasn't that interested in a lot of stories. I did appreciate all the research that the author put into writing it. I think it could have used one more editing, though. I found several typos.... such as "CLOCK" when they meant "CLICK". And one place where a word was repeated. Other than that it was entertaining. I will be donating it to my town's very (and I mean VERY) small library for all to enjoy.

[David]

The first book I read on con men and swindlers when I was a youngster. Pure nostalgia.

[Kate]

Entertaining, but in dire need of an editor, both for grammar and for fact-checking. Some information is incorrect, and at least 1 hoax is exaggerated to an inexcusable extent ("millions" did not flood the streets in the aftermath of the 1938 "War of the Worlds" broadcast; the USA was not filled with panic). I abandoned this book after discovering, after a particularly irritating chapter (dates and Presidential administrations were scattered willy-nilly, leaving the timeline untraceable), that not even the birthdate of the hoaxer in question was correct. NEVERMIND, Carlson Wade. Nevermind.

[Heather]

Just started it. Good so far.