The man who sold the Eiffel Tower

by James Francis Johnson

Victor Lustig, the man who sold the Eiffel Tower, was a master of persuasion, able to convince nearly anyone of nearly anything. He used his skill to become one of the greatest criminals in recent history. He approached a frenchman and explained that he was a representative of the french government and was selling the Eiffel Tower for scrap. The man was somewhat doubtful until Lustig hinted that he needed a bribe. The man knew of the corruption in his government, and assummed that he must be for real if he wanted a bribe. So Lustig sold him the tower, left the country, and came back and sold it again later. Many of his exploits are simply amazing. For example, after being arrested once he manages to convince the sheriff to not only release him, but also to pay him $10,000 (quite a bit at the time) for a machine that supossedly copied money. Another time, when he was coming into the U.S. and knew he would be arrested when he passed through customs, he managed to use the Secret Service to get into the country by telling them he had some information about a counterfeiting ring. Unfortunately he seemed to have forgotten what it was after they got him past customs.

Genres: True Crime, Biography, Nonfiction, History

188 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

Reviews

[Michael Economy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is great

[Christina Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy read. Interesting enough, just not very detailed. Maybe a book to keep in your car or purse in case you end up stranded somewhere without anything to read.

[Mina Rosalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy read, I'm glad I tracked down a copy.

[hannah rosenman · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book made me really sad that i was not a 1920s confidence man. the details are sumptuous and the settings immaculate.

[Tim]

Already read

[Lotta]

oh where can I find a copy! ;_; (that I can afford....)