Reviews (57)

Well Done!!!
This is the first and only book I've read on the Whitechapel murders. I found it highly readable and at times an absolute page turner. Sugden's research is nothing short of astonishing(60 pages of source notes). He literally puts you into 19th century Whitechapel with it's huge cast of characters, slums, political bickering, the police under constant pressure to catch a murderer... and a murderer. I knew nothing substantial about the case two weeks ago. Now I feel as if I have the facts and alot more.I especially appreciated the humanity he gave back to the victims through his thorough research into their individual histories. They become real people again. This makes the book even more powerful.

Too cut and dried
I never thought the subject of Jack the Ripper could be boring, but this author has managed to do just that.All facts, no heart.While, facts are important in a criminal procedural, this is overkill.It seems as though the author doesn't even have interest in his own subject.Of all the Ripper books I've read, this one is the most boring. 439 pages of Sugden's writing killed my interest. Good luck in finishing this one.

The Foundation Book for the Subject Matter
I have always has a passing curiosity with the Jack the Ripper murders. Once I made the decision to learn a bit more about the subject, I ventured onto several websites in search of a generally agreed upon book to familiarize myself with the case without the trappings of individual author's agendas as to particular theories. Sugden's book came up again and again as a great book for just such a case.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Criminals & Outlaws    3. Criminology    4. Europe - Great Britain - General    5. Murder - General    6. Social Science    7. True Crime   

Reviews (7)

Best book I have read this year!
I don't give a book 5 stars to often, but I have to say this is an excellent book. I couldn't put it down and finished over the weekend. This book is written very well and makes you want to keep reading. The fact that all of this is true makes it so much more interesting, also the pictures that were included were a nice touch. It just made the book that much more real. I would definitly recommend.

Quite a remarkable book
Thomas McFadden is a drug trafficker.Oh don't worry, he freely admits to it in this book and he was actually caught trying to smuggle drugs out of South America when he was double crossed by a customs official.
A good read, but ...
Having travelled throughout Latin America, I can report that the way in which the jail is run is not so strange, and is actually common throughout the poorer countries of the continent.The need for outside assistance and money is required in order to have any chance of long-term survivorbility.In countries where public funds are scarce, it makes common sense to the population that inmates should fund their own incarceration.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1975-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Bolivia    5. Criminals & Outlaws    6. Drug dealers    7. General    8. La Paz    9. McFadden, Thomas    10. Penitenciaria Nacional San Ped    11. Penitenciaria Nacional San Pedro (La Paz, Bolivia)    12. Penology    13. Prisoners    14. South America    15. Travel - Foreign    16. Young, Rusty,   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (139)

Incredibly annoying, & the author really plays down his crime of murder.
I like to read true crime stories sometimes; they make me feel so appreciative of how fortunate I am in life. But this book is a STINKER. Don't waste your money here! The author was a cokehead who made friends with a fellow cokehead at an AA meeting, then they became bug buddies, bonding over all-night cocaine-snorting sessions. They wound up going to Las Vegas (actually it was Reno, but for some reason he's changed it to Vegas in this book) for a few days of non-stop partying. What irritated me most as I read this book was that the author claims how his buddy drove him crazy all the time, how much he despised him, etc., and I kept thinking, "Well if he's driving him THAT CRAZY why does he keep hanging out with him?! No one is forcing him to do it!" Obviously he was just attempting to rationalize the fact that he wound up strangling the poor guy to death in their hotel room on the trip. He never takes any responsibility for killing the guy; rather he acts as though the guy deserved it! And this was a little guy too, not a big man as the author makes him out to be. He killed him in a cocaine/alcohol-induced frenzy and then acted like the murdered man deserved it, this little guy who couldn't even physically defend himself. So the author goes to prison and wants us to believe he was admired by everyone there and was some sort of top dog among the inmates. He ends every story or chapter with incredibly irritating prison slang, such as "And it ain't NOTHIN' nice" or "And you got NOTHIN' comin' ", etc. The first couple of times he does it, it's OK, but he does it through the ENTIRE BOOK and it drove me NUTS! The only reason I kept reading it was because I wanted to see if he was ever going to take any responsibility for killing this little guy whom he refers to as "The Monster" (ha!). Also, I did some research on the author after I finished the book & discovered there are LOTS of innacuracies in his stories, including the tale about the kid hanging himself in the prison. It never even happened! The author apparently decided to just cash in on an evil deed he performed & thought it would make him look "cool", but in reality a guy like this would have been eaten alive in prison. If you like to read true crime, don't bother with this book; it's pure fiction and extremely annoying.

Author is a liar
The following is from "Reality Bites"
Entertaining, but does not ring true
I found this book entertaining. It kept me up late, interested to find out what happened next. I'm sad to say I think it's fiction.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1951-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Criminals & Outlaws    7. General    8. Lerner, Jimmy,    9. Nevada    10. Penology    11. Prison Life    12. Prisoners    13. Prisons    14. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (10)

Exhaustive research on Bonnie & Clyde
This new book on Bonnie & Clyde does greatly to enhance the lives and times of the Barrow gang from start to finish. It is laden with new photo's and research and the authors obviously spent a lot of time and money to travel to the various sites mention in the book.I would rate this as one of the best, if not the best book on the lives and crimes of the Barrow gang.Knight and Davis are great researchers and have done an outstanding job with bringing to life the deeds and misdeeds of Bonnie and Clyde and their partners in crime.I would greatly recommend it to anyone interested in this genre.
The whole nine yards
Best book written on Bonnie and Clyde in regards to telling their entire story from A to Z. If you only read one book on this desperate duo this is the one.

To understand a Tragic story!
James & Jonathan have but together a easy to read book that tells things very few people know.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1909-1934    2. 1910-1934    3. Barrow, Clyde,    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Criminals    8. Criminals & Outlaws    9. Historical - U.S.    10. Parker, Bonnie,    11. United States   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Central Intelligence Agency    3. Conspiracies    4. Conspiracy & Scandal Investigations    5. History    6. History & Theory - General    7. History: American    8. Murder - General    9. Organized crime    10. Presidents & Heads of State    11. True Crime / Espionage    12. United States    13. United States - 20th Century    14. United States - 20th Century/60s    15. United States.    16. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    17. Biography: historical    18. Biography: political    19. Controversial Knowledge & Mysteries    20. Crime & criminology    21. USA   

Reviews (6)

outstanding and informative.
Contrary to the comments made by Genny Kirkpatrick, this is an outstanding narrative. Genny does not understand the culture of the border.A Spanish speaking Anglo, sincerely interested in Mexican culture, will have no difficulty being accepted by Mexicans near the border, and for this, the book is believable.It is definately an eye opener, and very informative regarding Mexican culture.Several passages discussing food found my stomach growling lol.My hat is off to Mr. Ford.He accepts responsibility for his actions, is not afraid to face the consequences, and all the while tells an interesting and sometimes amusing story.

This is a true account
I was witness to part of what Don wrote and having read Contrabandos, can testify to its accuracy. Any errors are only those of perspective, because we all see events in a slightly different light. Ms. Kirkpatrick reviews the book as fiction. I can assure you that it is not. A 'Mule' only recieves a fee for his services and is notinvolved in any other part of the business. If anything, this book lacked space to tell much more of the story as it happened.

Highly suspect
The mexican cartels absolutely wouldn't have allowed this
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1957-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Criminals & Outlaws    5. Drug couriers    6. Drug traffic    7. Ford, Don Henry,    8. General    9. Mexican-American Border Region    10. Multicultural Education    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Texas    13. True Crime    14. United States - 20th Century    15. True Crime / General   

Reviews (1)

Great book against limited material
This is a grand tale of Blackbeard and piracy in the Caribbean in the early 1700's.Working against limited and sometimes contradictory historical records, the author creates a great story and divines the truth of what actually happened in that period of time.Most of all, this is a well written book that encourages you to flip to the next page.The narration is crisp and paints a vivid picture of the times.The research is well done and draws the complete scene, understanding the main people, their motivating factors, and how they all collated to form history
Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlantic Coast    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775    8. Criminals & Outlaws    9. Historical - General    10. History    11. North Carolina    12. Pirates    13. United States - Colonial Period    14. Virginia    15. Biography & Autobiography / Historical    16. Biography: general    17. Crime & criminology    18. USA   

Reviews (8)

a historical goldmine
I am a philadelphian interested in the city's history.I have found that this book has provided insight into a section of philadelphia that i have traveled through but had no in depth knowledge of.The characters described in the narrative were colorful and resourceful,yet in the end met the end that was inevitable. A few of the main characters found some redemption,others did not.There is no fantasy in this book,it is hard realism.Mr. Hornblum is a competent chronicler

Good read...brought back a lot of memories for my father.
Even though his name wasn't printed (thankfully), the book brought back many good memories and stories for my dad (an former K&A guy himself.)His days of running with Dolan, "Raybo", and the Stockers are long behind him and distant memories, but if he says the book is pretty accurate, then I believe him.He should know since he had "ringside" seats for most of it.
This book contains alot of fiction
FYI...I'm the niece of one of these "gang members".One story mentions the fact that he died, then states that there was no money to bury him.He WAS buried and also had a viewing.He WASN'T put in the back of a meat truck for days, then buried by his friends in a freshly dug cemetary lot (this is against the law...duh!!!)The writer never bothered to consult with family members before using the names of these people and no one in my family EVER heard of this Junior guy...what a joke!Who did the author do his "homework" with?????It's a good "story" but that's just it...a story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Criminals    4. Criminals & Outlaws    5. Organized Crime    6. Other Miscellaneous Crimes    7. Pennsylvania    8. Philadelphia    9. Sociology (General)    10. Sociology - Urban    11. True Crime    12. United States - State & Local - Middle Atlantic   

Reviews (13)

Plausible but...
There are some good things and there are some very bad things about this book.
Errata
What Carroll and Graf Publishers desperately need is 1. a fact checker and 2. a proof reader.Shameful display of factual errors. With sloppiness of this sort, why would I ever dream of believing the basic (and unbelievable)premise.
Excellent Research
This is the story of the downfall of Robert Maxwell, a man who had almost everything that a simple mortal could dream with, a family, a billionary business, fame, important business and political contacts but with a huge megalomaniac complex that pushed him to play several dangerous games with the espionage of Israel, the industrial espionage and the underworld factions of the East mafias but his biggest mistake was when he try to play the blackmail game which put in jeopardy the security of the state of Israel and the Mossad agent around the world forcing then to "eliminate" this personage.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1923-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Criminals & Outlaws    7. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    8. Espionage, Israeli    9. Great Britain    10. Israel    11. Maxwell, Robert,    12. Mosad le-modiin ve-tafkidim    13. Newspapers    14. Political    15. Publishers and publishing    16. Publishing    17. Publishing Industry And Trade    18. Rich & Famous    19. Spies   

Reviews (20)

the making of a monster
This book is tough to read because of the graphic violence and sheer amount of hatred this criminal has towards other human beings. And if anyone thinks child development is not animportant aspect in understanding human behavior..think again.This book is not for the faint of heart. I had to put it down a few times and walk away not because of the writing but because of the brutality.
Chilling
This is an unbelievable story. I am a true crime junkie, but Tommy Lynn Sells is the WORST serial killer I've ever read about. The courage of young Krystal to get help & then to testify in trial is remarkable & speaks highly of her character.
A Challenging Story and a Captivating Read
I cannot imagine the research that went into this depiction of a serial killer's twenty year trail of murder.But Fanning makes it seem so easy.Her transistions are seamless and the writing is smooth.Fanning is a master of the true crime craft. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Criminals & Outlaws    3. Murder    4. Murder - General    5. Sells, Tommy Lynn    6. Serial murderers    7. True Crime    8. United States    9. True Crime / General   

Reviews (6)

This Is How A Biography Should Be Done
Before I say much else, let me congratulate the author, Robert Schoenberg, on this work. This study of Al Capone is an elevation of the standards of biographical presentation, and I found it as enjoyable as it was informative. The word "fearless" also comes to mind, and by that I refer to Schoenberg's capacity to advocate his own carefully-formulated views on the real Al Capone, behind the enduring legend, the misunderstandings, and the deliberate misinformation long spread as character assassination.
Mr. Schoenberg Does Mr. Capone Right!
Building and expanding upon the solid foundation previously laid by Pasley and Kobler and correcting old errors, and guided by the likes of top-notch Capone experts Mark Levell and Bill Balsamo, Schoenberg has crafted one of the best Capone biographies to date, far superior to Bergreen's ludicrous fluff. The author puts perhaps too much faith in the questionable testimony of "Born Again" hoodlum George Meyer but that is abbreviated and an almost a minor aside in this comprehensive, well-researched bio of America's all-time greatest gangster.

Outstanding
This is THE definitive biography of the world's most famous gangster. The book is exceptionally well-written, able to satisfy anyone from a casual layman to an organized crime expert. Schoenberg walks us through Capone's life, showing us why he did what he did and avoiding getting caught up in the usual myths surrounding him. The author's notes at the end of the book are extremely helpful. Most of all, Schoenberg gets almost all the dates and facts right when dealing with the events surrouning Capone's life. While I personally disagree with his take on the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, he presents this event and others like it in such a precise manner one cannot help but say positive things. Anybody seeking information about Al Capone should look no further than Mr. Capone. A few other books about him have been published in the last ten years, specifically one by Laurence Bergreen, which is a far worse book and yet has received more publicity the Schoenberg's opus. All others should be ignored. Mr. Capone is the best book ever written about Al Capone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1899-1947    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Capone, Al,    6. Criminals    7. Criminals & Outlaws    8. Historical - General    9. United States    10. Biography & Autobiography / General    11. True crime   

Editorial Review

Fans of Mary Karr's groundbreaking memoir Read more

Reviews (43)

I enjoyed this book
I was reading some reviews here and was surprised that they found this book "offensive", because either they knew better part of the city or Stapinski's family members stole, could not drive, drank, etc.WHY?????Haven't you stole an ashtray from downtown cafe once?Ever?Or haven't you taken a bunch of ketcup packets from fastfood joint?.. OK, all I'm saying is to lighten up a little.I think tragedies and craziness of her family are written here with great humor and affection. And who doesn't have one crazy person in their family?I could feel lump in my throat when I read the part where her daddy died.If you like to read something filled with morals and displines, then this book is not for you.But if you like to laugh and cry over real people with vivid characters, you should try this one.

I absolutely loved Five Finger Discount
Stapinski relates growing up in Jersey City in a fresh and honest way. And her recounting of the blighted history of Jersey City politics is a head-shaking hoot. As for the popularity of her opinions about JC and its denizens, well, that has no bearing on whether this book is a great read; it is.
LOVED the humor of this book.
I've come to know and appreciate Jersey City on my own, since I became a volunteer historian at The Stanley Theatre 6 years ago.I've had to go the JC Public Library and had the pleasure of going thru the NJ Room, as well as meeting great people (Cynthia, Bruce, and Leon Yost -'Jersey Citians'(?).I've grown up in urban areas (i.e, Newark/Irvington), and now live in the suburbs in another County, but have come to appreciate Jersey City very much.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Criminals    6. Criminals & Outlaws    7. Jersey City    8. New Jersey    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Stapinski family    11. Women    12. Biography & Autobiography / Women   

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Caribbean & West Indies - Cuba    3. Caribbean Area - History    4. Criminals & Outlaws    5. Historical - General    6. History    7. History: World    8. Maritime History    9. History / Reference   

Reviews (165)

Self-serving and poorly written...
I bought this book hoping to gain some insight into the mind of a violent criminal street gang member. What I found was page after page of Mr. Scott rationalizing his behavior, and in fact glamourizing the life of street gang members. After reading this book, I am convinced that Mr. Scott has no remorse for his behavior, nor does he accept any responsibility for his actions. On top of the author's self-serving writing, the book is difficult to read because of the grammatical errors that are the books only consistent trait. This one is a must miss.

Engrossing book
This book chronicles Monster Kody Scott's life as a 8 Tray Crip in LA. The first part of the books is his life in the gang; the middle of the books is his time spent in prison, and towards the end is when he becomes more of a black revolutionary and stops banging. Honestly, I thought the most interesting part was the first part when he told of his life in the gang. But for those who like inspiring stories, they will really like the ending. Awesome and well written, very intriguing.

Sanyika Tells His Story
Monster is an auto-biography of the the ex-Eight Tray Crip member "Monster" Kody Scott, or as he's known now, Sanyika Shakur. This book sheds light on the harsh realities taking place in inner-city America, telling a story that few would most likely not live to tell. Sanyika holds nothing back whilst telling his story. He lived with a single mom, and he had five other brothers. There was no man in the house. At the tender age of eleven, he was initiated into the Crips (Eight Tray Crip), after he belted rival gang members with eight shots from a sawed-off shotgun. After he was initiated, Sanyika earned respect for himself by commiting terrible acts of violence and always being on his guard. This earned him the name of "Monster".
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. California    5. Criminals    6. Criminals & Outlaws    7. Crips (Gang)    8. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Lifest    9. Gangs    10. Los Angeles    11. People of Color    12. Biography: general    13. Crime & criminology    14. USA   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Crime And Criminals    5. Criminals & Outlaws    6. Europe - History    7. Modern - 16th Century    8. Biography: general    9. Europe   

Reviews (4)

Horseshit...
Not only is the author a bad writer.....jumping from timeline to time line...not able to tell a story in order.....he tries to pose the Hell's Angels as the bad guys. Anyone with a solid head on their shoulders will see thru his rhetoric and realize HA is a stand up orginization that takes care of business like any normal person would. The crimes they were accused of, weren't crimes at all......they were simply the exercising of human rights against agressors that would try to deny said so rights......in fact in the entire book, i found no fault with the Angel's actions, and applaud them for their efforts.

facts and names lacking storytelling
The author have gone though a great deal to find the facts in hundreds of events during many years. He covers hundreds of people. Hundreds of crimes and killings. He could have picked a few events, clubs or people and written their full story. Instead the book hops between people and clubs, between centuries and continents like a school book. Theres no story, but namedropping enough to confuse anyone. Stadnik is one of hundreds of figures skidding though events, none of them with depth. People are shot and stabbed, but you find it difficult to care, since none is in the book for more than a page, and you dont get to know them. It feels disorganised. If it was in cronical order, or at least with chapter names reveiling what every chapter will cover it would be easier. Perhaps its interesting and understandable for the surviving few who were there. If your looking for facts its fine, but its too packed with facts for me. I need a story.

Disturbing Errors for an
This book provides a lot of information on Walter Stadnick and the Canadian Hells Angels along with information on lesser clubs in Canada.The author, Jerry Langton, however, has made numerous disturbing errors in reporting on certain aspects of the Hells Angels and other clubs.Langton reports on page 26 that prospective members (prospects) are awarded the top rocker (Hells Angels) along with the center patch. Langton then states that the prospects recive the bottom rocker which identifies the chapter's geographical location upon earning full membership.THE OPPISITE IS TRUE for the Hells Angels and ALL OTHER CLUBS!It is hard to believe that Lanfton could make such an obvious error in his writing.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Crime And Criminals    3. Criminology    4. Gang members    5. General    6. History    7. Motorcycle gangs    8. Ontario    9. Quâebec (Province)    10. Sociology    11. True Crime    12. Biography & Autobiography / Military    13. Canada    14. Organized crime   

Editorial Review

Not everyone who graduates from Ivy League schools immediately enters high-paying and prestigious careers. Peter Alson, Harvard graduate and nephew of Norman Mailer, writes in an "almost-tough-guy" style of his life as a bookie in Brooklyn, from the highs of making some big commissions to the lows of spending time in a feces-encrusted and overcrowded cell. A cross between Jim Carroll's Read more

Reviews (6)

Even odds on whether it's worth it.
Despite the subtitle ("A True Tale of Love and the Vig") I was plagued throughout my reading of this semi-confession of a former Ivy-leaguer's plummet into the world of bookmaking by a certaindubiousness. Alson's story is written in a kind of flippantly open mannerthat undermines the believability of his insider's story. Don't get mewrong, it's very entertaining and all, but his coyness about just how"connected" the small-time operation he was a part of was cameacross as rather disingenuous to me. While his confusion and despair aboutfiguring out what he should be doing with his overeducated self hit theright notes, the subplot of the long distance sort of relationship wasoften more annoying than interesting. Still, not a bad little peek intobookmaking.

What a brave and compelling tale!
I felt like I was growing up with Peter as he faced the consequences of his decisions.Looking forward to his next one.

A Sure Bet!
I really liked this book! I thought it was a refreshing and entertaining look at how are lives don't always end up as we had planned. There are some unresolved issues, but perhaps that makes the book all the more realistic. A movie version of this book would do very well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alson, Peter    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Book-making (Betting)    6. Bookmakers (Gambling)    7. Criminals & Outlaws    8. Gambling    9. Massachusetts    10. Organized Crime    11. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (6)

To kill the irishman
The book "To kill an Irishman" is about the mafia and how their pursuit to kill a man named Danny Green.This book documents how the mafia came to hate this man and how exactly they killed him.This book is recommended to adults 14 years and older due to violence.
Excellent read, compelling story!
Rick Porello has succeeded in giving a very clear account of the rise of a mob figure, and the ultimate demise of both him and his adversaries, ultimately weaking La Cosa Nostra nationwide.It does not surprise me that this book might lead to a movie, since it perfectly lays out a compelling true story script.

To Kill The Irishman
I have given the book 5 stars I thought that it was an excellent read and advise anybody that is interested in this subject to buy it.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Criminals & Outlaws    3. Murder - General    4. Organized Crime    5. True Crime    6. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (22)

A conscience's prisioneer life in Cuba.
I read this book, translated to the portuguese, here in Brazil, some years ago.It's a book about the decades, who this Castro's victim was under prision in Cuba.A nightmare's life and for more then two decades.
A Great Chronicle Of Castro's Achievements
Castro has now ruled across the terms of 10 US Presidents.The secret of his longevity is not his popularity with the Cuban people, but rather his ruthless suppression of any dissent or competition. Valladares provides a keyhole view into this world of true terror and depravity.
should be read alongside orwell and wiesel
This is a great book. It should be given to every sap and sucker who somehow finds merit in Castro's Revolution. Valladares chronicles the absolute repression at the core of Castro's regime. The torture and executions at La Cabana and Isle of Pines prisons are among the most brutal and extensive cases of barbarism any government has ever devised. The next time some Oliver Stone or Michael Moore type tells you about Castro's achievements such as a "high literacy rate," give them this book. And remind them that this is one book you'll never see in Cuba, or in an American college classroom that romanticizes Castro's oppression. This is the real "Animal Farm," folks: a powerfully written nightmare of tyrannical cruelty and the deep spiritual resilience needed to pull through.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1959-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Criminals & Outlaws    7. Cuba    8. Latin America - Central America    9. Political    10. Political prisoners    11. Politics and government    12. Valladares, Armando    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Biography: general    15. Marxism & Communism    16. Political imprisonment   

Reviews (62)

Riveting
Sante Kimes was written up by many as some type of mastermind of crime, some evil genius.That wasn't really the case at all.What she was was unbelieveably ballsy, insanely narcissistic and self-centered, financially hugely neurotic and desperate and greedy, and of course very quick on her feet.Her crimes are simply too many to list - the book is positively stuffed with fraud, theft, arson, slavery, violence, swindling, in constant repition, and not excluding several murders - and coming from an eyewitness to literally decades of malfeasance they make for a fascinating roller coaster ride.It is a wonder the author didn't turn out every bit as warped as his half-brother.He did not escape unharmed.
The Son That Got Away
In this book the author (who is the son of the main subject) claims he cut off all contact with his mother prior to her infamous crime. Up until that point, he supported her, but claimed he despised her. He constantly throws in references to crime movies and books for romanticism. For example, comparing his life to the excellent film "The Grifters".