Appearance
Catch Me If You Can: The Amazing True Story of the Youngest and Most Daring Con Man in the History of Fun and Profit
We all know of Frank Abagnale's personality; arrogant, yet kind with class. Among all the different characters that he chooses to play, whether he's a pilot, doctor, lawyer, or a college professor, i believe that Frank is somewhat confused of who he is. Frank "ran away" from home at 16; the age of teenager who is only halfway through high school. At 16, most people don't know where they are in life or what to pursue in the future. One thing was for sure; Frank wanted money and women.I believe Frank's unique personality came from the way he was brought up. Having endured his parent's divorce at a young age was a life changing experience for him. It all started with his father; Frank Abagnale. During the process of his(Jr.'s) parent's divorce, his father still loved is mother. So Frank(Sr.) would try to get his son to say things like "Talk to her son...tell her I love her. Tell her we'd be happier if we all lived together. Tell her you'd be happier if she came home, that all you kids would be happier." His(Jr's) father led him to the first step of manipulation.Frank stayed with his father after the finalizing of the divorce. Since his father was quite a rich man, he had a whole variety of rich friends and Frank(Jr.) would come in contact with his friends quite often. This is where Frank learned the "attitude of the rich", with confidence.Finally when Frank did his first con with his father's money, Frank(Sr.) forgave him. "Look, son, if you'll tell us how you did this, and why, we'll forget it. There'll be no punishments and I'll pay the bills." Frank probably felt that he could get away with anything at this point and without any punishment, he didn't believe this to be a huge mistake.With confidence, manipulation, some class and little fear of breaking the law, we come to Frank Abagnale Jr.
Catch Me If You Can: The Amazing True Story of the Youngest and Most Daring Con Man in the History of Fun and Profit
A scan of a number of reviews, say that they found the beginning of the book to come off as very arrogant, etc. I definitely agree with this. It moves quickly enough to be interesting, but my first reaction was "he sure does like the sound of his voice."But keep reading. While he never completely gets rid of that attitude, by the time you're 50 pages in, you're hooked (likely sooner) and the last 50 pages or so of the book are simply excellent. It's interesting to read the details of how he conned others, as well as his own code of ethics. Also, I'm sure many of these gaps have been filled, yet there are just newer and higher tech ways to scam people. The story about the stewardesses travelling with him, was just astounding. Ultimately he was punished--boy was he---and paid his debt to society. The entire story is very fast paced.
Catch Me If You Can: The Amazing True Story of the Youngest and Most Daring Con Man in the History of Fun and Profit
I have had the pleasure of hearing Frank Abagnale talk several times - once as part of a seminar for the American Banker's Association (ABA), and once for the Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL). He is as captivating in person as he is on the page, and in the meeting at the AAL he spoke a little more about losing his father while he was still on the run. He cried there, on stage, and as he spoke, so did a goodly part of the audience as well.I also read this book a long time BEFORE the movie was made. The movie is good, but this is better. Get this first.This book captures his spirit, his spunk, and is a great read. You wonder at the "scruples" that he holds to, and the girls he mets (and cons!). The one girl he was ready to marry - turns him in after he comes clean with her. He just barely escapes getting caught, and cries over a lost love.A great quote are these lines, which is used in the front leaf:A psychological evaluation by a University of Virginia criminologist-psychiatrist concluded that I had a very low criminal threshold. In other words, I had no business being a crook in the first place.How does one impersonate a Pan-Am Pilot, a Lawyer, a Pediatrician, and more? Read this book. The best part is that it's all true.
Catch Me If You Can: The Amazing True Story of the Youngest and Most Daring Con Man in the History of Fun and Profit
I saw the movie first, and was interested in reading the novel thereafter. It was as good as, or better than, the movie.First of all, everything from the movie is here, but explained with greater accuracy and details: Frank's family, his first con, why he ran away, how he became a co-pilot, and his crazy affairs with airline stewardesses.Although he starts and ends the novel with an air of boastful pride, it's hard for readers to hate him. In fact, it's so much easier to be amazed at his confidence, his suave nature with women, and the precarious situations he gets into. Instead of seeing Frank as the egotistical boy with uncontrollable urges, readers are able to identify with Frank, as he also reveals his fears and feelings of loneliness that accompanied him as a wanted felon.So many things were left out of the movie that the book details fabulously. We learn about his days as a sociology teacher, his nights as a doctor, and how he really passed the bar. Along the way, readers follow Frank's clever train-of-thought, learning a few things about check fraud along the way (which are discussed in just the right amount so that it isn't boring but interesting).His intimate moments were also exciting to read, as he recanted how his persuasion and confidence helped him fulfill his libidinous desires. What I also personally liked was that all of Frank's intimate details were described in such a sexy and non-gratuitous nature, leaving the dirty stuff to the imagination.Finally, the book ends with a lasting impression of Frank's months in the French prison. Here, the glorified image of the con man is put into a greater and more realistic perspective, symbolic of how Frank grew up to see his consequences, and how he began thinking about some of the individuals he hurt. It also puts a moral imprint on the book, suggesting that there are repercussions to a selfishly hedonistic lifestyle.In all, an extremely entertaining novel that was hard to put down. This is definitely a great summer read, and a good recommendation to those who dislike reading -- they'll be hooked on this one till the very end!
Catch Me If You Can: The Amazing True Story of the Youngest and Most Daring Con Man in the History of Fun and Profit
A friend bought it for me for Christmas stating that I had to read it. I went home, opened it up, and found I could not put it down. It is thoroughly entertaining, and reads more like fiction than autobiography.The book covers the life of crime of Frank Abagnale, Jr. AKA about 10 different people involved in outrageous stings ranging from acting as Pan Am captain to pediatrician. It shows just how easy crime could be if someone were missing their frontal lobe.I was very entertained with the way this book haunted my own ethics. Amazingly, I found myself cheering for the criminal to get away with things. I loved seeing how he was caught on greater than three occasions, and yet managed to get away.If there is one downside, I would say that it is the abruptness with which the book ends. It cuts away before explaining how Frank was able to transition back to mainstream society.Alas, if you want to thoroughly entertain yourself while learning about a life in crime... buy this book. It is sure to delight.
Catch Me If You Can: The Amazing True Story of the Youngest and Most Daring Con Man in the History of Fun and Profit
I just returned from San Antonio. Mr. Abagnale spoke to our group. Never had I heard a more interesting story about a man who basically raised himself, and the turns his life took because of it. I would encourage all, if given the chance, to see Mr. Abagnale.