The Ultimate Book of Impostors

Starred review from November 15, 2013

Children's book author and illustrator Graham (Ripley's Mighty Machines; Fighting Crime) writes stories of impostors from the past 500 years--not your typical swindlers but rather those who assumed a false identity for the purpose of fraud. The author provides a summary of each character, indicating how the individual was able to pull off the deception before being exposed. Readers will recognize some of the famous deceivers, such as "Anastasia"; Ferdinand Waldo Demara, who masqueraded as many different people; and Frank Abagnale, now an FBI consultant. They'll also learn about lesser-known tricksters, including women who posed as men until their gender was revealed after death, the captain from Kopenick, and the Caucasian American who posed as Chinese magician "Chung Ling Soo." There are interesting tidbits throughout in gray shaded boxes that some might find distracting. Graham states that the impostors featured here are failures because we know about them. How many others are out there right now of whom we are unaware? VERDICT True crime buffs will enjoy this well-written book and will find it almost impossible to put down once they start. This work should be in every public library's true crime section; highly recommended.--Michael Sawyer, Pine Bluff, AR

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