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Catch Me If You Can: The Film and the Filmmakers
With more than 100 color photos, the companion book to the major DreamWorks film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Tom Hanks.
Engaging in a game of cat and mouse in the real-life crime drama, Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Di Caprio) worked as a doctor, a lawyer, and as a co-pilot for a major airline-all before his 18th birthday. A master of deception, he was also a brilliant forger, whose skill gave him his first real claim to fame: At the age of 17, Frank Abagnale, Jr. became the most successful bank robber in the history of the United States. FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Hanks) made it his prime mission to capture Frank and bring him to justice, but Frank was always one step ahead of him, baiting him to continue the chase.
With more than 100 color images, the companion book includes the complete script and behind-the-scenes photographs of this amazing true tale.
Engaging in a game of cat and mouse in the real-life crime drama, Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Di Caprio) worked as a doctor, a lawyer, and as a co-pilot for a major airline-all before his 18th birthday. A master of deception, he was also a brilliant forger, whose skill gave him his first real claim to fame: At the age of 17, Frank Abagnale, Jr. became the most successful bank robber in the history of the United States. FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Hanks) made it his prime mission to capture Frank and bring him to justice, but Frank was always one step ahead of him, baiting him to continue the chase.
With more than 100 color images, the companion book includes the complete script and behind-the-scenes photographs of this amazing true tale.
160 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
November 9, 2007
This was an amazing book, although you kinda hate him durring most of it for backstabing almost everyone. But the man was a genius and led a pretty amazing life(of crime) for a teen-ager...crazy.
August 23, 2025
Catch Me If You Can, written by Jeff Nathanson based on the books by Frank Abagnale and Stan Redding
9 out of 10
Notes and thoughts on other books are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and http://realini.blogspot.ro/
This is one of the best films ever made.
It is included on various lists with the greatest motion pictures and on my own best 100 films, maybe 150.
The director is also one of the best in cinema history, the one who offered audiences unforgettable memories with:
- Schindler’s List, E. T., Saving Private Ryan, Munchen, Lincoln, Bridge of Spies, The Color Purple
Even if the story sounds incredible and obviously some scenes have been created for the screen and dramatic effect, this is based on a true story.
With the credits, we also learn about what happens next with the protagonists and even if I will not disclose it, it adds to the feeling of exhilaration.
Frank Abagnale Jr. is a fantastic hero, otherwise an avid reader of comic books, from which he takes one of his aliases.
Leonardo di Caprio is fascinating in this role, together with the other mesmerizing members of the cast:
- Tom Hanks aka Carl Hanratty, Cristopher Walken aka Frank Abagnale, Martin Sheen as Roger Strong, and splendid Amy Adams in the role of Brenda Strong
Even he never finished high school, The Talented Mr. Abagnale is so skilled at making false documents that he spends millions of dollars.
Because he is still so young and he has some psychological issues, he poses as a doctor, airline pilot and lawyer.
He is chased through most of his criminal life by Carl Hanratty, an FBI agent who becomes attached to his nemesis.
There are funny scenes, one of which has Carl entering Frank’s room to arrest him, only to stumble upon a Secret Service agent.
The latter explains and boasts that they have been ahead and the FBI was not the only ones chasing for Abagnale.
When Carl is asking for an ID, this Secret Service man gives him the wallet and distracts him by showing his partner who escorts the criminal to the car…
Only looking at the wallet, after being alone in the room for some time, Carl sees that he has been fooled- that was Frank and the wallet has nothing but useless newspaper cuts.
If an analyst would try to explain the personality of the young impersonator, perhaps he would say that Frank was dissatisfied with his life, the divorce of his parents and would desperately seek a new ego…
He used the false checks to get money, costumes like the ones James Bond was wearing, a car of the same type and used the name Fleming to travel around, meeting a woman who asked for an offer to spend the night…
Frank is facing a beauty (Jennifer Garner) and when they come to the price of $ 1,000 for the whole night, he cannot help but use a scam, yet again, pretending to go to the reception to cash a check and then taking $ 400 from the woman, because he fooled her with a useless piece of paper that had $ 1,400 written on it.
In a hospital, he meets Brenda Strong- irresistible Amy Adams, especially without the braces-and seduces her, pretending to be a doctor and vomiting when called to work on a bleeding patient, his credentials being obviously all false.
Frank decides to marry the girl, meet her family and Roger Strong aka Martin Sheen who has a law degree and therefore the would be son in law decides to use his law degree (yeah, right!) to work as a… lawyer.
When asked about his degree, it turns out he went to the same school as the father- Berkeley- and there is an awkward moment when Roger Strong asks about a mean professor and his dog…what was the name?...after a long pause in which he kept his cool, Frank says that the dog is dead now, alas.
Then he is invited to say the prayer at table, before they would proceed to eat and the young man does not hesitate:
- Two mice fell in a bucket of water…one of them fell and drowned and the other kept moving until it became butter…
Even if this is the most outré, fanciful prayer that I have heard- but then I am not a believer, so I do not hear many- the mother was thrilled with it.
After this, Frank has passed the bar exam and his follower Carl keeps asking about how did he pass it…did he cheat?
9 out of 10
Notes and thoughts on other books are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and http://realini.blogspot.ro/
This is one of the best films ever made.
It is included on various lists with the greatest motion pictures and on my own best 100 films, maybe 150.
The director is also one of the best in cinema history, the one who offered audiences unforgettable memories with:
- Schindler’s List, E. T., Saving Private Ryan, Munchen, Lincoln, Bridge of Spies, The Color Purple
Even if the story sounds incredible and obviously some scenes have been created for the screen and dramatic effect, this is based on a true story.
With the credits, we also learn about what happens next with the protagonists and even if I will not disclose it, it adds to the feeling of exhilaration.
Frank Abagnale Jr. is a fantastic hero, otherwise an avid reader of comic books, from which he takes one of his aliases.
Leonardo di Caprio is fascinating in this role, together with the other mesmerizing members of the cast:
- Tom Hanks aka Carl Hanratty, Cristopher Walken aka Frank Abagnale, Martin Sheen as Roger Strong, and splendid Amy Adams in the role of Brenda Strong
Even he never finished high school, The Talented Mr. Abagnale is so skilled at making false documents that he spends millions of dollars.
Because he is still so young and he has some psychological issues, he poses as a doctor, airline pilot and lawyer.
He is chased through most of his criminal life by Carl Hanratty, an FBI agent who becomes attached to his nemesis.
There are funny scenes, one of which has Carl entering Frank’s room to arrest him, only to stumble upon a Secret Service agent.
The latter explains and boasts that they have been ahead and the FBI was not the only ones chasing for Abagnale.
When Carl is asking for an ID, this Secret Service man gives him the wallet and distracts him by showing his partner who escorts the criminal to the car…
Only looking at the wallet, after being alone in the room for some time, Carl sees that he has been fooled- that was Frank and the wallet has nothing but useless newspaper cuts.
If an analyst would try to explain the personality of the young impersonator, perhaps he would say that Frank was dissatisfied with his life, the divorce of his parents and would desperately seek a new ego…
He used the false checks to get money, costumes like the ones James Bond was wearing, a car of the same type and used the name Fleming to travel around, meeting a woman who asked for an offer to spend the night…
Frank is facing a beauty (Jennifer Garner) and when they come to the price of $ 1,000 for the whole night, he cannot help but use a scam, yet again, pretending to go to the reception to cash a check and then taking $ 400 from the woman, because he fooled her with a useless piece of paper that had $ 1,400 written on it.
In a hospital, he meets Brenda Strong- irresistible Amy Adams, especially without the braces-and seduces her, pretending to be a doctor and vomiting when called to work on a bleeding patient, his credentials being obviously all false.
Frank decides to marry the girl, meet her family and Roger Strong aka Martin Sheen who has a law degree and therefore the would be son in law decides to use his law degree (yeah, right!) to work as a… lawyer.
When asked about his degree, it turns out he went to the same school as the father- Berkeley- and there is an awkward moment when Roger Strong asks about a mean professor and his dog…what was the name?...after a long pause in which he kept his cool, Frank says that the dog is dead now, alas.
Then he is invited to say the prayer at table, before they would proceed to eat and the young man does not hesitate:
- Two mice fell in a bucket of water…one of them fell and drowned and the other kept moving until it became butter…
Even if this is the most outré, fanciful prayer that I have heard- but then I am not a believer, so I do not hear many- the mother was thrilled with it.
After this, Frank has passed the bar exam and his follower Carl keeps asking about how did he pass it…did he cheat?
July 23, 2023
Catch Me If You Can is a spellbinding and gripping memoir that takes readers on an unbelievable journey through the world of deception and high-stakes cons. Abagnale's firsthand account of his daring escapades as a young imposter is both awe-inspiring and eye-opening. His cleverness and audacity, paired with his eventual redemption, create a roller-coaster of emotions. The book's honest and engaging narrative draws you in, making it difficult to put down. Catch Me If You Can is an extraordinary tale of wit, resilience, and the human spirit, deserving of its 5/5 star rating for its sheer brilliance and fascinating storytelling.
February 23, 2020
It was an interesting story. I believe there is a second but I’m pretty good with just the first one. It’s about the true story of Frank Abignale Jr and his way of conning. It was interesting but felt long too.
January 5, 2021
Frank Abagnale Jr's account of his early years as a check kiter, that took him to Europe and back. He was one of the greatest con men who ever lived, impersonating a doctor, lawyer, pilot and FBI agent. One of the best books that I have ever read.
February 3, 2018
Sad- no remorse. We all pay more for this free- loader to jet around and steal!
May 14, 2020
Such a fun read, and true!
November 18, 2023
I like the story. It's amazing how he figured out how to get so much money.
July 30, 2025
“When people hear my story, they inevitably think it’s fascinating and glamorous. In truth, it was a very, very lonely life. I was just a teenager. […] I never had a relationship with anyone my own age. Everyone I knew was much older than me. I couldn’t really have any friends because no one really knew me. In essence, I was deceiving everyone I met and that made it impossible to get really close to anyone. My kids have grown up asking their mother why dad wakes up in the middle of the night and goes down to the TV room, but he doesn’t watch television, he sits there all night.” This paragraph is one of many welcome insights provided throughout this book by Frank W. Abagnale, the man whose life story inspired the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can.
I have enjoyed this film tremendously for years, and reading Catch Me If You Can: The Film and the Filmmakers by Jeff Nathanson was a very rewarding experience and exactly what I was hoping for as a longtime fan. To be clear, this book is not Frank W. Abagnale’s memoir of the same name of the film it inspired. Instead, this book contains the screenplay of the film, an introduction by Frank W. Abagnale, and a vast array of trivia, behind the scenes information, and many beautiful photographs.
There are many scenes in this screenplay that did not make it into the finished film, making this book feel like a “bonus extra movie” in the best way. While I don’t believe any of these unused scenes would have added additional value to a flawless film, every single one was interesting to read about. It was also exciting to learn from a photo caption that, in addition to impersonating a pilot, a lawyer, and a doctor, Abagnale also had “[…] a stint as a professor of sociology at a college in Salt Lake City, Utah. Due to time constraints, this time period in Frank’s life could not be included in the movie.”
I also enjoyed reading remarks from the film’s two lead actors, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Although Leonardo DiCaprio was only quoted once in this entire book (in comparison to Tom Hanks who pops up several times!), if I didn’t already think DiCaprio had been perfectly cast as Abagnale, this would have sold me on him:“[…]The fact that it’s a story about crime is irrelevant to me. It’s about human willpower and the fact this kid was able to con the world for several years from the age of sixteen on. It’s about human potential.”Reading this book heightens my interest in eventually reading Frank W. Abagnale’s memoir in order to learn even more about an already extremely compelling story. I rate Catch Me If You Can: The Film and the Filmmakers by Jeff Nathanson as five-out-of-five-stars and recommend this book highly to other fans of this film!
I have enjoyed this film tremendously for years, and reading Catch Me If You Can: The Film and the Filmmakers by Jeff Nathanson was a very rewarding experience and exactly what I was hoping for as a longtime fan. To be clear, this book is not Frank W. Abagnale’s memoir of the same name of the film it inspired. Instead, this book contains the screenplay of the film, an introduction by Frank W. Abagnale, and a vast array of trivia, behind the scenes information, and many beautiful photographs.
There are many scenes in this screenplay that did not make it into the finished film, making this book feel like a “bonus extra movie” in the best way. While I don’t believe any of these unused scenes would have added additional value to a flawless film, every single one was interesting to read about. It was also exciting to learn from a photo caption that, in addition to impersonating a pilot, a lawyer, and a doctor, Abagnale also had “[…] a stint as a professor of sociology at a college in Salt Lake City, Utah. Due to time constraints, this time period in Frank’s life could not be included in the movie.”
I also enjoyed reading remarks from the film’s two lead actors, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Although Leonardo DiCaprio was only quoted once in this entire book (in comparison to Tom Hanks who pops up several times!), if I didn’t already think DiCaprio had been perfectly cast as Abagnale, this would have sold me on him:“[…]The fact that it’s a story about crime is irrelevant to me. It’s about human willpower and the fact this kid was able to con the world for several years from the age of sixteen on. It’s about human potential.”Reading this book heightens my interest in eventually reading Frank W. Abagnale’s memoir in order to learn even more about an already extremely compelling story. I rate Catch Me If You Can: The Film and the Filmmakers by Jeff Nathanson as five-out-of-five-stars and recommend this book highly to other fans of this film!
January 13, 2009
I went to see this movie a few years back, because even though I'm not a big Leonardo DiCaprio fan, I adore Tom Hanks. It was the first role DiCaprio played that I thought was credible and set me up to want to see The Aviator when it came out (which I thought he was brilliant in).
There's always a moral dilemma when dealing with a story about a crook. This book is actually entertaining and a good biography about a very colorful life. He's a thief, a scam artist, a crook, but you still want to see what he dreams up next. Airplane pilot, doctor, lawyer, big executive, a college professor...all before age 21 and without even graduating high school. His ingenuity is amazing. his personal charm must be phenomenal. Especially telling was the interview afterward with him about his life now.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Frank W. Abagnale, alias Frank Williams, Robert Conrad, Frank Adams, and Robert Monjo, was one of the most daring con men, forgers, imposters, and escape artists in history. In his brief but notorious criminal career, Abagnale donned a pilot's uniform and copiloted a Pan Am jet, masqueraded as the supervising resident of a hospital, practiced law without a license, passed himself off as a college sociology professor, and cashed over $2.5 million in forged checks, all before he was twenty-one. Known by the police of twenty-six foreign countries and all fifty states as "The Skywayman," Abagnale lived a sumptuous life on the lam-until the law caught up with him. Now recognized as the nation's leading authority on financial foul play, Abagnale is a charming rogue whose hilarious, stranger-than-fiction international escapades, and ingenious escapes-including one from an airplane-make Catch Me If You Can an irresistible tale of deceit.
The uproarious, bestselling true story of the world's most sought-after con man currently in development as a DreamWorks feature film.
"I stole every nickel and blew it on fine threads, luxurious lodgings, fantastic foxes, and other sensual goodies. I partied in every capital in Europe and basked on all the world's most famous beaches."
SYNOPSIS
Frank W. Abagnale, alias Frank Williams, Robert Conrad, Frank Adams, and Robert Monjo, was one of the most daring con men, forgers, imposters, and escape artists in history.
There's always a moral dilemma when dealing with a story about a crook. This book is actually entertaining and a good biography about a very colorful life. He's a thief, a scam artist, a crook, but you still want to see what he dreams up next. Airplane pilot, doctor, lawyer, big executive, a college professor...all before age 21 and without even graduating high school. His ingenuity is amazing. his personal charm must be phenomenal. Especially telling was the interview afterward with him about his life now.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Frank W. Abagnale, alias Frank Williams, Robert Conrad, Frank Adams, and Robert Monjo, was one of the most daring con men, forgers, imposters, and escape artists in history. In his brief but notorious criminal career, Abagnale donned a pilot's uniform and copiloted a Pan Am jet, masqueraded as the supervising resident of a hospital, practiced law without a license, passed himself off as a college sociology professor, and cashed over $2.5 million in forged checks, all before he was twenty-one. Known by the police of twenty-six foreign countries and all fifty states as "The Skywayman," Abagnale lived a sumptuous life on the lam-until the law caught up with him. Now recognized as the nation's leading authority on financial foul play, Abagnale is a charming rogue whose hilarious, stranger-than-fiction international escapades, and ingenious escapes-including one from an airplane-make Catch Me If You Can an irresistible tale of deceit.
The uproarious, bestselling true story of the world's most sought-after con man currently in development as a DreamWorks feature film.
"I stole every nickel and blew it on fine threads, luxurious lodgings, fantastic foxes, and other sensual goodies. I partied in every capital in Europe and basked on all the world's most famous beaches."
SYNOPSIS
Frank W. Abagnale, alias Frank Williams, Robert Conrad, Frank Adams, and Robert Monjo, was one of the most daring con men, forgers, imposters, and escape artists in history.
Read
November 5, 2008 Catch Me If You Can Review
My favorite characterin the book “Catch Me If You Can”, is Frank Abaganale. I liked him because he was resourceful,pasionite, and even though a lier and a cheat, in a way remained true to himself. I would recommend thi book to anyone who enjoys mystery,adventure, and intrige. This book seems to have no end, it just keeps going. Just when you think this is the climax or the end its just a new beginning. The author Frank Abaganale was telling a true story of hi own life. My least favorite character in this story was Paulette Abaganale she was a french algerian beauty who meet Frank dad when she was 15 during World war two in Oran. After years of marriage she became discontent and broke up the family and left with the kids and later remarried. I couldn’t put the book down the story had made many twists and turns,most of them were unexpected and it kept me hooked. His firt coan was the portion of the book that captivated me. He charged a set of tires he didn’t need to his fathers mobile card only he didn’t take the tires he talked a gasstation attendent into keeping the tires that cost hundred and sixty dollars cash, that was the start of many more coans much greater than that. This book has already been made into a movie and the actors who played these characters did and excelent job Leonardo is one of my favorites, and the award winning Tom Hanks,was very believable. There is no way I could predict the ending of this book or even the middle or beginning it was so full of unexpected surprises. My favorite line from the book is, “I concur”. Reading this book caused me to feel a wide range of emotions from astonishment and laughter to sadness to even disapoinment when he got caught even though I don’t condone what he did.
My favorite characterin the book “Catch Me If You Can”, is Frank Abaganale. I liked him because he was resourceful,pasionite, and even though a lier and a cheat, in a way remained true to himself. I would recommend thi book to anyone who enjoys mystery,adventure, and intrige. This book seems to have no end, it just keeps going. Just when you think this is the climax or the end its just a new beginning. The author Frank Abaganale was telling a true story of hi own life. My least favorite character in this story was Paulette Abaganale she was a french algerian beauty who meet Frank dad when she was 15 during World war two in Oran. After years of marriage she became discontent and broke up the family and left with the kids and later remarried. I couldn’t put the book down the story had made many twists and turns,most of them were unexpected and it kept me hooked. His firt coan was the portion of the book that captivated me. He charged a set of tires he didn’t need to his fathers mobile card only he didn’t take the tires he talked a gasstation attendent into keeping the tires that cost hundred and sixty dollars cash, that was the start of many more coans much greater than that. This book has already been made into a movie and the actors who played these characters did and excelent job Leonardo is one of my favorites, and the award winning Tom Hanks,was very believable. There is no way I could predict the ending of this book or even the middle or beginning it was so full of unexpected surprises. My favorite line from the book is, “I concur”. Reading this book caused me to feel a wide range of emotions from astonishment and laughter to sadness to even disapoinment when he got caught even though I don’t condone what he did.
May 9, 2014
Frank Abagnale is one of the most successful con-men in the 20th century. This book is his autobiography describing his cons and eventual arrest.
I first saw the movie about 10 years ago, and just read the book. I enjoyed the movie. Unfortunately, the movie glamorizes Frank's pursuits; the book goes much more into detail about the hundreds, if not thousands, of people he's royally screwed over in his career and how much he got from everyone. I would actually place blame on his parents, especially his father. He was aware of what Frank was doing in his earliest local cons and neither him, nor his (later ex) wife really did anything to try and correct the behavior. While I think his French prison sentence was at least part of a suitable retribution, I think he should have been required to make as much restitution as possible to various places he ripped off. And that doesn't include the emotional cons, for the women and professionals who vouched for him under false pretenses. I don't think the movie mentioned him filling in as doctor. He's incredibly lucky nobody died during on his watch. An interesting note: it was interesting to learn that he was from Bronxville, NY, the town where I attended college.
With that said, and while I heavily disagree with what he did, his cons were incredibly impressive. Cons that were definitely of the times, because I doubt he'd be able to successfully play his cons today given our heightened security measures and easy/instant access to verifiable information.
About the rating: I felt conflicted. The five stars was simply because it was a good, entertaining story, that was a fast read. Again, I do not agree with what he did.
I first saw the movie about 10 years ago, and just read the book. I enjoyed the movie. Unfortunately, the movie glamorizes Frank's pursuits; the book goes much more into detail about the hundreds, if not thousands, of people he's royally screwed over in his career and how much he got from everyone. I would actually place blame on his parents, especially his father. He was aware of what Frank was doing in his earliest local cons and neither him, nor his (later ex) wife really did anything to try and correct the behavior. While I think his French prison sentence was at least part of a suitable retribution, I think he should have been required to make as much restitution as possible to various places he ripped off. And that doesn't include the emotional cons, for the women and professionals who vouched for him under false pretenses. I don't think the movie mentioned him filling in as doctor. He's incredibly lucky nobody died during on his watch. An interesting note: it was interesting to learn that he was from Bronxville, NY, the town where I attended college.
With that said, and while I heavily disagree with what he did, his cons were incredibly impressive. Cons that were definitely of the times, because I doubt he'd be able to successfully play his cons today given our heightened security measures and easy/instant access to verifiable information.
About the rating: I felt conflicted. The five stars was simply because it was a good, entertaining story, that was a fast read. Again, I do not agree with what he did.
Read
November 1, 2013Moore,Jeffrey
English, P: 1
10-31-2013
"Catch me if you can" a book by Frank w. Abagnale is an amazing book. Its about a young man who has to be one of the best con-artist ever. The kids name is Frank Abagnale, and he first conned someone at the age of 13. The crazy thing about it is the person he cons, isn't just anyone; it's a person who means a lot to him. Since his first con at the young age of 13, it has all getting worse. Over the years it builds up more and more.
If you are someone who's entertained by mysterious stories that takes place all around the globe, then this has to be the perfect book for you. I personally really enjoyed this book. It is action packed with both romance and drama with a little bit of comedy. The best part of this book has to be that this kid is so much smarter then the people he cons, so it makes it easy for him to manipulate them.
The author really did a great job with this book. He made the main character himself. He gave him both his first and last name, "Frank w. Abagnale". If you have not attempted to go and read this book, what are you waiting for? To add, if you have read this book, do you enjoy the authors work or not? Please explain.
English, P: 1
10-31-2013
"Catch me if you can" a book by Frank w. Abagnale is an amazing book. Its about a young man who has to be one of the best con-artist ever. The kids name is Frank Abagnale, and he first conned someone at the age of 13. The crazy thing about it is the person he cons, isn't just anyone; it's a person who means a lot to him. Since his first con at the young age of 13, it has all getting worse. Over the years it builds up more and more.
If you are someone who's entertained by mysterious stories that takes place all around the globe, then this has to be the perfect book for you. I personally really enjoyed this book. It is action packed with both romance and drama with a little bit of comedy. The best part of this book has to be that this kid is so much smarter then the people he cons, so it makes it easy for him to manipulate them.
The author really did a great job with this book. He made the main character himself. He gave him both his first and last name, "Frank w. Abagnale". If you have not attempted to go and read this book, what are you waiting for? To add, if you have read this book, do you enjoy the authors work or not? Please explain.
November 15, 2010
Catch me if You Can is a great book. I would recommend it to anyone who has or has not seen the movie. For me it was the way Frank Abagnale (main character) depicts the time he spent fooling banks and many other institutions, he really is genius. I think this book would be interesting for anyone. I feel this way much more than any other book i've read and i think its due to the latitude of the situations that Frank would deal with, sometimes on a daily basis. He conned his way across America, South America, Europe, and some of the more palatable parts of Africa and he did it in style. This book is more than words can describe. Learn all about the Con-man of the century who now has become the FBI's most valuable asset in its check fraud branch.
August 10, 2016
A; The book behind the 2002 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. This is the TRUE story as written by Frank Abagnale Jr. He wrote the book in his late 20s and most of the events happened between age 16-21. I'm not sure if it says more about society and how we blindly accept what people put out, or his cunningness. He swindled millions in his time imposing as a PanAm airline pilot, lawyer and doctor and managed to stay one step ahead of the authorities for years. He was eventually caught and imprisoned for his crimes. After being fired from several jobs, where he excelled, due to his past he turned things around and began teaching companies how to catch forgeries. He teaches at the FBI academy and works with the FBI Financial Crimes Unit.
September 21, 2009
Although you really can't trust much of what's chronicled in the book, it does not diminish the amazing life of crime Frank Abagnale lived. As a con artist, he was brilliant, creative, and nearly unstoppable. His escapades are nearly unbelievable - from impersonating a medical doctor to actually passing the bar exam to impersonating a pilot - but he is believable in each role.
The narrator is smug, proud of his cleverness and swindles. He's even smug when expressing remorse for some of his actions. It gets a little old, but it can be overlooked.
Despite its doubtful truthfulness, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Abagnale's ghost writer is witty and tells a good tale.
The narrator is smug, proud of his cleverness and swindles. He's even smug when expressing remorse for some of his actions. It gets a little old, but it can be overlooked.
Despite its doubtful truthfulness, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Abagnale's ghost writer is witty and tells a good tale.
May 18, 2014
If you really enjoyed this movie then I suggest you DO NOT read this book.
The book was well written and engrossing. (the reason I gave it three stars)The credit there has to go to the ghost writer, Stan Redding. He's taken a sexual predator and made him engaging.
Wish I hadn't read it. If you cut through Abagnale's supposed charm, he's a very sleazy person who does a lot of creepy, vicious, and grotesque things, justifying it all by saying he "likes the ladies."
I did find it funny that the only redeeming character in the book - Abagnale's mother - is made the villain in the movie. Nice.
The book was well written and engrossing. (the reason I gave it three stars)The credit there has to go to the ghost writer, Stan Redding. He's taken a sexual predator and made him engaging.
Wish I hadn't read it. If you cut through Abagnale's supposed charm, he's a very sleazy person who does a lot of creepy, vicious, and grotesque things, justifying it all by saying he "likes the ladies."
I did find it funny that the only redeeming character in the book - Abagnale's mother - is made the villain in the movie. Nice.
February 9, 2008
This book was just plain fun to read. And what's even better is that it is based on real life events! Usually I wouldn't be rooting for the the person who is defrauding everyone he can, but you can't help but admire his daring and creatitity in the process. Plus the guy was really young to boot! What made all of his scheming possible was the computerless era in which it occured. As a side note while I was reading this book, I couldn't help but be facinated by the different "rehabilitation" theories each country practiced. If you like fun, crazy, and humorous books, this is one not to miss.
August 28, 2008
I could not take my eyes out of this book! If you've seen the movie, or know anything about Frank Abagnale's life, you will be interested in this book. This guy was unbelievable! I've heard that some of it is not true or is exaggerrated but the book is so entertaining that it hardly matters. Especially since we know that some of it IS true. This is a very enjoyable, hilarious, mind-blowing read. I mean, I just can't believe this guy's gall!
October 7, 2011
Heard it on audio book. Interesting story but is baffling how easy it was for him to get away with his bluff throughout ... Makes me wonder if the world is really so naive and the young man so incredibly resourceful to fool so many? What does it say about human beings in general ... So gullible? So trusting? I wonder how much of it is true and how much is fiction and good story telling. Would have loved to actually meet the man and question him deeper!
November 6, 2008
The movie did nothing for me but the book was great! This guy was so smart - the typical cheater who, had he spent as much time and energy on legal business, would have been a millionaire.
I loved reading about his brazen acts and how many people just let odd things go by because he sold it to them.
I loved reading about his brazen acts and how many people just let odd things go by because he sold it to them.
March 26, 2009
This book is very exciting. It was about daring con men who try to beat the crimes they have done. The book will really grasp your attention with the whole escape plot of this book. I recommend this book to anybody who has interest in action and adventure and strongly recommend to watch the movie after the book.
June 30, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. I saw the movie first, so I knew a little bit about it.
Something that I was surprised and didn't know until I really looked at it was that Frank was the one that actually wrote the book. I had assumed it would be written by somebody else. That really enhanced it for me.
Something that I was surprised and didn't know until I really looked at it was that Frank was the one that actually wrote the book. I had assumed it would be written by somebody else. That really enhanced it for me.
February 1, 2010
Very good book! I really enjoyed the story line and the writing. It is based on a true story of a teenage con-artist. There is a movie about it with Leonardo DiCaprio as the star. The movie was great...the book was even better. It is an old book and should be easy to find at a yard sale or used book store cheap. If you see it...buy it! Great read.
March 3, 2010
Great read- Truly I'd just seen the movie about a month ago, so I knew generally what was going to happen next - but I still couldn't put it down.
I read this book in less than 24 hours. It was definitely a book that kept me awake at night instead of one that put me to sleep.
Sweet true story.
One clever man.
I read this book in less than 24 hours. It was definitely a book that kept me awake at night instead of one that put me to sleep.
Sweet true story.
One clever man.
June 16, 2015
Interesting, parts were better than the film, especially his experiences with various penal and judicial systems, but for sheer glossy entertainment, the film wins hands down. I'm not going to argue about the book being the True story- I subscribe to the view that all reminiscence is more or less fiction. And no less valid for that.
May 21, 2008
This book was really exciting and fun, and funny. It reminded me of Ocean's 11, but more exciting because everything in there is true! It is still hard to wrap my mind around the fact that he did all of those things before he was 21. He's like a genius or something.
Want to read
February 9, 2009Its amazing what this kid went through. i admire this because he has bravery, skill, character, inteligence,and charm that not many can pull off. I find it facinating that a child can live as an adult in this way and still be a child
February 28, 2009
What a great story. If I were to pick my "vice" in life, I think I'd want to successfully do something like Frank Abagnale Jr. As a teenager, he conned everyone, not only out of tons of money, but as a BYU professor, as a doctor, as a lawyer. Unbelievable! And true! Watch the movie too.
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