The Modern Con Man: How to Get Something for Nothing

by Todd Robbins

Whether it's winning $50 on a bar bet, scoring seats closer to the fifty-yard line, or finagling a free meal, The Modern Con Man ensures that aspiring low-risk grifters will always come out on top. Filled with humorous facts and tables, a glossary of con terms, illustrations, the history of the con, and easy-to-follow swindles, this is the perfect gift for the hidden flim-flam artist in your life.

Genres: Crime, How To

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Adam Shafer]

A hacky, hokey, collection of eyeroll-inducing wordplay puzzles designed against straw men victims. It's poorly written, juvenile, chauvinistic, unaware of how lacking in cleverness it is, and cynical to the bone. I would have given this fewer stars if Goodreads' rating system allowed it.

But... I'm still the sucker who paid money to read it.

Also, why does the author intermittently sign his initials at the end of some sections like a schnook?

[Brett Feinstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Todd Robbins is an excellent performer so I had high hopes for his book. Sadly, it was pretty underwhelming.

Dopey bar bets that won't get you a drink unless it is a drink poured on your head. One paragraph sketches of famous con men. Some really sexist material. Many pages are rather sparse--layout was more important that content was. If Buzzfeed wrote a book on cons, it would be this lame volume for those with low attention spans.

I am giving it two stars instead of one because I did laugh a few times. But pass this by. Not recommended.

[Jadeheart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in search of this book. When I was listing the book I wanted to read based on recommendation this was one of them. I almost have forgotten but unexpectedly when I was in a bookshop while searching for a textbook. It was right in front of me. It was familiar but my memory reminded me. This book is fascinating to read. Entertaining for me! Each page contains interesting puzzles. I enjoyed reading it.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todd Robbins is well known in the magic and sideshow community. He often teaches classes on sideshow skills such as eating light bulbs, pounding a nail into your head and fire walking. (No, he's not that Tony Robins arrogant shit.) This book teaches a wide range of cons and scams. A good number of these will result in you having a broken nose. Some will provide you with room and board for a long time at the state's expense in the Gray Bar Hotel. Attempt these at your own risk.

[John G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and odd little book. Included various cons, trucks, bets and hustles, but what I loved was its unapologetic endorsement of grifting and dwindling suckers, plus the history of the great conmen and their exploits were fascinating. Got a lotta bang for the buck with this one!

[Elfbiter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anyone trying any of the tricks in this book who does not realize that they are now public information anyone can know is an idiot.

[Michael Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting to see how con-artists do what they do. The book has an ugly/darkness to it though. The author is completely self-centered and sees any type of empathy/compassion for others as weakness. If I were the Devil, I'd issue this book as required reading for my subjects. That said, there are some very fun bar tricks in the book.

[Jon Bristow · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too silly for me.

[Rob Sharp]

Still haven't moved on from here, this Kindle version of this book suffers from a lot of formatting problems which has put me right off. Giving up on this for the time being, may revisit later.

[Duke Cullinan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stupid book. Really just a compendium of mostly below average bar bets. Seems like a bunch of chaff the author culled from his website (if such site exists). Pretty layout, however.

[Gwynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun and silly, but ultimately mean-spirited.