Like it or not, the rascals and rogues of this world are generally more interesting characters than the good guys and their names and escapades are often better remembered than those of the heroes.In this volume you will find a remarkable array of men and women, including the cigar-maker who made a fortune by exhibiting a home-made giant. the politician who faked his own death, leaving behind him vast debts, the clerk who "invested" £32 million of his bank's money and the train robber who became a legend in his own lifetime.Nigel Blundell is a Fleet Street journalist who has circled the world collecting many of the bizarre stories presented in this book.This is a companion volume The World's Greatest Cranks and Crackpots, The World's Greatest Mistakes, The World's Greatest Mysteries.
Nigel Blundell is a journalist who has worked in Australia, the United States and Britain. He spent 25 years in Fleet Street before becoming an author and contributor to national newspapers. He has written more than 40 books, including best-sellers on crime and royalty. He co-wrote the Top Ten exposé Fall of the House of Windsor, which first revealed the so-called ‘Squidgygate’ tape and the infidelity of both Princess Diana and Prince Charles. His other factual subjects have included military history, celebrity scandals, and ghosts and the paranormal.
Great read. What caught my attention the most was the bit about bungling bandits. I did not know some robbers could be so silly. Well there is a saying in my language."Every day for the thief, one day for the police."
This is part of a series of books which examines real-life stories that have made newspaper headlines around the world. This book focuses on famous crooks and conmen. Some of the blunders they made were very funny. Some of the stories were more sobering. An uneven read.