Britain’s No. 1 Art Forger Max Brandrett: The Life of a Cheeky Faker

by Anthony Valentine, Max Brandrett, Shaun Attwood (Editor)

“A picturesque journey! Even the Kray twins commissioned Max for a portrait of their mother!” – Shaun Attwood, true crime YouTuber and Author ‘Max the Forger’ is an artist and gentleman whose colourful lifestyle has spanned over seventy years. He has lived under the strict regime of Barnardo’s children’s homes, been an elephant handler in the circus, lived rough, busked his way from Brighton to Bombay, sold his fakes up and down the country, dined with dukes, socialised with celebrities, associated with gangsters, served time in prison, and donated tens of thousands to charity. And through it all, he never stopped smiling, and loving life - and missing his mum. “Mister Brandrett, I do not see you as a malicious criminal,” sighed the judge, “but why-oh-why do you continue to use your God-given talent in this way?” “I just can’t help myself, Your Honour. It’s like an addiction,” I grinned.

288 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2022

Reviews

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

audible:This was an outstanding book! I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Max has had one heck of a ride,from being a child with no shoes,to orphanages,foster homes and military school to ritzy galas with popular folk.All is told in cheeky prose. Narration by Charles Robert Fox was nearly perfect.A break between chapters would have been helpful.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touch of innocence

I love books on art forgers but usually from the side of those who track them down. I generally do not much like books written by the fraudsters, so I was surprised to find myself enjoying this. I don’t know if it was the naivety of the author / fraudster, or the excellent narration, butI found myself charmed by the bumbling character at the centre of this story. Number 1? I don’t know about that, however it was still good.

[Bethany Naykalyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vibrant story about a man who did a little bit of everything interesting to get through life. Now, please excuse me while I go check out the paintings in my local antique stores.