coffee_and_chapters's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I loved this book! Anything related to police/detectives/FBI work and of course a very likeable criminal….sign me up! I was such a huge fan of White Collar the TV Show and I finally had the chance to see the movie for this book after I had finished it (also amazing).
I really enjoyed the narration of the audiobook as it really brought Frank’s persona to life throughout the book, and you could also see how he would mature as the book progressed. It was clear that he was quite arrogant as a kid and knew he would get away with everything until he didn’t, and to also understand where that stemmed from (in terms of wanting to show his father that he could do it and he could be of help to the family, which his father wasn’t super impressed with overall from what it seems) is very interesting to explore. I also liked the bond that developed between him and the agent, it again reminded me very much of Neil and Peter in White Collar, and I think this made the story and memoir flow in such an organic way. Whilst this was an FBI agent chasing a criminal, you could see the level of respect was there in many ways, and that is to be appreciated
jenbsbooks's review
adventurous
funny
informative
4.0
I saw the movie years ago and loved it. Read the book reads ago and loved it too. I wasn't sure if I'd been able to appreciate both the way I did if I'd switched the order. The movie changed a lot of things up. Most of the covers feature the movie actors (and TomHanks character is hardly in the book at all).
This is a quick read. My original read I'd gone with the book, I tried the audiobook this time, but had the Kindle copy on hand for reference. Just 10 chapters. I always find it frustrating when there are chapter headings that are NOT included on the digital (ebook or audiobook) Table of Contents. I like to look at the TOC for reference during/after reading, and if it's just "Chapter 4" it isn't very helpful. The chapters are (1) The Fledgling (2) The Pilot (3) Fly a Crooked Sky (4) If I'm a Kid Doctor, Where's My Jar of Lollipops? (5) A Law Degree is Just an Illegal Technicality (6) Paperhanger in a Rolls-Royce (7) How To Tour Europe on a Felony a Day (8) A Small Crew Will Do-It's Just a Paper Airplane (9) Does This Tab Include the Tip (10) Put out an APB - Abagnale Has Escaped.
In the e-book there was an Afterword & Q&A with the author, which was NOT included in the audio, and I think that leaves listeners hanging. Even if it isn't included in the official memoir, what happened after the past page, until the author wrote this book, is really essential information (and is included in the movie). But that was a major frustration in the audiobook, I was thinking "that can NOT be the end!"
These escapades took place in the 60s, and it is a bit dated, with the writing of checks and the lack of technology, the ease of airline travel security - although the author admits that technology actually makes fraud and cons easier. One wonders what his cons would have been in today's tech world. There is a bit of a dated feel to the conversation too ... calling women "fantastic foxes" and many of his references to the ladies ;)
The story starts somewhat in the middle (during his "pilot" years) ... then goes back to the beginning, his younger years, how he got started. Goes through his pilot years in detail, then his stints as a Doctor, Lawyer and Professor (in Utah, my home state). Goes much more in depth to his time in prison than the movie. The movie showcase the POV of the other side (detective tracking him down/Hanks) and that really isn't in the book much at all. It's all Frank.
An enjoyable and easy, almost unbelievable, story.
This is a quick read. My original read I'd gone with the book, I tried the audiobook this time, but had the Kindle copy on hand for reference. Just 10 chapters. I always find it frustrating when there are chapter headings that are NOT included on the digital (ebook or audiobook) Table of Contents. I like to look at the TOC for reference during/after reading, and if it's just "Chapter 4" it isn't very helpful. The chapters are (1) The Fledgling (2) The Pilot (3) Fly a Crooked Sky (4) If I'm a Kid Doctor, Where's My Jar of Lollipops? (5) A Law Degree is Just an Illegal Technicality (6) Paperhanger in a Rolls-Royce (7) How To Tour Europe on a Felony a Day (8) A Small Crew Will Do-It's Just a Paper Airplane (9) Does This Tab Include the Tip (10) Put out an APB - Abagnale Has Escaped.
In the e-book there was an Afterword & Q&A with the author, which was NOT included in the audio, and I think that leaves listeners hanging. Even if it isn't included in the official memoir, what happened after the past page, until the author wrote this book, is really essential information (and is included in the movie). But that was a major frustration in the audiobook, I was thinking "that can NOT be the end!"
These escapades took place in the 60s, and it is a bit dated, with the writing of checks and the lack of technology, the ease of airline travel security - although the author admits that technology actually makes fraud and cons easier. One wonders what his cons would have been in today's tech world. There is a bit of a dated feel to the conversation too ... calling women "fantastic foxes" and many of his references to the ladies ;)
The story starts somewhat in the middle (during his "pilot" years) ... then goes back to the beginning, his younger years, how he got started. Goes through his pilot years in detail, then his stints as a Doctor, Lawyer and Professor (in Utah, my home state). Goes much more in depth to his time in prison than the movie. The movie showcase the POV of the other side (detective tracking him down/Hanks) and that really isn't in the book much at all. It's all Frank.
An enjoyable and easy, almost unbelievable, story.
cncoltre's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting book. It deglamorizes the story told in the movie. Somehow felt like it should have been read outlays by Dicaprio
abalvarez's review against another edition
2.0
As much as I would love to wholeheartedly recommend [b:Catch Me If You Can|6564369|Catch Me If You Can|Frank W. Abagnale|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1375287123l/6564369._SY75_.jpg|985716], I have to admit to being quite disappointed once I performed a modicum of research and discovered that very little of what was written about actually happened. In fact, I learned more about [a:Frank W. Abagnale|80294|Frank W. Abagnale|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1211788882p2/80294.jpg] from a talk he gave at Google (available on YouTube) than I did reading this book.
Did I mention I was disappointed?
Sigh.
Did I mention I was disappointed?
Sigh.
jesstonstad's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely fantastic and unbelievable! I watched the movie prior to reading and I loved to read about things that weren’t shown in the book.
ioana313's review
4.0
This was a very fun read. The ammount of stuff this man managed to get away with is incredible, and hearing it from his own point of view is just very entertaining.