A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

5 stars for Tom McShane, 1 for Dary Matera & Maverick, 03 May 2008
The stories are fascinating, unfortunately not brilliantly written. I don't know which of the two authors was the man who never met a simile he didn't like enough to use twice, but as a professional writer, I hold Matera responsible. I had to really work to motivate myself to finish the book. My desire to hear more of Tom McShane's adventures was seriously tempered by reading outlandish simile after outrageous analogy.

The publishing house, Maverick House, also must carry some blame as entire sentences were almost unreadable having been squashed together in the interest of saving space. I could understand better if the last few words of the self-same paragraph hadn't been dangling loose on a line of their own. It all could have been tighter and would have been a better credit to McShane's incredible experiences, and the fascinating histories of the masterpieces.

Highly Entertaining, 28 Dec 2007
this guy is a true legend as hes been on RTE Radio(Ireland) to promote this book and obviously has had some experiences recovering art for the FBI that needed to be shared. We see behind the scenes how this sleuth thinks and works and the details are all very interesting. The stories are delivered in a slightly comical fashion sometimes, which creates a book that is both likeable and in-sightful....

Fascinating, pacey read, 09 Oct 2007
I loved this book! It is basically about the career exploits of Thomas McShane - an FBI agent working in recovering stolen art masterpieces. Each chapter covers another exciting brush, usually with the Mob, who have made off with various treasures from Picassos to Rembrandts to Rubens and are often lured into selling them back to one of McShane's art expert aliases. McShane usually goes in to these meetings wired up and sometimes with a pistol and at the drop of an agreed catch phrase or word at some point during the transaction, the police will burst in to apprehend the crooks. Great stuff based on real events and written in a rather amusing typical stereotype NY 'cop' language in my opinion, complete with cheesey metaphors which only adds to its appeal. It's a great read and you certainly won't get bored!

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

5 stars for Tom McShane, 1 for Dary Matera & Maverick, 03 May 2008
The stories are fascinating, unfortunately not brilliantly written. I don't know which of the two authors was the man who never met a simile he didn't like enough to use twice, but as a professional writer, I hold Matera responsible. I had to really work to motivate myself to finish the book. My desire to hear more of Tom McShane's adventures was seriously tempered by reading outlandish simile after outrageous analogy.

The publishing house, Maverick House, also must carry some blame as entire sentences were almost unreadable having been squashed together in the interest of saving space. I could understand better if the last few words of the self-same paragraph hadn't been dangling loose on a line of their own. It all could have been tighter and would have been a better credit to McShane's incredible experiences, and the fascinating histories of the masterpieces.

Highly Entertaining, 28 Dec 2007
this guy is a true legend as hes been on RTE Radio(Ireland) to promote this book and obviously has had some experiences recovering art for the FBI that needed to be shared. We see behind the scenes how this sleuth thinks and works and the details are all very interesting. The stories are delivered in a slightly comical fashion sometimes, which creates a book that is both likeable and in-sightful....

Fascinating, pacey read, 09 Oct 2007
I loved this book! It is basically about the career exploits of Thomas McShane - an FBI agent working in recovering stolen art masterpieces. Each chapter covers another exciting brush, usually with the Mob, who have made off with various treasures from Picassos to Rembrandts to Rubens and are often lured into selling them back to one of McShane's art expert aliases. McShane usually goes in to these meetings wired up and sometimes with a pistol and at the drop of an agreed catch phrase or word at some point during the transaction, the police will burst in to apprehend the crooks. Great stuff based on real events and written in a rather amusing typical stereotype NY 'cop' language in my opinion, complete with cheesey metaphors which only adds to its appeal. It's a great read and you certainly won't get bored!

Pruf reeder? What's that? , 21 Feb 2008
I can hardly talk about the content of this book because the proofreading was so abysmal that it completely put me off the book. For heaven's sake, if book publishers can't even be bothered to spell words right, why should I bother spending good money on their product? It's like finding rotten fruit after the first layer in a strawberry punnet - you feel cheated!

With regards to the content, it was okay - it didn't go as indepth as I would have liked into the workings of either of the auction houses nor did it capture the excitement of some of the biggest auctions of the past 20 years, which would have added to the drama, I think.

Lords and Liars., 16 Apr 2006
Well researched and comprehensive account of the inside dealing and price fixing between two of the largest auction houses. A rare insight into the corruption that dominated the market and the people who were at the centre of it. Lost some impact as it was so badly proof-read that there are sections which make no sense at all- filled with spelling mistakes and odd punctuation. Worth a read before you go out and bid in the open market!

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

5 stars for Tom McShane, 1 for Dary Matera & Maverick, 03 May 2008
The stories are fascinating, unfortunately not brilliantly written. I don't know which of the two authors was the man who never met a simile he didn't like enough to use twice, but as a professional writer, I hold Matera responsible. I had to really work to motivate myself to finish the book. My desire to hear more of Tom McShane's adventures was seriously tempered by reading outlandish simile after outrageous analogy.

The publishing house, Maverick House, also must carry some blame as entire sentences were almost unreadable having been squashed together in the interest of saving space. I could understand better if the last few words of the self-same paragraph hadn't been dangling loose on a line of their own. It all could have been tighter and would have been a better credit to McShane's incredible experiences, and the fascinating histories of the masterpieces.

Highly Entertaining, 28 Dec 2007
this guy is a true legend as hes been on RTE Radio(Ireland) to promote this book and obviously has had some experiences recovering art for the FBI that needed to be shared. We see behind the scenes how this sleuth thinks and works and the details are all very interesting. The stories are delivered in a slightly comical fashion sometimes, which creates a book that is both likeable and in-sightful....

Fascinating, pacey read, 09 Oct 2007
I loved this book! It is basically about the career exploits of Thomas McShane - an FBI agent working in recovering stolen art masterpieces. Each chapter covers another exciting brush, usually with the Mob, who have made off with various treasures from Picassos to Rembrandts to Rubens and are often lured into selling them back to one of McShane's art expert aliases. McShane usually goes in to these meetings wired up and sometimes with a pistol and at the drop of an agreed catch phrase or word at some point during the transaction, the police will burst in to apprehend the crooks. Great stuff based on real events and written in a rather amusing typical stereotype NY 'cop' language in my opinion, complete with cheesey metaphors which only adds to its appeal. It's a great read and you certainly won't get bored!

Pruf reeder? What's that? , 21 Feb 2008
I can hardly talk about the content of this book because the proofreading was so abysmal that it completely put me off the book. For heaven's sake, if book publishers can't even be bothered to spell words right, why should I bother spending good money on their product? It's like finding rotten fruit after the first layer in a strawberry punnet - you feel cheated!

With regards to the content, it was okay - it didn't go as indepth as I would have liked into the workings of either of the auction houses nor did it capture the excitement of some of the biggest auctions of the past 20 years, which would have added to the drama, I think.

Lords and Liars., 16 Apr 2006
Well researched and comprehensive account of the inside dealing and price fixing between two of the largest auction houses. A rare insight into the corruption that dominated the market and the people who were at the centre of it. Lost some impact as it was so badly proof-read that there are sections which make no sense at all- filled with spelling mistakes and odd punctuation. Worth a read before you go out and bid in the open market!

A great rollicking read, 25 Aug 2006
Utterly fascinating and beautifully-written.

As compelling as the story itself are the details on the long, careful process involved in the forger's deception.

And perhaps most interesting of all is the debate it forces on what constitutes a masterpiece: how our perception of a work of art is influenced by the surrounding acclaim, or lack thereof - how easily our tastes are cowed into mainstream definitions of greatness by purported experts, perhaps concerned more with covering their asses than furthering the cause of artistry.

Fascinating story, beautifully written, 13 Aug 2006
This story of how Han Van Meegeren wrought revenge on the pre-war Dutch art establishment and hoodwinked Hermann Göring to boot is most beautifully written. A tale like this is crying out to be made into a film!

I found it un-put-downable and I was left with a smile on my face having finished reading it.

Quite simply, brilliant..., 08 Aug 2006
The life of the scheming fraudster is by its very nature more interesting than that of the natural genius. Everyone loves an underdog, and Han van Meegeren was that most unusual of underdogs: a winner.

Wynne's book, described last weekend by The Observer as 'gripping and psychologically fascinating', seeks to do more than simply recount this most interesting of stories. It gets inside van Meegeren's head, and in doing so sheds new light on one of the most intriguing characters the art world has ever seen.

This is just a fascinating story, brilliantly told. Very highly recommended.

Hugely enjoyable, 08 Aug 2006
The fascinating story of an obsessive man's effort to gain recognition for his own paintings by passing them off as Vermeer's to the art word, thus proving his own genius was comparable with the master's

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

5 stars for Tom McShane, 1 for Dary Matera & Maverick, 03 May 2008
The stories are fascinating, unfortunately not brilliantly written. I don't know which of the two authors was the man who never met a simile he didn't like enough to use twice, but as a professional writer, I hold Matera responsible. I had to really work to motivate myself to finish the book. My desire to hear more of Tom McShane's adventures was seriously tempered by reading outlandish simile after outrageous analogy.

The publishing house, Maverick House, also must carry some blame as entire sentences were almost unreadable having been squashed together in the interest of saving space. I could understand better if the last few words of the self-same paragraph hadn't been dangling loose on a line of their own. It all could have been tighter and would have been a better credit to McShane's incredible experiences, and the fascinating histories of the masterpieces.

Highly Entertaining, 28 Dec 2007
this guy is a true legend as hes been on RTE Radio(Ireland) to promote this book and obviously has had some experiences recovering art for the FBI that needed to be shared. We see behind the scenes how this sleuth thinks and works and the details are all very interesting. The stories are delivered in a slightly comical fashion sometimes, which creates a book that is both likeable and in-sightful....

Fascinating, pacey read, 09 Oct 2007
I loved this book! It is basically about the career exploits of Thomas McShane - an FBI agent working in recovering stolen art masterpieces. Each chapter covers another exciting brush, usually with the Mob, who have made off with various treasures from Picassos to Rembrandts to Rubens and are often lured into selling them back to one of McShane's art expert aliases. McShane usually goes in to these meetings wired up and sometimes with a pistol and at the drop of an agreed catch phrase or word at some point during the transaction, the police will burst in to apprehend the crooks. Great stuff based on real events and written in a rather amusing typical stereotype NY 'cop' language in my opinion, complete with cheesey metaphors which only adds to its appeal. It's a great read and you certainly won't get bored!

Pruf reeder? What's that? , 21 Feb 2008
I can hardly talk about the content of this book because the proofreading was so abysmal that it completely put me off the book. For heaven's sake, if book publishers can't even be bothered to spell words right, why should I bother spending good money on their product? It's like finding rotten fruit after the first layer in a strawberry punnet - you feel cheated!

With regards to the content, it was okay - it didn't go as indepth as I would have liked into the workings of either of the auction houses nor did it capture the excitement of some of the biggest auctions of the past 20 years, which would have added to the drama, I think.

Lords and Liars., 16 Apr 2006
Well researched and comprehensive account of the inside dealing and price fixing between two of the largest auction houses. A rare insight into the corruption that dominated the market and the people who were at the centre of it. Lost some impact as it was so badly proof-read that there are sections which make no sense at all- filled with spelling mistakes and odd punctuation. Worth a read before you go out and bid in the open market!

A great rollicking read, 25 Aug 2006
Utterly fascinating and beautifully-written.

As compelling as the story itself are the details on the long, careful process involved in the forger's deception.

And perhaps most interesting of all is the debate it forces on what constitutes a masterpiece: how our perception of a work of art is influenced by the surrounding acclaim, or lack thereof - how easily our tastes are cowed into mainstream definitions of greatness by purported experts, perhaps concerned more with covering their asses than furthering the cause of artistry.

Fascinating story, beautifully written, 13 Aug 2006
This story of how Han Van Meegeren wrought revenge on the pre-war Dutch art establishment and hoodwinked Hermann Göring to boot is most beautifully written. A tale like this is crying out to be made into a film!

I found it un-put-downable and I was left with a smile on my face having finished reading it.

Quite simply, brilliant..., 08 Aug 2006
The life of the scheming fraudster is by its very nature more interesting than that of the natural genius. Everyone loves an underdog, and Han van Meegeren was that most unusual of underdogs: a winner.

Wynne's book, described last weekend by The Observer as 'gripping and psychologically fascinating', seeks to do more than simply recount this most interesting of stories. It gets inside van Meegeren's head, and in doing so sheds new light on one of the most intriguing characters the art world has ever seen.

This is just a fascinating story, brilliantly told. Very highly recommended.

Hugely enjoyable, 08 Aug 2006
The fascinating story of an obsessive man's effort to gain recognition for his own paintings by passing them off as Vermeer's to the art word, thus proving his own genius was comparable with the master's

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

5 stars for Tom McShane, 1 for Dary Matera & Maverick, 03 May 2008
The stories are fascinating, unfortunately not brilliantly written. I don't know which of the two authors was the man who never met a simile he didn't like enough to use twice, but as a professional writer, I hold Matera responsible. I had to really work to motivate myself to finish the book. My desire to hear more of Tom McShane's adventures was seriously tempered by reading outlandish simile after outrageous analogy.

The publishing house, Maverick House, also must carry some blame as entire sentences were almost unreadable having been squashed together in the interest of saving space. I could understand better if the last few words of the self-same paragraph hadn't been dangling loose on a line of their own. It all could have been tighter and would have been a better credit to McShane's incredible experiences, and the fascinating histories of the masterpieces.

Highly Entertaining, 28 Dec 2007
this guy is a true legend as hes been on RTE Radio(Ireland) to promote this book and obviously has had some experiences recovering art for the FBI that needed to be shared. We see behind the scenes how this sleuth thinks and works and the details are all very interesting. The stories are delivered in a slightly comical fashion sometimes, which creates a book that is both likeable and in-sightful....

Fascinating, pacey read, 09 Oct 2007
I loved this book! It is basically about the career exploits of Thomas McShane - an FBI agent working in recovering stolen art masterpieces. Each chapter covers another exciting brush, usually with the Mob, who have made off with various treasures from Picassos to Rembrandts to Rubens and are often lured into selling them back to one of McShane's art expert aliases. McShane usually goes in to these meetings wired up and sometimes with a pistol and at the drop of an agreed catch phrase or word at some point during the transaction, the police will burst in to apprehend the crooks. Great stuff based on real events and written in a rather amusing typical stereotype NY 'cop' language in my opinion, complete with cheesey metaphors which only adds to its appeal. It's a great read and you certainly won't get bored!

Pruf reeder? What's that? , 21 Feb 2008
I can hardly talk about the content of this book because the proofreading was so abysmal that it completely put me off the book. For heaven's sake, if book publishers can't even be bothered to spell words right, why should I bother spending good money on their product? It's like finding rotten fruit after the first layer in a strawberry punnet - you feel cheated!

With regards to the content, it was okay - it didn't go as indepth as I would have liked into the workings of either of the auction houses nor did it capture the excitement of some of the biggest auctions of the past 20 years, which would have added to the drama, I think.

Lords and Liars., 16 Apr 2006
Well researched and comprehensive account of the inside dealing and price fixing between two of the largest auction houses. A rare insight into the corruption that dominated the market and the people who were at the centre of it. Lost some impact as it was so badly proof-read that there are sections which make no sense at all- filled with spelling mistakes and odd punctuation. Worth a read before you go out and bid in the open market!

A great rollicking read, 25 Aug 2006
Utterly fascinating and beautifully-written.

As compelling as the story itself are the details on the long, careful process involved in the forger's deception.

And perhaps most interesting of all is the debate it forces on what constitutes a masterpiece: how our perception of a work of art is influenced by the surrounding acclaim, or lack thereof - how easily our tastes are cowed into mainstream definitions of greatness by purported experts, perhaps concerned more with covering their asses than furthering the cause of artistry.

Fascinating story, beautifully written, 13 Aug 2006
This story of how Han Van Meegeren wrought revenge on the pre-war Dutch art establishment and hoodwinked Hermann Göring to boot is most beautifully written. A tale like this is crying out to be made into a film!

I found it un-put-downable and I was left with a smile on my face having finished reading it.

Quite simply, brilliant..., 08 Aug 2006
The life of the scheming fraudster is by its very nature more interesting than that of the natural genius. Everyone loves an underdog, and Han van Meegeren was that most unusual of underdogs: a winner.

Wynne's book, described last weekend by The Observer as 'gripping and psychologically fascinating', seeks to do more than simply recount this most interesting of stories. It gets inside van Meegeren's head, and in doing so sheds new light on one of the most intriguing characters the art world has ever seen.

This is just a fascinating story, brilliantly told. Very highly recommended.

Hugely enjoyable, 08 Aug 2006
The fascinating story of an obsessive man's effort to gain recognition for his own paintings by passing them off as Vermeer's to the art word, thus proving his own genius was comparable with the master's

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

Entertaining read, 30 Dec 2007
This is a very enjoyable book that can be read at leisure chapter by chapter. Magnus Magnusson is an excellent writer and his relating of these, often quite amazing, stories is done with verve that keeps you wanting to read more. Recommended.

Unreal fun, 25 Mar 2007
Although cursed with a slightly anonymous cover, this foray into the world of fakery is definitely not boring. We have a number of the usual suspects included here (Piltdown Man, The Tichborne Claimant, Han van Meegeren)but Magnus Magnusson is not content to tread the well worn path of some other authors on this subject, and includes some fascinating new stories. In the section on Art forgeries, the fairly recent adventures of John Drewe and John Myatt are amongst the many highlights of the book. The mastermind behind the scam, John Drewe, emerges as a fascinating character. Someone with a genuine but misapplied genius for fooling people, he is worthy of book on his own.

Perhaps the most exciting and compelling story in the whole volume is that of Ellen and William Craft. A pair of married slaves in pre-emancipation America, they determined to escape to freedom. Ellen was pale skinned enough to pass as white, and posing as a white man she fled from the South with her husband William, who pretended to be her slave. A thrilling and uplifting story, this deserves to be much more widely known.

Magnusson is a fluent, entertaining writer whose anecdotal style makes every account an enjoyable read. I really can't praise this book enough. BUY!!!

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

5 stars for Tom McShane, 1 for Dary Matera & Maverick, 03 May 2008
The stories are fascinating, unfortunately not brilliantly written. I don't know which of the two authors was the man who never met a simile he didn't like enough to use twice, but as a professional writer, I hold Matera responsible. I had to really work to motivate myself to finish the book. My desire to hear more of Tom McShane's adventures was seriously tempered by reading outlandish simile after outrageous analogy.

The publishing house, Maverick House, also must carry some blame as entire sentences were almost unreadable having been squashed together in the interest of saving space. I could understand better if the last few words of the self-same paragraph hadn't been dangling loose on a line of their own. It all could have been tighter and would have been a better credit to McShane's incredible experiences, and the fascinating histories of the masterpieces.

Highly Entertaining, 28 Dec 2007
this guy is a true legend as hes been on RTE Radio(Ireland) to promote this book and obviously has had some experiences recovering art for the FBI that needed to be shared. We see behind the scenes how this sleuth thinks and works and the details are all very interesting. The stories are delivered in a slightly comical fashion sometimes, which creates a book that is both likeable and in-sightful....

Fascinating, pacey read, 09 Oct 2007
I loved this book! It is basically about the career exploits of Thomas McShane - an FBI agent working in recovering stolen art masterpieces. Each chapter covers another exciting brush, usually with the Mob, who have made off with various treasures from Picassos to Rembrandts to Rubens and are often lured into selling them back to one of McShane's art expert aliases. McShane usually goes in to these meetings wired up and sometimes with a pistol and at the drop of an agreed catch phrase or word at some point during the transaction, the police will burst in to apprehend the crooks. Great stuff based on real events and written in a rather amusing typical stereotype NY 'cop' language in my opinion, complete with cheesey metaphors which only adds to its appeal. It's a great read and you certainly won't get bored!

Pruf reeder? What's that? , 21 Feb 2008
I can hardly talk about the content of this book because the proofreading was so abysmal that it completely put me off the book. For heaven's sake, if book publishers can't even be bothered to spell words right, why should I bother spending good money on their product? It's like finding rotten fruit after the first layer in a strawberry punnet - you feel cheated!

With regards to the content, it was okay - it didn't go as indepth as I would have liked into the workings of either of the auction houses nor did it capture the excitement of some of the biggest auctions of the past 20 years, which would have added to the drama, I think.

Lords and Liars., 16 Apr 2006
Well researched and comprehensive account of the inside dealing and price fixing between two of the largest auction houses. A rare insight into the corruption that dominated the market and the people who were at the centre of it. Lost some impact as it was so badly proof-read that there are sections which make no sense at all- filled with spelling mistakes and odd punctuation. Worth a read before you go out and bid in the open market!

A great rollicking read, 25 Aug 2006
Utterly fascinating and beautifully-written.

As compelling as the story itself are the details on the long, careful process involved in the forger's deception.

And perhaps most interesting of all is the debate it forces on what constitutes a masterpiece: how our perception of a work of art is influenced by the surrounding acclaim, or lack thereof - how easily our tastes are cowed into mainstream definitions of greatness by purported experts, perhaps concerned more with covering their asses than furthering the cause of artistry.

Fascinating story, beautifully written, 13 Aug 2006
This story of how Han Van Meegeren wrought revenge on the pre-war Dutch art establishment and hoodwinked Hermann Göring to boot is most beautifully written. A tale like this is crying out to be made into a film!

I found it un-put-downable and I was left with a smile on my face having finished reading it.

Quite simply, brilliant..., 08 Aug 2006
The life of the scheming fraudster is by its very nature more interesting than that of the natural genius. Everyone loves an underdog, and Han van Meegeren was that most unusual of underdogs: a winner.

Wynne's book, described last weekend by The Observer as 'gripping and psychologically fascinating', seeks to do more than simply recount this most interesting of stories. It gets inside van Meegeren's head, and in doing so sheds new light on one of the most intriguing characters the art world has ever seen.

This is just a fascinating story, brilliantly told. Very highly recommended.

Hugely enjoyable, 08 Aug 2006
The fascinating story of an obsessive man's effort to gain recognition for his own paintings by passing them off as Vermeer's to the art word, thus proving his own genius was comparable with the master's

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

Entertaining read, 30 Dec 2007
This is a very enjoyable book that can be read at leisure chapter by chapter. Magnus Magnusson is an excellent writer and his relating of these, often quite amazing, stories is done with verve that keeps you wanting to read more. Recommended.

Unreal fun, 25 Mar 2007
Although cursed with a slightly anonymous cover, this foray into the world of fakery is definitely not boring. We have a number of the usual suspects included here (Piltdown Man, The Tichborne Claimant, Han van Meegeren)but Magnus Magnusson is not content to tread the well worn path of some other authors on this subject, and includes some fascinating new stories. In the section on Art forgeries, the fairly recent adventures of John Drewe and John Myatt are amongst the many highlights of the book. The mastermind behind the scam, John Drewe, emerges as a fascinating character. Someone with a genuine but misapplied genius for fooling people, he is worthy of book on his own.

Perhaps the most exciting and compelling story in the whole volume is that of Ellen and William Craft. A pair of married slaves in pre-emancipation America, they determined to escape to freedom. Ellen was pale skinned enough to pass as white, and posing as a white man she fled from the South with her husband William, who pretended to be her slave. A thrilling and uplifting story, this deserves to be much more widely known.

Magnusson is a fluent, entertaining writer whose anecdotal style makes every account an enjoyable read. I really can't praise this book enough. BUY!!!

Entertaining read, 30 Dec 2007
This is a very enjoyable book that can be read at leisure chapter by chapter. Magnus Magnusson is an excellent writer and his relating of these, often quite amazing, stories is done with verve that keeps you wanting to read more. Recommended.

Unreal fun, 25 Mar 2007
Although cursed with a slightly anonymous cover, this foray into the world of fakery is definitely not boring. We have a number of the usual suspects included here (Piltdown Man, The Tichborne Claimant, Han van Meegeren)but Magnus Magnusson is not content to tread the well worn path of some other authors on this subject, and includes some fascinating new stories. In the section on Art forgeries, the fairly recent adventures of John Drewe and John Myatt are amongst the many highlights of the book. The mastermind behind the scam, John Drewe, emerges as a fascinating character. Someone with a genuine but misapplied genius for fooling people, he is worthy of book on his own.

Perhaps the most exciting and compelling story in the whole volume is that of Ellen and William Craft. A pair of married slaves in pre-emancipation America, they determined to escape to freedom. Ellen was pale skinned enough to pass as white, and posing as a white man she fled from the South with her husband William, who pretended to be her slave. A thrilling and uplifting story, this deserves to be much more widely known.

Magnusson is a fluent, entertaining writer whose anecdotal style makes every account an enjoyable read. I really can't praise this book enough. BUY!!!

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

5 stars for Tom McShane, 1 for Dary Matera & Maverick, 03 May 2008
The stories are fascinating, unfortunately not brilliantly written. I don't know which of the two authors was the man who never met a simile he didn't like enough to use twice, but as a professional writer, I hold Matera responsible. I had to really work to motivate myself to finish the book. My desire to hear more of Tom McShane's adventures was seriously tempered by reading outlandish simile after outrageous analogy.

The publishing house, Maverick House, also must carry some blame as entire sentences were almost unreadable having been squashed together in the interest of saving space. I could understand better if the last few words of the self-same paragraph hadn't been dangling loose on a line of their own. It all could have been tighter and would have been a better credit to McShane's incredible experiences, and the fascinating histories of the masterpieces.

Highly Entertaining, 28 Dec 2007
this guy is a true legend as hes been on RTE Radio(Ireland) to promote this book and obviously has had some experiences recovering art for the FBI that needed to be shared. We see behind the scenes how this sleuth thinks and works and the details are all very interesting. The stories are delivered in a slightly comical fashion sometimes, which creates a book that is both likeable and in-sightful....

Fascinating, pacey read, 09 Oct 2007
I loved this book! It is basically about the career exploits of Thomas McShane - an FBI agent working in recovering stolen art masterpieces. Each chapter covers another exciting brush, usually with the Mob, who have made off with various treasures from Picassos to Rembrandts to Rubens and are often lured into selling them back to one of McShane's art expert aliases. McShane usually goes in to these meetings wired up and sometimes with a pistol and at the drop of an agreed catch phrase or word at some point during the transaction, the police will burst in to apprehend the crooks. Great stuff based on real events and written in a rather amusing typical stereotype NY 'cop' language in my opinion, complete with cheesey metaphors which only adds to its appeal. It's a great read and you certainly won't get bored!

Pruf reeder? What's that? , 21 Feb 2008
I can hardly talk about the content of this book because the proofreading was so abysmal that it completely put me off the book. For heaven's sake, if book publishers can't even be bothered to spell words right, why should I bother spending good money on their product? It's like finding rotten fruit after the first layer in a strawberry punnet - you feel cheated!

With regards to the content, it was okay - it didn't go as indepth as I would have liked into the workings of either of the auction houses nor did it capture the excitement of some of the biggest auctions of the past 20 years, which would have added to the drama, I think.

Lords and Liars., 16 Apr 2006
Well researched and comprehensive account of the inside dealing and price fixing between two of the largest auction houses. A rare insight into the corruption that dominated the market and the people who were at the centre of it. Lost some impact as it was so badly proof-read that there are sections which make no sense at all- filled with spelling mistakes and odd punctuation. Worth a read before you go out and bid in the open market!

A great rollicking read, 25 Aug 2006
Utterly fascinating and beautifully-written.

As compelling as the story itself are the details on the long, careful process involved in the forger's deception.

And perhaps most interesting of all is the debate it forces on what constitutes a masterpiece: how our perception of a work of art is influenced by the surrounding acclaim, or lack thereof - how easily our tastes are cowed into mainstream definitions of greatness by purported experts, perhaps concerned more with covering their asses than furthering the cause of artistry.

Fascinating story, beautifully written, 13 Aug 2006
This story of how Han Van Meegeren wrought revenge on the pre-war Dutch art establishment and hoodwinked Hermann Göring to boot is most beautifully written. A tale like this is crying out to be made into a film!

I found it un-put-downable and I was left with a smile on my face having finished reading it.

Quite simply, brilliant..., 08 Aug 2006
The life of the scheming fraudster is by its very nature more interesting than that of the natural genius. Everyone loves an underdog, and Han van Meegeren was that most unusual of underdogs: a winner.

Wynne's book, described last weekend by The Observer as 'gripping and psychologically fascinating', seeks to do more than simply recount this most interesting of stories. It gets inside van Meegeren's head, and in doing so sheds new light on one of the most intriguing characters the art world has ever seen.

This is just a fascinating story, brilliantly told. Very highly recommended.

Hugely enjoyable, 08 Aug 2006
The fascinating story of an obsessive man's effort to gain recognition for his own paintings by passing them off as Vermeer's to the art word, thus proving his own genius was comparable with the master's

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

Entertaining read, 30 Dec 2007
This is a very enjoyable book that can be read at leisure chapter by chapter. Magnus Magnusson is an excellent writer and his relating of these, often quite amazing, stories is done with verve that keeps you wanting to read more. Recommended.

Unreal fun, 25 Mar 2007
Although cursed with a slightly anonymous cover, this foray into the world of fakery is definitely not boring. We have a number of the usual suspects included here (Piltdown Man, The Tichborne Claimant, Han van Meegeren)but Magnus Magnusson is not content to tread the well worn path of some other authors on this subject, and includes some fascinating new stories. In the section on Art forgeries, the fairly recent adventures of John Drewe and John Myatt are amongst the many highlights of the book. The mastermind behind the scam, John Drewe, emerges as a fascinating character. Someone with a genuine but misapplied genius for fooling people, he is worthy of book on his own.

Perhaps the most exciting and compelling story in the whole volume is that of Ellen and William Craft. A pair of married slaves in pre-emancipation America, they determined to escape to freedom. Ellen was pale skinned enough to pass as white, and posing as a white man she fled from the South with her husband William, who pretended to be her slave. A thrilling and uplifting story, this deserves to be much more widely known.

Magnusson is a fluent, entertaining writer whose anecdotal style makes every account an enjoyable read. I really can't praise this book enough. BUY!!!

Entertaining read, 30 Dec 2007
This is a very enjoyable book that can be read at leisure chapter by chapter. Magnus Magnusson is an excellent writer and his relating of these, often quite amazing, stories is done with verve that keeps you wanting to read more. Recommended.

Unreal fun, 25 Mar 2007
Although cursed with a slightly anonymous cover, this foray into the world of fakery is definitely not boring. We have a number of the usual suspects included here (Piltdown Man, The Tichborne Claimant, Han van Meegeren)but Magnus Magnusson is not content to tread the well worn path of some other authors on this subject, and includes some fascinating new stories. In the section on Art forgeries, the fairly recent adventures of John Drewe and John Myatt are amongst the many highlights of the book. The mastermind behind the scam, John Drewe, emerges as a fascinating character. Someone with a genuine but misapplied genius for fooling people, he is worthy of book on his own.

Perhaps the most exciting and compelling story in the whole volume is that of Ellen and William Craft. A pair of married slaves in pre-emancipation America, they determined to escape to freedom. Ellen was pale skinned enough to pass as white, and posing as a white man she fled from the South with her husband William, who pretended to be her slave. A thrilling and uplifting story, this deserves to be much more widely known.

Magnusson is a fluent, entertaining writer whose anecdotal style makes every account an enjoyable read. I really can't praise this book enough. BUY!!!

The Fake is a splendid book:, 30 Apr 1999
it combines great scholarship, entertaining story-telling and an innovative theoretical approach. Radnoti's book is a jewel in contemporary art history as it is also an original statement about the vicissitudes of our postmodern condition.

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

5 stars for Tom McShane, 1 for Dary Matera & Maverick, 03 May 2008
The stories are fascinating, unfortunately not brilliantly written. I don't know which of the two authors was the man who never met a simile he didn't like enough to use twice, but as a professional writer, I hold Matera responsible. I had to really work to motivate myself to finish the book. My desire to hear more of Tom McShane's adventures was seriously tempered by reading outlandish simile after outrageous analogy.

The publishing house, Maverick House, also must carry some blame as entire sentences were almost unreadable having been squashed together in the interest of saving space. I could understand better if the last few words of the self-same paragraph hadn't been dangling loose on a line of their own. It all could have been tighter and would have been a better credit to McShane's incredible experiences, and the fascinating histories of the masterpieces.

Highly Entertaining, 28 Dec 2007
this guy is a true legend as hes been on RTE Radio(Ireland) to promote this book and obviously has had some experiences recovering art for the FBI that needed to be shared. We see behind the scenes how this sleuth thinks and works and the details are all very interesting. The stories are delivered in a slightly comical fashion sometimes, which creates a book that is both likeable and in-sightful....

Fascinating, pacey read, 09 Oct 2007
I loved this book! It is basically about the career exploits of Thomas McShane - an FBI agent working in recovering stolen art masterpieces. Each chapter covers another exciting brush, usually with the Mob, who have made off with various treasures from Picassos to Rembrandts to Rubens and are often lured into selling them back to one of McShane's art expert aliases. McShane usually goes in to these meetings wired up and sometimes with a pistol and at the drop of an agreed catch phrase or word at some point during the transaction, the police will burst in to apprehend the crooks. Great stuff based on real events and written in a rather amusing typical stereotype NY 'cop' language in my opinion, complete with cheesey metaphors which only adds to its appeal. It's a great read and you certainly won't get bored!

Pruf reeder? What's that? , 21 Feb 2008
I can hardly talk about the content of this book because the proofreading was so abysmal that it completely put me off the book. For heaven's sake, if book publishers can't even be bothered to spell words right, why should I bother spending good money on their product? It's like finding rotten fruit after the first layer in a strawberry punnet - you feel cheated!

With regards to the content, it was okay - it didn't go as indepth as I would have liked into the workings of either of the auction houses nor did it capture the excitement of some of the biggest auctions of the past 20 years, which would have added to the drama, I think.

Lords and Liars., 16 Apr 2006
Well researched and comprehensive account of the inside dealing and price fixing between two of the largest auction houses. A rare insight into the corruption that dominated the market and the people who were at the centre of it. Lost some impact as it was so badly proof-read that there are sections which make no sense at all- filled with spelling mistakes and odd punctuation. Worth a read before you go out and bid in the open market!

A great rollicking read, 25 Aug 2006
Utterly fascinating and beautifully-written.

As compelling as the story itself are the details on the long, careful process involved in the forger's deception.

And perhaps most interesting of all is the debate it forces on what constitutes a masterpiece: how our perception of a work of art is influenced by the surrounding acclaim, or lack thereof - how easily our tastes are cowed into mainstream definitions of greatness by purported experts, perhaps concerned more with covering their asses than furthering the cause of artistry.

Fascinating story, beautifully written, 13 Aug 2006
This story of how Han Van Meegeren wrought revenge on the pre-war Dutch art establishment and hoodwinked Hermann Göring to boot is most beautifully written. A tale like this is crying out to be made into a film!

I found it un-put-downable and I was left with a smile on my face having finished reading it.

Quite simply, brilliant..., 08 Aug 2006
The life of the scheming fraudster is by its very nature more interesting than that of the natural genius. Everyone loves an underdog, and Han van Meegeren was that most unusual of underdogs: a winner.

Wynne's book, described last weekend by The Observer as 'gripping and psychologically fascinating', seeks to do more than simply recount this most interesting of stories. It gets inside van Meegeren's head, and in doing so sheds new light on one of the most intriguing characters the art world has ever seen.

This is just a fascinating story, brilliantly told. Very highly recommended.

Hugely enjoyable, 08 Aug 2006
The fascinating story of an obsessive man's effort to gain recognition for his own paintings by passing them off as Vermeer's to the art word, thus proving his own genius was comparable with the master's

A great read, on a subject not often written about!, 10 May 2007
I seriously recommend that you buy this book. It is well written, and reads like a fictional crime caper that would be impossible to believe if we didn't know it was true. It is easy to get into, a fantastic page turner, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. Although centered around The Scream and its theft, it really does succeed at educating you in the goings on in the art crime world. Some of the tales are just bizzare, and to be honest, nothing is what it seems. The central art cop is almost too good to be true, and the goings on are both hilarious and mind boggling. Really, not to be missed, non fiction that reads better than your best ever crime novel. You just wont beleive what you are reading...if it wasnt so fruitless I might go steal some paintings myself, it seems to be that easy....all you need is a ladder and....well thats it....enjoy!!

Entertaining read, 30 Dec 2007
This is a very enjoyable book that can be read at leisure chapter by chapter. Magnus Magnusson is an excellent writer and his relating of these, often quite amazing, stories is done with verve that keeps you wanting to read more. Recommended.

Unreal fun, 25 Mar 2007
Although cursed with a slightly anonymous cover, this foray into the world of fakery is definitely not boring. We have a number of the usual suspects included here (Piltdown Man, The Tichborne Claimant, Han van Meegeren)but Magnus Magnusson is not content to tread the well worn path of some other authors on this subject, and includes some fascinating new stories. In the section on Art forgeries, the fairly recent adventures of John Drewe and John Myatt are amongst the many highlights of the book. The mastermind behind the scam, John Drewe, emerges as a fascinating character. Someone with a genuine but misapplied genius for fooling people, he is worthy of book on his own.

Perhaps the most exciting and compelling story in the whole volume is that of Ellen and William Craft. A pair of married slaves in pre-emancipation America, they determined to escape to freedom. Ellen was pale skinned enough to pass as white, and posing as a white man she fled from the South with her husband William, who pretended to be her slave. A thrilling and uplifting story, this deserves to be much more widely known.

Magnusson is a fluent, entertaining writer whose anecdotal style makes every account an enjoyable read. I really can't praise this book enough. BUY!!!

Entertaining read, 30 Dec 2007
This is a very enjoyable book that can be read at leisure chapter by chapter. Magnus Magnusson is an excellent writer and his relating of these, often quite amazing, stories is done with verve that keeps you wanting to read more. Recommended.

Unreal fun, 25 Mar 2007
Although cursed with a slightly anonymous cover, this foray into the world of fakery is definitely not boring. We have a number of the usual suspects included here (Piltdown Man, The Tichborne Claimant, Han van Meegeren)but Magnus Magnusson is not content to tread the well worn path of some other authors on this subject, and includes some fascinating new stories. In the section on Art forgeries, the fairly recent adventures of John Drewe and John Myatt are amongst the many highlights of the book. The mastermind behind the scam, John Drewe, emerges as a fascinating character. Someone with a genuine but misapplied genius for fooling people, he is worthy of book on his own.

Perhaps the most exciting and compelling story in the whole volume is that of Ellen and William Craft. A pair of married slaves in pre-emancipation America, they determined to escape to freedom. Ellen was pale skinned enough to pass as white, and posing as a white man she fled from the South with her husband William, who pretended to be her slave. A thrilling and uplifting story, this deserves to be much more widely known.

Magnusson is a fluent, entertaining writer whose anecdotal style makes every account an enjoyable read. I really can't praise this book enough. BUY!!!

The Fake is a splendid book:, 30 Apr 1999
it combines great scholarship, entertaining story-telling and an innovative theoretical approach. Radnoti's book is a jewel in contemporary art history as it is also an original statement about the vicissitudes of our postmodern condition.

The Fake is a splendid book:, 30 Apr 1999
it combines great scholarship, entertaining story-telling and an innovative theoretical approach. Radnoti's book is a jewel in contemporary art history as it is also an original statement about the vicissitudes of our postmodern condition.