Flim-Flam Man: How Con Games Work (1985) by M. Allen
Henderson is a
breezier book which adds more on the history of con games.
However, it
lacks the depth of The Big Con. And considering its
publisher, Paladin
Press is being sued for its How to Be a Hit Man book, I
expected more
details and specifics in how the various cons actually
work.
My favorite, though, is The Bunco Book (1946, reprinted in
1986) by
Walter B. Gibson, author of The Shadow. In brief, but
detailed
descriptions, most about an oversized page each, Gibson
"exposes" all of
the standard cons and carny games. This book is in that great
tradition
of how-to books disguised as warnings to victims. Plus it has
great
vintage illustrations.
Mark
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