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thematinee's review against another edition
4.0
There are liars in this world who lie so much, so well, and so often...eventually they begin to believe their own lies. It's both sad and scary.
megancrusante's review against another edition
4.0
I am super concerned about the well being of this man’s daughter!!
karnaconverse's review against another edition
3.0
Mark Seal has compiled a fascinating profile of one of the top 10 imposters of all time. German native Christian Gerhartsreiter came to the United States when he was 17 years old, and for 30 years, criss-crossed the country under various identities. He's only caught when, with divorce looming, he kidnaps his daughter and tries to flee the country. He's charged with kidnapping and sent to jail.
Seal wrote this book just as a second trial for Gerhartsreiter was beginning -- this one for murder.
The Main in the Rockfeller Suit is a compelling read and an interesting look at society and how easy it is to believe whatever it is we want to believe.
Seal wrote this book just as a second trial for Gerhartsreiter was beginning -- this one for murder.
The Main in the Rockfeller Suit is a compelling read and an interesting look at society and how easy it is to believe whatever it is we want to believe.
sueellen61's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fascinating story that was easy to read. The fact that he was able to carry on this charade for so many years is unbelievable.
stevienlcf's review against another edition
4.0
Although the bizarre story of serial imposter, Clark Rockefeller, has been told elsewhere, including in articles the author, Mark Seal, has written for Vanity Fair, Seal has compiled hundreds of interviews and court documents into a compulsively readable tale. It is astonishing that a middle-aged man who lacks a social security card and a driver's license, who has never held a job or paid taxes, was able to leverage a famous (albeit misappropriated) last name, a prepster's wardrobe (albeit one that could use dry-cleaning) and a dazzling (albeit fraudulent) collection of artwork to gain access to prestigous jobs on Wall Street, entry to storied private clubs and, ultimately, a marriage to a Harvard educated woman whose high-powered career financed his Beacon Hill lifestyle.
Rockefeller's lies seem so outlandish that it strains credulity that the wealthy people with whom he socialized and took advantage of in tony communities, such as San Marino and Greenwich, could not recognize the fraud in their midst, even in the days prior to the internet. Although an absorbing story, Seal was unable to interview Rcokefeller or his ex-wife, so certain information, such as the psychology underlying Rockfeller's massive fraud is not addressed. Nor does Seal explain the genesis of Rockefeller's artwork, that duped even collectors and dealers.
Rockefeller's lies seem so outlandish that it strains credulity that the wealthy people with whom he socialized and took advantage of in tony communities, such as San Marino and Greenwich, could not recognize the fraud in their midst, even in the days prior to the internet. Although an absorbing story, Seal was unable to interview Rcokefeller or his ex-wife, so certain information, such as the psychology underlying Rockfeller's massive fraud is not addressed. Nor does Seal explain the genesis of Rockefeller's artwork, that duped even collectors and dealers.
categal's review against another edition
2.0
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Plus, I think this book is going to make a fantastic book club discussion.
stevensabby's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating story. The story of a no-name immigrant who created and shed identities like a snake grows and sheds skin. Eventually passing himself off as a member of the Rockefeller family, the facts of the story are both unbelievable and fantastic, yet somehow believable enough to have duped hundreds of people before being caught. Including a wife of 12 years.
I loved how the structure of the book didn't follow an entirely straight thread, echoing the twists and turns his life took, and requiring a level of awareness as you read to keep your spot in the timeline straight. Much like he must have had to maintain a level of awareness in order to keep his own lies straight. It reflected his life (structurally) subtly, but kind of spectacularly.
A great, quick, highly entertaining read.
I loved how the structure of the book didn't follow an entirely straight thread, echoing the twists and turns his life took, and requiring a level of awareness as you read to keep your spot in the timeline straight. Much like he must have had to maintain a level of awareness in order to keep his own lies straight. It reflected his life (structurally) subtly, but kind of spectacularly.
A great, quick, highly entertaining read.