Napoleon of Crime ~ Ben MacIntyre ~ 6/00 ~ True Cr Export

Have you ever wondered on whom Sir Conan Doyle based his character, the villain Professor Moriarity, Sherlock Holmes' arch-enemy? Well, ponder no more. It was a real-life criminal, and his name was Adam Worth!

by Ben MacIntyre

“Macintyre chronicles the vastly entertaining saga of Adam Worth, a notorious gentleman thief who traveled in the most rarefied and genteel circles of Victorian society. Worth, an American- born German-Jew who reinvented himself as a British aristocrat, graduated from picking pockets and petty theft to grand larceny, forging an insidious international criminal network. Pursued for decades by Scotland Yard and the Pinkerton Detective Agency, he effortlessly eluded the authorities while continuing to perpetrate outlandish high-profile crimes. The inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's memorable Professor Moriarty, Worth abhorred violence and adhered to a strict moral code while genially fleecing his friends of their valuables. The ingenious details of his most memorable heists are hilariously recounted in comic fashion by an author who expresses genuine affection and admiration for his flawed subject. This fascinating and amusing biography will delight true-crime buffs.” .......... Margaret Flanagan, from Booklist

SHALL WE ENTER THE VICTORIAN AGE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS?

"This is crime the way we'd like it to be: dripping with more charm than blood!"
--Maureen Corrigan, Book Reviewer, NPR

"Read what others have to say about this fascinating book!" NAPOLEON OF CRIME

Your discussion leader was Lorrie Gorg

People like to read about real criminals, and real crimes, and this book has it all! No fiction writer could ever do justice to the escapades of this mastermind of dastardly deeds of one Adam Worth, who was one of the original "gentleman bandits" back in Victorian times, amid all that period's hypocrisy and smug attitude toward morals. We will be starting the discussion for real on June 1, but we urge any and all of you to join us here and talk about this fascinating book at any time. It is available at your local library and in the paperback edition, also. Jump in and give us your comments!

Lorrie

I'm going to try to break the ice here. I've been reading what a lot of critics had to say about this tale of Adam Worth, and I thought this comment was really apropos:

"Criminals, on the whole, seem to have become as brutal and unintelligent as the films and television programs that are made about them. How refreshing it is, therefore, to look back at a more enlightened age, and to a master thief who hated violence and was impeccably loyal to his employees. . . . {This is} a hilarious and highly readable account of a time when there was still a certain amount of honor among thieves." This is from John Mortimer, a book reviewer with the New York Times.
It's true---I find it very refreshing to read a crime story about a criminal who had a sense of honor. Warped, perhaps, but vastly different from the vindictive felons you see these days.

Lorrie

Okay, Opening day is here! Has anybody read the book yer? I'm about halfwy through it, and I must say, if Adam Worth had committed those crimes in today's society, he would have been apprehended after about thirty minutes, if he'd even gotten that close to a bank! But the story of how vast and widespread the Pinkertons were is a tale in itself!! Fascinating reading, so far!

Lorrie

Hi everyone: The early going in this story has a lot going for it.

For example,Adam Wirth was listed as killed during the Civil War,but obviously was not. The author mentions something about him leading a double life. I'm sure that stuff like this goes on today.

In previous times Worth would have been called a "gentleman bandit",who do you think is worse,a crook like Adam Worth or some of the insiders on Wall Street?

While reading this book .I was reminded of the bank robber. Wille Sutton (who had a remarkable resemblance to Thomas E. Dewey)who when asked why he robbed banks,he replied, "Because that's where the money is ." Like Adam Worth & maybe Jesse James, Willie Sutton became a popular folk hero.

The phrase, The Napoleon of Crime,also appears in T.S.Eliot's "Old Possums Book of Cats" where Macavity the Mystery Cat is called the Napoleon of Crime.

Oh Ed, what good research you have given us. Yes, the gentleman of all gentlemen was he. You can't help but love the guy. The "Napoleon" refers to his nefarious accomplishments and the physical stature of the man. He wasonly 5'4", with almost black eyes (penetrating), shaggy eyebrows, suggestive of intellect and determination. We soon learn just how determined of a fine chap he was. He was wrought with cynicism, trying to outdo his peers. He was a romantic, ashamed of his lowly origins and frustrated by impecunity!!! Much like our other Napoleon, huh?

That early part of Worth's story was interesting. Somehow I found the thought of him, as a "bounty hunter," jumping back and forth between armies, dodging the authorities, swapping allegiance to two rival armies, while collecting a tidy profit, very funny.

The author seems to think that during this time Adam Worth realized the futility of violence, a realization that would affect his criminal behaviour the rest of his life. Let's face it, there are aspects to his life as a master-mind safe-cracker and impeccable forger that we can't help but secretly admire. I think this is what brought about the respect William Pinkerton had in his later years for Worth.

And what about Kitty Flynn? As one of the more vivid characters in the saga of Adam Worth, I found her to be even more intriguing than the subject of Gainsborough's painting, "The Duchess of Devonshire." What did you think of the flamboyant Kittie?

Lorrie

Hello: The early chapters are rich with the history of New York City in the middle to late 1880's.

Rampant crime and political graft & corruption

It's interesting to note how many women were involved in crime,and not just "the world's oldest profession."

It seems to me that currently a lot of women are involved in criminal activity. I think there are more women in jail now,than ever before. ( Of course,the entire prison population has exploded )

Do women get involved in crime for different reasons than men?

I enjoyed the description of Marm Mandelbaum,and how she held court as an underworld "saloniste". The NYC police of the day do not come off too favorable either, since they were frequent guests at her soirees.

Lorrie, you're correct,this is a good book with a fascinating peek into the history of the times.

Lorrie & Alf: Whatever you decide is O.K. with me.

Personally, I don't think there is a lot of interest in True Crime..there is so much real crime on the news that I think a de-sensitization happens.

The Orchid Thief was sort of unique and maybe we should be on the look-out for that kind of off-beat story?

Do either of you have any ideas on how to possibly expand the parameters of this genre? For example, James Ellroy,who writes crime fiction ( LA Confidential, for example)wrote a non-fiction book about the true life search for the murderer of his mother(that case is still unsolved).

I'll keep my eyes open for more books in this genre.

Sure, Ed, let's expand!! Frankly, I have thought all along that your recommendations have been great, and I'm still a little nonplussed about the lack of response here. We had gotten so much feedback in other dicussions about Sherlock Holmes, I thought that connection alone could bring in posters, but who can judge what's hot and what's not!! Keep on the lookout! I will, too. And so will Andrea, if I'm not mistaken.

Lorrie

Might as well, Andy. I already did. By the way, have either of you read any of Ann Rule's books? I understand she has made a fairly good living writing about actual crime cases. I don't know how good a writer she is, but I'm going to check her out. The reason i ask is that a creceived a couple letter from people asking if we were going to review one of her books.

Lorrie

Hi, Wooden Doll Welcome! Welcome!

No, you are not too late at all. We are in need of someone with a fresh viewpoint to come to this discussion. By all means get the book---the library has copies, or it's available in paperback. Don't wait to finish the book before you join in posting here. I'd be interested in what you think about the beginning, and we promise not to give away the ending!

Lorrie

Hi Wooden Doll:

Please join us,we welcome your input.

The incident involving the painting is somewhat akin to some recent museum thefts involving famous works of art.

Some of the paintings stolen never turn up,because they are squirreld away by private collectors for their own private viewing pleasure.

I believe that recently (in the past few years)a famous painting (that had been heisted) came on the auction block. It was held by an unknown Japanese collector who bought it, or had it stolen by contract,and then needed the money.

Art theft has always been considered a "gentleman's crime".

Well, yes, Ed. I suppose because art theft could be categorized as a "victimless" crime. I could never understand that particular phrasing. To me, every crime has a victim, whether it be a schoolboy who loses his lunch money to the neighborhood bully, or a millionaire collector who has to sit ataring at a blank space on his wall.

At least with Adam Worth, he didn't believe in violence, and his "victims" were mostly large financial institutions. With the exception of the painting, of course!

Lorrie

Hi Lorrie,

I came over to see what your book is about. I'm sure some of the folks here would enjoy talking to those present day people who are from England and also to some who are living there now.

We would love to welcome you all to the England Discussion in Geographic Communities.