Scams!

"Ten of the biggest scams in history." When a tribe of natives who lived for centuries with no outside contact was discovered in the Philippines in 1971, the world was captivated. Media and scientists flocked to the Tasadays' village and the story held the public's attention for more than a decade. Then two journalists dropped in on the village unannounced. What they found unearthed one of the most elaborate scams of the 20th century. Scams! reveals ten true tales of tremendous trickery that will mesmerize young readers. They will learn how Donald Crowhurst almost won the first-ever round-the-world yacht race -- without ever leaving the Atlantic. They will witness the hysteria that swept the United States when Orson Welles used on-the-scene reports of Martian attacks to add realism to his radio play "The War of the Worlds." They will discover how the Germans planned to destroy the British economy during World War II by flooding the world with millions of fake British banknotes. Readers will be enthralled by these stories of trickery exposed, where the strange twists and turns truly test the limits of credulity. Chapters include: The Great Shakespeare Forgery There's a Sucker Born Every Minute Operation Bernhard Le Grande Therese Steps Out

About the Author :
Andreas Schroeder has been a full-time writer for over thirty years. His fiction, non-fiction, radio dramas, journalism, translations and criticism have appeared in over 200 publications. His titles for adults include "Fakes, Frauds, and Flimflammery" and "Cheats, Charlatans, and Chicanery." Scams! is his first book for young readers.

Review :
Fascinating... Schroeder's page-turning stores are suspenseful as each hoaxer comes closer and closer to getting caught. A repeating theme is the gullibility of the public... Great reading aloud stories.--Vicki Reutter"School Library Journal" (08/01/2004) Highlights ten of the cleverest scams in history... Schroeder... is an excellent storyteller and captures the deceptions of the scammers down to every detail.--Joanna Solomon"Kliatt" (09/01/2004) Schroeder is fascinated by the inventiveness of his swindlers, and he writes about them in an exciting and engaging style that will draw even the most reluctant reader into the story.--Rebecca Moreland"VOYA" (10/01/2004) Schroeder turns each 'sting' into a ripping good yarn... There are Lessons here, but the compelling presentation makes them far easier to swallow. Schroeder... is an excellent storyteller and captures the deceptions of the scammers down to every detail.--Joanna Solomon"Kliatt" (09/01/2004) Ripping good yarn... There are Lessons here, but the compelling presentation makes them far easier to swallow.