The idea of an ex con artist telling his story intrigued me...until about the 3rd page. This guy is an imposter in every sense of the word, and his biggest con is getting people to spend money on this book. (There's going to be a movie??? Even worse). I erroneously expected there to be even a light undertone of remorse, now that he has supposedly been rehabilitated and makes his money "legitimately". Abagnale comes across as a sociopath with no discernible conscience regarding his past actions.
His stories ARE fascinating, not because of his cleverness, but because of his audacity. This is what enables him to get away with his cons. But I found them difficult reading, because his egomaniacal personality gets in the way. This is a guy that refers to women as "broads" and "foxes". Every thing he says and does results in people melting in his hands like butter, and smiling broadly at the opportunity. Equally astonishing is his persistent bragging that he never took advantage of individuals, only banks and corporations.
I won't go so far as to tell you not to read this book, most people will find his stories, if not him, amusing. But don't put more money in this man's pockets by buying it--borrow it.

Frank Abagnale's story certainly is a fascinating one and although many events can be backed up by the FBI, bank officials, etc., I kept smelling a rat while reading this book. Abagnale admits himself that he could charm just about anyone and I couldn't help thinking there was A LOT of embellishment in this story - possibly even situations that never actually happened - after all - this book WAS written by a con man! One example that comes to mind is when he talks about being in a French prison and sees a strange-looking person with waist length hair he didn't recognize: it turns out he was looking in a mirror. Well, no one grows hair that fast in six months...There are many more situations that will have you wondering about their truth. Still, one assumes the general story is true but don't believe EVERYTHING you read in this book.

This book covers many things that the movie left out. For example, you learn why if you are going to commit crimes around the world, you might not want to commit any in France. (Their prison system is ROUGH.)

Perhaps if Mr. Abagnale hadn't compulsively committed crimes even when he had plenty of money, he wouldn't have nearly died in a French jail.

There is also a great interview at the end of the book where Mr. Abagnale discusses how to fight the war on terrorism among other things.