With so many free time during the flight, I managed to finish Frank Abagnale Jr.'s Catch Me If You Can. I haven't seen the movie by Leonardo DiCaprio, but I would imagine it's better than the book version. More action, less talk. And knowing Hollywood, the scriptwriters will tend to exaggerate a bit. You see, with the book, the author talks about his troubled youth, and how he progressed from a small-time swindler to a full-pledged FBI fugitive. He also discusses in great technical detail how he pulls of his con jobs - how the cheque clearing system in America works, how to make your own FAA and PamAM ID cards, how to obtain a complete PanAm pilot uniform for free, how to print fake company cheques, how to become a practicing pediatrician without a formal education or license, how to recruit your own stewardess crew complete with matching uniforms and luggage, etc.The book makes for interesting and light reading. Things get a bit heavy and serious when Abagnale was caught in Montpelier grocery and dumped in a French prison. That's solitary confinement in a small cold cell with no bed, no lights, and no toilet for months and months. Now in custody, a lot of the countries where Abagnale operated wants him to do time in their prisons. Good thing the Swedes took pity and deported him to the US. As a fitting end to the story, Abagnale makes another escape from the plane that brought him back (via the toilet).
No comments:
Post a Comment