Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower

It's taken me a long time to write this, as I feel somewhat...conflicted about the book.

It's the true story of a con man named Robert Miller born in the Czech Republic in 1890. He began his career as a gambler and philanderer and eventually made Europe too dangerous for himself, especially with World War I on the horizon. Traveling to the United States, according to legend he managed to connect with Al Capone and set out to con new territories. Eventually, however, the police caught on to his scams and he traveled back to Europe. There he pulled off his biggest, most famous con: selling the Eiffel Tower. However, his fortunes went downhill after this and when he was caught counterfeiting money he was captured. After a dramatic escape, show more he was recaptured and died after twelve years in Alcatraz.

Back matter includes a glossary, sources (books, newspaper articles, and websites and an author's note about the inspiration and background of the story. The art is a mixture of modernistic shapes, which fit in well with the historical time period, and photo collages, many of them from Paris itself.

The book is the size of a smaller picture book and each page is heavily illustrated. However, the subject matter is much more complex than the average picture book audience can handle. Which is basically why I feel conflicted. It's an interesting story, and I can see kids interested in history and in magic tricks (which many of the cons resemble) being interested in the subject matter, but I'm a bit at a loss as to what audience to promote it to. It feels as though it should be a lot more interesting than it is. I kept re-reading it, hoping it would grab me more on a second reading but it didn't.

Verdict: If you have a strong, older audience for picture book biographies or kids willing to read interesting/unique graphic nonfiction this would be perfect. Otherwise, I'm a little doubtful about adding it to the average public library collection.

ISBN: 9780670016525; Published 2015 by Viking/Penguin; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library show less

A brilliantly designed story of a con man, Robert Miller, born in 1890 in what is now the Czech Republic [Czechia], who, among other things (gambling, counterfeiting, etc.), sold the Eiffel tower to scrap metal dealers - twice. "Count Victor Lustig," as he styled himself, is represented throughout with a fingerprint in lieu of a face.

Back matter includes an image of his death certificate, a glossary, selected sources, an author's note, a photo, and a note about the art.

See also: The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicholas Day

Having known Greg Pizzoli from his fun little picture books like Number One Sam and Templeton Gets His Wish, I was taken aback when I saw he's written Tricky Vic: The Man Who Stole the Eiffel Tower; Tricky Vic is a complex nonfiction story for children. But don't let that keep you from this little delight of a book. Tricky is a wonderful story of a bad guy who runs scams on people, including the almost-unbelievable scam of selling the Eiffel Tower. It's breathtaking in the rich meanderings of the plot, and it's all true. Take a look.

Clever nonfiction picture book about a truly extraordinary con man. Good history, interesting story, clever, clever illustrations.

This is the story of Robert Miller, AKA Count Victor Lustig, a con-man in the US and Europe during the 1920s. Lustig conned people through elaborate scams, even fooling Al Capone at one point. Eventually arrested for counterfeiting thousands of dollars, he ended up in Alcatraz and died of pneumonia in 1947. Mostly a biography, there are also informational aspects in this book as well, sidebars that give context to the reader about life during the prohibition, learning what counterfeiting is, and information about historical landmarks in both the US and in Europe. While this is a picture book, the subject matter is more geared towards upper elementary to middle school.

"In 1890, the man who would one day be known by forty-five different aliases was born to the Miller family, in what is now the Czech Republic. His parents named him Robert."

Working both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, Robert Miller was a con man of legendary proportions, becoming most famous for his "sales" of Paris' iconic Eiffel Tower. In addition to selling the Eiffel Tower (numerous times), Miller was a counterfeiter and a card sharp.

Yes, Robert Miller was a criminal of the worst order, but it will be hard for readers to remain unimpressed by the sheer chutzpah of the man. It's a book that readers won't put down until they learn the fate of the legendary man who came to be known as Tricky Vic!

Not content with merely an intriguing show more story, Greg Pizzoli has enveloped Tricky Vic in outstanding artwork. The back matter includes an explanatory note about the unique combination of methods (including halftone photographs, silkscreen and Zipatone) used to achieve the book's dated, contextual feel. Appropriately, the face of the elusive Tricky Vic is represented by a fingerprint stamp.

Back matter includes a Glossary, Selected Sources, Author's Note, Acknowledgments, and the aforementioned "Note about the Art in this Book."

Advance Reader Copy supplied by the publisher.

More at http://shelf-employed.blogspot.com show less

Quick, interesting read about a piece of history I never knew...a con artist who actually sold The Eiffel Tower...when he didn't own it or have the right to do such a thing! Fun to read