The Sting Man: Inside ABSCAM - True Crime FBI Undercover Operation Story - Perfect for Crime Enthusiasts & History Buffs

If you saw "American Hustle" and wanted to know the real story of how the Abscam sting came about, and the people behind it -- this is the book you should read. It's a great story of a likeable con-man (Mel Weinberg), the FBI and the assorted cast of corrupt characters that were caught in Abscam. The movie was likeable - but not terribly accurate, when they said "Some of this actually happened" - that should have said "SOME of this actually happened."The real story is much more complex and entertaining than the imaginings of the script writers for the movie. You'll learn a lot about different sorts of scams - with gems of wisdom interspersed from Mel on how to get away with them. In the movie - the Mayor of Camden was portrayed as a semi-innocent likeable pawn in the machinations of Abscam. In fact - he was really the central character who made it all happen. And he was not at all innocent, his hand was out from the minute he was approached, and although he was likeable, he was also a crook.It appeared about that time (has anything changed? I sort of doubt it..) that any politician in NJ at the time had a price and was happy to be on the take. While several politicians did turn down the bribe offers - not a single one ever reported the offers to the authorities. Not a one. It seems as the case that NJ had the best politicians money could buy, but they weren't alone in that - other politicians from other states were approached, some participated and were arrested, some demurred - but again - not a one ever reported it.Great and entertaining - at times very funny - book. Highly recommend it.