Some of these schemes are still popular, which shows again, that one can learn a lot from the past. The book describes the methods used to scam innocent victims. One of the most intriguing and recognized figures of the twentieth century conducts a masterclass in subversion Originally published in 1906, The Right Way to Do Wrong was a masterclass in subversion conducted by the world’s greatest illusionist. Houdini collected interesting cases talking to detectives, and police chiefs. Harry Houdini is known not only as an illusionist and escaper of handcuffs and jail cells, but also as a debunker of phony spiritualists and other charlatans. Great stories about pickpockets, burglars, bunco men, thiefs, and others. With this remarkable book, the legendary magician conducts a master class in crime by revealing the trade secrets of crooks.
The right way to do wrong, as ever, is perhaps not to be detected.This is a fun book to read. Most of the criminals he exposes had been caught, though a few lucky individuals escaped with their ill-gotten gains. In all of this Houdini presents himself as the honest broker, guiding the naive or innocent around the underworld that surrounds them in this newly urbanised and mobile society where strangers were not always what they seemed. But some reflect changing technologies - the railroad or the telegraph and the mail - that opened up new opportunities for the enterprising criminal. Many are traditional - pickpockets, burglars and fraudsters - that would have been familiar in many cities and countries. A republication of the text of The Right Way to Do Wrong: An Expose of Successful Criminals, originally published in 1906. It is thus an early example of crime prevention literature, advising the householder on the kind of locks to use or the best way to protect their house when they are away, or providing reminders that schemes which promise something for nothing are not always what they seem.įor me, most entertaining was the guide to the types of scams and criminal enterprises operated at the turn of the century. With this remarkable book, the legendary magician conducts a master class in crime by revealing the trade secrets of crooks.
Indeed, he is at pains to make it clear that his aim is not to encourage crime but to allow the ordinary member of the public to safeguard themselves by pointing out the way that thieves and fraudsters work. The book is fascinating - even if, sadly, it is less of a guide to legal moralism or to how to be successful criminal, than an account of the various frauds and charlatans that Houdini claims to have encountered over the course of his career.
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