Fraudsters and Charlatans by Linda Stratmann

Fraudsters and Charlatans by Linda Stratmann

In 1817 a young woman of exotic appearance was found wandering near Bristol. She spoke in a language that no one could understand except, seemingly, a Portuguese sailor. He claimed that she was a Sumatran princess from the island of Javasu. Princess Caraboo, as she was known, became a national celebrity and lived in a grand style, entertaining many distinguished visitors. A few weeks later, however, she was exposed as Mary Baker, the daughter of a cobbler from Devonshire. Mary’s deception is one of several intriguing stories of nineteenth-century fraudsters brought to light in Linda Stratmann’s entertaining look at some of history’s greatest rogues. From bankers who forged share certificates, ruining hundreds of small investors, to ‘Louis de Rougemont’ whose tales of high adventure branded him The Greatest Liar on Earth’, these riveting tales of true crime expose the seedy side of life in which corruption, avarice and scandal hold sway.

LINDA STRATMANN is a former chemist’s dispenser and civil servant who now writes full time. As well as the Frances Doughty mystery series, she is also the author of the Mina Scarletti mysteries, set in Brighton. She lives in London.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780752457109
ISBN 10	0752457101
Title	Fraudsters and Charlatans
Author	Linda Stratmann
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	The History Press Ltd
Year published	2010-06-15
Number of pages	252
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable