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.

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 ( )

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

-Illustrations work perfectly with the subject matter. It also reminds me of the movie 'Catch me if you can'. ( )

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. ( )