Criminal Masterminds

Charlotte Greig

Jun 2005 · Arcturus Publishing

About this ebook

Thinking big and thinking bad, fifty of the world's most notorious criminal masterminds have lied, cheated, murdered and swindled their way onto the pages of this book.

Many of these miscreants had the brains and charisma to be successful in legitimate walks of life, yet they chose to take a different path - a path that perhaps got them richer more quickly, certainly in the cases of mobster Al Capone, robber Ronnie Biggs and drug baron Howard Marks, but which ultimately was to lead to their downfall.

The impetus to cross the moral boundary into criminal territory is not provided just by a desire for great wealth, however, as this compelling narrative reveals. Consider the motivation of spies such as the Cambridge Four, terrorists such as Osama bin Laden and Carlos the Jackal and outlaws such as Bonnie and Clyde.

The aims of such individuals transcend the merely material. Their criminality is driven by a need to exert power and then experience the thrill the exerting of this power brings in its wake.

Criminal Masterminds provides a fascinating insight into the careers and character flaws of the most audacious reprobates that have come to the attention of the world's lawmakers. It will entertain, astound and sometimes shock you. It might even give you ideas...

Ratings and reviews

Great read, really takes a look at the biggest names who were a major player's in the underworld. People who not only changed history, but also played large parts in the way society the law enforcement works today.

Brief outline of each subject, with base facts and a short summary. Good starting point for an introductory read on some of the lesser known criminals, but certainly doesn't profile the subjects in any great depth.

A book that skips in depth facts but does give an insight into the world of the criminal

About the author

Charlotte Greig graduated with an MA in Intellectual History from Sussex University, and started freelancing as a writer and editor for a variety of magazines and newspapers, including NME and the Guardian. In 1989 she wrote her first book, and since then has written four more and contributed to several others. In addition to lecturing and broadcasting, she has built a reputation as a specialist in popular music. She is also a musician, and lives in Cardiff, Wales.