Customer Reviews

The Art of the Heist: Confessions of a Master Art Thief, Rock-and-Roller, and Prodigal Son

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I started this book expecting a gripping story of one spectacular art heist after another, with insights into the glamorous world of high-dollar art. Connor did rob several museums (most famously, by grabbing a Rembrandt and walking out the back door of the Boston Museum of Fine Art). But most of the book just describes a dreary criminal career with little to do with art: bank robberies, shootouts with the police, drug dealing, trials on rape and murder charges (of which he was found not guilty), etc.

Police authorities don't come off very well, since they are portrayed, believably, as repeatedly trying to frame him, but considering the large number of crimes which he admits to and which he was never caught for, he seems to have gotten off easy! Connor portrays himself as often more sinned against than sinning (motivated to steal art because of the way he was treated by snooty curators). Of course, we're getting only his side of the story in the book.

Since most criminals are not smart, and Connor is very smart, he had a more successful career than most. But if you google his name, the first item is a 2008 Boston Herald article with his life story and a picture of him as he is now: a tired old man, having spent much of life behind bars, rather than the earnest young criminal portrayed on the book jacket. Sad.

To give credit, the book is vivid and the narrative hard to put down. I give his co-author, Jenny Siler, credit for an excellent writing job.

I lived in Milton and knew of Myles from his rock and roll days. I had heard of his 'adventures' from the press and from friends and was looking forward to the book coming out. I just got it and haven't put it down. I'm sure we will still be left with the question of where is the artwork and who pulled off this heist and I wouldn't expect anything else. But the Isabelle Stewart Gardner heist isn't all there is to Myles Connor.

I'm pretty certain that this will find it's way to the big screen! And that will be great.

It's difficult to read this and realize that this is Myles' life....not just a story. I definitely recommend this.

I was expecting more. Conner wasn't even a brilliant thief - instead he mostly took advantage of lax security. The Art of the Heist is simply a sad story of a fellow who squandered intellect and talent, both musical and intellectual, by picking a dishonest path with violent accomplices. The book is one big rationalization of a man looking back on his life and trying to justify poor choices that landed him in prison again and again, leaving his family heartbroken, his relationships unsustainable, his fortune lost. I found myself questioning how much of it was true, or merely one last-ditch attempt to salvage a lost reputation. Finally, the biblical "Prodigal Son" feel remorse and regret and asks for forgiveness upon reaching rock bottom and coming home. I sensed little remorse or regret from Conner, and no real admission that he'd done anything wrong or harmed anyone. Perhaps this is simply Conner's final "stage" to play on. Very sad.

This book is an undeniable eye-opener regarding the realities of prison and police brutality. Whether you agree with the author's lifestyle or not, you will truly be amazed at what he has suffered at the hands of "justice." Crime does have consequences, but if you can read about Myles' life and still believe that our social justice system is fair and equitable, then peace be with you. I know Myles. The stories are all true. I told him my one complaint with the book is that it does not capture the richness and depth of his character. Critiques of his life choices are understandable, but even so, he is the kindest, most gentle person you could ever know. He would literally give the shirt off his back to anyone. To such an extent that his friends actually tease him about it. Mesh that truth with his vast intelligence and life choices and you have quite a book. Read this book and understand that life is not an episode of "Law and Order."

You can smell his arrogance through the pages, very hard to read since he repeats all his amazing skills a billion times per chapter. The actual events are interesting, I just wish it happened to someone else...or maybe if it was just a biography instead of autobiography...either way, good luck reading.

This book grabbed me. The subject matter is rough, but I laughed out loud at parts and was engrossed by the writing. Liked it so much, I bought it for my mom.

The Art of the Heist, Confessions of a Master Thief is the tale of Myles Connor's life of crime in the Boston, Massachusetts area as told by the perpetrator himself. His literary cohort, Jenny Siler fine-tuned the story with accomplished skill. The book's content, however, is not a foray into the psychology of a psychopathic mind, as several reviewers (e.g., Washington Post, Wall Street Journal) would have you believe.

Nonetheless, it is indisputable that Connor has a distinct sociopathic personality as evidenced by his crass disregard for the effects of his behavior upon the members of his immediate family, his wife of a short-lived marriage, his two children from the marriage, and his long-time (law-abiding) girlfriend.

Connor's high-risk escapades are fascinating to behold--that is, by those of us not victimized by his grossly mis-appropriated brilliance. He targeted banks, art museums and the private mansions of fine art collectors. Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies eventually became so frustrated by his elusiveness both in and out of court that some resorted to lawlessness themselves. As in filing false charges corroborated by disingenuous witnesses under oath.

The story culminates in a surprise ending--the stuff of the highest irony.

Myles Connor lives by a criminal code that requires taking what he wants but maintaining loyalty to his crime buddies above all else. Those buddies didn't share his code and it cost him dearly. This is a great story of criminal psychology and it's good he put it into a book. I found it fascinating. He doesn't make excuses for what he did and there doesn't seem to be any remorse whatsoever.

The book conveys the thinking process of his mind convincingly and you get to understand how his reasoning is so different from the average person with scruples. The first person narrative style is effective as Connor explains his motivations and impulses and what drives him.

It takes courage or a total lack of fear to pull off the crimes he performed. He says he never felt fear and I believe him. There's nothing subtle about his methods. Bank robberies, museum thefts and gun play are what he does and what he'd keep doing if not locked up. He doesn't want to shoot you but will if you endanger him during one of his jobs. His accomplices are true sociopaths.

He explains how the police tried to frame him and that comes across as true. Dealing with a guy like Connor makes you understand why they'd do whatever it takes to lock him up forever. Thirty years in prison and he says he wouldn't change anything about his life.

This is a very good book and I recommend it.

I'm puzzled by the people who gave this a bad review. This book is amazing. I grew up in and around Boston and was constantly hearing and reading news reports about the criminal mastermind Myles Connor. I could never figure out how one guy could be a master thief, rock star and dangerous gangster all at the same time. This book pulls no punches and explains it all. If I could give it 10 stars I would.

Very good book. Myles J Connor is an interesting subject. I was interested in this book because one of the main subjects brother works for me. The story also takes place in a town close to where I live. A very good read...