Customer Reviews

King of Cons: Exposing the Dirty, Rotten Secrets of the Washington Elite and Hollywood Celebrities

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't know what is more compelling about this book, the dirt he tells on so many celebrities or the author himself. By his own admission he's a liar and a crook himself, but you can't help but believe the man when he describes dirty homes, overly inflated egos and the incredible self-centered nature of major stars. Tonken writes very well (did he really write this himself-what's real about him and what's not?) and keeps you turning the page to discover more. Believe him or not, this is what I call entertainment!

Syndicated columnist Liz Smith (Newsday, New York Post, etc.) said it best: ""King of Cons" is a jaw dropper in the same vein as Eddie Fisher's autobiography, "Been There, Done That," and George Jacobs' exposé on Frank Sinatra, "Mr. S." And, like those books, whatever editorial assistance or gussying up occurred, "Cons" has the same unmistakable rib-tickling, gasp-inducing ring of truth. As a holiday present it is rather on the sordid side. But, go ahead, put it under the tree. Then, take yourself to a soup kitchen on Christmas and do a really good deed."

I couldn't agree more. "King of Cons" is a page-turner in the truest sense of the term. I could not put it down. Now I have to get back to work....

this book is the closest expose of the greed that runs rampant with the most unlikely hollywood and political celebrities. it gives the reader an insight not seen before and absolutely dispels and exposes who and what these people are really about. they are not what the public see's or how they are hyped by the media in a positive vain but rather greedy heartless and completely insensitive to the charities they are supposedly helping. you will be amazed at the their insensitivity.

I read this book during the Xmas holidays and came away rather depressed. Even as a cynical type, I had no idea as to the greed and villany of some of our 'stars'. Formmer US Presidents demanding $200,000 upfront in order to appear at a charitable event. Greedy, nasty celebs such as Cher and Joan Collins who demand jewels, round-trip private jet trips, 10's if not 100's of thousands of dollars in the hopes that they MIGHT make an apperaance at a charitable event. All monies, of course, totally out of the 'profits' from the charitable events. I hate most of my 'stars' now.

There is something perverse about forgiving Aaron Tonken his stupidity because he dishes out honesty; after being pimped for so long by so many all cut from the same cloth.Birds of a feather do flock together pal! You just have to be sympathethic to the author because he really wasn't in it for the money- he wanted the approval of the glitteratti.Chapter after chapter he does the same thing, starting small and moving up the ladder.No matter the rung the story is always the same, ego driven behavior fuels monkey see monkey do greed and a sense of entitlement.This book is a riot, and so badly needed now that the last bastion of tabloids- the National Enquirer- has joined the star-pucker bandwagon and chooses to befriend the celebrities in the hope that something good will rub off on them- or that the favors will be returned.

Read the book though and note the genuine , compassionate and refined minority that Aaron does have dealings with , including The Reagans, Englebert Humperdink, Red Buttons,Charlton Heston,and some other less than household names. Have some fun and read the book-

It isn't terribly well written and it's a bit redundant but this is a book America needs to read. The culture in Hollywood and Washington that we foster needs to be completely relooked. Even more striking was how the law enforcement was similarly flawed and corrupt as Tonken describes at the end.

Aaron Tonken organized charity fundraisers for celebrities for years and in the process viewed corrupt and demanding celebrities and made a few stupid and immoral decisions himself. He tells his story (now that he's been arrested) in a reflective, sorrowful manner. Every step down the path of debt and bad decisions made it harder to turn back.

This book is a page-turner, uncommon for a nonfiction book. It is captivating. Nonetheless, many stories are similar and the book does become redundant after 150-200 pages, but then ressurrects itself for the last 100 pages. Tonken does his worst writing when he tries to be a good writer (his attempts to use certain techniques and transitions don't really work)--usually he does a good job, though.

Overall, I was not shocked at the corruptness of some celebrities (although I was shocked that people like Ray Charles were among them), but I was shocked at how widespread their immorality was.

Its always fun to read a beach book in December. Tonken's "King of Cons" is loaded with name-dropping, name-calling and page after page of dirty secrets of top political and entertainment personalities.

Under the guise of charity, Tonken made (and blew) millions setting up fundraisers and arranging for celebrity appearances at events. But, despite his wheeling-dealing, you can;t despise the guy because he is playing with and catering to some of the biggest names...Clinton (Bill and Hill), Cher, J-Lo,... and the "Stars" come off as vilier as Tonken.

Great fun, and a good gift for anyone who likes to read up on the side of Hollywood and Washington that isn't spin or publicist-created.

With the growing corruption scandel in Washington, D.C., this book was like an early glimpse into what we will soon see in terms of how greedy Republicans abused non-profits to let corporations funnel money for political leverage and take tax deductions for it!

I'm in the PR business and have been around enough of these kinds of functions to know that Tonken is describing a culture of greed that extends far beyond Hollywood. Big flashy fundraisers began as a great way to raise money and the visibility of noble causes. Naturally, as all good things, it has been exploited by individuals so shallow that no amount of flattery, gifts, and unearned cash under the table can make them into anything but the classless, wanna-be thieves that they are. I am thrilled that someone has finally begun to reveal what really goes on. As Tonken points out, if it were really aboout charity, wouldn't these folks just write a check and mail it in? Funny, shocking and endlessly entertaining - I couldn't put it down!

This book definitely qualifies as compelling entertainment to those who find the "behind-the-scenes" behavior of celebs interesting, but I'm STUNNED at this guy's "moronitude." He doesn't let himself entirely off the hook in his misdealings, but he plays himself off as a victim..when his CONSTANT weakness in fulfilling the insane demands of certain nightmarish celebrities makes him contemptible beyond belief. I wanted to like Tonken - he tells a breezy story & is apparently paying the price for his participation in financial scams...but I didn't find much of a soul there. To get involved with Roseanne at the late date he did shows judgement that can't really be justified. I would have liked to hear more about the (perhaps few) GOOD Hollywood/Washington, D.C. people - he alludes to them from time to time but goes back to the same self-indulgent nonsense of the others. It's a good read but it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Nothing he wrote was a true shock (except, as mentioned before, Ray Charles' alleged cavalier acts)...but as seen through the eyes of someone who clearly has NOT learned from his misdeeds, it didn't really satisfy.

Shouldn't the title be "King Of Being Conned?" Tonken was definitely a man of the 90's. He was a dot.com waiting to happen. I don't quite understand his point, though. Hollywood celebrities shouldn't accept lavish gifts from morons? It's true that government officials shouldn't accept gifts and those that did committed a crime, but Hollywood? I'll give the book 3 stars. It was way too long and repetitive. I guess that can be explained by Tonken's seeming inability to learn from his past mistakes. The book's only saving grace is as a warning to all like-minded celebrity schmoozers.

You should be locked up, Aaron. We're doing it for your own good. I shudder to think what you'd've given Michael Jackson had someone offered him to you.