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Programming Languages and Systems: 33rd European Symposium on Programming, ESOP 2024, Held as Part of the European Joint Conferences on Theory and Practice of Software, ETAPS 2024, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, April 6–11, 2024, Proceedings, Part I (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14576)
by Stephanie WeirichThe two-volume open access book set LNCS 14576 + 14577 constitutes the proceedings of the 33rd European Symposium on Programming, ESOP 2024, which was held during April 6-11, 2024, in Luxemburg, as part of the European Joint Conferences on Theory and Practice of Software, ETAPS 2024.The 25 full papers and 1 fresh perspective paper presented in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 72 submissions. The papers were organized in topical sections as follows:Part I: Effects and modal types; bidirectional typing and session types; dependent types; Part II: Quantum programming and domain-specific languages; verification; program analysis; abstract interpretation.
Notes on Consumption Theory: Deterministic and Stochastic Dynamic Models (Classroom Companion: Economics)
by Giuseppe Travaglini Giorgio Calcagnini Alessandro BellocchiThis textbook offers a compact, yet formal, synthesis of the broad field of consumption theory. Written in a coherent and accessible way, this book introduces graduate and postgraduate students to dynamic optimization applied to consumption under certainty and uncertainty, in discrete and continuous time. Delving into deterministic and stochastic models, including the use of Brownian motions, the book offers a deeper understanding of consumption decisions and their impact on asset pricing and investment in partial and general equilibrium. This book compiles lecture notes from advanced courses in micro- and macroeconomics, ensuring a self-contained introduction to the subject. Balancing simplicity with analytical rigor, the book equips readers with essential methodological tools for advanced research in economics. With empirical evidence and exercises integrated throughout, this textbook stands as the go-to resource for scholars and students alike, fostering further theoretical explorations in the field. Basic knowledge of economics, mathematics, and econometrics is recommended for a comprehensive understanding.
Data Science in Engineering, Volume 10: Proceedings of the 41st IMAC, A Conference and Exposition on Structural Dynamics 2023 (Conference Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Mechanics Series)
by Ramin Madarshahian François HemezData Science in Engineering, Volume 10: Proceedings of the 41st IMAC, A Conference and Exposition on Structural Dynamics, 2023, the tenth volume of ten from the Conference brings together contributions to this important area of research and engineering. The collection presents early findings and case studies on fundamental and applied aspects of Data Science in Engineering, including papers on:Novel Data-driven Analysis MethodsDeep Learning Gaussian Process AnalysisReal-time Video-based AnalysisApplications to Nonlinear Dynamics and Damage DetectionHigh-rate Structural Monitoring and Prognostics
Foundations of Software Science and Computation Structures: 27th International Conference, FoSSaCS 2024, Held as Part of the European Joint Conferences on Theory and Practice of Software, ETAPS 2024, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, April 6–11, 2024, Proceedings, Part I (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14574)
by Naoki Kobayashi James WorrellThe two open access volumes LNCS 14574 and 14575 constitute the proceedings of the 27th International Conference on Foundations of Software Science and Computation Structures, FOSSACS 2024, which took place in Luxembourg in April 2024.The 24 full papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 79 submissions. They were organized in topical sections as follows: Part I: Infinite games; categorical semantics; automata and synthesis; Part II: Types and programming languages; logic and proofs; infinite-state systems.
Group Theory Applied to Chemistry (Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modelling)
by Arnout Jozef CeulemansThe second edition of this textbook provides a more elaborate explanation of several important group-theoretical concepts in quantum chemistry, such as: the bra-ket conjugation relation, the connection between point groups and isometries, the practical use of subduction tables, the eigenvalues of Cayley graphs, and the symmetry of Slater determinants. A new chapter introduces the application of line and plane groups to the properties of nanostructured low-dimensional molecular systems. In addition, several extra study problems are inserted to illustrate group theory at work in molecular science. The book is of great interest to advanced undergraduate and graduate students, enabling them to put the tools of group theory into practice when studying chemical problems of their own research. More experienced researchers will find in this book useful leads to the mathematical aspects of their subject.
Information Security and Cryptology: 19th International Conference, Inscrypt 2023, Hangzhou, China, December 9–10, 2023, Revised Selected Papers, Part II (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14527)
by Chunpeng Ge Moti YungThe two-volume set LNCS 14526 and 14527 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Information Security and Cryptology, Inscrypt 2023, held in Hangzhou, China, during December 9–10, 2023.The 38 full papers and 7 short papers presented in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 152 submissions. The papers have been organized in the following topical sections: Part I: Signature; blockchain; cryptography primitive; public key cryptography; security and privacy; Part II: System security; cryptography engineering; cryptanalysis; short papers, posters.
Mental Health Care Resource Book: Concepts and Praxis for Social Workers and Mental Health Professionals
by Meenu AnandThis book takes a strengths-based approach to focus on different aspects of mental health. It summarizes the complex intertwining of illness and culture in the context of rising cases of mental disorders in the post-pandemic world. The book contains three sections, each incorporating essential skills and praxis. The book's first section examines the fundamental and conceptual underpinnings of mental health, well-being, and wellness from an eclectic lens to present an overview of mental health from the biopsychosocial perspective. The second section demonstrates using and transforming theoretical principles and perspectives into practice-based skills through detailed narrations and illustrations. It also showcases how to apply these skills in real-world settings. The third and final section combines field-based narratives that reflect multifaceted challenges and efforts toward treating mental disorders and promoting positive mental health, including success stories in diverse settings.This section highlights the importance of praxis in mental health. The book is a valuable resource for scholars and professionals in various fields, such as social work, psychology, sociology, social psychiatry, gender studies, and anyone interested in learning more about mental health and well-being.
She Who Lies Above
by Beatriz HausnerIn She Who Lies Above, Beatriz Hausner brings Hypatia of Alexandria, the fourth-century Byzantine mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher, to life. She does so through layered ventriloquism: publishing amorous correspondence from the feminist icon’s friend and former student, Synesius of Cyrene, and scribing Hypatia’s replies in turn.These letters are “discovered” by Bettina Ungaro, a librarian and archivist by day and poet by night. She, in turn, collates the correspondence to build a vision of the couple’s relationship while writing a kind of postmodern critique of contemporary book and reading culture. These interjections both borrow from and juxtapose writing from ancient times, and, in doing so, explore the evolution of modern knowledge keeping.The result is a rigorous, hyper-layered collection of poems that are elegiac and erotic; steeped in appreciation for a life of books and the technical and transcendent brilliance their authors can exhibit.
First Through The Clouds: The Autobiography of a Box-Kite Pioneer
by Frederick Warren MerriamThe early years of aviation were marked by flimsy, unreliable machines and daring adventurous young men. One of the pioneer aviators leading the way in Britain was F. Warren Merriam who, following Louis Blriots first flight across the Channel in 1809, joined the Bristol and Colonial Aeroplane Company through which he obtained a Royal Aero Clubs aviators certificate.Much of the flying training in those early days was a case of the blind leading the blind and, as Merriam wrote, Flying was a dangerous business then. Airplanes were constantly breaking up in the air let alone on takeoff and landing; there were no parachutes and the pilots were ever expectant of mishaps. This was hardly the career for a decent young man and for a long time he had to keep his flying a secret from his parents.Aviation did indeed develop into a career, with Merriam becoming a certified instructor at Brooklands aerodrome. There he taught many of the men who became pioneers in aviation and others who joined the Royal Flying Corps that crossed to France in the early months of the First World War.The term pioneer could also be ascribed to Merriam for he was the first person in Britain to fly through the clouds. Until that day in 1912, it had been assumed that pilots would always stay within sight of the ground. Why would anyone want to go so high?This entertaining autobiography takes the reader on a journey through Merriams early flying career, from how it started through his first shaky solo, through a series of crashes into his First World War service. His account is the story of the early history of aviation, the development of aircraft and the personalities that led the way in those exciting, if risk-strewn days of yore.
Frigate Commander
by Tom WarehamThe naval historian presents the thrilling true story of a Royal Navy officer&’s frigate command in the tumultuous late 18th and early 19th centuries. Based on the private journals of Admiral Sir Graham Moore, Frigate Commander recounts his experiences as a Lieutenant and then Captain during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Moore's journal gives a detailed account of life as a serving naval officer, revealing the unique problems of managing a frigate crew, maintaining discipline and turning his ship into an efficient man of war. Moore was one of the Royal Navy's star captains, serving continuously as a frigate commander between 1793 and 1804. His early career took him to Newfoundland before serving with Sir William Sidney Smith's squadron on the north coast of France. Moore was present during the Naval Mutiny at Spithead in 1797, and helped to destroy the French fleet off Ireland in 1798. His most famous action occurred in September 1804, when his squadron captured a Spanish frigate squadron carrying a fortune in treasure. The following year his frigate, HMS Indefatigable, was involved in the opening of the Trafalgar Campaign.
Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier: From Marius to Commodus, 112 BC–AD 192
by Raffaele D'Amato Graham SumnerA survey of the various forms of armour worn by the Roman soldier from 112 BC to 192 AD, featuring a wealth of illustrations and plates. From the Latin warriors on the Palatine Hill in the age of Romulus, to the last defenders of Constantinople in 1453 AD, the weaponry of the Roman Army was constantly evolving. Through glory and defeat, the Roman warrior adapted to the changing face of warfare. Due to the immense size of the Roman Empire, which reached from the British Isles to the Arabian Gulf, the equipment of the Roman soldier varied greatly from region to region. Through the use of materials such as leather, linen and felt, the army was able to adjust its equipment to these varied climates. Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier sheds new light on the many different types of armour used by the Roman soldier, and combines written and artistic sources with the analysis of old and new archaeological finds. With a huge wealth of plates and illustrations, which include ancient paintings, mosaics, sculptures and coin depictions, this book gives the reader an unparalleled visual record of this fascinating period of military history. This book, the first of three volumes, examines the period from Marius to Commodus. Volume II will cover the period from Commodus to Justinian, and Volume III will look at the period from Romulus to Marius. &“An impressive achievement, a testament to an enormous scholarly effort—and it is a significant contribution to the understanding of the Roman army.&” —Bryn Mawr Classical Review &“Without doubt, this is the definitive study of clothing, armour and weaponry worn by Roman soldiers during the golden age of their conquests...D&’Amato has brought together a remarkable collection of archaeological photographs gathered over decades to illustrate every aspect of this military evolution . . . A treasure trove of facts and illustrations that is essential reading for any Roman military enthusiast.&” —Tim Newark, Military Illustrated Magazine
Foul Deeds in Kensington & Chelsea (Foul Deeds & Suspicious Deaths)
by John J. EddlestonLondon&’s most exclusive neighborhoods sit on sites of the some of the most sinister and scandalous crimes in British history. Stories of violent death will always hold us in a grim but thrilling grip. The dreadful crimes related in Foul Deeds in Kensington & Chelsea are shocking examples of murder cases that readers will never forget. Crimes of passion, opportunistic killings, political assassinations—the full spectrum of extreme criminality is recounted here. John J. Eddleston has selected a series of notorious episodes that give a fascinating insight into criminal acts and the criminal mind. The human dramas he depicts are often played out in the most commonplace of circumstances, but others are so odd as to be stranger than fiction. Cases involving the killing of wives, lovers, and children are among those he describes, but he also reconstructs in forensic detail several more unusual crimes—two men shot dead at a lecture, the field marshal who was assassinated on his doorstep, the acid bath killings, and the murders of two ill-fated countesses. These lethal episodes give a fascinating insight into the dark side of the history of Kensington and Chelsea.
As the Andes Disappeared (Literature in Translation Series)
by Caroline Dawson Anita AnandCaroline is seven years old when her family flees Pinochet’s regime, leaving Chile for Montreal on Christmas Eve, 1986. She fears Santa won’t find them on the plane but wakes to find a new doll at her side, her mother preserving the holiday even amidst persecution and turmoil. This symbol of care is repeated throughout their relocation as her parents work tirelessly to provide the family with a new vision of the future.Once in Canada, Caroline accompanies her parents as they clean banks at night. She experiences racist microaggressions at school, discovers Québécois popular culture, and explores her love of reading and writing in French. Slowly, the Andean peaks disappear from Caroline’s drawings and a fracture between her parents’ identity and her own begins to grow.This expansive coming-of-age autobiographical novel probes the plurality of identity, elucidating the interwoven complexities of immigrating to a new country. As the Andes Disappeared tenderly reflects the journey of millions and is a beautiful ode to family commitment and the importance of home—however layered that may be.
Sadie X (Literature in Translation Series)
by Clara Dupuis-Morency Aimee WallHaving followed the brilliant virologist RÉgnier from Montreal to Marseille many years ago, Sadie now works as a researcher in a lab, spending most of her time among microscopic creatures who teach her about life as a parasite. By day, she pushes the limits of her understanding alongside RÉgnier, who taught her that to study viruses, she must think infectiously, allow herself to be contaminated by dangerous ideas. By night, Sadie loses herself in bars, music, drugs, sensuality. Until she gets a call from the past that lures her back across the Atlantic. When her estranged father tells her that a bizarre virus has been found in his hospital, Sadie returns to Montreal and her family, and all the unexpected changes time has wrought, to solve this new puzzle. Soon she realizes that the person she thought she was—someone who can leave everything behind—no longer exists. What is left for her instead is sinking into the unknown to find out what happens when ideas come to life. This is a deeply inventive and singular novel about the power of metamorphosis and symbiosis. Combining the cerebral and the sensual, Sadie X explores humanity's relationship to the rest of the world, and the role of rationale—and its limits in our multilayered, regenerative existences.
People You Know, Places You've Been
by Hana ShafiThe latest poetry and artwork collection from Hana Shafi examines the unlikely connections we make to the people and places we encounter. Despite the infinite variations of our lives, every urban dweller has sparred with a neighbour they disliked, seen beautiful strangers on public transit, told secrets to their hairdresser. We interact with these supporting characters on a daily basis—and often we are them for others.Shafi celebrates the Antiheroes of the world (the alcoholic at your local bar, teenage girls); examines those in Beautiful Leading Roles (the hot professor, the rich couple); lauds older generations of Wizards and Crones; and flags the Nemeses (men who think they’re allies, competitors for produce at farmer’s markets). We sink into recognition at depictions of Palaces such as the greasy spoon, Dungeons of public transit, and the Liminal Spaces of checkout counters or waiting rooms (including that one at the end of the cosmos).People You Know, Places You've Been is an insightful, charming collection that offers a sense of shared recognition and nostalgia, ultimately asking: what if seemingly mundane places are actually the foundations of who you are?
Black Women Writers of Louisiana: Telling Their Stories
by Ann B. Dobie Daren TuckerLouisiana has been home, by birth or adoption, to numerous literary greats. But among that talent, there's an under-celebrated cohort: Black women. Due to lack of education and opportunity, their record is fairly brief, but over the past century they have been responsible for a flowering of literature that portrays the Black experience through poetry, fiction, plays, essays and journalism. The writers profiled here have not gone wholly unrecognized though--far from it. Some have been honored with prestigious awards and have found a readership large enough to put them at the forefront of the national literary scene. Beginning with Alice Ruth Dunbar Nelson--a fiery activist, columnist and storyteller in the late nineteenth century--the work extends to Fatima Shaik, named 2021 Louisiana Writer of the Year. Join Ann B. Dobie on this celebration of Louisiana literary talent.
Missing Signal
by Seb DoubinskyFrom Seb Doubinsky, author of The Song of Synth, The Babylonian Trilogy, White City, Absinth, Omega Gray and Suan Ming, comes his highly anticipated next installment in the City-States Cycle.Missing Signal—a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a government conspiracy? Agent Terrence Kovacs has worked for the New Petersburg Counter-Intel Department propagating fake UFO stories for so long that even he has a hard time separating fact from fiction. Especially when he's approached by a beautiful woman named Vita, who claims she's been sent from another planet to liberate Earth.
Yorkshire Hangmen
by Stephen WadeFrom the eighteenth century, York was one of the places employing its own hangmen, copying London and Newgate, even to the use of the word Tyburn to define it's Knavesmire gallows, also known as the 'three-legged mare'. That was where highwayman Dick Turpin met his fate; but later, in the Victorian period, Armley Gaol in Leeds also became a hanging prison, the site of the death of the notorious killer Charlie Peace. The tales of the villains and the victims are well documented, but Stephen Wade also provides us with the stories of both Yorkshire-born hangmen and others who worked in Leeds, Hull or Wakefield. For the first time, Yorkshire's Hangmen brings together the tales of the lives and professional careers of these men, some famous, others long forgotten, who held a morbid fascination for the public. Their trade was mysterious, revolting and yet justified by many famous figures in history. The book includes accounts of killers, spies and traitors meeting their doom, but also tells something of the personalities of the hangmen, and of their moral dilemmas as they had to hang women and young people as well as hardened villains. Many of the executioners suffered terrible depression; some took their own lives, and others, such as the famous Albert Pierrepoint, even questioned their work in later life.
If You're Reading This . . .: Last Letters from the Front Line
by Siân PriceThree centuries of war. Three centuries of sacrifice. &“Tales of love and heroism from conflicts such as the Napoleonic Wars and Afghanistan today.&” —The Mirror In this brilliant and profoundly moving collection of farewell letters written by servicemen and women to their loved ones, Siân Price offers a remarkable insight into the hearts and minds of some of the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the past three hundred years. Each letter provides an enduring snapshot of an impossible moment in time when an individual stares death squarely in the face. Some were written or dictated as the person lay mortally wounded; many were written on the eve of a great charge or battle; others were written by soldiers who experienced premonitions of their death, or by kamikaze pilots and condemned prisoners. They write of the grim realities of battle, of daily hardships, of unquestioning patriotism or bitter regrets, of religious fervor or political disillusionment, of unrelenting optimism or sinking morale and above all, they write of their love for their family and the desire to return to them one day. Be it an epitaph dictated on a Napoleonic battlefield, a staunch, unsentimental letter written by a Victorian officer, or an email from a soldier in modern day Afghanistan, these voices speak eloquently and forcefully of the tragedy of war and answer that fundamental human need to say goodbye. &“The poignant farewells encapsulate the final words of servicemen to their loved ones before they were killed in action.&” —The Telegraph &“A timely reminder of the tremendous sacrifices made by fighting men and women of all countries in all ages.&” —Military History Monthly
Regina Diana: Seductress, Singer, Spy
by Vivien Newman David A. SemeraroThe Untold Story of Rgina Diana tells of the rebellious daughter of working-class French-Italian parents from a run-down area of Geneva who, trained by the most ruthless spymaster of them all, Elisabeth Schragmller (aka Fraulein Doktor), became a much-adored French caf-concert singer, a discreet and highly prized prostitute plying her trade, and a successful German Great War spy.Reginas spy operations were full of intrigue: a network spanning four countries based in the shamed city of Marseille, with her performing abilities and sexual charms allowing her to lure men from privates to generals into giving her vital information.This book is not just about Rgina, but also explodes the much-vaunted myth of Swiss neutrality. Switzerland, a nest of spies, was riven between support for Germany and France; in an extraordinary penetration of the upper echelons of Swiss society, the Swiss Army Commander-in-Chief was married to former German Chancellor Otto von Bismarks daughter.Yet exhuming Rgina from her unmarked grave involved a tantalizing journey - getting past her disavowal by both France and Switzerland, unraveling the truth behind a three-line report about a pretty Swiss singers execution and overcoming the obfuscation of French military archivists. Even her execution was fittingly exceptional. So determined were the French authorities that she should die, her firing squad numbered not the usual twelve, but twenty-five smoking rifles.
Famous Felines: Cats' Lives in Fact and Fiction
by David AldertonA delightful hiss-torical survey of cats in popular culture. Louis Wain and Beatrix Potter adored them, but Walt Disney preferred dogs; cats have been depicted in art, books and, more recently, film and TV as lovable but determined creatures. Where the dog is loving but stupid, the cat is clever but sly. Bestselling author David Alderton explores this myth and reveals just who the most famous cats are, including cartoon classics such as Top Cat, Felix, and the dastardly Si and Am from 101 Dalmatians. Using collectible memorabilia and original book covers, this charming book is a purr-fect stocking filler, along with its doggish counterpart, Famous Dogs by Fiona Shoop—ideal packaged together.
Confessions of a Eurosceptic
by David Heathcoat-AmoryThe former politician details his career while offering an insider&’s look at Britain&’s European involvement in the 1980s and &‘90s in this personal memoir. Few are better placed to write on Britain's relations with the European Union than David Heathcoat-Amory. In describing his own journey from initial enthusiasm for a Common Market to rejection of the EU, he gives an insider&’s view of the delusions and deceits which surround the European question. As a Member of Parliament, Minister of State and Privy Councillor, Heathcoat-Amory witnessed two prime Ministers wresting with the &‘elephant in the room&’. He describes Margaret Thatcher&’s struggles against EU control and the clashes with cabinet colleagues which split the Conservative Party and brought her down. Under John Major, David Heathcoat-Amory played a pivotal role in the parliamentary battles over the Maastricht Treaty. As Minister of State for Europe he was intimately involved in keeping Britain out of the euro, thereby avoiding the worst of the current devasting financial crisis. He resigned as Paymaster General in 1996 on a matter of principle. In Opposition, he was sent by the House of Commons to negotiate a Constitution for Europe, which he opposed with a small group of dissidents from other EU countries. As they predicted, the European Constitution was decisively rejected in referendums in France and Holland but was forced through anyway, with Blair&’s government refusing a referendum at home. The book includes a blueprint for a radically new relationship between Britain and the EU. The Author argues that, with leadership and ambition, this is now attainable, with the final decision resting with the people in a referendum.Praise for Confessions of a Eurosceptic &“An elegant memoir that outlines his euroscepticism but also touched with personal and family tragedy.&” —Total Politics &“A brisk and unpompous memoir, which incidentally makes a brisk and unpompous case against the EU.&” —Standpoint &“This book is unlike most books by politicians. With unusual clarity this book tells the story of Britain&’s European involvement since the mid-Eighties.&” —The Daily Telegraph
TT Titans: The Twenty-Five Greatest Isle of Man Racing Machines
by Matthew RichardsonA motorcycle enthusiast offers in-depth, fully illustrated profiles of the 25 greatest machines to race the Isle of Man TT. Since it began in 1907, the Isle of Mann Tourist Trophy has gained a well-deserved reputation as the most challenging—and dangerous—motorcycle race in the world. In TT Titans, Matthew Richardson explores a fascinating question: which motorcycles or sidecar outfits have made the strongest contributions to the race over the last century? As Richardson makes his choices, he describes each one in vivid detail. Richardson recounts extraordinary achievements like lap records, race victories, technical innovations and other milestones. Modern bikes from BMW, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha are featured alongside classic models from Matchless, Norton and Velocette. Richardson also includes profiles of the men who built and rode these exceptional machines—a list that includes many of the best-known names from every era of the sport, from Stanley Woods, Bob McIntyre and Mike Hailwood to Carl Fogarty, Joey Dunlop, Dave Molyneux and John McGuinness.
Waterloo 1815: History's Most Famous Battle Told Through Newspaper Reports, Official Documents and the Accounts of Those Who Were There (Voices from the Past)
by John GrehanFor more than twenty years Europe had been torn apart by war. Dynasties had crumbled, new states had been created and a generation had lost its young men. When it seemed that peace might at last settle across Europe, terrible news was received Napoleon had escaped from exile and was marching upon Paris. Europe braced itself once again for war. The allied nations agreed to combine against Napoleon and in May 1815 they began to mass on France's frontiers. The scene was set for the greatest battle the world had yet seen.Composed of more than 300 eyewitness accounts, official documents, parliamentary debates and newspaper reports, Voices from the Past tells the story of Napoleon's last battles as they were experienced and reported by the men and women involved. Heroic cavalry charges, devastating artillery bombardments, terrible injuries, heart-breaking encounters, and amusing anecdotes, written by aristocratic officers and humble privates alike, fill the pages of this ambitious publication. Many of these reports have not been reproduced for almost 200 years.
Crafty Crooks & Conmen
by Nigel Blundell Sue BlackhallFrom Clifford Irving and his Howard Hughes hoax to the great imposter Frank &“Catch Me if You Can&” Abagnale—a fascinating history of the art of the con. They&’re shrewd, cunning, devious—and charmingly trustworthy. While the criminal exploits of these tricksters, frauds, and swindlers can&’t be condoned, it&’s near-impossible not to be awed by their audacity and ingenuity. Take Victor Lustig, the &“Bouncing Czech&” who sold the Eiffel Tower—twice; John Stonehouse, a philandering politician who faked his own death to escape his sins; the impotence cure of the bizarre Dr. John Brinkley who transplanted goat testicles on gullible men; embarrassingly successful Goldman Sachs embezzler Joyti De-Laurey; or Robert Hendy-Freegard, a car salesman and serial seducer who convinced scores of women he was an MI5 agent. Here, too, are the exploits of a &“friend of the stars&” who infiltrated a royal castle; a fake Scots &“laird&” who operated from the heart of Scotland Yard; evangelists who fell from grace; and other pilferers, parasites, artful dodgers, charming bastards, femme fatales, big fat liars, and grand masters of dishonorable mention.