Harry King: A Professional Thief's Journey

Although this book seems relatively obscure, I would place it among my favorites. It's the entertaining tale of a professional safe-cracker that was active from 1910 to 1960, told in his own words to a college professor who published his story in book form. I can't say how relative this book is to criminal justice or methods used today, given that his story is nearing a century old and technology has changed immensely since his retirement. However, I read this book for pleasure, and it was indeed that! Some of his exploits are downright amusing, while others are a very sincere look into a lifestyle and underworld that us normal folk will probably never get a taste of. Harry King's story is both believable due to his uncensored honesty and unbelievable due to the outrageous crimes he pulled off! The book's a short and easy read, only 150 pages, and I picked it up for only a dollar. So if you have any interest at all in a subject like stealing, please, pick up this book and hear the worthy life of Harry King!