Recent Reads: Last Numismatic Mutiny

 
The Last Juror, by John Grisham

I hate to say it, but this one just didn't work for me.  Likeable characters, a good setting, but it's not the usual Grisham thrill-ride. The pace is very slow (too slow), and the ending is predictable.

Numismatic Forgery, by Charles M. Larson

Audacity! Audacity! Audacity!  

Wow - I really should inspect things more carefully before "adding to cart" the suggestions on Amazon about "Customers who bought___ also looked at ___"

I have a mild interest in coin collecting.  I was ordering a couple of books and this popped up as a suggestion, so I bought it along with the others.  

Holy smokes!!!!  

It's not a history of or a beginners guide to or what to watch out for... It's an instruction manual!  It tells you step by step - in great detail, very specific detail - how to forge coins (especially "old" or "ancient" coins).  It tells you all the materials and equipment needed, melting temperatures, agents to make coins look aged or shiny, how to modify equipment that a jeweller might use, etc. etc. etc.  Very technical. 

This was actually kind of boring, except for the fact that it's just so darn bold!

Mutiny on the Globe, by Thomas Farel Heffernan

A real life pirate story! This has a neat start, then lags a wee bit, but soon it becomes quite fascinating and stays that way until the end.  Really glad I read it!