The year is 1963; the setting is small-town Michigan. At age fifteen; Peter Fenton is a gawky math whiz schoolboy with a dissatisfied mother; a father who drinks himself to foolishness; and no chance whatsoever with girls. Thats when he meets Jackie Barron.Jackie is the unlikely progeny of Double-O and Vera; professional grifters running a third-rate traveling carnival; and hes been part of the family business since he started earning his keep as the Worlds Youngest Elephant Trainer. Jackie is a smooth-talking teenage carnie with his own Thunderbird; and with wisdom beyond his years.Jackie shares Petes way with numbers; and he has a proposition. Theyll start a rigged casino in Jackies basement and take their classmates for thousands of dollars. Pete hesitates; but not for very long. Two years later; hes working joints for the Barrons Party Time Shows; wearing sharkskin suits and alligator shoes; and relieving the public of its hard-earned cash. He learns to hold his own with veteran con men who have nicknames like the Ghost; Horserace Harry; and Talking Tony; and colorful personalities to match. This is the world of the Alibi and the Hanky Pank; of Flatties and the mark. Amazingly; Pete Fenton has never been more at home.But in this strange new world with its topsy-turvy code of ethics; where leaving a mark without a dollar for gas is outlawed while cheating a best friend is par for the course; the tension between teacher and student grows until Pete finds himself attempting the ultimate challenge: to out-con his mentor.Eyeing the Flash is a fascinating insiders view of the carnival underworld -- the cons; the double-dealing; the quick banter; and; of course; the easy money. The story of a shy middle-class kid turned first-class huckster; Peter Fentons coming-of-age memoir is highly unorthodox; and utterly compelling.
#1313148 in eBooks 2007-08-21 2007-08-21File Name: B003LSTY0A
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Many useful photos -- not just about paint colors but the overall lookBy TessaAlthough the mission for the book may have been to showcase the FB colors. they achieved far more. This book has full color photos on every page and is a wonderful compendium of period rooms. For me the photo of the brown and white dining room (walls painted in Dauphin. a color that looks quite different on walls than on my tiny chip) was worth the price of admission --- especially considering you can get a (barely) used hardcover copy of this book for less than $10. One of the best bargains Ive ever seen. in a truly useful and gorgeous design book.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great guide for Professional and Layman AlikeBy Jam-iFantastic photography and informative text; an unbeatable combination. As a professional. I need to know paints inside and out - and FB make low VOC. highest quality paint in formulations that most non-Europeans cant figure out. This books provides a useful ("this finish for this purpose" section) that I found extremely helpful. Each room has the colors used clearly noted - a great help to in visualizing the way a paint combination can look. Must have book for anyone who wants to use high quality paints and understand more about color. This is not just a "coffee table" picture book - but it could be -- its a marvelous reference tool too.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful book - material and style rather datedBy Susan HillThe book is definately one for your decorating library. The quality of the pictures and explanation of colors is good. The book also demonstrates the differences caused by the angles and placement of paint in a given room and how the color can change according to light and shade. The book. for the most part. is very traditional and is heavy on US decorating trends within the 2007 time-period. However. since the book was published in 2007 it does not reflect current trends in style and color. I should have realized this and checked the date of the book before purchasing. Styles and trends have changed since 2007 and new wonderful FB colors have been introduced. Having said this. the book is certainly one for reference and contains lots of lovely ideas and information. I purchased the book in excellent used condition and have no regrets.
