I utterly HATED this book. For starters, I know it's non-fiction, but it read like a poorly written textbook. Secondly, It was so all over the place that I had a difficult time staying with it. It didn't hold my attention and, given the option, I would not read this book again. You couldn't PAY me to read this book again, actually. The topics were so scatterbrained and not fully developed. It would, literally, change who the main subject of the section was mid chapter, and wouldn't necessarily tie in Appo until much later. It also got confusing when they were talking about father and son at times. For part of the book, the father was referred to as "Quimbo Appo" or "Appo" and his son wasn't mentioned at all, or was referenced as "his son" or "George Appo". Once he was out of the picture, and they were predominantly discussing the son, he was referred to as "George Appo" or "Appo". Later in the book, when they were reunited, however briefly, they would go back and forth as to who was simply "Appo" and who had their first name interjected before the surname.

Also, had I not already known about some of the places discussed in these pages, I have a good feeling I would not know what was going on or where this guy was. I would say it would be great to use as a reference for a paper, but I'm not sure I'd really be able to find the information I was looking for within these pages again unless I highlighted or used post-its. Finally, in regards to certain facts, it took repetitive to a whole new level. I mean, I thought that The Iliad and Odyssey were repetitive with their constant repetition of epitaphs, but this made those seem like nothing. I honestly had to stop myself a few times because I thought I lost my page and was back a few chapters from the one I was reading. I'm pretty sure I read the same sentence in at least half a dozen places in this book. I jest not. If you aren't required to read it, I wouldn't. ( )

It's an excellent book, highly recommended for not only the biographical aspects, but also for it's extensive look into urban crime, justice and incarceration during the second half of the 19th century. It's not a lighthearted crime story but a serious yet still very readable scholarly work. Extensive notes and references are included and also many interesting illustrations. ( )

Gilfoyle is an accomplished historian and author who wrote the often-cited "City of Eros: New York City, Prostitution, and the Commercialization of Sex, 1790-1920."

In "A Pickpocket's Tale" he examines the world of petty -- and not so petty -- crime in 19th century New York. The centerpiece of the book is George Appo, whose violent father, Quimbo Appo, was "the first Asian ever convicted of a capital crime in New York City" and whose mother was an Irish immigrant.

Gilfoyle uses the unpublished memoir of George Appo, as well as his own exhaustive research, to present a detailed picture of con games, graft, and crime in the 1800s -- and prison life for those that were caught. "A Pickpocket's Tale" combines impeccable historical analysis and great story-telling. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy history that explores everyday life and to anyone with an interest in the American underbelly. ( )

A fascinating look at the life of the demimonde in mid- to late-19th century New York. Gilfoyle follows the life of pickpocket George Appo—a scrappy orphan of Chinese and Irish descent—to provide an engaging social history about the urban poor. ( )

I started reading this book on a trip to North Carolina in January 2007. However, upon my return from the trip, I didn't find myself compelled to finish the book. It just didn't have enough to keep me going. ( )