Charlatan: America's Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him, and the Age of Flimflam (edit title)

• Rated 4 stars

“An unbelievable story about the greatest charlatan in the US. It's amazing what he got away with and people believed him. He was famous for implanting goat testicles into the human scrotum in an attempt to improve virility, and cure impotence. He was pursued around the country by the AMA. He moved his operation to Del Rio and opened the most powerful radio station on the border in Mexico and launched the world of advertising and country music. For awhile he was the wealthiest doctor in the US. The author tells the most interesting story of this incredible fraud and his pursuit by the AMA. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“I picked this up on a whim and was thoroughly pleased. Like Devil in the White City, this book covers the pursuit of one mastermind criminal, but really it brings to life the amazing history behind quack doctors in the Depression era, the creation of the American Medical Association, and the first radio stations set up across the Mexican border to avoid US regulations. The craziest thing is wondering how much of this was experienced by my grandparents firsthand.

I highly recommend this book.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Really fun nonfiction reading, but readers should have a strong stomach for some of the medical procedures.”

• Rated 3 stars

“This was a great read as far as a non-fiction book. Very interesting, never boring, and, at times, made me laugh out loud. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“This is a terrific read, witty and informative at the same time. More than you ever dared hope you'd know about illegal operations involving goat glands. I was very sorry to see it end. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“Simultaneously hilarious and horrifying!”

• Rated 5 stars

“A jaw dropping account of snake oil sales man turned serial killer with tie ins to June Carter and Wolfman Jack. Unbelievable.”

• Rated 3 stars

“truth is truly stranger than fiction. fascinating in that so many people allowed themselves to be duped for so long. still, for all his evil-doings, brinkley was a pioneer. it is reprehensible that his chosen field led to the harm of so many people, though ignorance itself is not an excuse for allowing yourself to be taken advantage of.”

• Rated 5 stars

“A chilling, to the point of giddy jaw-dropping, tale of a serial killer in a white coat. Medical quackery so recent that it has relationships with both June Carter and Wolfman Jack.”

• Rated 4 stars

“One of the most shocking aspects of this amazing, disturbing and often disgusting biography is how recently it all happened...and then you realize, similar things are going on right now; the Charlatans of tomorrow. ”