The Art of the Heist: Confessions of a Master Thief

Despite its title, cover art, and Amazon summary description, only a small portion of the book is actually devoted to art and art theft. Instead, the majority of the book is about other crimes the author committed or was accused of, the trials for such crimes, and his time in/escape from prison. As I wanted to read a book about art theft, I was disappointed when I realized it wasn't.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Having previously read Master Thieves, this book was that much more enjoyable with the context of the Gardner Museum heist fresh in mind.Definitely a must-read for anyone looking for a good true crime story with priceless works of art at the center of it all. If you're a Boston native, I'm sure you will be even more enthralled with this story.This book is very well written. Myles Connor is obviously a very intelligent man with a clear passion for life, and this sentiment shines through even some very dreary moments in what many would probably consider a life misspent. I don't necessarily subscribe to this line of thinking in regards to Myles. He seems to have a code, and has truly lived life on his own terms.Part of the charm of this story, as told by Myles himself, is that he seems as torn as anyone when pondering life's meaning. In a strange way, he even seems relatable, and that is what makes this book stand out from others in the genre.This was well worth the read, although I imagine any museum experiences I'll have going forward will now be altered as I envision bandits lifting Rembrandt's and the like from the walls!

This was a great book. I live in Boston and know the area where Myles lived and "worked" and used to see him often playing at The Beachcomber on Wollaston Blvd in the early 70's. A fabulous musician...he could have easily made a great living at that alone. What a voice, what an act, and very easy on the eyes too, i might add.. I never believed he had anything to do with the murder of the two young women. He might have been "bad" but he was never that kind of bad. He was definitely framed, and the abuse by the press and the Feds was unfortunate but predictable. I knew all those characters too, (Delahunt, Bellotti, etc.) growing up in Quincy and most of them would do whatever it took to pave their way.Well written, honest as far as I can see, and very well presented. The Art of the Heist is a true story about the other side of life written in a very enjoyable style.

Confessions of a Master Thief, hardly. No mention of his years at Walpole State Prison where he allegedly headed the Execution Squad which was responsible for many of the 16 inmates murdered through inmate violence between 1976 - 1980. Extortion, drugs, murder and intimidation of inmates were conveniently left out. The Walpole management, up to and including the Superintendent, elevated Myles' stature among the inmates and they made it impossible for the officers to enforce the rules he allegedly broke with abandon.SCREW, The Truth About Walpole State Prison By The Guard Who Lived It, New Horizon Press, Far Hills, NJ, June 1989, mentioned the violence of the Execution Squad. If you doubt this, look up the record of violence at Walpole during the mid-to-late 1970s and compare it to his tenure while serving his sentence in IL. There was no Execution Squad there, because it was a better managed prison and he was treated the same as any other inmate. Must have been tough for him being anonymous and inconsequential.A true confession is coming clean on the alleged murder and mayhem, the alleged killing of witnesses to murder, the alleged collaboration with then District Attorney William Delahunt, who later became a US Congressman and who failed to indict inmates for their murder and mayhem while serving sentences in his district. Delahunt was appointed by then Gov Mike Dukakis, sponsored by then Attorney General Frank Belotti. Think about it. Sixteen inmate murders and only one indictment with no conviction. Yet, there were several attempts by Belotti and Delahunt to seek indictments for alleged officer brutality, yet no Grand Jury indictments. As stated by then Superintendent Fred Butterworth about the killing of inmate by inmate, "What do you expect in the big house?" Those words still resonate for it was and is the duty of correctional officers for the care, custody, control and rehabilitation of inmates.I am glad he has apparently turned his life around, but it is more a condition of the ageing process, for the vast majority of criminals just get older and no longer have the energy to break our laws. Myles' conforming to acceptable behavior is more likely due to age than any remorse for his criminal behavior.

I was expecting more. Conner wasn't even a brilliant thief - instead he mostly took advantage of lax security. The Art of the Heist is simply a sad story of a fellow who squandered intellect and talent, both musical and intellectual, by picking a dishonest path with violent accomplices. The book is one big rationalization of a man looking back on his life and trying to justify poor choices that landed him in prison again and again, leaving his family heartbroken, his relationships unsustainable, his fortune lost. I found myself questioning how much of it was true, or merely one last-ditch attempt to salvage a lost reputation. Finally, the biblical "Prodigal Son" feel remorse and regret and asks for forgiveness upon reaching rock bottom and coming home. I sensed little remorse or regret from Conner, and no real admission that he'd done anything wrong or harmed anyone. Perhaps this is simply Conner's final "stage" to play on. Very sad.

I did not expect this book to be good, but it was a real page turner, and Myles Connor is shockingly candid about his involvement in major art heists. He has a photographic memory and it comes through in the book, making the reader feel like you are right there in the empty museums or being chased by police. I met Myles and featured him on a show about his life: [...]