Provenance: How a Con Man and a Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art

It is rare that a historical book can build suspense. Loved the book. Great if you are at all interested in art history. No background knowledge needed.

Not in love with the narration, but the story is very fascinating. I learned a lot and also was kept on the edge of my seat!

I just wish Audible books came with pictures! This is really a fascinating story and a look at the inner workings of the art world.

The narrator's voice is far too happy and prescribed for this book. it's like I'm listening to it being read to me eith a happy good morning elevator voice. This is my first book and it was free., however I wish I could get my free credit back. No offense to the narrator intended.. I recognize that voice.

All in all this is an extremely interesting story. It's sometimes hard to believe it's a story happening in the 1980s and 1990s and not in the 1800s. To perpetrate a con this elaborate in modern times seems impossible.

My only criticism with the story structure is a total lack of suspense. While the overall outcome may be known/obvious, even the minor subplots are made all too apparent long before the author dives deeply into their details. That being said, it's only a minor criticism and the story is worth hearing (even for an art neophyte, like myself).

I would recommend this to anyone who likes true crime stories and might want to see the other side of the story from either Hustle or Leverage from TV.

The build up of the whole process that Drewe went through to get the art sold was amazing. If the book was fiction I don't know if anyone would have believed it.

I liked that Marty Peterson didn't get in the way of the book. This is one of those books that was read so well that you didn't notice a performance.

I don't know that this is a laugh or cry type of book. You do have emotions about the people but it is more history/reporting.

I've been a fan of the Art Mystery subgenre for a while and this has been my first go with a true crime. I'm actually looking at some of the suggestions that audible provided because of this.

Her performance was dry, flat and disappointing. Interesting story. Rich content. I wish I had liked it more.

Engrossing story that's expertly written. This narration style is a bit annoying, especially at first. It needs natural pauses and breaks!

I enjoyed the insight into the mind of a sociopathic liar and the interesting history and inner workings of the art world. The extent to which humans can deceive others and themselves is fascinating and scary.

Artist with two young kids, down on his luck, meets swashbuckling conman who charms the artist into copying less-known works by the masters, for his own personal collection, he says. But not long after, during a visit, the younger artist notices his paintings have disappeared from their prominant place on the conman's walls. It's awhile before this artist fully understands hat his new 'friend' is doing with his paintings, for which he's been given increasingly large(r) sums of cash. And when his wealthy, well-dressed, smooth-talking friend asks him to attend an auction at one of London's most ite art museums, he realizes and is stunned to learn that his friend has donated, as well as sold, many of this young man's forgeries, which have passed the watchful eyes of the art world's elite. An incredible, fast-paced story that explains how the stuffy art world was initially taken for millions, during which its 'provenances' were fabricated to such an extent that many still believe there are fakes out there being mistaken for real. Fortunately, these authors write much better than me. If you like art and a fine story, you won't want to miss this one!