Fake: Forgery, Lies, & eBay
by Kenneth Walton
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Book Summary Information
Author: Kenneth WaltonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-05-08
ISBN: 1416948058
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Gallery Books
Book Reviews of Fake: Forgery, Lies, & eBay
Book Review: A true story the reveals the redeeming power of honest confession and regret... and the building of character.
Summary: 5 Stars
Kenneth Walton's book is a can't-put-down revelation of true character growth.
In the beginning, he describes himself as nothing more than a shallow, run-of-the-mill law school graduate who -- after only a year on the job -- was already desperate to escape his boring daily grind as just another faceless attorney at a large Sacramento law firm. I've known many young, newly-minted professionals (accountants, doctors, lawyers) in the same predicament: After investing years in their educations and taking on crushing student loans, they finally graduate and are suddenly faced with the reality of the inhuman hours, incredible stress, and limited options inherent in working for a large, traditional institution (as the author discovers, such big law firms are always the same, whether located in Sacramento or Paris). At that point, many start to desperately seek a way -- any way -- out of the madness. I know a couple of former corporate attorneys who are now much happier working at other jobs (rafting guide, truck driver) that have nothing whatsoever to do with the law...
Unfortunately for the young Mr. Walton, he didn't choose at that point to simply abandon the practice of law and run away to become an honest cowboy, fireman, plumber, Starbucks barrista, etc. Instead, he unhappily struggled on. Soon, his sad career plight was noticed by the slyly experienced Mr. Fetterman, who proceeded to milk Mr. Walton's desperation into a slippery plan to assist him in his lucrative eBay con games. However, since any successful con game depends on the greed and deception (especially self-deception) of BOTH the conner and the connee, Mr. Walton convinced himself to continue compromising his principles by acting as an eBay shill. He sank slowly ever deeper into his moral quagmire, mainly by choosing to adopt a Sgt Schultz outlook ("I know nothing... NOTHING!") towards the whole stinking mess. Eventually, the young lawyer gives up even that flimsy charade and commits a single act of deliberate forgery that explodes on eBay in a truly unforgettable manner.
Kenneth Walton is a wonderful storyteller. His clear prose and spare style move his tale of self-deception right along. I can't recall any other memoir that has impressed me so much for its sheer readability, and the honest and painful regret that is eventually expressed.
The real payoff (for both the author and reader) is in witnessing the amount of redeeming character growth which is experienced. In the end, he doesn't whine or complain about being treated unfairly, or try to justify his nefarious behavior. Rather, after finally coming clean, facing the music, making restitution, and accepting a felony conviction, Ken expresses sincere regret for his actions and the harm they caused to his victims (who were often working their own cons) and, most importantly, to his innocent friends and family members whom he let down (and who steadfastly stood by him as the saga unfolded). His denouement reminds me of the moral truth so forcefully expressed in the monologue by Danny DeVito's charactor at the end of the movie The Big Kahuna.
A great book!
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