The Man in the Rockefeller Suit
The Astonishing Rise and Spectacular Fall of a Serial Imposter
Mark Seal

Viking Adult
June 2, 2011 / ISBN 978-0670022748
Non-fiction / Biography
Amazon

Reviewed by Nicole Merritt

This was a book that had me intrigued and I was excited to read it. But, honestly as I began my journey into the pages, I was a little disappointed. The story itself is one of great interest for many people because everyone knows who the Rockefellers are. The idea of someone being able to impersonate a Rockefeller without the Rockefellers themselves knowing he is an imposter is mind boggling.

I would have been more interested in the story, but after a few chapters, the writing style left me a little flat. I can't put my finger on it but I felt there needed to be more dramatic emphasis, and the voice of the author came across as nonchalant. Maybe because the main character had that affliction and it came through in his writing.

The story is still quite interesting as German born Christian Gerhartsereiter had planned his entire life to come to the United States and become someone other than himself. He embarks on a career of conning and using everyone he meets, taking on multiple personas in his quest. Finally, he ultimately becomes a Rockefeller, complete with all the extravagances.

This book is a product of over 200 hundred interviews with people who met Christian Gerhartsereiter during his lifetime of lies, complete with photos.