The ploy meshes with the cynical story that follows, of a poor boy with a Machiavellian streak who takes to heart an apprenticeship as a croupier in decadent Monte Carlo and becomes a first-class cardsharp.

NEWYORKER: The Story of a Cheat

The story follows detective Nick Burckhardt (David Giuntoli) as he discovers that he has the power to see various ghouls, werewolves, and other creatures disguised to normal human eyes behind normal human faces.

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With dash and cunning, Mr Schama follows his leading characters into the shadow that falls across his story.

ECONOMIST: Slavery in America

On one level, the book follows the narrative trope that drives so many celebrity memoirs: the rags-to-riches story arc.

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