Counterfeiter: The Story of a Master Forger

An apparent technological wiz, especially in the use of machine tools, British-born Black began counterfeiting traveler's checks--and then money--in the early 1970s. He took an artist's pride in his work, which mostly involved British and American currency, and received his supreme compliment when it was found that one of his techniques rendered a U.S. government detection device obsolete. As his reputation (and arrest record) grew, he connived constantly to stay one jump ahead of the police, not always successfully. But as told by Black and freelancer Horsnell, his story, filled with wry humor, will appeal mainly to prospective counterfeiters and fellow technocrats, so crammed is it with intricate details. (Jan.)