The Gentle Grafter


Read by Leslie Walden

(4.5 stars; 36 reviews)

If Jefferson "Parleyvoo" Pickens had appeared in print just a few years later, he might have been the "Gentle Grifter" instead of the "Gentle Grafter", the name O. Henry picked for him. His situation as an ethical graft artist gives Jeff an extra impediment in pursuing his craft, but he never wanted it to be too easy. The result is fourteen delightful tales for us and a number of new partners for him. With those partners (he always has at least one) he works his way through a number of confidence games. Some they win, some they lose, some go into extra innings. They seem never to end just the way you figure they will. In the end he conquers almost all, except for the English language, which often seems to defeat him. (Intro by Leslie Walden) (4 hr 36 min)

Chapters

01 - The Octopus Marooned 15:52 Read by Leslie Walden
02 - Jeff Peters as a Personal Magnet 14:51 Read by Leslie Walden
03 - Modern Rural Sports 16:30 Read by Leslie Walden
04 - The Chair of Philanthromathematics 16:23 Read by Leslie Walden
05 - The Hand That Riles the World 14:20 Read by Leslie Walden
06 - The Exact Science of Matrimony 14:36 Read by Leslie Walden
07 - A Midsummer Masquerade 14:31 Read by Leslie Walden
08 - Shearing the Wolf 13:57 Read by Leslie Walden
09 - Innocents of Broadway 15:32 Read by Leslie Walden
10 - Conscience in Art 14:07 Read by Leslie Walden
11 - The Man Higher Up 31:15 Read by Leslie Walden
12 - A Tempered Wind 40:48 Read by Leslie Walden
13 - Hostages to Momus 31:51 Read by Leslie Walden
14 - The Ethics of Pig 22:06 Read by Leslie Walden

Reviews

Well Read, Fun Stories


(4 stars)

Sometimes the swindler gets swindled, which adds to the charm of these stories. Very well read and good quality recordings. Warning: Story 12 or 13 (I cannot remember which) has some racial attitudes and terminology that is not acceptable today. It is towards the beginning of the story, describing how Jeff hooked up with his partner for their latest adventure.

Very humorous and a great reader


(4 stars)

I've gotten a lot of chuckles out of the GG stories but I think it's partly due to Leslie Walden's voice and the way he reads; it just makes them funnier. More Leslie Walden, please!

Every one is a lesson in spotting a con.


(5 stars)

Read with spirit, bravo!

gentle grafter


(4.5 stars)

love the book. thanks for reading, Mr Leslie Walden! !!!!