The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum

This is a captivating journey through the life of an unexpected criminal mastermind. This book offers a refreshing and intriguing perspective on crime in the late 19th century, centered around a Jewish woman who defied societal norms and expectations.

The author skillfully weaves together historical facts and engaging storytelling, bringing to life the cunning and charisma of this remarkable figure. As a reader, I found myself simultaneously shocked and impressed by Mandelbaum's ability to build and expand her criminal empire in a male-dominated underworld.

What makes this book particularly enjoyable is the detailed exploration of Mandelbaum's methods. From her humble beginnings to becoming the head of a vast criminal network, every step of her journey is meticulously documented. The author's research shines through, providing insights into the socio-economic landscape of New York City during this era and how Mandelbaum exploited its vulnerabilities.

Perhaps most impressive is the account of how Mandelbaum managed to evade law enforcement for so long. Her clever tactics, extensive connections, and sheer audacity make for a thrilling read.

For anyone interested in true crime, Jewish history, or women who challenged societal norms, "The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum" is a must-read.

Does a decent job of stating the facts about Fredericka Mandelbaum's control over an extensive, lucrative network of pickpockets, shoplifters, and bank robbers in the mid to late 19th century, which netted her the modern equivalent of millions of dollars in stolen goods. But I wanted more than a Wikipedia entry. The epilogue devotes only a few pages to exploring how a woman, especially a Jewish one, came to occupy such a unique position at that precise time. And there is no attempt at all to elucidate Mandelbaum's inner life or personality, which I guess is what happens when your sources are limited to newspapers, police reports, and legal proceedings. For obvious reasons, Mandelbaum never kept a diary or journal, but without her perspective she remains an unknowable historical anomaly.

I'm always curious to learn about different people, places, and periods in history that I have little to no knowledge of. In the case of The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum, I went in with absolutely no foreknowledge. In general, I'm not super well-versed in the era of the 1800s.    The book discusses the rags-to-riches life story of Frederika Mandelbaum. Starting out as a peddler, she ended up with ties to the underworld and ultimately became an entrepreneur. With 19th Century New York as a backdrop, the book offers not only a biography of Mrs. Mandelbaum, but also a look at the climate of the times. The book is rich with photographs which add to the atmosphere.    While I found the topic interesting and I was taken with the setting, I didn't latch onto Fredericka. The book had a tendency to stray, so maybe that was a contributing factor for me even though I did find the side players interesting as well. The topics of the book were another reason I struggled to connect on a personal level.    Overall, the research is solid and is presented well. A good read for history lovers!    A huge thanks to Random House and NetGalley for inviting me to read a digital ARC of the book!