Swindled
Book Recommendations

Swindled

Utilizes narrative storytelling, archival audio, and immersive soundscapes to explore true stories of white-collar criminals, con artists, and corporate evil. From corruption and fraud to Ponzi schemes and environmental disasters, these financially motivated crimes have shaped our world in unimagina...

Episodes 173
Books 60

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

The Bushman’s Lair: On the Trail of the Fugitive of the Shuswap cover

The Bushman’s Lair

Paul McKendrick

Mentioned 7 months ago

134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

This book chronicled the saga of John Bjornstrom, the Bushman of the Shuswap, whose author felt the mystery he built still resonated in the trees long after he was gone.

His author, Paul McKendrick, who chronicled the saga in the Bushman's lair, told chapters in the go that the man is gone, but the mystery he built still hums in the trees.

Buy on Amazon
BRE-X: The Inside Story of the World's Biggest Mining Scam cover

BRE-X

Jennifer Wells

Mentioned 7 months ago

134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

Diane Francis, the editor of Canada's Financial Post newspaper, wrote this book about the Bre-X scandal.

This conclusion was shared by several others who had investigated the case, including the Bushman of the Shoe Swap, John Bjornstrom, and Diane Francis, the editor of Canada's Financial Post newspaper, and author of Bree X, the inside story.

Buy on Amazon
The Bre-X Fraud cover

The Bre-X Fraud

Douglas Goold

Mentioned 7 months ago

134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

Andrew Willis, the co-author of this book, suggested that John Felderhoff, as chief geologist, should have known about the fraud if he didn't actively participate in it.

This is Andrew Willis, the co-author of The Briex Fraud. John Felderhoff was the chief geologist. He was in Indonesia. His name is all over the scientific work. If he did not know, he should have known. He was incompetent.

Buy on Amazon
Quieting Your Heart: 30-Day Prayer Journal - Love Edition cover

Quieting Your Heart

Darlene Schacht

Mentioned 1 year ago

115. The Bling Bishop (Lamor Whitehead)

It was a self-help relationship book that Bishop Lamar Whitehead claimed was a New York Times bestseller, although there is no evidence to support this claim. He celebrated its release with a Louis Vuitton shopping event for his family.

Celebrating the New York Times bestselling author. God Made You a Wife and Not a Girlfriend.

Buy on Amazon
The Noom Kitchen: 100 Healthy, Delicious, Flexible Recipes for Every Day cover

The Noom Kitchen

Noom

Mentioned 2 years ago

109. The Machine (Tyson Foods)

The Noom Kitchen is the first cookbook published by Noom.

And check out Noom's first ever cookbook, The Noom Kitchen, for 100 healthy and delicious recipes to remote better living

Buy on Amazon
The Meat Racket: The Secret Takeover of America's Food Business cover

The Meat Racket

Christopher Leonard

Mentioned 2 years ago

109. The Machine (Tyson Foods)

The book chronicles Tyson's rise to power and provides a detailed account of their chickenization of the pork industry.

According to Christopher Leonard, who wrote a great book called The Meat Racket

Buy on Amazon
Call Me Commander: A Former Intelligence Officer and the Journalists Who Uncovered His Scheme to Fleece America cover

Call Me Commander

Jeff Testerman

Mentioned 2 years ago

108. The Commander (Bobby C. Thompson)

The book details the case of Bobby Thompson and his fraudulent charity, which was exposed by journalist Jeff Testerman. It was an award-winning series of articles he wrote that ultimately led to the arrest of the Commander.

Testerman has also recently released a book about the case titled Call Me Commander, so check that out too.

Buy on Amazon
Masters of Deceit: The Story of Communism in America and How to Fight It cover

Masters of Deceit

J Edgar Hoover

Mentioned 2 years ago

108. The Commander (Bobby C. Thompson)

The book was written by Jody Andes, who interviewed John Donald Cody, the commander, in prison numerous times. In a Q&A with her former newspaper, he was upset that the book was available for $17, as he felt his story was worth more than that.

She interviewed the commander in prison at least a dozen times for a book she wrote about the case called Master of Deceit.

Buy on Amazon
Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health cover

Dianetics

L. Ron Hubbard

Mentioned 2 years ago

107. The Technology (Real Water)

Brent Allen Jones was working as a lawyer in California and felt unfulfilled. He was looking for answers and read Dianetics, written by L. Ron Hubbard. He felt like the book made sense and that it could improve his life.

She was a Scientologist and she sold me a book, Jones told the newspaper, Dianetics.

Buy on Amazon
The Secret (1) (The Secret Library) cover

The Secret (1) (The Secret Library)

Rhonda Byrne

Mentioned 2 years ago

107. The Technology (Real Water)

Brent Jones claimed that the courses he required his employees to complete were not based on Scientology but were based on a comparable pile of bullshit called The Secret.

The courses had nothing to do with Scientology, Jones claimed. The philosophies were based more on a comparable pile of bullshit called the secret, a popular book in those days that touted the power of positive thinking and the law of attraction endorsed by daytime TV talk show gurus like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres.

Buy on Amazon
Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Ed.) cover

Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Ed.)

Ayn Rand

Mentioned 2 years ago

107. The Technology (Real Water)

Brent Allen Jones stated that he felt his opponent was dumbing down society by teaching children that capitalism was bad. He referenced the book Atlas Shrugged written 60 years ago.

You know 60 years ago there was a book written called Atlas Shrugged.

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Eighty-one Seconds: The Attack and Aftermath as Tornadoes Hit Pilger, Stanton, Wakefield and Wisner, Nebraska cover

Eighty-one Seconds

LaRayne M. Topp

Mentioned 2 years ago

106. The Tornado (Kim Neiman)

The speaker mentions that Daring Shiner told the author of the book "81 Seconds", Lorraine M. Topp, about how he took shelter under a bridge during the tornado.

He told 81 seconds author Lorraine M. Topp that he took cover under a bridge and held on to one of the pillars for dear life.

Buy on Amazon

Most Recommended

No One Would Listen: A True Financial Thriller Cover

Harry Markopolos

No One Would Listen

A True Financial Thriller

The author describes how the interview with Bernie Madoff unfolded, noting that Bernie Madoff dismissed the idea that there was missing volume and responded directly to questions, though not always with answers that made perfect sense.

"

He just dismissed the idea that somehow the volume was missing. He responded directly to every one of my questions, not always with an answer that made perfect sense, but in many instances they had a...

— Episode: 69. The Scheme (Bernie Madoff)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 69. The Scheme (Bernie Madoff)

The author describes how the interview with Bernie Madoff unfolded, noting that Bernie Madoff dismissed the idea that there was missing volume and responded directly to questions, though not always with answers that made perfect sense.

"

He just dismissed the idea that somehow the volume was missing. He responded directly to every one of my questions, not always with an answer that made perfect sense, but in many instances they had a degree of plausibility.

The apparent lack of volatility in the performance of the fund, Madoff told him, is an illusion based on a review of monthly and annual returns. On an intraday, intraweek, and intramonth basis, he said, The volatility is all over the place with the fund down as much as 1%. Those who believe there's something more to it and are seeking an answer beyond that, are wasting their time.

PROOF: The Anarchist Handbook Cover

Michael Malice

PROOF

The Anarchist Handbook

The "Anarchist Handbook" was highly recommended by the guest known as "The Bishop" during his appearance on the show. He highlighted the book as one of his favorites, specifically noting that it provided detailed, step-by-step instructions for various activities, including bomb making.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 63. The Bishop (John P. Tomkins)

The Bishop recommended the "Anarchist Handbook", suggesting it contained instructions for bomb making.

"

Or one of my favorites is the Anarchist Handbook, complete with step by step instructions.

Gift-Giving in Japan: Cash, Connections, Cosmologies Cover

Katherine Rupp

Gift-Giving in Japan

Cash, Connections, Cosmologies

Cash Connections was an instructional guide authored by Don LaPree on how to recover Federal Home Association insurance refunds. LaPree claimed that the US Department of Housing and Urban Development was sitting on millions of dollars of unclaimed refunds that legally and rightfully belonged to the people who had paid off their FHA loans in good faith.

"

Listen to how easy it could be. Boom. $500 richer.

— Episode: 58. The Pitchman (Don Lapre)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 58. The Pitchman (Don Lapre)

Cash Connections was an instructional guide authored by Don LaPree on how to recover Federal Home Association insurance refunds. LaPree claimed that the US Department of Housing and Urban Development was sitting on millions of dollars of unclaimed refunds that legally and rightfully belonged to the people who had paid off their FHA loans in good faith.

"

Listen to how easy it could be. Boom. $500 richer.

My life now is a dream since Cash Connections have came into it.

I finally get to get braces on my teeth, which I've always wanted to do. And everything I want now I can get as long as Don is doing Cash Connections.

Something Beautiful for God: Mother Teresa of Calcutta Cover

Malcolm Muggeridge

Something Beautiful for God

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

The episode highlighted the book as a beautifully written account of Mother Teresa, emphasizing a miraculous event captured on film that was described as divine light. The host expressed personal conviction that the footage represented an authentic photographic miracle and praised the author’s portrayal of the saint. Overall, the discussion conveyed strong admiration for the work.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 57. The Saint (Mother Teresa)

It was about Mother Teresa of Calcutta and mentioned a miraculous event that was filmed for a documentary. The beautifully lit shots inside of the home for the dying were the result of a miracle, divine light from Mother Teresa. It was a divine light from Mother Teresa, there was simply no other explanation.

"

And most of all, perhaps to the point right now, he has written a very beautiful book... ...called Something Beautiful for God, about Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

You'll find that it's divine light, old boy.

I am personally persuaded that Ken recorded the first authentic photographic miracle.

Something Beautiful for God

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, Deluxe Edition Cover

Todd Burpo

Heaven is for Real

A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, Deluxe Edition

The hosts referenced the title as a comparable account to a child's reported vision of heaven, noting that it was dictated by a three‑year‑old after a serious medical procedure and described a brief glimpse of the afterlife. No strong endorsement was given, and it was mentioned only in passing as an example of similar narratives.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 57. The Saint (Mother Teresa)

It was a similar story to "The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven," dictated by a three-year-old boy named Colton Burbo after complications from an emergency appendectomy. The book described Colton's brief glimpse into the afterlife.

"

Heaven is for Real, a similar story dictated but not written by three-year-old Colton Burbo after complications from an emergency appendectomy gave him a brief glimpse into the afterlife.

The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice Cover

Christopher Hitchens

The Missionary Position

Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice

In the book, Hitchens criticizes Mother Teresa, claiming that she believed the poor and the sick should suffer like Christ on the cross. He provides an anecdote about a man with cancer who was experiencing excruciating pain, where Mother Teresa reassured him by saying that he was suffering like Christ on the cross.

"

You are suffering like Christ on the cross, so Jesus must be kissing you.

— Episode: 57. The Saint (Mother Teresa)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 57. The Saint (Mother Teresa)

In the book, Hitchens criticizes Mother Teresa, claiming that she believed the poor and the sick should suffer like Christ on the cross. He provides an anecdote about a man with cancer who was experiencing excruciating pain, where Mother Teresa reassured him by saying that he was suffering like Christ on the cross.

"

You are suffering like Christ on the cross, so Jesus must be kissing you.

In Search of Enemies Cover

John Stockwell

In Search of Enemies

The episode highlighted that the CIA sued the author, driving him into bankruptcy, which underscored the book's controversial exposure of covert operations. The hosts pointed to this aggressive governmental response as evidence of the title's impact.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 50. The Octopus (United Fruit Company)

The Central Intelligence Agency retaliated against the book's publication by suing Stockwell into bankruptcy.

"

In Search of Enemies

Pretenders Cover

Nathan Allen

Pretenders

The book, "The Pretender" by Ellen Joan Pollack, was mentioned as a book about Martin Frankel and his testimony was interrupted every 10-15 minutes by his mom bringing him a glass of water or lunch.

"

Ellen Joan Pollack, who wrote a book about Martin Frankel titled The Pretender

— Episode: 49. The Genius (Martin Frankel)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 49. The Genius (Martin Frankel)

The book, "The Pretender" by Ellen Joan Pollack, was mentioned as a book about Martin Frankel and his testimony was interrupted every 10-15 minutes by his mom bringing him a glass of water or lunch.

"

Ellen Joan Pollack, who wrote a book about Martin Frankel titled The Pretender

Pretenders Cover

Nathan Allen

Pretenders

The book described Martin Frankel's testimony being interrupted frequently by his mother, who would bring him water or lunch.

"

Ellen Joan Pollack, who wrote a book about Martin Frankel titled The Pretender, Frankel's testimony was interrupted every 10-15 minutes by his mom knocking on the office door to bring him a glass of w...

— Episode: 49. The Genius (Martin Frankel)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 49. The Genius (Martin Frankel)

The book described Martin Frankel's testimony being interrupted frequently by his mother, who would bring him water or lunch.

"

Ellen Joan Pollack, who wrote a book about Martin Frankel titled The Pretender, Frankel's testimony was interrupted every 10-15 minutes by his mom knocking on the office door to bring him a glass of water or a brown paper bag lunch that she had packed for him.

EATING WHOLE: Easy & Healthy Whole Food Plant Based Recipes Cover

Michele Swaczyna

EATING WHOLE

Easy & Healthy Whole Food Plant Based Recipes

Belle Gibson wrote a book titled "The Whole Pantry" that contained recipes for whole foods and vegetarian meals.

"

Belle launched The Whole Pantry app last year. It's essentially a recipe collection full of whole foods and vegetarian recipes which is the way that we encourage people to get back to the fundamentals...

— Episode: 46. The Gamechanger (Belle Gibson)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 46. The Gamechanger (Belle Gibson)

Belle Gibson wrote a book titled "The Whole Pantry" that contained recipes for whole foods and vegetarian meals.

"

Belle launched The Whole Pantry app last year. It's essentially a recipe collection full of whole foods and vegetarian recipes which is the way that we encourage people to get back to the fundamentals of eating more fruits and vegetables.

Belle Gibson launched The Whole Pantry in August 2013.

I was a big user of social media, connecting with people through their health relationships or their lives generally. I thought if there were so many troubled people on my Facebook and Twitter and Instagram network that wasn't okay. How might I help them? Tell them what I'd learnt along my journey?

I thought of a blog, a website or an e-book and then I thought what did these people have in common? Easy, it was an iPhone. So I decided to go to that space and build an app.

Belle Gibson's book was no longer on shelves but that did not mean the story was over.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer Cover

Michelle McNamara

I'll Be Gone in the Dark

One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer

It was mentioned in the context of the Golden State Killer case, specifically as a 'haunting bestseller' that was expanded upon in the Audible original 'Evil Has a Name'.

"

Delivering all new details about the investigation and a stunning final act to the events of Michelle McNamara's haunting bestseller, I'll Be Gone in the Dark,

— Episode: 23. The Deputy (Frankie Bybee)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 23. The Deputy (Frankie Bybee)

It was mentioned in the context of the Golden State Killer case, specifically as a 'haunting bestseller' that was expanded upon in the Audible original 'Evil Has a Name'.

"

Delivering all new details about the investigation and a stunning final act to the events of Michelle McNamara's haunting bestseller, I'll Be Gone in the Dark,

Mogul: A Novel Cover

Terrance Dean

Mogul

A Novel

It was a book written by Lou Pearlman in 2002 that was used to promote his success as a businessman and was later found to be filled with embellishments and exaggerations.

"

That story would be almost believable if it had not originated with Lou Perlman himself in a book he wrote in 2002 touting his success as a businessman.

— Episode: 24. The Mogul (Lou Pearlman)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 24. The Mogul (Lou Pearlman)

It was a book written by Lou Pearlman in 2002 that was used to promote his success as a businessman and was later found to be filled with embellishments and exaggerations.

"

That story would be almost believable if it had not originated with Lou Perlman himself in a book he wrote in 2002 touting his success as a businessman.

Adventures of a Psychic Cover

Antoinette May Sylvia Browne

Adventures of a Psychic

Sylvia Browne addressed the gold mine investment fraud case in this 1998 book, attributing the failure to her ex-husband's actions and claiming she was not psychic about herself.

"

I am not psychic about myself.

— Episode: 22. The Psychic (Sylvia Browne)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 22. The Psychic (Sylvia Browne)

Sylvia Browne addressed the gold mine investment fraud case in this 1998 book, attributing the failure to her ex-husband's actions and claiming she was not psychic about herself.

"

I am not psychic about myself.

Lewis Carroll's The Hunting of the Snark: The Annotated Snark Cover

Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll's The Hunting of the Snark

The Annotated Snark

The title was brought up as a trivia question during the episode, where a contestant was asked to name its author and mistakenly answered Edward Lear. No recommendation or detailed discussion was given, and the mention served only as a brief quiz reference.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial
The Real American Gigolo Cover

Geoff W Hampton

The Real American Gigolo

The book was brought up while discussing Rael Hunter's memoir about her affair with John Edwards, noting that it contained the explicit details she was willing to share as part of her newfound fame. The hosts mentioned it in passing without offering a strong endorsement.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 15. The Gigolo (Richard Bailey)

Rael Hunter, the subject of the episode, wrote a book about her affair with John Edwards, and it was discussed in the context of her newfound fame and willingness to share intimate details.

"

Well, let's talk about the sex tape first. Whose idea was that? That was a mistake. So it was his idea? That's not true. We were in love and sleep deprived, and it was a stupid thing to do. It was a mistake.

I'll spare you the details, but they're in Rael's book if you're truly interested.

Quieting Your Heart: 30-Day Prayer Journal - Love Edition Cover

Darlene Schacht

Quieting Your Heart

30-Day Prayer Journal - Love Edition

It was a self-help relationship book that Bishop Lamar Whitehead claimed was a New York Times bestseller, although there is no evidence to support this claim. He celebrated its release with a Louis Vuitton shopping event for his family.

"

Celebrating the New York Times bestselling author. God Made You a Wife and Not a Girlfriend.

— Episode: 115. The Bling Bishop (Lamor Whitehead)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 115. The Bling Bishop (Lamor Whitehead)

It was a self-help relationship book that Bishop Lamar Whitehead claimed was a New York Times bestseller, although there is no evidence to support this claim. He celebrated its release with a Louis Vuitton shopping event for his family.

"

Celebrating the New York Times bestselling author. God Made You a Wife and Not a Girlfriend.

It's amazing how you can say we off to Louis Vuitton right in your house.

God Made You a Wife, Not a Girlfriend.

The Bushman’s Lair: On the Trail of the Fugitive of the Shuswap Cover

Paul McKendrick

The Bushman’s Lair

On the Trail of the Fugitive of the Shuswap

This book chronicled the saga of John Bjornstrom, the Bushman of the Shuswap, whose author felt the mystery he built still resonated in the trees long after he was gone.

"

His author, Paul McKendrick, who chronicled the saga in the Bushman's lair, told chapters in the go that the man is gone, but the mystery he built still hums in the trees.

— Episode: 134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

This book chronicled the saga of John Bjornstrom, the Bushman of the Shuswap, whose author felt the mystery he built still resonated in the trees long after he was gone.

"

His author, Paul McKendrick, who chronicled the saga in the Bushman's lair, told chapters in the go that the man is gone, but the mystery he built still hums in the trees.

BRE-X: The Inside Story of the World's Biggest Mining Scam Cover

Jennifer Wells

BRE-X

The Inside Story of the World's Biggest Mining Scam

Diane Francis, the editor of Canada's Financial Post newspaper, wrote this book about the Bre-X scandal.

"

This conclusion was shared by several others who had investigated the case, including the Bushman of the Shoe Swap, John Bjornstrom, and Diane Francis, the editor of Canada's Financial Post newspaper,...

— Episode: 134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

Diane Francis, the editor of Canada's Financial Post newspaper, wrote this book about the Bre-X scandal.

"

This conclusion was shared by several others who had investigated the case, including the Bushman of the Shoe Swap, John Bjornstrom, and Diane Francis, the editor of Canada's Financial Post newspaper, and author of Bree X, the inside story.

The Bre-X Fraud Cover

Douglas Goold

The Bre-X Fraud

Andrew Willis, the co-author of this book, suggested that John Felderhoff, as chief geologist, should have known about the fraud if he didn't actively participate in it.

"

This is Andrew Willis, the co-author of The Briex Fraud. John Felderhoff was the chief geologist. He was in Indonesia. His name is all over the scientific work. If he did not know, he should have know...

— Episode: 134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

Andrew Willis, the co-author of this book, suggested that John Felderhoff, as chief geologist, should have known about the fraud if he didn't actively participate in it.

"

This is Andrew Willis, the co-author of The Briex Fraud. John Felderhoff was the chief geologist. He was in Indonesia. His name is all over the scientific work. If he did not know, he should have known. He was incompetent.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.