The Ivy League Counterfeiter
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About this audiobook
Cliff Evans attended a storied New England prep school and an Ivy League university, and when he finished, he turned to … professional counterfeiting. He and his team sought ways to make money illegally – by photocopying it. Why would someone with all the opportunities in the world turn to a life of crime?
In the Scribd Original, The Ivy League Counterfeiter, author and TV host Touré dives into how Evans built his operation and how it all fell apart. Touré and Evans were not just classmates – they were also friends. This true, gripping story goes deep inside Evans’s roller coaster life. It’s built on court documents and interviews with Evans, his mother, and his friends, who reveal that Evans was enamored with the street life – partly because he looked up to his older brother, a serial bank robber. His brother taught him the code of the street, but did he help bring down Evans?
The Ivy League Counterfeiter is a harrowing, heart-thumping journey that takes us from the streets of Chicago to the hallowed halls of Columbia University, and into the criminal underworld. This provocative, unforgettable story encompasses the wild, chaotic ride of someone who just couldn’t stay away from the street life.
Editor's Note
A deadly hustle…
After Cliff Evans finished Columbia University, he started making his own money. By using a copy machine. Touré, the author, was one of Cliffʼs friends. This book explores how — and, more crucially, why — Cliff was working in the criminal underground even though everyone around him was telling him to stop.
Toure
Touré is an author who has published six books, including I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon and Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness?: What It Means to Be Black Now, a New York Times and Washington Post Notable Book. He was a TV host at MSNBC, MTV, and BET, and a correspondent at CNN. He hosts the podcast Touré Show. He has written for The New York Times, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, The Nation, Vogue, and many other publications. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children. Follow his Instagram @Toure.
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Reviews for The Ivy League Counterfeiter
377 ratings23 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Great book! I I really enjoyed this book and the characters.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Believe
And trust Confidence and never give up on your dreams - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This story was interesting, but not as interesting as it could’ve - and should’ve - been. Insights into the main character’s motivations seemed too anecdotal.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is the best best best best best best book ever
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It was definitely engaging to see the procedure from a real life player in the game of explosives I have no idea why someone would give it two stars
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5It was an interesting story and Could’ve made a good podcast.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Nice book
The author did a good narrating too!
The reviews on good reads are a tad too low - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This would have been much more compelling if it was written as fiction based on true events.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Another writer who sees racism everywhere. I found it to be shallow.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Brutally fantastic - the writing is sharp and absorbing from page one, but the reading of it really made the story come alive! Bravo!!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5An interesting story but not very deep, especially about his second phase.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great book. Very well written/told. Sad but interesting. RIP Counterfeiter!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good story, well written and well narrated. Will read more of Touré.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dramatic, informative, insightful, a concise journey, heartbreaking, an existential odyssey.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A really great true story that kept me engaged, and was super well narrated!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fast paced , information driven, with easy to follow story line depictions . Good book
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I thought the author’s insight into the folly of wanting to be cool over wanting to be successful. Interesting how the justice system really does pick & chose who it wants to exploit
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Meh. Needed more details and background on the main character. Felt no connection
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5I will not listen to this lame justification of the racial system known as Affirmative Action. This guy basically spit in the face of the wonderous opportunities given him by our great society. This story is a prime example of the adage "You can take the thug out of the ghetto. But you can't take the ghetto out of the thug".
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5The story seemed to be OK, but the constant use of foul language caused me to cease and delete after a short time.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved the book. A very compelling story with a sad and unexpected ending. Well worth the time to read.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very interesting although tragic story.
I didn't care for the explicit language but it matches the situation and is all direct quotes from people in this true story. - Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Attempts to glorify a common thug with no morals and a terrible history. Cliff Evans is an example of the very worst of humanity and Toure wants to paint him in a sympathetic light. He's human garbage. Interesting story, terrible take by the author.
1 person found this helpful