The Art of Making Money: The Story of a Master Counterfeiter

Abandoned by his father at an early age, living with his siblings and a bipolar schizophrenic mother in abject poverty, Art Williams had to grow up in a hurry. An extraordinarily intelligent boy, he soon turned to a life of petty crime until a master counterfeiter took him under his wing and mentored him in the craft. Thus was born the most notorious and successful counterfeiter that the United States Secret Service has ever faced.

William's specialty was the 100 dollar bill, and with the exception of supernotes, the most exact copy of the real thing the authorities had ever seen. Williams was able to replicate all the security measures built into the new 1996 currency release of the hundred dollar bill deemed the "New Note" so perfectly that his demand exceeded supply by a far margin. In this way he lived his life, supporting himself and his family and although eventually caught through an unlucky circumstance was soon free on a technicality.

To this day he would probably be passing phony notes had he not decided to look up his father and reunite with him after an extremely long absence. His search took him to a remote town in Alaska and in a twist reminiscent of a contemporary Greek tragedy, what transpired upon their rapprochement was his undoing. Today Williams is incarcerated and still proud of his master works of art.

Written by Jason Kersten, The Art of Making Money: The Story of a Master Counterfeiter is a fascinating read and an interesting look our currency in circulation, how the Secret Service, (whose two missions include guarding the president and the nation's currency), try to protect its integrity. There is no doubt that Williams is a master at his craft, but it just goes to show that even geniuses eventually slip up when involved in illicit activities.