Published in 1870, this book is L.A. Abbott's own account of his life as a serial bigamist and fraudster. He doesn't hide; he boasts. The narrative follows his exploits from New England down to New York and beyond, as he scouts for potential wives—often women with some property or savings—woos them quickly, marries them, gets control of their assets, and then vanishes before the ink is dry on the deed. Each chapter feels like a new episode in a chaotic crime spree, ending predictably with another arrest, another jail cell, and another daring escape or release.

The Story

Abbott paints himself as a clever rogue, always one step ahead of the law. He describes his methods in detail: the fake names, the forged documents, the heartfelt lies. After each marriage and swindle, he's pursued by angry families and local sheriffs, leading to his series of imprisonments. The book is structured around these seven incarcerations, with each jail stint resulting from a botched scheme or a past crime catching up with him. It's a dizzying cycle of deception, capture, and flight that reads like a travelogue of America's early justice system, seen from its worst guest.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't a moral tale. Abbott shows little remorse. The fascination comes from his sheer audacity and the window he provides into a different time. You're not reading for a hero, but for a captivating villain who explains his own playbook. It's a raw look at 19th-century life—the lack of centralized records made his crimes possible, and the public humiliation for his 'wives' was a punishment in itself. The book forces you to think about trust, greed, and how society tries to handle people who operate entirely outside its rules. It's also, in a grim way, very funny. His ego and his constant, failed attempts to go straight are almost tragicomic.

Final Verdict

Perfect for true-crime fans, American history enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys a first-person account from a spectacularly unreliable narrator. It's not a polished novel; it's a ragged, boastful confession. You won't like Abbott, but you might find his story utterly gripping. Think of it as the original runaway groom story, told without an ounce of filter. Just be prepared for a narrator who is proudly, unapologetically the bad guy.