The Duke of Deception

The Duke of Deception is a 1979 memoir by American writer Geoffrey Wolff about his father, Arthur Samuels Wolff. The book chronicles a life of systematic deception, including false credentials, unpaid debts, and invented social standing, exploring how a charismatic con man shaped the author's upbringing.

Yes, Geoffrey Wolff and Tobias Wolff are brothers, and both wrote acclaimed memoirs about their difficult family history. Geoffrey's The Duke of Deception focuses on their father's deceptions, while Tobias's This Boy's Life covers a different period of their shared family experience with their mother.

Arthur Wolff used false academic credentials, fabricated social connections, and elaborate financial frauds to maintain a facade of respectability. The memoir details specific instances of check forgery, unpaid loans, and invented professional qualifications that he used to impress and manipulate people.

The Duke of Deception was widely praised upon its 1979 publication and is considered a notable work in the memoir genre. Critics highlighted its unflinching examination of a father-son relationship built on lies alongside its literary craftsmanship.