What Burglars Can Teach Architects

George Leonidas Leslie arrived in New York by way of Cincinnati in 1869. You’d be forgiven for assuming that the architect hoped to carve out a niche for himself in the booming construction industry, helping to erect mansions and skyscrapers. Instead, he was scouting out the next spots to target on a spree of heists that would last nearly a decade.

Leslie leveraged his charm and training to wheedle into parties and scope out the surroundings. He strode in and poked around, and—thanks to his debonair posturing—didn’t arouse suspicions. The suave con man is a logical character to introduce Geoff Manaugh’s new book, A Burglar’s Guide to the City (FSG Originals, $16). Who better to bust into buildings than someone with an intimate knowledge of how they’re constructed?