The Claimant: The Extraordinary Story of the Australian Butcher Who Said He Was a Baronet

I requested this book because I have always been fascinated by history and also historic cases of mistaken identity or questions of identity. I had never heard of the story of Roger Tichborne before at all and I found "The Claimant" to be a wonderful introduction to this mysterious case. At first glance, the story seems simple. A butcher from Wagga Wagga in Australia makes the stunning declaration that he is actually none other than Roger Tichborne, the missing (and presumed dead) Baronet of Tichborne Park. His biggest supporter is Roger Tichborne's mother who is certain that he is her missing son though there are others who back his claim. There are also quite a few others who are just as certain that he is an imposter. Eventually this question of identity is brought to trial to be put to rest once and for all. The author must have done a great amount of research and really has a gift for sharing the detailed information without making it a dry read.

Four out of Five Stars