If you read my blog then you know I am not a big reader of non-fiction, but this book was a gift. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was simply fascinating. It's the story of Leo Koretz, a Chicago lawyer who had a longer running and more successful Ponzi scheme than Ponzi himself.
The author, Dean Jobb, did a lot of research and methodically and clearly lays out the story of how Leo lured his family and friends to invest in his non-existent Bayano River timber forest - where he soon struck non-existent oil - and kept them happily reinvesting their earnings without ever being the wiser, for nearly 20 years. Leo is a really interesting character who seems to be able to charm just about everyone, and Jobb does a nice job of bringing him to life. And the end of the story was an absolute surprise.
I actually handed this book over to my husband, Mike, thinking he might enjoy it. That almost never happens with the novels I read.
Empire of Deception
Monday, February 22, 2016
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
