Safe As Houses: The Schemers and Scams Behind Some of the World's Greatest Financial Scandals [Hardcover]

Sam Jaffa (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

From the South Sea Bubble scandal in 17l0-which the author says may have been the first financial scam-to young Nick Leeson's activities that brought down Barings in 1995, this volume chronicles all sorts of financial schemes and scandals. Robert Maxwell, Ivan Boesky, and lesser-known frauds are described in this detailed, well-paced text. Each incident is framed in brief historical context, giving the reader just enough background to appreciate each scandal, from its roots to its unraveling. Although many of the high-profile scams?BCCI, Guinness, the Vatican Bank?have been addressed in the press, this volume successfully looks behind the headlines and shows the reader how such scandals develop, often of their own momentum. Jaffa (Maxwell Stories, Parkwest, 1993) takes an objective look at a world where people ask, as Boesky once did, "What good is it if you can't buy it or sell it?"?Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo & Erie Cty. P.L., NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 323 pages
• Publisher: Robson Book Ltd (August 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861050704
• ISBN-13: 978-1861050700
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,947,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good summary of the biggest scandals, June 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Safe As Houses: The Schemers and Scams Behind Some of the World's Greatest Financial Scandals (Hardcover)

If you're interested in an overview of the greatest financial scandals, this book is for you. From Nick Leeson to Ivan Boskey to Michael Milken to "Mr. Copper", this book gives a nice description of what happened, who were the main characters and some of the lessons learned. Don't expect, however, much details. Each scandal is described in 15-20 pages chapters, and as such details are limited to only the most important.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good summary of the biggest scandals, June 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Safe As Houses: The Schemers and Scams Behind Some of the World's Greatest Financial Scandals (Hardcover)

If you're interested in an overview of the greatest financial scandals, this book is for you. From Nick Leeson to Ivan Boskey to Michael Milken to "Mr. Copper", this book gives a nice description of what happened, who were the main characters and some of the lessons learned. Don't expect, however, much details. Each scandal is described in 15-20 pages chapters, and as such details are limited to only the most important.