This book knocks the legs out of the diamond industry. What appears elegant and elite turns out to be a down and dirty industry, selling tainted, overpriced products. And they've maintained a monopoly during generations of anti-trust measures!

This book is very readable and very entertaining. I wrote a report on the subject for a MBA class which got great reviews. I'm inclined to think it was as much for the shocking truths which were revealed as much as my superior writing skills! I'd recommend this book to anyone who has ever considered purchasing a diamond.

This is an unparallelled history on the account of a most treasured mineral which continues to live on only through the de Beerse's famous and clever phrase: "Diamonds are forever." After so many found, cut, polished and rated by the 3 c's, it's stunning one can still be duped into buying a fake. There is a Statue in Antwerp, Belgium, of Lodewijk Van Berken, Go see it! You will understand!

Epstein was an early skeptic of the Warren Commission Report and the reasons why are laid out in Inquest. His approach is scholarly and measured. His assessment of Jim Garrison (Stone's hero) is scathing but well-grounded in fact. Legend is an examination of Lee Harvey Oswald and his time in Russia. Epstein has included updates at the end of each section to bring them up to date with current information. All in all, a masterful body of work

Edward Jay Epstein's News From Nowhere provides a focus on television and the news, probing the decision-making processes involved in network programming and news presentations and showing how internal politics often dictate the content and direction of television coverage. An excellent view on television content.

This 1978 book was made possible by support from the 'Reader's Digest'. It is about Oswald's relations with the intelligence services of 3 nations. The book starts with the defection of Nosenko (Jan 1964) who personally oversaw the KGB file on Oswald (p.7). Nosenko claimed that radar operator Oswald was never debriefed, and of no interest to the KGB (p.8); this story had problems (p.10). The CIA prepared 44 questions to clarify Nosenko's story, but the FBI refused to allow them (p.21). Marina's statements were accepted (p.24). Were her stories accepted because they told what the Govt. wanted to hear (p.42)? Pages 37-7 tell of Nosenko's deceptions, and failing a lie-detector test. But stress reactions measure other emotions besides lying; the Soviet Union did not use lie detectors, the CIA didn't rely on them (p.38). Nosenko's memory proved faulty. This didn't matter: the Warren Commission wanted a "lone gunman" verdict.

Chapter I tells of Oswald's youth. His favorite program was 'I Led Three Lives for the FBI", his ambition was to join the Marine Corps (p.59). He was elected president of his 8th grade class, his intelligence was above average. But schooling in NY city gave him Karl Marx as a hero (p.60)! Oswald joined the Marines, took the Radar Operator's course, and was sent to Atsugi where the CIA's U-2 was flown. Oswald minded his business and did his job well (p.68); he would travel to Tokyo on a 48-hour pass and keep it a secret (p.71). Oswald romanced a high-class hostess and brought her to the base. "There was nothing dumb about Oswald" (p.82). After he left the Marines he went to Moscow; someone there told him "the USSR is only great in literature" [fiction?] and he should go back home (p.106). Oswald was sent to Minsk, and again advised to go back home (p.108). Oswald learned more about "The New Class" and the reality behind the fiction. Pages 110-1 analyze Oswald's diary, and why it was fabricated. Page 137 wonders about Lee's marriage to Marina; but don't girls with an unhappy life at home marry the first chance they get? Oswald's changing statements when preparing his return are analyzed (p.153).

Book Three introduces George De Mohrenschildt, who made arrangements in October 1962 to move the Oswalds to Dallas from Fort Worth (p.189). (You wonder who was in control then?) Page 212 claims Oswald took a shot at General Walker, but presents no physical evidence. Oswald's' activities portrayed him as pro-Castro (p.229).

Other sources said Oswald had David Ferrie's library card in his possession; there is no mention in this book. Were other facts omitted? The 'Epilogue' says Nosenko was sent to deliver disinformation to the CIA, FBI, and Warren Commission (p.260); the latter wanted to believe this double-agent. Appendix D has a number of questions to clarify Oswald's life. Was this the last book to repeat the conclusions of the Warren Commission? You can find other books that offer more insight into the events of November 22-24 1963, and the aftermath. (The book "High Treason" goes into more detail on the JFK assassination and cover-up.)

I've read lots of book on the Kennedy assassination, and without question LEGEND ranks as the best, along with the other two books in THA ASSASSINATION CHRONICLES. LEGEND reads like a spy thriller, taking lots of twists and turns, studying the hidden agendas of all government agencies that had something to gain or lose by revealing Lee Harvey Oswald's real purpose in Russia. Through a careful analysis of the available evidence, Epstein points the finger at both the CIA and KGB for hiding and obscuring key facts about Oswald's life in Russia, and uncovers evidence that indicates Oswald was more than he appeared to be. Even handed and thouroughly documented, LEGEND is a must read in assassination lore.

I remember Armand Hammer appearing on the Tonight Show and other of guest appearances on the popular shows of the day doing his best to create a positive public image. He largely succeeded.

This book shows the deals he cut with rather awful people and Hammer's, being kind, questionable character. It is an engrossing story and the book is a great read.

The point is that this is an important story because of the relationships Hammer had with people in power in the Soviet Union, in the Middle East, and in Washington. Occidental Petroleum was and is an important company. Of course, Al Gore's father success, and much of Gore's personal wealth, is based upon carrying water for Occidental Petroleum. The company worked hard in post Hammer times to erase that difficult past. You can judge for yourself.

I believe that you will enjoy this book and warmly recommend it to you.

Epstein has written another intriguing book; he's truly a master at exposing espionage and intrigue, of which Hammer's life contained huge doses. Hammer, whether as a Soviet agent or as a "businessman" and "philanthropist" was motivated primarily by power and greed, Epstein demonstrates with a deft touch. It is difficult for ordinary--that is, mostly moral and honorable--people to accept that such moral monsters exist among us. Fortunately the "evil empire" that Hammer served has crumbled, and that's the best revenge against Hammer and his commrades. In every aspect of his life--whether in bribing Venezuelan politicos to gain oil concessions or contributing illegal campaign funds to people like Richard Nixon, Hammer took the dishonorable course. Thanks to Epstein, now in death Hammer hasn't really gotten away with it, since he cared so deeply about his legacy. Plan on not sleeping for a few nights when you begin to read this book; it's so captivating that you won't be able to put it down

You know that "truth is stranger than fiction" because fiction is limited by our imagination. Here, author Epstein, provides a captivating biography of Armand Hammer - a con's con. Hammer pulled "all the stops" in a brazen existence of deception that is way beyond what can be imagined by all but the most cunning connivers. Crossing even blood and family members, Epstein's true chronicle of Hammer far surpasses anything of the mass media fictional yarns or true, related stories of the same ilk. Exceptionally well-written and very difficult to put down: most readers will find Hammer's m.o. incredulous and not being able to wait to see what happens next. In short, a great biography and required reading for sensitizing to business hypocrisy.