This book is amazing! The oversized photos are mezmorizing. I am a collector of the small egg charms used in the Czarina's Maria Feodorovna's necklace. I was thrilled to see photos of many of the egg charms I own. I love this book!

I couldn't ask for a better Faberge book. Exepting those by my freind Geza Von Habsburg.

An exquisite book, large format. Beautiful color plates. If you get one book on Faberge for the quality of its plates, this is it.

This magnificent compilation is th result of hard work and vision. Congratulations on your efforts Ms. Diba. You have brought the best of Persian artistry of this period to the rest of humanity.

This book is the best about the Iranian Qajar history I've ever seen. The unknown paintings, genealogical tables, beautiful design: all this makes it very important in understanding the great culture not only of Qajar but also of Zand, Afsharid and Safavid epochs. I wish there were more such books in the great world of not only iranian but of whole world's royalty.

If you like biographies, this is one to consider. This has to rank as one of my favorite biographies. It has all the elements of a great soap opera. It is a great insight into a man with the initial need to help a flailing country and then through the contacts he made as a businessman in Russia (including personal friendships with Lenin, Stalin etc.) becomes one of the most influential Americans in modern Russian history. His appointment book was a who's who of world polititians, his superfluous power and money allowed him access to the inner sanctums of Russian power unheard of during the American-Soviet cold war era. The book is an incredible introduction to modern Russian history and a must for anyone wanted to read about an incredible man. The story is told through a well paced and organized book. Both of my thumbs up.

Mr. Weinberg has placed himself in a position of great honor in our country for the information he has provided in his expose of Armand Hammer. Each page tells a mighty story, but most specifically Hammer's relationships with all those within these pages implies a tale yet to be revealed when the time is right...for Hammer, himself, is a sleeper as it would appear that he gave much to those of us yet remaining. But there is an underlying truth to his relationships with those within this manuscript should one wish to connect the dots--or rather, the individuals--and perhaps in the process find that the mystery is a greater one than that of his being a mere pencil-pusher back in the USSR. But the times they are a'changing, and Weinberg's words will serve to be prophetic in the long run. It was an excellent book to say the very least, as much is exposed within its pages with Steve Weinberg hitting the mark on this one with his insightful and amazing journalistic capabiliites.

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.