This book is an entertaining and frightening example of the workings of risk and return, two elementary concepts in finance. In 2005, Browder, an investment manager, had made a fortune investing in post-Soviet Russia. The author describes in a breezy, conversational style how he antagonized Russian oligarchs who attempted to thwart his company's investments. He then ran afoul of the Russian government when his tax attorney, Sergei Magnitsky, uncovered tax fraud committed by Russian officials. After this, Browder says that the government arrested Magnitsky and murdered him. Russia attempted to have Interpol arrest Browder via a "Red Notice," an international arrest warrant, but several countries have refused to honor it. Through Browder's efforts, the United States enacted the Magnitsky Act in 2012, which imposed visa and banking restrictions on Russian officials implicated in human rights abuses. The only shortcomings in an otherwise captivating book are extensive reconstructed dialog and an absence of sourcing. VERDICT Rich characterizations and well-explained financial intrigue make this a compelling read. [See Prepub Alert, 8/11/14.]—Harry Charles, St. Louis
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