Book Review: The First Billion

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

The First Billion     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Christopher Reich
Class/Genre:   Mystery
...

A Russian Internet Service provider seeking Western financing. An ambitious investment banker based in San Francisco, risking his entire company on an iffy international Initial Public Offering. The remnants of the KGB, still up to nefarious tricks. A Matt Drudge type online news service, dishing dirt on financial ventures bound for premature bankruptcy. An FBI agent in somewhat over his head in the shifting sands of international finance. A planned sabatoge of America's Alaskan oil reserves. Swiss bankers violating various banking laws, as well as selling customers' secrets.

There's a good story here, but Reich has about 150 unnecessary pages in his attempt to tell it. In addition to the financial shenanigans, he presents an intriguing love story in which one of the lovers is concealing an important secret. Pared down to the essential action, I would have found the book engrossing. As it was, I was impatient for the meat of the action to occur, and spent more than a few minutes skimming.

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM