Unholy Business - Nina Burleigh

People tell two versions of how Moussaieff made his billions, with a twist depending on whether the teller likes or dislikes the old man. The nice version is that for four decades he sold pricey jewelry to oil sheiks from a tiny shop on the ground floor of London's glittery Hilton Hotel, and also knew the prostitutes they employed. The sheiks paid the girls in jewelry because they deemed it more honorable to give their "girlfriends" presents than to pay them hard cash. After these transactions, the unsentimental ladies rode the mirrored and gilt elevators downstairs and sold the jewelry back to Moussaieff, at prices far lower than what the sheiks had paid. Then Moussaieff sold the pieces again at full value. The nastier version of the story, told by men who think the old man has crossed them, is that the jeweler sold the sheiks precious jewelry and then the escorts stole the baubles and brought them back to the shop.

This is a fascinating book that enlightens the reader about antiquities dealing in the Middle East. It reads like a good mystery as it uncovers the tale of master counterfeiters. The world of antiquity traders, collectors, seekers, archaeologists, and others associated with this little known subculture is detailed as a tale of intrigue is told. The author does a nice job of balancing facts from her research with a story line.

A whole world, previously unknown to me, exists in antiquity dealing. The book portrays the problems with counterfeiting, robbing of ancient sites, and the devious buyers and sellers. What a complex network exists trying to prove the Bible and other ancient texts. An enjoyable read that also educates.