Review by J. P. Dellova

When it was first suggested that I review this book my reaction was one of mixed feelings, it would no doubt be a dry tome for lawyers and accountants. But, to my delight, I was completely wrong. Though it's true that even lawyers and accountants might well gain from the information and advice contained within, it's actually a book for the proverbial rest of us.

The authors take the reader on what turns out to be a fascinating story with its roots in ancient times. It progresses through the Roman Empire with private citizens finding financial safe havens from forced Imperial loans. From there it begins getting into its own with medieval Britain. Kings of the period, as many of us may already have suspected, were notorious deadbeats when it came to repaying the so called loans, they had inflicted upon overly prosperous subjects. We learn how businessmen and the church developed a symbiotic relationship in which both gained in wealth and power.

The historical tour takes us to the United States, to methods set in place by the Founding Fathers and later, used, abused and altered by the notorious Robber Barons. We learn how much of what has traditionally been viewed as limitations and reforms was, in fact, set in place by the very people already in control to help guarantee their own position of prominence. In other words, to prevent others from doing what they had already succeeded in doing.

If this were the extent of the book it would already be well worth reading, but there's much more.

The authors draw upon personal experience and a wealth of published sources to explain the advantages, and disadvantages, of various systems of trusts and living wills. They offer practical advice on building wealth, not just in the immediate sense but also in the dynastic view. This is a book for those thinking in long terms. It is especially for those whose interest is in building a dynasty for themselves, their family and, more significantly, their descendants.

Covered are such topics as the importance of mentoring, and being mentored. Of grooming heirs for the responsibilities they will come into, selecting the right people to trust with your family's future prosperity, and how to set apparatus in place to safeguard against usurpation by the trusts' governors.

Also covered are the reasons so many individuals go astray with new businesses, never realizing a system that claims to be all for the entrepreneur in fact does all it can to ensure their failure. The book shows, for example, the statistical folly of hoping for a big windfall using such examples as the overwhelming preponderance of people who go broke after winning a lottery, or inheriting a large sum of money without a clue as to how it should be invested and used. The authors give advice on the importance of establishing personal, and family, connections among those in positions to help in achieving long term wealth and prosperity.

This work has already become one of the few books I keep within arms' reach, along with my unabridged dictionary and world atlas. I was so taken with the subject as to confidently make the main character of my current novel an attorney, specializing in wills and trust funds. All in all, this is one of the very few books I've read on any subject that not only achieves its stated mission, but also succeeds on multiple levels, many of which the reader will hardly have anticipated in reading the title.

Volume II, which is currently coming off the press, is a much larger and more detailed work devoted to court cases and other information specifically included to aid attorneys and accountants in their daily practice.

Very well documented and with appropriate appendixes, I recommend this book most highly to anyone looking to build family wealth, set up trusts for their family's future, anyone wanting to optimize a personal will, or interested simply in better understanding the economic and political system that shapes, indeed controls, our lives.

J. P. Dellova is a freelance writer and the author of several published novels and a short story collection. He resides in Central New Jersey with his wife, Marion.