Armand Hammer: The Untold Story - An Unauthorised Biography - Softcover

The late Armand Hammer - billionaire founder of Occidental Petroleum, philanthropist, art-collector, media mogul and "world citizen" statesman - began his protean career in the Soviet Union. This biography traces his life from its early days of friendship with Lenin and the Soviet factory that secured his fortune, to his crimes in America in 1972 - and subsequent pardon from President Bush. From Lenin to Gorbachev, Herbert Hoover to George Bush, Gaddafi to Margaret Thatcher, Hammer knew many world leaders. He survived years of FBI surveillance, allegations by US government agencies including the Internal Revenue Service, and investigations by the CIA and others who suspected him of being used as a tool by communist governments. The book explores the motives behind Hammer's incessant deal-making, personal diplomacy, art-collecting and humanitarian activities. It has been revised and updated since his death, containing material which had to be excised from the first edition, published when Hammer was still alive.