This biography investigates the meteoric rise and catastrophic downfall of media tycoon Robert Maxwell, seeking to uncover the mechanisms of his greed and the extent of his corruption. Author Tom Bower, a prominent investigative journalist, utilizes his extensive access to Maxwell's inner circle, business associates, and political contacts to reconstruct the tycoon's life. The book presents a detailed forensic examination of the financial malfeasance and personal volatility that defined Maxwell's final years, ultimately providing a comprehensive account of the collapse of his empire and the subsequent legal proceedings involving his sons.

This work is regarded as a definitive and rigorous investigative account of one of Britain's most notorious corporate scandals. The text provides a dense, fact-heavy examination that serves as a primary reference for understanding the scale of Maxwell's influence and the subsequent collapse of his business interests.