Few people have led such an extraordinary life as Whitaker Wright. From his humble beginnings as an impoverished preacher he rose to become one of the world's richest men. But his downfall was as dramatic as his ascent. When his financial empire - which he had propped up by cooking the books - went belly-up he was sentenced to seven years in jail: only to spring a last dreadful surprise ... Drawing on family papers and archives from around the world this compelling account of Wright's life reads like a thriller and offers startling insight into the mind of the ultimate gambler and conman.