You don't read Bower for the psychological insight. He is a mediocre writer but a forensic investigator of diligence and genius. He is one of the very few people working in this field who has the patience and skill to trawl through complex financial histories and make sense of them for the lay reader. Because his research is so meticulous, the super-rich can't use the libel courts to shut him up. That's why he hammers his points home. Once he's said it, proved it and not been sued for it, he has created the solid foundation on which other writers can build. (And no, I'm not a friend or acquaintance of Bower's, just an admiring reader).

Where's a good place to start if one should wish to read him?

"Where's a good place to start if one should wish to read him?"

Here

"Black may indeed be a scoundrel. But he is other things, too — not least the author of a fine biography"

I had to read this several times to be sure it was actually written. I can't believe The Time actually printed it, too. Black has promised a 'spectacular trial'. I wonder if certain people in The Times fear unpleasant revelations. Never!

James, my first Bower book was the one on that wobbling monstrosity and permanent disgrace to humanity, Robert Maxwell - who was also a giant of a man, an intellectual heavyweight, a friend to all his editors, a supporter of the ordinary man (repeat for 90 tear-filled pages).