LEAWOOD, Kan., Sept. 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- For centuries, governments and businesses around the world tried to prevent theft with what is now a complex series of laws and regulations. While most people view theft as an unlawful act that deprives the person or institution the possession of property or its use, one person views theft very differently. In the new book, Hope & Helium, author Saebloot reveals a biting story of greed, theft, and so-called punishment.
Hope & Helium is the true story behind the theft of over twenty-six million dollars. The three thieves--Blaise Christopher, Cecil Roberts, and Mike Manoukian--plotted to steal money from unsuspecting investors while arousing the attention of the media and the general public. In doing so, the thieves sent letters to all of their investors explaining what they did and why they did it. With the stolen money, Christopher and Manoukian flee the country but Roberts, who becomes overwhelmed with guilt, is left behind and decides to return his take to his investors.
The book defines greed as a form of hope, and it in turn defines hope as the confusion between desirability of an event with its probability. Its theme shows that there are people who use the hope of others to rob them, which results in feeding their own greed. Hope & Helium also contains a detailed look at the financial and legal systems, revealing several loopholes that make it easy for the thieves to steal money, leaving both investors and regulators helpless. Surprisingly, the author explains that stopping fraud is against the regulator’s better interest as they just want to catch people committing fraud so that they can keep the money that otherwise would have been stolen. The act of regulators freezing accounts of fraudulent companies is described as a hollow act to give duped investors the illusion that their money will be returned--a scenario that is rarely witnessed.
Realistic, philosophical, and thoughtfully written, Hope & Helium is bound to attract a wide range of readers, especially those who enjoy inspiring literature similar to the works of Ayn Rand. While most people are focusing on captured criminals, Saebloot’s book provides a refreshing look at the people who were never caught for their crimes. With real life corporate scandals involving Worldcom, Enron, and Tyco, Hope & Helium provides first-hand insight into greed-driven crime.
About the Author
Saebloot is the pseudonym for the writer of the book Hope & Helium. While his career, life, and personality are documented in the manuscript, he has no desire to be famous. Notoriety is something he prefers to avoid. He wrote the book because he wanted the acts to attain the infamy they deserved. There exists a statute of limitations on crimes delineated in the book; there are no such limitations as concerns the Internal Revenue Service. While there exists a statute of limitations on crimes delineated in the book, there are no such limitations as concerns the Internal Revenue Service. Although the author no longer has control of the money derived from the machinations described in the book, he prefers to live his life quietly where no one knows who he is or what he's done, and hopes to continue his life in such obscurity.
Hope & Helium * by Saebloot
Trade Paperback; $24.99; 411 pages; 1-4134-8668-1
Cloth Hardback; $34.99; 411 pages; 1-4134-8669-X
To request a complimentary paperback review copy, contact the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 836. Tearsheets may be sent by regular or electronic mail to Michelle Barba. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x.876.
Xlibris books can be purchased in any major bookstore, or online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders or Xlibris. For more information, contact Xlibris at (888) 795-4274 or on the web at www.Xlibris.com.