The Helmsleys: The Rise and Fall of Harry and Leona Helmsley

If you enjoy the accounts of business tycoons, particularly in the real estate industry, you should anticipate a very enjoyable read from The Helmsleys. From beginning to end, this book, comprised of both Harry's rise to billionaire status and Leona's near equally compelling climb to success, creates an extraordinarily interesting narrative. While I would hesitate to put this book in the 5 star category, that would only be a result of it not likely garnering the same level of interest for those whose interests lie outside of the commercial real estate realm. Otherwise, this is a terrific book that I definitively advocate.

The book brings you through his start as a rent collector in the Hells Kitchen section of Manhattan through his phenomenal growth as a deal making legend. Read this book for inspiration, insight, information, intrigue and of course entertainment! In, "The Helmsleys; The Rise and Fall of Harry & Leona" by Richard Hammer a great section is when they talk about putting together the purchase of the Empire State Building in 1961. Using their tried and true formula of the syndicate with 3,300 investors buying share for $10,000 each with a 9% return, they raised $33 million towards the purchase. Helmsley did not put up a penny, and him and Martin Wein split half the profit after paying the investors their 9%. By Kevin Kingston author of, "A 20,000% Gain in Real Estate" http://www.bloglines.com/blog/KevinKingston