Chapters in this book

1. Front Matter i
2. Contents v
3. Preamble: Bacchanalian Adventures with the Ultra-Rich 3
4. Razzle Dazzle
5. The Gold Diggers: Precious Metal, Poisoned Chalice 23
6. Vulgari: Flawed Beauty in the Gemstones Business 52
7. Icecapades: The Diamond’s Darker Facets 80
8. Pack Rats
9. Sketchy Business: On Art Connoisseurs and Con Artists 113
10. The Chiselers: From Tomb-Raider to Curator 144
11. The Numismaniacs: When Big Modern Money Chases Little Old Coins 181
12. The Cost of High Living
13. The Winophiliacs: Uncorking the Secrets of the Wine Trade 207
14. Puff Artists: Behind the Smokescreen of High-End Cigars 236
15. Afishionados: On Fishy Business in the Fishing Business 259
16. Invasion of the Biosnatchers
17. Jailbirds: If Parrots Could Really Talk… 291
18. The Hunter-Gatherer Society: From Law of the Jungle to Maw of the Market 315
19. Goring the Tusk Trade: Mammoth Task, Toothless Law? 343
20. Coda: From Class Struggle to Crass Struggle 366
21. Acknowledgments 377
22. Notes 383
23. Index 473