“Miles Away … Worlds Apart” is not a book that easily slips into any genre. Instead, Alan Sakowitz has written a book that, in one part, consists of inspiring essays in the vein of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series; elsewhere Memoirs of a whistleblower; and in the last part, a moral tale. It is actually a true police thriller detailing the outcome of one of the largest Ponzi schemes in Florida history.
In his book, Alan Sakowitz details his encounters with Scott Rothstein. Rothstein was a respected attorney in South Florida for the four years that he allegedly ran his Ponzi scheme. By all appearances, he was a well-connected philanthropist who delivered on what he promised.
But even in their first encounter, Sakowitz saw the telltale slip of a snake. Sakowitz highlights your thoughts during each step of the process. It tells its readers what the red flags were hinting at fraud, and it does an excellent job of illustrating the illusory nature of Rothstein’s ‘investment opportunities’.
Sakowitz includes anecdotes about his rabbi, neighbors, and family. They show the lessons Sakowitz learned throughout his life about the value of doing the right thing. Reminiscent of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books, these stories from your neighborhood illustrate the power of truth and the beauty of giving. People matter, all people … it doesn’t matter who they are or what they have done.
The moral compass instilled in him by his parents and strengthened by his community gave Sakowitz the impetus he needed to blow the whistle, even at the risk of danger to himself and his family. His leadership and integrity played a role in protecting colleagues and other innocent victims of financial ruin.
This book is the author’s story of his encounter with Rothstein, highlighting his entire line of thought.
