Today, I would like to introduce to you, author Alan Sakowitz, aka husband, father and attorney. In his best selling book, Miles Away… Worlds Apart, he weaves his tale as if you were reading a novel written by John Grisham. What appeared to be the “real deal”, created by the corrupted masterminded attorney Scott Rothstein was in actuality a Ponzi scheme. What exactly is the difference in the writings of Grisham and Sakowitz? Alan Sakowitz, “calls it like it is” in this non-fiction work, unraveling the biggest financial fraud in South Florida history!
As Alan unfolds this tale of deception, he also writes at the end of each and every chapter about the importance of community, family, integrity, leadership, and personal responsibility. The people mentioned in the close of each chapter not only live in his neighborhood but they portray a spirit of humbleness, a willingness to serve one another without reservation and openly genuine hearts. After reading, Miles Away… World’s Apart, I wanted to pack my bags and relocate to the North Miami Beach area!
1. What is the one thing you would like people to know about you?
My greatest pleasure is helping others and finding the good in situations. For that reason I did not write MILES AWAY...WORLDS APART as a history book about the over-the-top, opulent lifestyle of fraudster Scott Rothstein, but instead my focus was to use that way of life to suggest a better, more meaningful way to live. I wanted to show that other people are important and the choices we make influence others, especially our children. I wanted to demonstrate the importance of family, community, leadership, integrity, personal responsibility and other people. Those messages, I hope my readers take away and share with others.
2. How would you describe your book to readers?
Miles Away...Worlds Apart is a fast paced, entertaining story about how I became a whistleblower of a Madoff-like Ponzi scheme masterminded by Scott Rothstein, the criminal perpetrator who bilked his victims out of 1.2 billion dollars. In the book, I explain my decision to report Rothstein, regardless of the possible dangerous ramifications of such a decision.
However, Miles Away… Worlds Apart is not just a true crime story—it is so much more. In the book, solutions are provided for each deception uncovered, and readers receive the vital information they need to protect themselves from becoming the victims of fraud in the future. By using stories about neighbors, the book emphasizes the inner strength, love and generosity experienced by people who live according to moral standards.
My belief in just reporting what is wrong with society without offering solutions would be meaningless. A book about such an incident must also inspire readers to make our world a better place, protect them from danger or offer them tools to improve upon their lives or it is not a book I would want my name on.
3. What is your greatest desire in life?
Together with my wife, Leah, our greatest desire in life is to raise our five children to be G-d fearing and find what they can do to enhance the lives of others. The challenge is that we live in a world that places a high worth on accumulating possessions and receiving rather than giving. But the reality is, a life well lived is measured by what one gives, not receives. Giving and helping others bestows on the giver a level of happiness that can never be achieved just by collecting possessions. But still, many focus on what they do not have rather than what they do have, and therefore, they always want more and are never happy or satisfied.
4. What are you currently reading?
Visions of Greatness, a book of inspiring stories about what one would consider average people. There is nothing more powerful than the examples of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. In truth, no one can remain ordinary when they are doing extraordinary things.
5. How can readers contact you or purchase your book?
Readers can contact me at Alan.Sakowitz@LegacySeriesPress.com. There is nothing more enjoyable than hearing from readers especially when Miles Away… Worlds Apart has made a positive impact on their life.
Excellent interview. I found Mr. Sakowitz to be both interesting and forthcoming. The story seems to rank up there with best and the questions were right on. I enjoyed the final question. It gave us a real insight into what kind of person Mr. Sakowitz truly is.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this interview Toni, A non fiction crime story.. that certainly sounds interesting!
ReplyDelete