Perspective

"Metal Men" is written in the third person narrative. The author, A. Craig Copetas, repeatedly requested interviews with Marc Rich but was always refused. Copetas wanted to provide an accurate account of the metals trading world and Marc Rich's meteoric rise and disgraceful fall in it. Since he couldn't talk directly to the man himself, he decided to do the next best thing. Although research could provide voluminous material, Copetas decided that the best way to provide a factual picture of the world of metals trading would be from an insider's perspective. To accomplish this, Copetas became a metals trader, a position which he kept for an entire year. He dealt with international bankers, shipping companies, oil barons and commodities traders as well as mining companies and competitors.

Copetas conducted many of the same business operations that Marc Rich did. He found himself bargaining and trading for cadmium...