Bob Cowan’s collection of documents on the life and death of mining tycoon Harry Oakes makes no pretence to being a study or biography of its subject, nor does it offer theories about Oakes’s violent death at his Bahamian estate. Cowan has instead subtitled his book “An Accumulation of Notes,” which is precisely what it is, and how it reads.
More than half the book is taken up with a series of notes on the murder and the subsequent trial of Oakes’s playboy son-in-law, Alfred de Marigny. Much of it goes into considerable detail about trial testimony and will appeal to true-crime buffs.
The book is well-illustrated with 119 old and recent photos, together with numerous sketches, illustrations and documentation relating to Oakes, his role in the mining industry, and his murder.
Devotees of the Oakes mystery will find this book a fine compendium of facts and background on Oakes’s life and on the murder case. Those looking for a biography or history will do better to heed the author’s caution and look elsewhere.
Hi bob cowan remember me linda from the 1970s I was married to geoff can u please get in touch with me
Hello I am looking for bob Cowan the author of the book sir harry oakes an accumulation of notes my name is linda bob knew me in the seventies as linda bowles I used to hang around with him jimmy bradshaw and john cant remember johns last name can you help.
Kind regards Linda