Bitter Scent by Michael Bar-Zohar 1996, Hardcover: items on eBay.com

Publisher's Note
The shocking story of the scandal that uncovered the cosmetics firm's association with French Nazis reveals the truth behind the accusations that L'Oreal executives protected high-ranking Nazis.

Industry Reviews
Bar-Zohar (Brothers, LJ 3/15/93), a specialist on Jewish-Arab relations, presents another masterpiece (previously published in Israel) about the corruptions and violations of France's antiboycott laws by L'Or?al, a giant French conglomerate, with the "zealous cooperation of the French embassy in Damascus" and other important French dignitaries. Bar-Zohar relates how L'Or?al yielded to the Arab boycott of Israeli products, which started even before the birth of the state of Israel. He also gives a fascinating look into France's murky past during World War II, following the complex story of President Fran?ois Mitterand's right-wing connections during his youth, activities as an official of the P?tain government at Vichy, and his continued and shadowy ties with top L'Or?al executives. The author also delves into the shadowy past of L'Or?al owner Andr? Bettencourt, a cabinet minister, senator, and recipient of the Resistance medal who was on the payroll of the Propaganda Ministry of Nazi Germany. Bar-Zohar's work is richly detailed and clearly argued but not well documented. It is a remarkable work designed for nonspecialists. Edward G. McCormack, Univ. of Southern Mississippi-Gulf Coast, Long Beach
Ives

This is a bland and simplistic overview of the ideals that the author, who is president of Amway, considers to be the principles underlying the American concept of freedom. The son of a cofounder of the Amway household cleanser and cosmetics distribution company, DeVos was brought up with a strong belief in Christianity and in the free-enterprise system. Drawing on inspirational anecdotes taken from a cross section of the population, he describes how people have bettered themselves both morally and in their careers by practicing such values as honesty, compassion, self-discipline, initiative, hard work, charity and forgiveness. An unrelenting optimist, DeVos is convinced that people can solve most of their problems by taking personal responsibility. He is opposed to what he considers excessive government regulations and taxes, and he makes the controversial statement that homelessness results from substance abuse, not poverty. And there are dizzying leaps of faith here, such as the author's hope that constructing an Amway plant in China and selling its products there will be "an important step toward future democracy in that country." (Sept.)
Lopate

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