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35th out of 43 books
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The King of Oil: The Secret Lives of Marc Rich
Billionaire oil trader Marc Rich for the first time talks at length about his private life (including his expensive divorce from wife Denise); his invention of the spot oil market which made his fortune and changed the world economy; his lucrative and unpublicized dealings with Ayatollah Khomeini’s Iran, Fidel Castro’s Cuba, war-ravaged Angola, and apartheid South Afr
...moreHardcover, 320 pages
Published
October 13th 2009
by St. Martin's Press
(first published 2009)
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A thinly disguised PR salvage job to reinvent one of the most notorious financial villains of the 20th century as a noble, philanthropic genius victimized and driven overseas by ruthless federal prosecutors. This task also requires that the author justify Bill Clinton and Eric Holder's 11th hour pardon on the last day of his Presidency. Admission: I have worked as an oil trader for 30 years and regrettably have done business with Marc Rich's company.
The author of this book was either ...more
The author of this book was either ...more
Elaine Nelson
rated it
I'm still working on what I think about this. Oddly enough, it's become bound up in my head with my thoughts about Facebook. (In short, just because it's legal doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.) I had a instant distrust of Rich, and I think the brief reference to Ayn Rand has something to do with it. Then "realpolitik", and one thinks of Kissinger, and I think there's a connection amongst people who have fled dictatorships, and one reaction being the development of an amoral out...more
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A biography of Marc Rich, a European Jewish immigrant who fled to the U.S. during World War II and went on to become one of the more successful commodities traders in the last 40 years. You can say he was at the right place, at the right time. He correctly gauged the volatile environment of the Middle East in the 70's, securing long term oil contracts which he was able to sell at enormous profit when turmoil struck, most notably the Arab embargoes, Israeli conflicts, and the Iranian revolution. ...more
Let's put it like this.
The story surrounding the "biggest devil of them all" is not at least boring. It can be argued that Mr. Rich (nomen est omen) is, in fact, the most interesting trade figure of the 20th century. Although the claimed start from the bottom (american dream fairy tale) is in fact widely exaggerated, a man can only admit that he was the best in his business. In the right time, on the right place with the right set of mind (somebody would say that you need the wro...more
The story surrounding the "biggest devil of them all" is not at least boring. It can be argued that Mr. Rich (nomen est omen) is, in fact, the most interesting trade figure of the 20th century. Although the claimed start from the bottom (american dream fairy tale) is in fact widely exaggerated, a man can only admit that he was the best in his business. In the right time, on the right place with the right set of mind (somebody would say that you need the wro...more
This is the biography of Marc Rich, one of the most controversial commodities traders in recent history. Through Ammann, Rich gave an extensive account of his oil trading from the 1970s through the 1990s. Although there was key information on the oil trade, I was disappointed with the book and felt that Ammann was too sympathetic towards Rich.
This book was very well written. Definitely gives you some great insights into a complex and greedy man. Willing to sell his immortal soul for Money. Money which he does not seem to be enjoying with all the bad publicity and cases against him.
It's certainly an impressive story and it definitely got me thinking about how the media can destroy someone's reputation, but I am not sure it's written/presented in the best way. I thought the book got a bit boring/convoluted at times...
James
is currently reading it
an internationalist master of capital. his formulas and methods are time tested and nothing new though his execution was extraordinary. still plenty of those cats prowling around.
Picked this up on a whim and became more interested than I thought I would. It's well written & if I were more business-oriented, I would have given it more stars.
A very boring book about a very interesting man. The previous biography ('Metal Man'), although not authorised, was more gripping to read.
It was interesting to me in that he lives in the same region that I do... I was lost though through much of the oil and trading details...
I had always wondered about the person for whom Bill Clinton was vilified for pardoning at the end of his presidency. I had not followed the Marc Rich case before his pardon. Thus, this book was a revelation and very interesting. Rich was a fascinating individual - brilliant and brave. The author was pretty even handed in his evaluation of the Rich case from the 1980's. However, I have come to the conclusion that Rich was a victim of prosecution bullying by Rudy Giuliani when he was a US At...more
Interesting fast paced tale of the Marc Rich and the oil industry.
Good read but probably only if you're interested in trading etc
Colin Kemmis
added it
Not the best narrative. The story was very interesting but missed that 'I'm there' feeling. Lacked flow with the plot - jumping from past to present and between topics was not clear.
I thought it was a very interesting story but I wouldn't consider it a book that was very well written.
My rating is a little unfair... I should have known that reading about a major tax fraud case immediately after living & breathing taxes would not be ideal! I loved the rags to riches section and all of the information about Rich's family and business lives, I just felt it got a bit fry in the middle. Actually 2.5 stars.
Very good. A well researched, and thorough unbiased account on an interesting man during an even more interesting period. Couldn't help but finish the book leaning in favour of Mr Rich.
Varshik Nimmagadda
marked it as to-read
Michael Baker
added it
Hirohiko
marked it as to-read
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