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Philanthropy: From Aristotle to Zuckerberg
'This is the definitive book on philanthropy – its history, contradictions and future' – John Gray, Emeritus Professor of European Thought, London School of Economics'Good books lay out the lie of the land. Important books change it. This book is both' – Giles Fraser, priest, journalist and broadcasterThe super-rich are silently and secretly shaping our world. In this groundbreaking exploration of historical and contemporary philanthropy, bestselling author Paul Vallely reveals how this far-reaching change came about. Vivid with anecdote and scholarly insight, this magisterial survey – from the ancient Greeks to today's high-tech geeks – provides an original take on the history of philanthropy. It shows how giving has, variously, been a matter of honour, altruism, religious injunction, political control, moral activism, enlightened self-interest, public good, personal fulfilment and plutocratic manipulation.Its narrative moves from the Greek man of honour and Roman patron, via the Jewish prophet and Christian scholastic – through the Elizabethan machiavel, Puritan proto-capitalist, Enlightenment activist and Victorian moralist – to the robber-baron philanthropist, the welfare socialist, the celebrity activist and today's wealthy mega-giver. In the process it discovers that philanthropy lost an essential element as it entered the modern era. The book then embarks on a journey to determine where today's philanthropists come closest to recovering that missing dimension. Philanthropy explores the successes and failures of philanthrocapitalism, examines its claims and contradictions, and asks tough questions of top philanthropists and leading thinkers – among them Richard Branson, Eliza Manningham-Buller, Jonathan Ruffer, David Sainsbury, John Studzinski, Bob Geldof, Naser Haghamed, Lenny Henry, Jonathan Sacks, Rowan Williams, Ngaire Woods, and the presidents of the Rockefeller and Soros foundations, Rajiv Shah and Patrick Gaspard. In extended conversations they explore the relationship between philanthropy and family, faith, society, art, politics, and the creation and distribution of wealth.Highly engaging and meticulously researched, Paul Vallely's authoritative account of philanthropy then and now critiques the excessive utilitarianism of much modern philanthrocapitalism and points to how philanthropy can rediscover its soul.
1055 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2020
32 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Paul Vallely
17 books4 followersPaul Vallely is a British journalist and writer on religion, ethics, Africa and development issues.
He is Visiting Professor in Public Ethics and Media at the University of Chester and Senior Honorary Fellow at the Global Development Institute at the University of Manchester.
Follow this link for the retired US general Paul E. Vallely.
He is Visiting Professor in Public Ethics and Media at the University of Chester and Senior Honorary Fellow at the Global Development Institute at the University of Manchester.
Follow this link for the retired US general Paul E. Vallely.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 3, 2020
In many ways this book is a tour de force. The acknowledgments suggest it was written because there has been no ‘major’ study of English philanthropy for 50 years. Tricky word ‘major’, there are several recent studies and this certainly isn’t really about ‘English’ philanthropy. It’s ambition is much greater.
This is a book of two halves.
The first section is a hugely impressive account of the history of philanthropy from Classical Greece until the Welfare State and modern times. Here Vallely shines. He is a consummate writer able to bring each episode vividly to life and gives a rich tapestry of characters, artfully told. He is deeply concerned as to the philosophy and faith behind successive epochs with extremely interesting examinations of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. As a Catholic writer he is eager to set to rights the story of Catholic philanthropy in contrast to an overly enthusiastic version of the Reformation, but my understanding is that this approach is now widely accepted.
Although still strong I found the second half less compelling. It concerns itself with a number of debates in modern philanthropy including the oddly old fashioned ultra Utilitarianism of Effective Philanthropy and the metrics and techniques brought in the mainly tech entrepreneurs or hedge fund managers to ‘Philalanthrocapitalism’ . This section is often dominated by the massive US Foundations and the big beasts like Bill Gates. Little is said either about decolonising philanthropy or work taking place outside the U.K. and particularly the USA. These debates can be pretty dull even when described by such a good writer. And can’t we conclude with something a little fresher than impact investing?
Interspersed throughout are a series of interviews almost all of the elite of philanthropy and several from Vallely’s network from his involvement in Live Aid and the Commission for Africa.They add very little.
Despite these qualifications, it is essential reading for anyone interested in this area. It comes in at a whacking 750 pages and if you don’t have the stamina, the first half devoted to history is wonderful and much more sprightly.
This is a book of two halves.
The first section is a hugely impressive account of the history of philanthropy from Classical Greece until the Welfare State and modern times. Here Vallely shines. He is a consummate writer able to bring each episode vividly to life and gives a rich tapestry of characters, artfully told. He is deeply concerned as to the philosophy and faith behind successive epochs with extremely interesting examinations of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. As a Catholic writer he is eager to set to rights the story of Catholic philanthropy in contrast to an overly enthusiastic version of the Reformation, but my understanding is that this approach is now widely accepted.
Although still strong I found the second half less compelling. It concerns itself with a number of debates in modern philanthropy including the oddly old fashioned ultra Utilitarianism of Effective Philanthropy and the metrics and techniques brought in the mainly tech entrepreneurs or hedge fund managers to ‘Philalanthrocapitalism’ . This section is often dominated by the massive US Foundations and the big beasts like Bill Gates. Little is said either about decolonising philanthropy or work taking place outside the U.K. and particularly the USA. These debates can be pretty dull even when described by such a good writer. And can’t we conclude with something a little fresher than impact investing?
Interspersed throughout are a series of interviews almost all of the elite of philanthropy and several from Vallely’s network from his involvement in Live Aid and the Commission for Africa.They add very little.
Despite these qualifications, it is essential reading for anyone interested in this area. It comes in at a whacking 750 pages and if you don’t have the stamina, the first half devoted to history is wonderful and much more sprightly.
August 1, 2025
I got interested in philanthropy and charity at some point and I thought “Well, if I want to help the world around me why not understand a little bit more how and why people came to this activity”
There are many books about charity: the morals around it, its history or mechanisms but what I really needed was a concise history through time of how it came to be.
The author is really knowledgable and clearly cares about it. Thus his telling of the history from ancient times all the way to the Pandemic seemed really fascinating. I learnt so much how philantrophy evolved and morphed into various shapes which obviously reflects how people thought about their worlds. There were many interesting interviews with people who give regularly and not all of them are religious.
The only criticism in my opinion is that at some point the author got into too much details about certain biographies or philosophically unwinding certain themes which I found boring. That may not be the case for everyone but that is my take.
TLDR; If you are looking for a thorough but solid book about philantrophy, that is it. Enjoy!
There are many books about charity: the morals around it, its history or mechanisms but what I really needed was a concise history through time of how it came to be.
The author is really knowledgable and clearly cares about it. Thus his telling of the history from ancient times all the way to the Pandemic seemed really fascinating. I learnt so much how philantrophy evolved and morphed into various shapes which obviously reflects how people thought about their worlds. There were many interesting interviews with people who give regularly and not all of them are religious.
The only criticism in my opinion is that at some point the author got into too much details about certain biographies or philosophically unwinding certain themes which I found boring. That may not be the case for everyone but that is my take.
TLDR; If you are looking for a thorough but solid book about philantrophy, that is it. Enjoy!
March 24, 2025
Overall, Vallely’s Philanthropy was a long, flawed book from which I nevertheless learned a lot.
First, the good. At 768 pages, it’s a ponderous consideration of the topic, with much historical detail and a variety of philosophical angles. The ethical reflections are thought-provoking and sprinkled throughout, covering important topics such as the dignity of the beneficiary, giving locally vs. globally, and reciprocity. Contemporary interviews end each chapter and bring humanity, even whimsy to the text.
While the first half of the book shines with well-researched historical insights (including a delightful section on clapperdungeons),the second half loses momentum, becoming preachy and under-reasoned. Vallely has an unexamined (and undeserved?) deep trust for the state and corresponding skepticism of individuals. His commentary on tax policy is particularly frustrating. Politics and vibes bias his treatment of modern philanthropists: geeks like Zuckerberg and Gates are approached with caution and critiqued in detail, but rockstars get a pass. He dunks on Effective Altruism without ultimately engaging their arguments.
Despite its flaws, Vallely’s work remains a valuable resource for anyone curious about the evolution of philanthropy, from ancient Greece to modern Silicon Valley.
First, the good. At 768 pages, it’s a ponderous consideration of the topic, with much historical detail and a variety of philosophical angles. The ethical reflections are thought-provoking and sprinkled throughout, covering important topics such as the dignity of the beneficiary, giving locally vs. globally, and reciprocity. Contemporary interviews end each chapter and bring humanity, even whimsy to the text.
While the first half of the book shines with well-researched historical insights (including a delightful section on clapperdungeons),the second half loses momentum, becoming preachy and under-reasoned. Vallely has an unexamined (and undeserved?) deep trust for the state and corresponding skepticism of individuals. His commentary on tax policy is particularly frustrating. Politics and vibes bias his treatment of modern philanthropists: geeks like Zuckerberg and Gates are approached with caution and critiqued in detail, but rockstars get a pass. He dunks on Effective Altruism without ultimately engaging their arguments.
Despite its flaws, Vallely’s work remains a valuable resource for anyone curious about the evolution of philanthropy, from ancient Greece to modern Silicon Valley.
November 13, 2023
Excellent historical report of the history of philanthropy. The overall conclusion the author draws is for philanthropy to be rooted in relationships with recipients and not purely motivated by metrics defined by the rich and powerful.
The first half is an excellent telling of the history of philanthropy and the second half is a telling of the debates surrounding modern philanthropy. All of it is thought provoking and helps shed light on many important questions about philanthropy related to effectiveness, democracy, justice, and ethics.
The first half is an excellent telling of the history of philanthropy and the second half is a telling of the debates surrounding modern philanthropy. All of it is thought provoking and helps shed light on many important questions about philanthropy related to effectiveness, democracy, justice, and ethics.
December 16, 2020
I have not read this but added to my "to read" because Anand Giridharadas recommended. I think Anand is very insightful on these issues and so look forward to this.
I have never before "reviewed" a book I haven't read and would not normally do so. But given the general absence of reviews for what seems like a very worthwhile book I thought I would try to bring it some attention. I welcome feedback as to whether this is appropriate or not.
I have never before "reviewed" a book I haven't read and would not normally do so. But given the general absence of reviews for what seems like a very worthwhile book I thought I would try to bring it some attention. I welcome feedback as to whether this is appropriate or not.
July 29, 2021
Vallely is another professor who is not happy with how much he can suck from the taxes collected by the government. Here he is showing his extended knowledge after a careful examination of the tax declarations of Aristotle (?) up to Zuckerberg.
Or look at what intellectual frauds people are paying simply because they have friends in good places.
Or look at what intellectual frauds people are paying simply because they have friends in good places.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews