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As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
While writing his autobiography, Jean Paul Getty—then perhaps the world's richest man—hoped it would be the final verdict on himself, on his many friends and associates, and on his times. Regrettably, it proved to be Getty died in 1976 as As I See It was going to press. Reissued with a number of additional illustrations, this lively autobiography introduces the famed tycoon to a new generation of readers. In its urbanity, wit, insight, and disconcerting candor, it comes close to re-creating the essence of the man himself. And what a man he was! Known largely for his fabled wealth, J. Paul Getty was highly educated, competent in six languages, a world traveler, and a committed collector of art. Whether describing how he amassed his staggering fortune, discussing the prospects of democracy, listing the seven key points success-oriented men should know about women, or recounting undergraduate conversations at Oxford with his good friend "David," the future King Edward of England, Getty is never less than fascinating. The cast of characters who populate his intimate anecdotes reads like a Who's Who of the twentieth Winston Churchill, Clara Bow, Nelson Rockefeller, Bernard Berenson, Bela Lugosi, Jacqueline Onassis, Richard Nixon, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Charlie Chaplin, and hundreds more. He discusses with absolute frankness his several marriages and liaisons and speaks honestly about his notorious stinginess and the often bizarre problems confronted by the impossibly wealthy. Richly detailed and immensely enjoyable, As I See It recounts the life of an American legend and the founder of the museum that bears his name.
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 22, 2015
I became fascinated with J. Paul Getty when I visited the Getty museum in California on a girls' trip. (Five stars for the museum, by the way). I wanted to know more about how the art was acquired and what made a man like Getty donate it to the public for their education and enjoyment. I wanted to know more about how the museum was built. That part of the book, came late and was very short, but it turns out it was enough.
This was a decent memoir that seemed like it really was written by the author himself. He had a stately, turn-of-the-century air about him. He led a dignified and interesting life, and of course, he was filthy rich, and who doesn't like to read about the filthy rich?
He shares his views on politics, business, relationships, civilization, morals, movie stars (many of whom were his friends) and money. An interesting read, but not a necessary one.
Don't miss the museum though!!
This was a decent memoir that seemed like it really was written by the author himself. He had a stately, turn-of-the-century air about him. He led a dignified and interesting life, and of course, he was filthy rich, and who doesn't like to read about the filthy rich?
He shares his views on politics, business, relationships, civilization, morals, movie stars (many of whom were his friends) and money. An interesting read, but not a necessary one.
Don't miss the museum though!!
August 17, 2009
This is phenomenal reading for anyone interested in current economic-political quandry the world is in right now. He wrote this book in 1975, in a time when the economy was just coming out of a rut. He predicts much of how the government is acting now and discusses it's pitfalls. So far it's been a fascinating read and I'm about 2/3 of the way through.
December 30, 2014
There are few opportunities in life to receive the unfiltered wisdom of a billionaire octogenarian, and even fewer where the focus is an open analysis of the authors sometimes catastrophic decisions. J Paul Getty is certainly not as warm as Felix Dennis, but his book is equally great at delivering new meaning with each re-read.
August 12, 2010
A good book with a unique perspective of a wealthy businessman who lived throughout the 1900's and all over the world. I think there are some secrets in this book that could help fix our economy today. Maybe the Democrats could read this soon. ..... doubt it though
December 15, 2011
Self obsessed ode. Talking about celebrity fiends and the money he has spent on parties art etc. I remain a Rockerfeller man
April 22, 2020
Man of complaints.
June 1, 2026
magnifique! if Rembrandt’s ‘Marteen Looten’ was a book, this would be it: wealth, discipline, ego, intelligence…and something quietly lonely beneath it all.
—
Countries-
1) Russia / bureaucracy: Getty’s impression of Russia felt more nuanced than the typical Western criticism of his era. Rather than reducing the country simply to communism or autocracy, he identified bureaucracy as the thing that drained vitality from daily life (the slowness, inertia, and over-administration of everything). A very human and operational observation than a purely ideological one, and in many ways probably a more enduring critique as well.
2) England: “Did I fall in love with England and the English way of life at that point in my life? No, I can't honestly say my responses were that strong. But there was no question in my mind that I liked England and the English people. Perhaps their strongest attraction and appeal was that they were so highly civilized. Although the Britain of today is a far cry from that of 1912, much of that civilized quality remains-at least in comparison to the rest of the world. It's as Arthur Koestler stated recently. Britain's atmosphere still contains fewer germs of aggression and brutality per cubic foot in a crowded bus, pub or queue than any other country in which I have lived.'”
3) France: “The French spirit— the verve and élan, the innumerable qualities that add up to create La Belle France, are constants that serve as a delightful and exhilarating reassurance in this era of ever-accelerating change.”
Relationships & Friendships-
“Unfortunately, it seems to be true that a marriage licence can ruin a relationship between a man and a woman faster and more completely than anything else. Before marriage, many couples are very much like people rushing to catch an airplane; once aboard, they turn into passengers. They just sit there.”
“I have long divided people into two groups—those whom I call ‘life enhancers’ and those whom I think tend to detract from life and diminish the life-enjoyment of those with whom they come into contact.”
—> my version of life enhancers vs. energy vampires 🥲
Art -
“The difference between being a barbarian and a full-fledged member of a cultivated society is in the individuals attitude toward fine art. If he or she has a love of Art, then he or she is not a barbarian. It’s that simple in my opinion.”
“To me, my works of art are all vividly alive. They are the embodiment of whoever created them—a mirror of their creator's hopes, dreams and frustrations. They have led eventful lives— pampered by the aristocracy and pillaged by revolution, courted with ardour and cold-bloodedly abandoned. They have been honoured by drawing rooms and humbled by attics. So many worlds in their life-span, yet all were transitory. Their worlds have long since disintegrated, yet they live on—and, for the most part, they are as beautiful as ever.'”
Other (iconic) quotes-
“I suppose I can sum it all up by saying that I've never been one to bet on the weather. It's unpredictable, changing from day to day. I bet on the climate, which follows patterns year after year, decade after decade.”
“the optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; the pessimist fears this is so” - James Branch Cabell
—
Countries-
1) Russia / bureaucracy: Getty’s impression of Russia felt more nuanced than the typical Western criticism of his era. Rather than reducing the country simply to communism or autocracy, he identified bureaucracy as the thing that drained vitality from daily life (the slowness, inertia, and over-administration of everything). A very human and operational observation than a purely ideological one, and in many ways probably a more enduring critique as well.
2) England: “Did I fall in love with England and the English way of life at that point in my life? No, I can't honestly say my responses were that strong. But there was no question in my mind that I liked England and the English people. Perhaps their strongest attraction and appeal was that they were so highly civilized. Although the Britain of today is a far cry from that of 1912, much of that civilized quality remains-at least in comparison to the rest of the world. It's as Arthur Koestler stated recently. Britain's atmosphere still contains fewer germs of aggression and brutality per cubic foot in a crowded bus, pub or queue than any other country in which I have lived.'”
3) France: “The French spirit— the verve and élan, the innumerable qualities that add up to create La Belle France, are constants that serve as a delightful and exhilarating reassurance in this era of ever-accelerating change.”
Relationships & Friendships-
“Unfortunately, it seems to be true that a marriage licence can ruin a relationship between a man and a woman faster and more completely than anything else. Before marriage, many couples are very much like people rushing to catch an airplane; once aboard, they turn into passengers. They just sit there.”
“I have long divided people into two groups—those whom I call ‘life enhancers’ and those whom I think tend to detract from life and diminish the life-enjoyment of those with whom they come into contact.”
—> my version of life enhancers vs. energy vampires 🥲
Art -
“The difference between being a barbarian and a full-fledged member of a cultivated society is in the individuals attitude toward fine art. If he or she has a love of Art, then he or she is not a barbarian. It’s that simple in my opinion.”
“To me, my works of art are all vividly alive. They are the embodiment of whoever created them—a mirror of their creator's hopes, dreams and frustrations. They have led eventful lives— pampered by the aristocracy and pillaged by revolution, courted with ardour and cold-bloodedly abandoned. They have been honoured by drawing rooms and humbled by attics. So many worlds in their life-span, yet all were transitory. Their worlds have long since disintegrated, yet they live on—and, for the most part, they are as beautiful as ever.'”
Other (iconic) quotes-
“I suppose I can sum it all up by saying that I've never been one to bet on the weather. It's unpredictable, changing from day to day. I bet on the climate, which follows patterns year after year, decade after decade.”
“the optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; the pessimist fears this is so” - James Branch Cabell
August 9, 2025
As I See It is an intriguing, if somewhat meandering, glimpse into the mind of J. Paul Getty. The book reads almost like a stream-of-consciousness diary, filled with anecdotes and personal reflections penned by the tycoon himself. In the early chapters, Getty shares his journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. While he sketches out how he achieved his early successes, he doesn’t delve deeply into the nitty-gritty details of expanding his empire internationally. For instance, he wraps up the business side of the narrative around the time he acquired the Tidewater Refinery, leaving out further expansions abroad. It’s a bit of a missed opportunity for readers hoping for a more detailed business chronicle.
Midway through, the book transitions into Getty’s musings on politics, various countries, and social issues. His views, from a modern standpoint, can come off as a bit dated or tinged with a colonialist attitude, which might feel “mid” or unremarkable to some readers. There’s also a fair amount of content about his personal life—particularly his multiple marriages. Getty portrays himself as a man deeply focused on business to the detriment of his family life. He admits he prioritized his work over his wives and children, and there’s an almost casual acknowledgment that once a child was born, his interest in the marriage faded. It’s a candid and somewhat jarring admission, revealing a lot about his character.
One of the highlights, though, is when Getty dives into his passion for art collecting. He recounts buying a Rembrandt for what was then $65,000—about a million dollars in today’s money—and building what is now the Getty Villa. His enthusiasm for Renaissance art, Roman and Greek sculptures, and even 18th and 19th-century French furniture is genuinely engaging. In these sections, the book really comes alive.
Overall, As I See It might not be a must-read cover to cover, but it has some fascinating parts that give you a unique window into Getty’s world—his business mind, his personal quirks, and his artistic passions. It’s an interesting but mixed bag.
Midway through, the book transitions into Getty’s musings on politics, various countries, and social issues. His views, from a modern standpoint, can come off as a bit dated or tinged with a colonialist attitude, which might feel “mid” or unremarkable to some readers. There’s also a fair amount of content about his personal life—particularly his multiple marriages. Getty portrays himself as a man deeply focused on business to the detriment of his family life. He admits he prioritized his work over his wives and children, and there’s an almost casual acknowledgment that once a child was born, his interest in the marriage faded. It’s a candid and somewhat jarring admission, revealing a lot about his character.
One of the highlights, though, is when Getty dives into his passion for art collecting. He recounts buying a Rembrandt for what was then $65,000—about a million dollars in today’s money—and building what is now the Getty Villa. His enthusiasm for Renaissance art, Roman and Greek sculptures, and even 18th and 19th-century French furniture is genuinely engaging. In these sections, the book really comes alive.
Overall, As I See It might not be a must-read cover to cover, but it has some fascinating parts that give you a unique window into Getty’s world—his business mind, his personal quirks, and his artistic passions. It’s an interesting but mixed bag.
April 20, 2018
Wow absorbing and vibrating book
When I finished reading this amazing epic memoir my thoughts changed.
One of my favorite books all time.
JP Getty in his days was a real business man.
Born in a rich family, worked hard as ordinary worker for his father George Getty in his oil refineries.
He learnt for many years from his father on how to do business, how to be a champion and how to get rich.
When he returned from Oxford, England he took the position of Mr. Getty father but his conservative mother separated him from Getty Trust.
He must to star again himself. And he succeeds with hard work and good connections.
After many perforations they found too many oil wells, building fastly a great company.
But as many young men, JP Getty was seduced by easygoing life and glamour; soon he godfathered extravagant parties in CA.
Later Mr. Getty remembers this period of his life and boring and lazy.
In the second stage of his career as oil man Jean Paul crossed the Atlantic to ME to do business with the powerful shakes. Risking too much of his money. Many advised him to abandon and back to the States, but he was a man of extraordinary caliber and risk taker.
He never gave up in his oil exploration in ME. Years of hard work he found too much oil.
He became of the richest man of USA in the 50s
I love the way how he sees the life in this book.
His points of view are unique.
He was mega successful man, perseverant and productive.
As an oil mogul he had great detractor and friends. One of great friends was the golden Greek, Ari Onassis
And both men had huge respect and admiration each other.
When I finished reading this amazing epic memoir my thoughts changed.
One of my favorite books all time.
JP Getty in his days was a real business man.
Born in a rich family, worked hard as ordinary worker for his father George Getty in his oil refineries.
He learnt for many years from his father on how to do business, how to be a champion and how to get rich.
When he returned from Oxford, England he took the position of Mr. Getty father but his conservative mother separated him from Getty Trust.
He must to star again himself. And he succeeds with hard work and good connections.
After many perforations they found too many oil wells, building fastly a great company.
But as many young men, JP Getty was seduced by easygoing life and glamour; soon he godfathered extravagant parties in CA.
Later Mr. Getty remembers this period of his life and boring and lazy.
In the second stage of his career as oil man Jean Paul crossed the Atlantic to ME to do business with the powerful shakes. Risking too much of his money. Many advised him to abandon and back to the States, but he was a man of extraordinary caliber and risk taker.
He never gave up in his oil exploration in ME. Years of hard work he found too much oil.
He became of the richest man of USA in the 50s
I love the way how he sees the life in this book.
His points of view are unique.
He was mega successful man, perseverant and productive.
As an oil mogul he had great detractor and friends. One of great friends was the golden Greek, Ari Onassis
And both men had huge respect and admiration each other.
April 16, 2020
Like Ty Cobb, all I knew about J. Paul Getty was the stories I heard about him. It turned out that Ty Cobb was greatly different from his negative public image, and the same can be said of Getty as well. He writes about himself and does not make a self-hagiography.
Having been born an only surviving child to already moderately wealthy parents, Getty had a basically normal childhood and went into the oil business as encouraged by his father. He liked it and proved very capable of dealing with it in an era when it was still a relatively new industry, retiring when he made millions at a young age, but wanting to go to work again instead of staying among the idle rich. His fortune grew and grew as he met people and worked very long hours. Unfortunately by how own admission, he married five times in his youth, only to divorce each time, and had several sons, but letting his ex-wives do the upbringing.
His political views may have been old-fashioned but by no means dated; some predictions turned out to be false but others true. Perhaps his most surprising statements are his defense of the oil-producing nations in raising their oil prices and controlling production, but logical when he realized how such nations had long been exploited by Europe and the USA. Other of his views might surprise you; the book is worth reading for the surprises I mention, whatever you think of Getty himself.
Having been born an only surviving child to already moderately wealthy parents, Getty had a basically normal childhood and went into the oil business as encouraged by his father. He liked it and proved very capable of dealing with it in an era when it was still a relatively new industry, retiring when he made millions at a young age, but wanting to go to work again instead of staying among the idle rich. His fortune grew and grew as he met people and worked very long hours. Unfortunately by how own admission, he married five times in his youth, only to divorce each time, and had several sons, but letting his ex-wives do the upbringing.
His political views may have been old-fashioned but by no means dated; some predictions turned out to be false but others true. Perhaps his most surprising statements are his defense of the oil-producing nations in raising their oil prices and controlling production, but logical when he realized how such nations had long been exploited by Europe and the USA. Other of his views might surprise you; the book is worth reading for the surprises I mention, whatever you think of Getty himself.
April 29, 2023
If you've ever wondered what doesn't the richest person in the world think about various topics, Getty provides you with a candid, eloquent and witty answers. From the feminist movement and women relations in his various companies, the purpose of wealthy and how the wealthy's finances actually is, his view on the US debt ceiling, his views on crime in the US, his multiple marriages and what he believes the best way for marriage, relations with his kids, art and a list of other topics.
I think the other important thing I took away was being able to contrast Gettys time with present day on the topics he does discuss. The book will soon be 50 years old in a few years, and you can see that many things haven't changed despite the rise in technology.
I would recommend this book for anyone just interested in the candid perspective of the richest person in the world. You'll find that they aren't that different from being just like you and I.
I think the other important thing I took away was being able to contrast Gettys time with present day on the topics he does discuss. The book will soon be 50 years old in a few years, and you can see that many things haven't changed despite the rise in technology.
I would recommend this book for anyone just interested in the candid perspective of the richest person in the world. You'll find that they aren't that different from being just like you and I.
September 26, 2025
Thought I’d read this before my trip to L.A. for a museum tour which will include the Getty Museum. So, I enjoyed the first part of the book…J.P. Getty’s early years and family backround. That was interesting. He sure sounded like a hard working, fun loving guy who really loved to travel, learn and socialize. He made himself out to be a really nice guy….a man who really respected and liked and encouraged the women in his life. It was only later that we find out that he spent more time away from his (5) families than with them. But he just kept getting married and having children over and over again. His name dropping was pretty ridiculous too. Pretty much left me feeling that he was great in his own mind….others probably did not have the same opinion. Getty Oil went into bankruptcy about 11 years after he died.
June 20, 2023
An interesting insight into who, at one time, was the richest person in the world. He certainly had an interesting life, meeting pretty much every famous person who was around at that time. His thoughts on socialism are certainly not in line with mine, he's totally against social welfare but acknowledges that he was in a privileged position due to his family's wealth backing his early business ventures. What I liked about his life though was his passion for culture and, having bought the book in the Getty Museum in Los Angeles I will have pleasant memories of the walking tour through the massive site as the tour guide talked of how the Museum cost, in today's money, $1.4 billion. If you ever get the opportunity to visit the Museum you'll be awed.
June 28, 2020
This book was very interesting and definitely informative of his life but the high level of vocabulary, and I'm educated, made it very dry. I had to reread sections since I lost interest and it had me delving back in to comprehend. It gives you a clear picture of him but it is not something I would recommend.
January 31, 2022
Having watched 'Trust' and 'All the Money in the World', and having visited the Getty Museum and Getty Villa, I thought J Paul Getty's memoirs might be interesting. I was sadly mistaken. This is a long and tedious autobiography filled with boasting, special pleading, and a staggering lack of self-awareness. His writing voice is 4 parts Mr Burns, 1 part Grandpa Simpson.
November 20, 2019
Yes, he probably exaggerated, maybe he even made himself look good. But, he was the richest living American in the 1950’s and worth 6 billion dollars in 1976. You don’t reach that level of success without being interesting. Besides, his reputation of being a crazy person is why I read it.
March 4, 2025
The book was nonchalant as it could be given the wealth of this man, a truly fascinating character. Name dropped pretty much everyone who was anyone at the time, honest about his failings and triumphs.
October 23, 2018
Surprisingly candid and interesting
May 8, 2019
Old, rich,white guy going off.
May 14, 2020
Woah. The patriarchy and top 0.1 percent roots run deep.
January 5, 2021
Overall I liked this book but I would have appreciated it more if he had gone into how he built the company and perhaps his own personal growth.
February 23, 2021
This is the first book I am going to read twice. It is that good.
September 11, 2022
One of the best autobiographies ever.
July 31, 2023
Putrid.
August 23, 2024
Surprisingly beautiful and accessible. It made me wish I knew him, but now I feel like I do. We could all learn from his example, not to be rich but honorable.
April 12, 2026
This guy was actually pretty funny. Good in depth explanation of thoughts and experiences.
July 2, 2020
Spectacular insight of JPG life. Details business, friendship, and appreciation for the arts with a true businessman’s eyes .
July 6, 2022
The legendary Getty’s own autobiography. Gives us something of a tour through his life and explanations of his thoughts.
April 18, 2016
I have my personal fascination about Mr J.Paul Getty, which is why my comment on this book will certainly be biased. I am glad that he authored this autobiography just in time, i got to have a glimpse into his life, he thoughts and what really was about all those hypes and rumors.
I don't think we have man like this in this new age. People are different now, gentlemen of the old times are simply fascinating.
Apart from looking at his wealth, it's worth to take a good look at how much he had sacrificed, how hard he had worked to build his business empire. I was amazed by his open-mindedness, the willingness to compromise in the Neutral Zone deal, the willingness to accept the counter-party's difference of culture, language and so on. I do think it takes a big heart to own a big business. Wealth like this is not meant for the petty-minded. He clearly showed me exactly the virtues and characters that I have been fascinated about him all along.
I don't think we have man like this in this new age. People are different now, gentlemen of the old times are simply fascinating.
Apart from looking at his wealth, it's worth to take a good look at how much he had sacrificed, how hard he had worked to build his business empire. I was amazed by his open-mindedness, the willingness to compromise in the Neutral Zone deal, the willingness to accept the counter-party's difference of culture, language and so on. I do think it takes a big heart to own a big business. Wealth like this is not meant for the petty-minded. He clearly showed me exactly the virtues and characters that I have been fascinated about him all along.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews