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The Billionaire Who Wasn't: How Chuck Feeney Secretly Made and Gave Away a Fortune Audiobook
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(3.08) - 155 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This substantially updated edition of the Business Week bestseller and an Economist “Best Book of the year” tells the story of the secretive billionaire-turned-philanthropist, who is determined to give away his fortune before he dies. Chuck Feeney was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to a blue-collar Irish-American family during the Depression. After service in the Korean War, he made a fortune as founder of Duty Free Shoppers, the world’s largest duty-free retail chain. By 1988, he was hailed by Forbes Magazine as the twenty-fourth richest American alive. But secretly Feeney had already transferred all his wealth to his foundation, Atlantic Philanthropies. Only in 1997 when he sold his duty free interests, was he “outed” as one of the greatest and most mysterious American philanthropists in modern times. After going “underground” again, he emerged in 2005 to cooperate on a biography promoting giving while living. Now in his mid-seventies, Feeney is determined his foundation should spend down the remaining $4 billion in his lifetime.
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"Fascinating story of the evolution of one of today's most influential philanthropists. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I thought it was overly positive and flattering of Chuck Feeney. It's understandable given the kind of access the author was given, but it was still a bit annoying. "
— Penelope (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“A smart business book detailing some vicissitudes of retailing, wrapped in a vivid biography of an engaging tycoon.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“You may never read a book as uplifting as Conor O'Clery's The Billionaire Who Wasn't: How Chuck Feeney Secretly Made and Gave Away a Fortune.”
— Washington Post's Express -
“Feeney's beneficence already ranks among the grandest of any living American and may someday make him the most generous American philanthropist of all time.”
— Time -
“Conor O'Clery's fine and insightful portrait rightly ensures that this distinguished Irish-American is no longer unsung.”
— Bertie Ahern, Irish Prime Minister -
“Chuck Feeney is what Donald Trump would be if he led his entire existence backwards.”
— New York Post
The Billionaire Who Wasn't Listener Reviews
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" Can say much about the writing but the subject topic is worth every read if you are interested in non-fiction and one of the very understated philanthropic person/ organization of our time. thumbs up! "
— Kuen, 12/31/2013 -
" This was a great book about a great man. Truly an inspirational human being. I highly recommend this book to everyone. "
— Steve, 10/14/2013 -
" Fascinating story of a secretive man who had huge impact. Such a contrast to our notions of men of wealth. "
— Charles, 10/9/2013 -
" Should've been a more inspiring story, but the writing was tedious. "
— Jo, 6/19/2013 -
" Clearly a favorite. Very interesting. Story of Duty free shops "
— Deo, 9/13/2012 -
" One of the best books I ever read - captivating, inspiring. "
— Dane, 5/17/2012 -
" Fascinating story of the evolution of one of today's most influential philanthropists. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I thought it was overly positive and flattering of Chuck Feeney. It's understandable given the kind of access the author was given, but it was still a bit annoying. "
— Penelope, 3/29/2012 -
" If you're interested in the background and personalities behind smart businesses, then check out this book. "
— Paul, 9/12/2011 -
" I say it was OK only b/c I think the subject is interesting. The author can't write and the editors didn't do their job. I muddled through this for about three weeks and now I'm giving up. I wish someone else had written this book!! "
— Laura, 9/1/2011 -
" A good read about a fascinating individual. Not the best book I've ever read, but a remarkable story. "
— Matthew, 4/20/2011 -
" A great contrarian way of life, evoking thoughts of "need" vs "want". Yes, poorly written. "
— Renee, 4/9/2011 -
" A great contrarian way of life, evoking thoughts of "need" vs "want". Yes, poorly written. "
— Renee, 10/14/2010 -
" Clearly a favorite. Very interesting. Story of Duty free shops "
— Deo, 9/10/2009 -
" Should've been a more inspiring story, but the writing was tedious. "
— Jo, 2/22/2009 -
" A good read about a fascinating individual. Not the best book I've ever read, but a remarkable story. "
— Matthew, 1/3/2009 -
" If you're interested in the background and personalities behind smart businesses, then check out this book. "
— Paulliny, 10/12/2008 -
" I say it was OK only b/c I think the subject is interesting. The author can't write and the editors didn't do their job. I muddled through this for about three weeks and now I'm giving up. I wish someone else had written this book!! "
— Laura, 10/21/2007
About Conor O’Clery
Conor O’Clery lived and worked in Russia during the final years of the Soviet Union as Moscow correspondent for theIrish Times. He won journalist of the year in Ireland for his reporting from the Soviet Union and again in 2002 for his first-hand accounts of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. He is GlobalPost’s Ireland correspondent and is the author of several books, including The Billionaire Who Wasn’t, Moscow, December 25, 1991: The Last Day of the Soviet Union, and Ireland in Quotes: A History of the 20th Century.
About Erik Synnestvedt
Erik Synnestvedt has recorded nearly two hundred audiobooks for trade publishers as well as for the Library of Congress Talking Books for the Blind program. They include The Day We Found the Universe by Marcia Bartusiak, A Game as Old as Empire edited by Steven Hiatt, and Twitter Power by Joel Comm.