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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) - 310 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The astonishing life of the modest New Jersey businessman who anonymously gave away 10 billion dollars and inspired the "giving while living" movement
In this bestselling book, Conor O'Clery reveals the inspiring life story of Chuck Feeney, known as the "James Bond of philanthropy." 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, who had anonymously funded hospitals and universities from San Francisco to Limerick to New York to Brisbane. His example convinced Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to give away their fortunes during their lifetime, known as the giving pledge.
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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)
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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 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, 4/9/2011 -
" 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, 2/24/2011 -
" A great contrarian way of life, evoking thoughts of "need" vs "want". Yes, poorly written. "
— Renee, 10/14/2010 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 Bob Souer
Bob Souer is a full-time professional storyteller, voice actor, and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. He has narrated broadcast and nonbroadcast projects for corporations and ministries across North America. His voice has been heard on PBS, the History Channel, the Military Channel, and many other networks. He has also narrated radio and television programs for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, D. James Kennedy Ministries, SIM, and Compassion International.