The Eccentric Billionaire: John D. MacArthur--Empire Builder, Reluctant Philanthropist, Relentless Adversary [Hardcover]

Nancy Kriplen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2008

He was hated, feared, and admired. The country's second-richest man at the time of his death, John D. MacArthur (1897-1978) also became one of its great benefactors. Every year, some two dozen American writers, artists, intellectuals, and scientists receive as much as a half million dollars in grants known as the 'genius awards' from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. But MacArthur was not the benevolent figure you might expect. Stingier than J. Paul Getty, as money-obsessed as Howard Hughes, and as ruthless as Cornelius Vanderbilt, MacArthur was one of the most multi-layered men in business history. Now, in this first full biography of John D. MacArthur as he really was, Nancy Kriplen reveals the man behind the myth - the often vulgar, sometimes unethical, always ambitious rogue who would become one of America's wealthiest men."The Eccentric Billionaire" chronicles how MacArthur amassed his fortune, rising from a poverty-saturated childhood as the son of a fire-and-brimstone preacher to become an insurance and real estate mogul. As sole owner of Bankers Life and Casualty, he also built a real estate empire that spanned the continent. Based on interviews with members of the MacArthur family as well as previously undiscovered letters and papers, this book reveals MacArthur's tumultuous private life, including his quickie divorce from his first wife and his Mexican marriage to Catherine, his brother's cute, clever teenage secretary who would help him on his climb to riches. The author also explores MacArthur's relationships with his family and friends, including his brother, the playwright Charles MacArthur, and sister-in-law, the great actress Helen Hayes. Extensively researched and beautifully written, "The Eccentric Billionaire" is a revealing look at a man whose influence has extended in ways he never dreamed.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starting with a bankrupt company in the depths of the Great Depression, John D. MacArthur and his wife, Catherine, built the hugely successful Bankers Life and Casualty through innovative policy design, aggressive sales and marketing, shrewd acquisitions, unconventional management and frequent battles with regulators to become pioneers in marketing health and long-term care insurance to lower-middle-class and elderly people. Beginning in the mid-1950s the MacArthurs met equal success in real estate development. As one of the world's first billionaires, John created the MacArthur Foundation, most famous for its genius awards. Journalist Kriplen's biography overlooks the business innovations for which the MacArthurs are known to place them in the context of their personal extended families. At its best describing John's relations and business associates, Kriplen's volume offers deft though shallow profiles of many individuals without losing the main story. The book will be of interest to readers already familiar with the MacArthurs' business savvy who yearn for gleanings into their personal background, and do not expect a tell-all. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"In The Eccentric Billionare, former Time business researcher Nancy Kriplen offers an incisive warts-and-all account of the business and personal life of John D. MacArthur."

-- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"...a straightforward description of the sometimes difficult, always shrewd billionaire."-- Palm Beach Post

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (January 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814408893
• ISBN-13: 978-0814408896
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the eccentric billionaire, February 18, 2008

By 

Virginia S. Mckay "Virginia McKay" (Indianapolis IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Eccentric Billionaire: John D. MacArthur--Empire Builder, Reluctant Philanthropist, Relentless Adversary (Hardcover)

"Love this book. And the author's writing style matched MacArthur's quirkiness. I really think this is a winner."

V. S. McKay
Indianapolis IN

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Job Well Done!, May 18, 2008

By 

Robert Sanford - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Eccentric Billionaire: John D. MacArthur--Empire Builder, Reluctant Philanthropist, Relentless Adversary (Hardcover)

When Nancy Kriplen puts pen to paper, something magic happens.
In this case I refer to her new book "THE ECCENTRIC BILLIONAIR".
This long overdue, well researched biography is the quintessential rags to riches story of one of this country's wealthiest, yet little known self made men. Kriplen paints with her well toned writing skills a never before seen picture of the good, bad and the ugly side of John Donald MacArthur.
This book is a must read and a true treasure and will remain so for many years to come...
Bob Sanford
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!, January 27, 2008

By 

stacey almgren - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Eccentric Billionaire: John D. MacArthur--Empire Builder, Reluctant Philanthropist, Relentless Adversary (Hardcover)

Couldn't put it down! Very interesting look at the insurance business. Excellent detail and research.