Customer Reviews

A Global Life: My Journey Among Rich and Poor, from Sydney to Wall Street to the World Bank

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Before the reader sits down with Mr. Wolfensohn's book he is best advised to be well-rested because in addition to a fascinating autobiography they are also receiving a forum on international development and global relations, a primer on business, and an introduction to the personal and professional psychological machinations of interpersonal/organizational relationships. Jeffrey Goldstein, one of Wolfensohn's first hires at his investment firm in the 1980s, described Wolfensohn as being "a sponge" during the time they were building Jim's business but judging from his humble childhood in Sydney, Australia to his movement into the highest echelons of power, Wolfensohn also has to be viewed as a laser guided torpedo constantly locking onto new targets be they in business, development, or in the arts. The book paints a picture of a self-assured almost cocky young boy who finds himself, at the outset, getting his head "dunked" by a farmhand into a bucket of lime and who later upon making the Australian Olympic team as a fencer is dismissed by a young autograph seeker who states, "Oh don't worry about him, he's only a fencer." This pattern of challenge and personal reassessment is sprinkled throughout his life. After applying to Oxford (rejected) and failing to receive an appointment as a Rhodes Scholar, Wolfensohn took what was behind door number three, Harvard Business School, and that to paraphrase Frost, "Made all the difference." After that Wolfensohn slammed down onto a personal gas pedal that led to Europe, Wall Street, two terms as the president of the World Bank, an appointment as the Special Envoy to the Gaza Disengagement in addition to numerous corporate boards and the chairmanship of both Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. At four-hundred and forty-four pages the reader's time is well spent and he will come away feeling about this book in much the same way that one of his mentors, Julius Stone, wrote on his Harvard application that Wolfensohn possessed, "Indefinable attributes."

A very interesting autobiography from one of the most fascinating bankers/statesmen who made a lasting mark upon the latter half of the 20th century. This book starts with Wolfensohn's early life in Australia and chronicles his experiences as a child, undergraduate student, lawyer, investment banker and head of the World Bank. The story also delves into the author's passion for music (how many other financiers can say they played the cello with Yo Yo Ma onstage at Carnegie Hall?), philanthropy and family. Unlike most autobiographies penned by Type-A elites, this piece comes with a dose of humility and praise for others, which is a breath of fresh air compared to some other hubris-filled autiobios. All in all, a great tale from a colorful character who successfully navigated to the top levels of finance, philanthropy and public service.

Jim Wolfensohn is an interesting person who has lived an interesting life and who has written a crushingly boring book. (The Economist description as "plodding" is kind...) As suggested by another reviewer, to learn about Wolfensohn and the World Bank, read Sebastian Mallaby's "The World's Banker".

An excellent book! An amazing history of the 20th century and beyond told by one lucky enough man to be in the right place at the right time for his entire life. His love of the arts, music, his family and friends, and the growing yet flattening world around him make him a true man for the modern universal travel and thinker.

Wolfensohn has somehow kept the elusive tone of genuine sincerity and humbleness for someone of his accolades and is so grateful to those around him that made it all possible. His personal background is fascinating, yet his first hand accounts and stories to some of the most incredible events in the past 75 years make this book ravishing.

Don't stop looking into Mr. Wolfensohn's era from other authors if this Interests you though, as there are some loud critiques against him out there. However I think that he does an excellent job explaining why he made the decisions he made and how the World Bank fundamentally works, or should work.

HIGHLEY recommended for those who are just getting into the field, it is a beautiful story told by someone who has lived a life more full than many could possibly believe

This is the charming Jim Wolfensohn, effusive in his sometimes misplaced praise, but never someone to stop seeing possibilities when others would be holding grudges or throwing in the towel.

But for a deeper, more compelling account of his years changing the World Bank 'to work for a world free of poverty' and reframing how the world looks at development, read Sebastian Mallaby's "The World's Banker". Its careful research and timeless prose gives more of the often very entertaining 'back story' of the Wolfensohn era.

This book is an autobiographical account of James David Wolfensohn. He was the President of the World Bank in 2008. It narrates brilliantly the experiences of a middle class Australian Jewish male in the hard to crack class conscious English Banking and Financial System in spite of his excellent academic credentials and up the pile social relationships and frienships. It is a success story but realistically and compassionately narrated, especially in terms of his true to his heritage, family and commitment to global corporal responsibility which formed his persona from childhood to his retirement and even after and until now. It should be read not only by global studies students and professionals, but by the diverse ethnic population of youngstersin the United States as well as in the international community wishing to carve their niche in the world of Economics, business, banking and finances in general.

Delivery of book was excellent. Book has been kind of not what I expected but interesting none the less.

This book is a fascinating commentary on wall street and international development. This book, like it's author, bridges these two worlds both if which are undergoing great changes today. Very enjoyable.