In 1988 Forbes Magazine hailed Chuck Feeney as the twenty-third richest American alive. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to a blue-collar Irish-American family during the Depression, a veteran of the Korean War, he had made a fortune as co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers, the world's largest duty-free retail chain. 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. A frugal man who travels economy class and does not own a house or a car, Feeney then went "underground" again, until he decided in 2005 to cooperate in a biography to promote giving-while-living. Now in his mid-seventies, he is determined his foundation should spend the remaining $4 billion in his lifetime. The Billionaire Who Wasn't is a tale of one of the greatest untold retail triumphs of the twentieth century, and of what happens to a unique man and his family when confronted with wealth beyond imagining.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A smart business book detailing some vicissitudes of retailing, wrapped in a vivid biography of an engaging tycoon." -- Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2007
"If (Conor O'Clery's) compelling narrative becomes a blue-print for future efforts to record the life stories of philanthropists, then the reading public might become far more aware of the major donors who have existed in their midst. O'Clery's account of how Charles `Chuck' Feeney rose from a blue-collar New Jersey neighbourhood to immense riches as founder of global retail enterprise, Duty Free Shoppers, and then gave almost every cent away, reads like a cross between a whodunnit and an airport business guru book." -- Philantropy UK, December 2007
"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" In vivid, unvarnished prose, "The Billionaire Who Wasn't" recounts Feeney's meteoric rise from blue-collar beginnings in Elizabeth, N.J., to a perch as one of America's titans of commerce, head of Duty Free Shoppers, the largest liquor retailer in the world." -- Washington Post's Express, November 6, 2007
"If (Conor O'Clery's) compelling narrative becomes a blue-print for future efforts to record the life stories of philanthropists, then the reading public might become far more aware of the major donors who have existed in their midst. O'Clery's account of how Charles `Chuck' Feeney rose from a blue-collar New Jersey neighbourhood to immense riches as founder of global retail enterprise, Duty Free Shoppers, and then gave almost every cent away, reads like a cross between a whodunnit and an airport business guru book." -- Philantropy UK, December 2007
"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" In vivid, unvarnished prose, "The Billionaire Who Wasn't" recounts Feeney's meteoric rise from blue-collar beginnings in Elizabeth, N.J., to a perch as one of America's titans of commerce, head of Duty Free Shoppers, the largest liquor retailer in the world." -- Washington Post's Express, November 6, 2007
About the Author
Conor O'Clery is an award-winning journalist and author who served as foreign correspondent for The Irish Times in London, Moscow, Beijing, Washington, and New York. He has written books on Russian, Irish, and American politics. He now lives in Dublin, Ireland.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By David Laufer
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I saw this book reviewed in The Economist and could scarcely believe what I was reading. I recommend this as a great read, a great book club or church group read, and a good book to give out to the board of directors of any organization, whether for profit or not! Here is a unique insight into the upbringing, growth and mindset of one of the most well grounded individuals of the modern era. If you are interested in how to make the world a better place, drop what you are doing and read this book!
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Kent Price
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Next time you get a letter from a charity, think of Chuck Feeney who gave >$1 Billion away in his lifetime. And all without fanfare, without his name on buildings and streets. I found it interesting how he selected his gifts (a lot to education), and to the locations (USA of course, Ireland, Vietnam, etc.) And he managed to leverage his money by getting the government to match many of his contributions.
The book is perhaps a bit heavy on details of how he made his money (Duty Free stores), and the various schemes to tax shelter his money, and the steps to remain anonymous. He believed that one should give money directly to causes that would make a difference, and monitor the progress to see that the money was being wisely used. He distrusted Government spending which often has graft and inefficiency, and political conditions.
In short, an inspiring book well worth reading, and acting on if your finances allow.
The book is perhaps a bit heavy on details of how he made his money (Duty Free stores), and the various schemes to tax shelter his money, and the steps to remain anonymous. He believed that one should give money directly to causes that would make a difference, and monitor the progress to see that the money was being wisely used. He distrusted Government spending which often has graft and inefficiency, and political conditions.
In short, an inspiring book well worth reading, and acting on if your finances allow.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Greg Barrett
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The story of Chuck Feeney is long overdue. Bright, modest, humble, he lives the Gospels without preaching them. By giving away his fortune he enlarged himself, which is the inherent nature of selfless living. Whenever we give away something in the pursuit to help others we are both benefactor and beneficiary. We grow in the process. Nothing is depleted.
At least that is the lesson that was reinforced for me in this fine book by Conor O'Clery about a philanthropist who leads quietly and by example. We should all follow.The Gospel of Father Joe: Revolutions and Revelations in the Slums of Bangkok
At least that is the lesson that was reinforced for me in this fine book by Conor O'Clery about a philanthropist who leads quietly and by example. We should all follow.The Gospel of Father Joe: Revolutions and Revelations in the Slums of Bangkok
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
too much detail
I liked the story but it got rather boring. Think this would be good for would-be entrepreneurs or business majors.
Published 6 days ago by Mary Matuszak
5.0 out of 5 stars
CHUCK FEENEY
Chuck is a first cousin. He has had a great career and it was great to read all his accomplishments.
Published 1 month ago by Thomas C. Feeney Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Billionaire Who Wasn't
A wonder ful case made for " giving while living". An intriguing sory about business, money, philanthropy and the American Dream the way it should be . And it's true!!!
Published 6 months ago by W.T.Inglis,Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book about a great man!
Chuck Feeney's life should be an inspiration to more people. He not only built something big on the business side, but he built something even more valuable on the philanthropic... Read more
Published 17 months ago by M. Richard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cornell produces world leaders, read about Chuck!
This is a must read for anyone who is looking to keep all the good things in the world in perspective. Read more
Published on April 13, 2010 by dad who cares
3.0 out of 5 stars
The first half of the book was great...the second not so much.
Where can I start? Initially, it was the title of this book that attracted me to it, reading the synopsis, I expected to hear the story of a generous billionaire who overcame the... Read more
Published on December 16, 2009 by John M. Ruiz
4.0 out of 5 stars
We all can be more than we expect
A lot of other reviews will give you a lot more detail on the contents of the book but I simply want to share the primary point I picked up i.e. Read more
Published on September 11, 2009 by G. Weathers
5.0 out of 5 stars
The example billionaire
Chuck Feeney is my hero. What an example is this man for making a billion dollar career, while having lots of fun, and then spending it (giving it away) in a controlled and very... Read more
Published on July 22, 2009 by J. de Vries
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Billionaire Who Wasn't
The intervention of Atlantic Foundation in Ireland has been epoch-making, and comes as a result of the great selflessness and the veritable Franciscan renunciation of one man in... Read more
Published on March 15, 2009 by Jusuf Hariman
5.0 out of 5 stars
simply fascinating...an excellent biography
An excellent business biography of a fascinating figure. Easily the best light reading on a business topic I have done in years. Read more
Published on August 8, 2008 by Bachelier
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
