Customer Reviews

Very Very Rich and How They Got That Way

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This book was published in the early 1970's. However, it still holds interest for current readers because many of its subjects are still with us, even if only in their legends, descendants, bequests or business empires they started. Here are, among others, Howard Hughes (the aviator, industrialist and filmmaker whose life was portrayed in the film THE AVIATOR), J. Paul Getty (the oilman and art collector who also founded an outstanding museum in the Los Angeles area), Ray Kroc (who first franchised McDonald's restaurants and saved the San Diego Padres from moving to Washington, D. C.--the Montreal Expos would make that move this year), Conrad Hilton (founder of the hotel chain that bears his name, and Paris Hilton's great-grandfather), William Lear (builder of the Lear Jet who also put a radio in every automobile), and W. Clement Stone (insurance and beauty-products tycoon and confidant of Presidents). One individual described here who is still alive is Jeno Paulucci, who broadened America's tastes in prepared foods beyond meat-and-potatoes with his Chun King (Chinese) and Jeno's (Italian) brands.

If a similar volume were produced today I would nominate as possible subjects Bill Gates (Microsoft), his close friend Warren Buffett (stock investments), the Walton family (WalMart stores), Steve Jobs (Apple Computers), Donald Trump (marquee real estate and TV reality shows), Steve Wynn (Las Vegas hotels and casinos), George Steinbrenner (shipbuilding and the Yankees), Merv Griffin (television production and resorts), and Oprah Winfrey (television and film production and publishing). Fortunes are still being made!

If this is your level of research....into the subject then this is a great volume.