This authoritative and anecdote-filled biography of Michael Bloombergâ2020 presidential candidate and one of the richest and famously private/public figures in the countryâis a âmasterful workâŠ[and] an absolutely first-rate study of leadership in business, politics, and philanthropyâ (Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prizeâwinning author) from a veteran New York Times reporter.
Michael Bloombergâs life sounds like an exaggerated version of The American Story, except his adventures are real.
From modest Jewish middle class (and Eagle Scout) to Harvard MBA to Salomon Brothers hot shot (where he gets âsent upstairsâ and later fired) to creator of the Bloomberg terminal, a machine that would change Wall Street and the financial universe and make him a billionaire, to presidential candidate in 2020, Randolphâs account of Bloombergâs life reads almost like a novel.
âA vivid, timely study of Bloombergâs brand of plutocracyâ (Publishers Weekly), this engaging and insightful biography recounts Mayor Bloombergâs vigorous approach to New York Cityâs careâincluding his attempts at education reform, anti-smoking and anti-obesity campaigns, climate control, and new developments across the city.
After he engineered a surprising third term as Mayor, Bloomberg returned to his business and philanthropies that focused increasingly on cities. The chapter that describes this is one of the most revealing of his temperament and energy and vision as well as how he spends his âprivateâ time that was virtually off-limits even when he was mayor.
Bloomberg promised to give away his money before he died, and his giving has focused on education, gun control, and a fighting climate change. He joined the 2020 presidential campaign as a moderate liberal and spent his millions focused on ousting President Donald Trump.