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A Global Life: My Journey Among Rich and Poor, from Sydney to Wall Street to the World Bank
As president of the World Bank for a decade, James Wolfensohn tackled world poverty with a passion and energy that made him a uniquely important figure in a fundamental arena of change. Using a lifetime of experience in the banking sector, he carved a distinct path in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe for the institution that serves as the major lender to the world's poor.
In A Global Life , Wolfensohn tells his astonishing life story in his own words. A man of surpassing imagination and drive, he became an Olympic fencer and a prominent banker in London and New York. An Australian, he navigated Wall Street with uncommon skill. Chairman of Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center for many years, he is also an amateur cellist. But it was his tenure at the World Bank that made him an international force. While at the helm of this controversial institution, Wolfensohn motivated, schemed, charmed, and bullied all the constituencies at his command to broaden the distribution of the world's wealth. Now he bluntly assesses his successes and failures, reflecting on the causes of continuing poverty.
Much more than a business story, this is a deeply reflective account of a fascinating career and personality.
In A Global Life , Wolfensohn tells his astonishing life story in his own words. A man of surpassing imagination and drive, he became an Olympic fencer and a prominent banker in London and New York. An Australian, he navigated Wall Street with uncommon skill. Chairman of Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center for many years, he is also an amateur cellist. But it was his tenure at the World Bank that made him an international force. While at the helm of this controversial institution, Wolfensohn motivated, schemed, charmed, and bullied all the constituencies at his command to broaden the distribution of the world's wealth. Now he bluntly assesses his successes and failures, reflecting on the causes of continuing poverty.
Much more than a business story, this is a deeply reflective account of a fascinating career and personality.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 27, 2011
The guy led an interesting life but he is kind of gushy in the way he recounts it and makes me wonder how much of a dork he was in real life. I read this book wanting to learn more about finance in government and got a better account of how to look good in the corporate and government world and how to make it look even more fabulous in a memoir. I found his transition into the Middle East Quartet special envoy captivating however, and wish maybe he would write another book specifically about this portion of his life. It was interesting not particularly because of his contribution but because the events were narrated with such drama and appeared to be a significant moment in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. In summary, I think there is something to be said for Type-A people and their need to be in action all the time and throughout this book I felt sorry for him for taking the world on his shoulders at the sacrifice of his sanity, health, and family. Certainly, the world needs people to help solve problems of the world but take it easy mister...
August 19, 2023
The Importance of Relationships and a Social Conscience in Business
James Wolfensohn has an interesting life story to tell and he tells it in an engaging and easy to read manner. I was interested to read the story of how a middle class Australian kid found his way to the corridors of power in London and New York. The answer is that he's an old-fashioned guy who innately understood that relationships and cultural interests are just as important as technical skills in getting to the top. Wolfensohn is the epitome of an urbane, globe-trotting executive who can use his charm to win both business and cultural success.
I was intrigued by some other (less than glowing) reviews by people who appear to have some inside knowledge and claim that all was not fine and dandy within his family -- so this may not be a warts and all autobiography, but it is a stroll through the career of important figure in world finance.
He has a modest writing style and never seems to forget where he came from but I suspect he was a more imposing and dictatorial figure than these pages let on. Heading a large institution such as the World Bank would no doubt require all of his persuasive powers and his descriptions of bureaucratic inertia ring true. The book was published in 2010 - some 5 years after the second of his 2 five years terms heading the bank came to a close. Given this timing, I was a little surprised he did not address climate change in any significant way (just a short mention near the end of the book). It was probably early days in this debate, but the impact of global warming on sub-Saharan Africa and South America with all the attendant issues on food product and migration should have been high up on the Bank's agenda.
Like many such efforts, the book provides the author with a medium by which he can thank those who helped along the way and to take a dig at those who did not (the demise of his relationship with Kerry Packer was unfortunate but the blame appears to lie at the door of Chainsaw Al). As we move now into the third decade of the 21st Century it seems that a marriage between public institutions and the private/philanthropic sectors is ever more important. For example, Bill Gates is not constrained by politics and institutional lethargy and can get stuff done fast. I suspect this trend will accelerate. Given this, I wonder if James Wolfensohn is one of the last of a dying breed. I hope not.
James Wolfensohn has an interesting life story to tell and he tells it in an engaging and easy to read manner. I was interested to read the story of how a middle class Australian kid found his way to the corridors of power in London and New York. The answer is that he's an old-fashioned guy who innately understood that relationships and cultural interests are just as important as technical skills in getting to the top. Wolfensohn is the epitome of an urbane, globe-trotting executive who can use his charm to win both business and cultural success.
I was intrigued by some other (less than glowing) reviews by people who appear to have some inside knowledge and claim that all was not fine and dandy within his family -- so this may not be a warts and all autobiography, but it is a stroll through the career of important figure in world finance.
He has a modest writing style and never seems to forget where he came from but I suspect he was a more imposing and dictatorial figure than these pages let on. Heading a large institution such as the World Bank would no doubt require all of his persuasive powers and his descriptions of bureaucratic inertia ring true. The book was published in 2010 - some 5 years after the second of his 2 five years terms heading the bank came to a close. Given this timing, I was a little surprised he did not address climate change in any significant way (just a short mention near the end of the book). It was probably early days in this debate, but the impact of global warming on sub-Saharan Africa and South America with all the attendant issues on food product and migration should have been high up on the Bank's agenda.
Like many such efforts, the book provides the author with a medium by which he can thank those who helped along the way and to take a dig at those who did not (the demise of his relationship with Kerry Packer was unfortunate but the blame appears to lie at the door of Chainsaw Al). As we move now into the third decade of the 21st Century it seems that a marriage between public institutions and the private/philanthropic sectors is ever more important. For example, Bill Gates is not constrained by politics and institutional lethargy and can get stuff done fast. I suspect this trend will accelerate. Given this, I wonder if James Wolfensohn is one of the last of a dying breed. I hope not.
July 11, 2011
The first half of the book is a fascinating insight into the early decisions and conflicts of a man who was at the center of the global economy during a period of phenomenal growth when the possibilities of globalization and interconnectedness first became apparent. He seems to know all the actors and was present at all the critical moments. His personal story is compelling, emerging from Australia's struggling lower middle class English immigrant population and an apparently awkward childhood to early and continued success. Yet there is also a clear texture of the conflicts -- personal and professional -- and the sacrifices he has made. The second half of the book is more mundane, sometimes feeling like a laundry list of his activities while President of the World Bank. Some of the professional challenges come through, but there is a touch of egoism (which he is known for and perhaps has earned). Yet it is also unavoidably apparent that Wolfensohn is an ethical and fair man, with a sense of right and wrong, of the often cruel realities that shape our world, and a straightforward and honest voice.
July 1, 2013
A great and humble man. A wonderful friend. A wonderful book.
November 18, 2012
A great read and insight to Australian who rose to a very public face
August 8, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this one and he's led an interesting life. As someone who has worked in banking this part of the book and his rise through the ranks, strategic approach to his career and ambition that James had was great to read about.
While in parts he can be slightly self-indulgent, James has worked damn hard and achieved plenty so I say why not?
You can see that he's a deep thinker and decent story teller. well worth a read
While in parts he can be slightly self-indulgent, James has worked damn hard and achieved plenty so I say why not?
You can see that he's a deep thinker and decent story teller. well worth a read
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews