Abramovičius: milijardierius iš niekur

by Dominic Midgley, Chris Hutchins, Vitalijus Šarkovas (Translator)

Remdamiesi įvairiais informacijos šaltiniais ir Maskvoje, ir Londone, tiriamosios žurnalistikos meistrai Dominicas Midgley ir Chrisas Hutchinsas ištyrinėjo kiekvieną kruopščiai slepiamo Abramovičiaus gyvenimo kertelę: kokioje aplinkoje jis augo, kokios moterys jam darė įtaką, kokie draugai atvėrė Kremliaus duris, iš kokio verslo jis susikrovė turtus, kiek išleidžia futbulo klubui, dėl kurio tapo savas Didžiojoje Britanijoje.

Genres: Biography, Business, History, Politics, Russia

295 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Dan Jefferies · Rating 3 out of 5]

3
Picked this up cause I’m propa Chels and saw it in the op shop. What I didn’t factor in is that this book was published in 2006 when I barely even knew what football was. Definitely some interesting insights particularly in Russian history and how the oligarchs got their status. Wasn’t aware that Putin was anti oligarch and that he took some very big fish down whilst he has been in power. Interesting that Abramovich was both one of the richest and able to maintain that status through his people management skills. I also didn’t realise that the oligarchs (or certainly the ones spoken about in this book) were very rich before gaining control of Russian assets, that control just turned them from hundred millionaires into billionaires. From orphan to billionaire to Chelsea king, not a bad character arc.
Did find some of the history of his relationships a bit tedious, seems like they just about covered everyone he ever spoke with…

Up da blues though

[Miss G Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

A hard read

Whilst an interesting subject and book this is one you have to persevere with if you want to know the story. In parts interesting but in others it's a struggle. Could have been written much better.

[Serhiy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Це не автобіографія. Але книга цікава. Таке собі журналістське розслідування про Абрамовича, його оточення, і події, що сформували його бізнес персону. Про політичну Росію 90-х, і як у змові з олігархами породили диктатора, який викинув їх з країни... Найбільше напевно сподобався блок футбольний - як він вибирав клуб, як почав роботу в Челсі, і запросив до клубу Моуріньйо. І остаточно прояснилася схема, як туди потрапив Шевченко)

Хоч книга поверхнева, але навіть з цієї інформації слабо віриться в те, що Моуріньйо звільнить за результати в чемпіонаті. Інша справа Ліга Чемпіонів. От тільки Динамо максимально поки відтягнуло цей момент.

[Christian Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Orphanage to Oligarch: This book promises a narrative arc as compelling as it is improbable: the ascent of an orphan to the echelons of unimaginable wealth, culminating in the acquisition of a prestigious football club and the possession of a superyacht that exists in the realm of fantasy for most. This premise alone offers a potent blend of aspirational fantasy and the stark realities of contemporary global capitalism, making it a potentially captivating read for those seeking inspiration in the face of adversity.
The initial hook lies in the protagonist's origins, the archetypal underdog who defies circumstance. The journey from orphanhood to billionaire status suggests a narrative rich with resilience, strategic acumen, and perhaps a touch of fortuitous timing. The acquisition of a prominent football club serves as a powerful symbol of this ascent, a very public declaration of arrival on the world stage. It speaks to the transformative power of wealth, capable of not only altering personal fortunes but also impacting cultural institutions with significant global reach.
Furthermore, the detail regarding the "incredibly luxurious yacht" elevates the narrative beyond mere financial success. It ventures into the territory of extreme wealth, a realm where the scale of possession transcends practical utility and enters the domain of symbolic power. This aspect of the story invites reflection on the nature of such concentrated affluence and its socio-economic implications in a world grappling with inequality.
However, the most intriguing element highlighted in the synopsis is the protagonist's persistent privacy and reclusiveness. This immediately draws parallels to real-world figures like Roman Abramovich, whose life story likely serves as an unspoken, if not direct, inspiration for this fictional account. Abramovich's own biography – marked by early hardship, a controversial rise to prominence in post-Soviet Russia's tumultuous economic landscape, and a subsequent, often enigmatic, presence on the global stage – provides a compelling framework for understanding this fictional billionaire.
Abramovich's purchase of Chelsea Football Club in 2003, for instance, was a watershed moment, injecting unprecedented levels of investment and transforming the landscape of English football. His ownership was characterized by both remarkable success on the pitch and a consistent avoidance of the public eye. Similarly, his well-documented ownership of opulent vessels like the Eclipse underscores a level of wealth that borders on the abstract.
The juxtaposition of such public displays of affluence with an intensely private personal life creates a fascinating dichotomy. Does this reclusiveness stem from a desire for security, a cultural inclination towards discretion, or a more deliberate strategy to control his narrative and maintain an aura of mystique? The book, if it delves into these psychological and sociological dimensions, could offer valuable insights into the complexities of extreme wealth and the often-guarded lives of those who possess it.
Ultimately, "The Billionaire from Nowhere" appears to be more than just an inspirational rags-to-riches tale. It holds the potential to explore themes of ambition, the impact of vast wealth on cultural institutions, and the intricate relationship between public persona and private life in the contemporary world. If the author successfully navigates these complexities with nuance and depth, the book could serve as a compelling exploration of modern power dynamics and the enigmatic figures who often shape them. It promises a journey from obscurity to extraordinary influence, leaving the reader to ponder the true cost and consequences of such an ascent.

[Mary Karpel-Jergic · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unauthorised biography so a lot of conjecture but written by journalists so fairly well researched and various explanations offered when nothing can be ascertained for sure. So no wild claims and quite an interesting read.

My husband is a Chelsea fan and it was this that brought Abramovich to my attention. Curious as to how this man had accumulated such extreme wealth, I picked this book up second hand. I found the interweaving of Russia's recent history with Abramovich's material rise to success gripping. It is disturbing in equal measure.

The purchase of Chelsea comes at the latter part of the book as does the replacement of Ranieri with Mourhinio. Abramovich's personal life since has changed considerably.

[Quốc Anh Đào · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cuốn sách đi sâu vào những ảnh hưởng của Abramovich trong giới tài phiệt và trong chính trường Nga giai đoạn 90-2000. Nói là thế, nhưng có đoạn 100 trang chỉ nói về Berezovsky, không thấy hình ảnh của vị tân chủ tịch Chelsea. Nếu những thất bại của Berezovsky về sau cùng việc Abramovich vẫn tại vị là minh chứng cho sự khôn ngoan của Roman, có vẻ hơi khiên cưỡng. Ngoài ra, cuốn sách không thể đi sâu vào giai đoạn trước khi Abramovich trở thành một triệu phú bậc trung (thời điểm gặp Berezovsky), khiến cuốn sách có một khoảng trống đáng tiếc.

Về phần biên dịch, dịch giả (và cả ban biên tập) tiếng Việt đều rất cẩu thả trước những sự kiện bóng đá trong cuốn sách, khi nhiều vị trí cầu thủ trên sân bị dịch sang "trung vệ".

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was overall OK... I would give 3.5 stars if that was an option. I guess given that it was written before the lawsuit with Berezovsky, the author didn't have all the details to work with. I want someone to write more on the Runicom days when he was a largely unknown oil trader. I read the trial transcript and Abramovich testified that before he bought Sibneft he was already making $40M a year. The post 1995 part of his life has already been fairly well documented by the press but that made up a lot of the book. I did enjoy the information on his childhood and time in the army which I don't think has been written about elsewhere.

[John Morton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite complicated to follow as it jumps to certain periods at random. It also spends too much time on other oligarchs, the coverage of Abramovich is not much more than half of the book.

[Samuel Atta-Amponsah · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the vast tapestry of storytelling, the journey from destitution to opulence is a recurring motif, and within this narrative repertoire, the ascent from rags to riches often features an orphan as the central protagonist. If Charles Dickens were tasked with chronicling the life of Roman Abramovich, the tale might echo with the familiar strains of an orphaned child, bereaved of parents and thrust into the world to forge a fortune.

Imagine Dickens weaving the intricate plot of Boris Yeltsin, a president seduced into dismantling a once-mighty industrial empire in exchange for campaign funds. Picture Boris Berezovsky, the flamboyant wheeler-dealer, assuming the role of mentor to the young Abramovich, guiding him through the corridors of power and influence.

Enter Ken Bates, the bold visionary with an ever-elusive plan for his cherished Chelsea Football Club, tantalizingly close to realization with each impending deal. Meanwhile, Roman, the epitome of humility, tactfully ascends the greasy pole, maintaining a discreet silence throughout.

However, in "Abramovich: The Billionaire from Nowhere," the authors Dominic Midgeley and Chris Hutchins are constrained by the biographer's commitment to factual accuracy, leaving little room for Dickensian embellishments. Any whimsical urge to infuse imagination into the narrative is quashed by the vigilant eyes of their legal advisors, evident in the cautionary disclaimers scattered throughout the book.

"While there is no suggestion of wrongdoing on Abramovich's part," the authors assert, subtly acknowledging the delicate terrain they tread. Abramovich, a man who ascended to become one of the world's wealthiest individuals, strategically avoids publicizing his dirty laundry. Without the subject's active collaboration, Midgeley and Hutchins meticulously trace the trail from Siberian school to Stamford Bridge, navigating oil industry corridors and probing Russian tax loopholes. Yet, the enigmatic Abramovich remains elusive, slipping away through secret exits whenever the investigators believe they have him cornered in some opulent Kremlin chamber.

Through extensive research, Midgeley and Hutchins can make informed speculations about Abramovich's motivations, yet the crux of his success lies in inscrutability. In their pursuit of unraveling the mystery, the biographers are left with an intricate portrait, a tapestry woven with fragments of truth and the lingering presence of an enigmatic billionaire.

[Sophy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. I admire this man very much, an orphan at 3yrs and he went onto become the richest man in the world!

[Minja Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reality "literature". Interesting and engaging, if you're interested in Russian politics this makes an easy read.