Kerry Stokes: The Boy from Nowhere

by Andrew Rule

The compelling and inspirational story of the rags to riches life of Kerry Stokes, a remarkable Australian.Kerry Stokes is a remarkable Australian. Not because he is one of Australia's wealthiest and most powerful people, but because of what he overcame to get there and because he has endured when others didn't. His success and his rise have intrigued the business world for decades but there is so much more to him than multi-million dollar deals or mergers. Behind the laconic front is a human story as tough and touching as a Dickens Oliver twist with great self-expectations. It is the story of a poor boy who stared down poverty, ignorance and the stigma of his illegitimate birth to achieve great wealth and fulfilment. He's a backstreets battler who has become a power player. It's a compelling and inspiring story that, until now, he has not told. Now he oversees a multi-billion dollar media, machinery and property empire. He is renowned for his art collection and for philanthropy, spending millions of dollars to buy - among other things - Victoria Crosses from soldiers' families to donate to the Australian War Memorial. But he's a private man. A man apart. He made his name in the West but kept his distance from the buccaneering band of entrepreneurs who forged fabulous fortunes in Perth from the 1960s until the 1987 crash. Bond went to jail, Holmes a Court died; Connell did both. Lesser lights flickered and faded but Stokes grew stronger, becoming a player alongside Murdoch, Packer and Lowy. His story fascinates all the more because he has spent most of his life guarding it. But now he's telling it, to one of Australia's great storytellers. He is the boy who came from nothing, who had nothing to lose. And now he has everything. It's a great Australian journey. ' ...possibly the greatest rags-to-riches story in our history ... j ournalist Andrew Rule has done an enviable job of capturing the essence of this fascinating man, from his Dickensian early life in the slums of Carlton to his relentless deal-making in the west and beyond ... the book is outstanding...' the Australian '... my pick is Andrew Rule's Kerry the Boy from Nowhere . I was vaguely aware the Perth billionaire's story was one of rags to riches, but I didn't realise just how ragged were his early days. His achievement is inspirational.' Stephen Romei, the Australian

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

695 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2014

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic feel good story about a truly great Australian. From poverty and eating dirt to a multibillionaire mingling with presidents and prime ministers, all in less than 50 years. I read this book in three nights and found myself barracking for Kerry Stokes very early and by the end I was an unabashed fan. I never thought I'd read a better business book than Den of Thieves by Pulitzer Prize winner, James B Stewart, but The Boy from Nowhere now takes first place, I defy anyone to read Den of Thieves in three nights.
Kerry Stokes chose the best managers, the best lawyers and best QCs to represent him. When he chose Andrew Rule to write his biography he chose the best author...Andrew is undoubtedly one of the world's great authors. An enormous amount of research and work went into this book but the end result was worth every second of it.
A great Australian businessman telling his story to a great Australian author.
I derived a vicarious pleasure in reading this fine book.

[Peter Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long but entertaining book about a self made Australian billionaire and what a story- a real rags to riches tale which should be an inspiration to all who have hidden talents, ambition and luck.The luck came from his arrival with nothing and no job into a Western Australia ripe for development and growth.The style of the book,chatty and down to earth,I found sometimes off putting but it does make it accessible to all.

[June Thorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for book club and it was a very enjoyable read. I have always admired Kerry Stokes especially when he bought the first Victoria cross, keeping our history is so important. I just wish all business people would read this and realise the difference between being a business person and a great business person.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful true story. This is the story of Kerry Stokes , one of Australia’s wealthiest people who started life in poverty in Melbourne. This is an emotional and touching story of someone who overcame many difficulties in life. His intelligence and perseverance, coupled with a measured, relaxed and friendly demeanour have been key factors to his success. This is a great Australian story.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

True insights into an Ozzie battler.

Brilliant gripping read that compelled me to continue for 30 nights! Highly recommended and inspiring. Congrats to the tenacious author!

[Townsville Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find this Great Summer Read in Townsville

[Chris Meyerkort · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read, an amazing story and person!

Thoroughly enjoyed this and being a Perth local could relate to the characters and historical events. Recommended read for anyone want to know about the man who kept a low profile but accomplished a lot.

[Tom Fontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite mogul

[PeterGriffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only knew 10% of Kerry's life . . . now, probably 90% . . . and WHAT a life!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it hadn't been for book club I would have never read this book. As Kerry Stokes himself said to the author, "make sure it's a good yarn," the book is indeed an exceptional story.

It is an indepth story of a man's life who came from nothing to becoming one of Australia's wealthiest and most powerful people. Each chapter covers a different decade in Kerry Stoke's life with a tell-all memoir ranging from his personal life to becoming the owner of Channel 7.

Kerry Stokes is a man who has kept a low profile, has integrity in all that he does and lives his life by what you do rather then what you say you are going to do. It was an easy to read and insightful story.