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Blair Inc.: The Man Behind the Mask
Since leaving office in 2007, the empire of Tony Blair has grown exponentially. As a businessman he has been unprecedentedly successful for a former public servant, with a large property portfolio and an estimated ?80 million of earnings accrued in just a few short years. But how has he managed to achieve this?Being an ex-Prime Minister comes with certain advantages, and besides his excellent state pension and twenty-four-hour security team, Blair enjoys the best contacts that money can buy - as do those willing to pay him for access to those contacts. Consequently, Tony Blair Associates' clients can be found around the world, and include the controversial presidents of Kazakhstan and Burma.There is also Blair's role as special envoy in the Middle East. While his record as a peacemaker is in doubt, the position has brought him into contact with a variety of oil-rich potentates in the region who now number among his most profitable clients.Blair Inc.: The Man behind the Mask takes a close look at the complex financial structures in Blair's world. From the many layers of tax liability to the multiple conflicts of interest produced by his increasing web of relationships, this book exposes the private dealings of this very public figure. very
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 30, 2015
This is a clear expose of the career of Tony Blair (and Cherie) after leaving office. It is one sided because no assistance whatsoever was given by anyone working for Mr Blair doubtless because of the confidentiality agreements all must sign. His opaque secretive business and charitable dealings are laid bare - to the point of his organisations' collective reluctance to reveal addresses and telephone numbers let alone turnover, profit and in the case of his Faith Foundation, donors and the amounts they give. It s not an edifying picture as Mr and Mrs Blair seem to have overlooked the basic principle that in the absence of openness and transparency people will tend to conclude the worst and particularly when some of Mr Blair's clients are described, such a conclusion seems inescapable. At no stage did anyone from Mr Blair downwards offer comment or explanation beyond we're not saying anything; this secretiveness is all of a piece with the man who described passing the Freedom of Information Act as one of his worst mistakes in government. No Gorbachev glasnost there.
For someone who once described himself as a pretty straight guy the old couplet - 'The more he talked of his honour, the faster we counted the spoons' - comes to mind. Indeed the British people seem to have decided that he should not be taken at his own valuation.
For someone who once described himself as a pretty straight guy the old couplet - 'The more he talked of his honour, the faster we counted the spoons' - comes to mind. Indeed the British people seem to have decided that he should not be taken at his own valuation.
March 24, 2015
2.5 Stars.
This book had the potential to be a 5 star book. It was informative in parts, interesting, well written, and tried to do a job at lifting a veil of secrecy around former Prime Minister Blair.
It lets itself down in a few key areas.
Firstly it was unabashedly biased. One knew this going in, so would have only been a half a star deduction, however there is little to no attempt to present an alternative view. This makes it much more of a diatribe than a constructive look at what could be seen as problematic conduct on the part of Blair.
Secondly, there is much of this book that is purely opinion. Too many points begin with "We have no evidence of this, but it would be safe to assume...", or other similar caveat's. Why? Why would it be safe to assume?
Finally, there is way too much repetition in the book. We are told at least six times that Haim Saban (a big funder of Blair's projects) has said "I'm a one-issue guy, and my issue is Israel.". We only need to hear it once, or maybe twice. This is just one example of a story being told to illustrate one point, and then the same story being told later on in the book to illustrate another point. It's majorly problematic.
This book had the potential to be a 5 star book. It was informative in parts, interesting, well written, and tried to do a job at lifting a veil of secrecy around former Prime Minister Blair.
It lets itself down in a few key areas.
Firstly it was unabashedly biased. One knew this going in, so would have only been a half a star deduction, however there is little to no attempt to present an alternative view. This makes it much more of a diatribe than a constructive look at what could be seen as problematic conduct on the part of Blair.
Secondly, there is much of this book that is purely opinion. Too many points begin with "We have no evidence of this, but it would be safe to assume...", or other similar caveat's. Why? Why would it be safe to assume?
Finally, there is way too much repetition in the book. We are told at least six times that Haim Saban (a big funder of Blair's projects) has said "I'm a one-issue guy, and my issue is Israel.". We only need to hear it once, or maybe twice. This is just one example of a story being told to illustrate one point, and then the same story being told later on in the book to illustrate another point. It's majorly problematic.
February 16, 2020
An absolute pain to read. It's like a word salad. I'm sure there's a lot information I didn't process because of how it was written.
December 22, 2015
This is one of the most prurient and unpleasant books I have ever read.
There may be an interesting story behind Blair's wealth but this is an extremely dull and repetitive book. It is a bad-tempered rant that sees evil in his subject and offers no evidence to balance a torrent of complaint that Blair ha cashed in on his experience. Using faintly surreal sources such as George Galloway on integrity, remember Gorgeous George grovelled to Saddam Hussein after the dictator had gassed 10,000 of his civilians , and quoting the extremist Hizb ut-Tahrir as the moderate voice of Islam made me winder whether this was a Dave Spart pastiche .
The unfounded attacks on the Blair marriage and venom flung at supporters belong in some rag like the Sun but hardly make for a persuasive argument.
Worst of all it seems to have been written by a machine and rambles all over the place rather than showing any insight. ironically having started with much frustration at the failure of New Labour to live up to its promises, the authors' unfocussed bile made me feel sorry for a very wealthy man.
There may be an interesting story behind Blair's wealth but this is an extremely dull and repetitive book. It is a bad-tempered rant that sees evil in his subject and offers no evidence to balance a torrent of complaint that Blair ha cashed in on his experience. Using faintly surreal sources such as George Galloway on integrity, remember Gorgeous George grovelled to Saddam Hussein after the dictator had gassed 10,000 of his civilians , and quoting the extremist Hizb ut-Tahrir as the moderate voice of Islam made me winder whether this was a Dave Spart pastiche .
The unfounded attacks on the Blair marriage and venom flung at supporters belong in some rag like the Sun but hardly make for a persuasive argument.
Worst of all it seems to have been written by a machine and rambles all over the place rather than showing any insight. ironically having started with much frustration at the failure of New Labour to live up to its promises, the authors' unfocussed bile made me feel sorry for a very wealthy man.
December 26, 2019
This book doesn't say a great deal that is unknown but Beckett is a good author on political history, and provides an essential overview into the money grubbing vulgarity of an extremely dishonest and venal man. I'd have liked a little less biographical guff on Blair's toadies in his various fronts, and more on his totally suitable and equally greedy wife. Major showed a better way in a post PM role. Blair is crude, crass, extremely suspect with regards to what he considers correct behaviour and this book elucidates on his egregious pursuit of wealth from any source. The authors don't appear to have been subject to any Omnia litigation, so one must assume Beckett, as usual, got the core facts correct. Blair, at the heel of Bush, initiated a generation of sanguinary violence with his deluded and hawkish policies and he has earned every word of opprobrium shot his way since. Blair typifies what is very wrong with modern so-called leaders and yet he just won't go away. A very interesting book.
January 12, 2019
Francis Beckett doesn't like Tony Blair, and spends quite a bit of time telling us so in this book. He's especially keen at trying to paint Blair as a murky figure, bathed in secrecy, because Blair's office wouldn't tell him some of the answers to his questions - probably because Beckett is intent on making Blair look like a bad man.
I gave up on this book about halfway through (my eBook reader says 28% through, but it annoyingly always counts the index). Beckett clearly doesn't share my currently unfashionable view that Blair was the best Prime Minister the UK's had in my lifetime, and that's fine, but it became an exercise in desperation at times, and I got a bit bored with it.
I gave up on this book about halfway through (my eBook reader says 28% through, but it annoyingly always counts the index). Beckett clearly doesn't share my currently unfashionable view that Blair was the best Prime Minister the UK's had in my lifetime, and that's fine, but it became an exercise in desperation at times, and I got a bit bored with it.
August 17, 2022
This is a poor book, and I gave up after the first four chapters. The authors are heavily biased against Blair, and don't hide the fact. I have no problem with that (I don't like the man, myself), but I do have a problem with the assumptions that are made when no evidence is available.
True, Blair and his staff were not helpful, in fact they were obfuscatory: but it is simply not good enough to assume. The style is tyrannical, and the diatribe rapidly becomes wearing.
Don't waste your time.
True, Blair and his staff were not helpful, in fact they were obfuscatory: but it is simply not good enough to assume. The style is tyrannical, and the diatribe rapidly becomes wearing.
Don't waste your time.
January 12, 2019
All you need to know to grow a burning hatred for Blair. Recomended!
April 2, 2015
By Quentin Webb
Politics has a problem in the era of the global billionaire. The challenge is illustrated by the business empire of Tony Blair - dubbed “Blair Inc” - in a timely new book by veteran reporters Francis Beckett, David Hencke and Nick Kochan.
Blair has kept busy since stepping down as UK prime minister in 2007. He apparently charges $200,000 a speech, advises JPMorgan, and saved Glencore’s takeover of Xstrata. His mini-McKinsey, Tony Blair Associates, has worked for Abu Dhabi, Kazakhstan and Kuwait. And like a true Davos delegate, Blair leavens entrepreneurship with non-profit work, including his Tony Blair Faith Foundation and the Africa Governance Initiative.
He has also dabbled in diplomacy as Middle East peace envoy for the “quartet” of the United Nations, Brussels, Washington and Moscow. He was supposed to help strengthen the Palestinian economy, but critics charge he’s aloof, too close to Israel and tarnished by his government’s participation in the 2003 American-led invasion of Iraq. The Financial Times reported recently he has recognised this role is untenable, and is preparing to step back.
Many in Britain have serious problems with Blair’s whole portfolio career. “Blair Inc” lays out the charges. He wears “too many hats,” the authors say, so it’s not always clear whether he’s doing good or winning business. A personal fortune they estimate at 60 million pounds, plus a 36-property family portfolio, is unseemly, as it was largely built thanks to the contacts and gravitas acquired in public service.
The authors find his consultancy for illiberal regimes distasteful, although it’s not clear if they think he’s being naïve or cynical. Intense secrecy – opaque corporate structures, secret donors, keeping the press at bay – is a final insult. UK partnership rules and the fact he is no longer in parliament limit his disclosure requirements.
Much of this rings true. But “Blair Inc” is hardly the final word. The setup cries out for careful forensic analysis. This book offers much less. It is hyperbolic, vindictive and marred by errors, inconsistencies and poor editing.
A few examples: the book contradicts itself on fees paid by JPMorgan and Kazakhstan, and on who hired former chief of staff Jonathan Powell. A telling quotation from donor Haim Saban appears four times. More broadly, direct sources are limited and some lack authority. Verbiage, from LinkedIn profiles to property ads, jumps unquestioned from internet to page.
The authors get worked up about tiny things, but have little interest in the actual consultancy work, or in exploring the idea that engaging troublesome characters, as Blair did in Northern Ireland, could ever be worthwhile. (They do, however, concede that Blair’s team has done valuable work on malaria and Ebola). Nor is there much context: the obvious comparisons, to Bill Clinton, Henry Kissinger, Nicolas Sarkozy and Gerhard Schroeder, go begging.
For all that, though, this is a vital topic, and Blair has not made this an easy story to tell. But while the former UK leader’s breadth of ambition and divisive reputation makes him a special case, the wider problem is obvious and serious: the extraordinary rewards for the global elite.
You’d need three millennia on a British PM’s salary to match the $690 million that Blackstone boss Steve Schwarzman received last year. Any ex-politician without a fortune of his or her own will feel impoverished in the familiar halls of Davos. Typically, elected leaders leave office with small nest eggs, by those standards, and a few decades left to earn serious money.
Since the opportunity and the desire are often there, there will almost certainly be more Politicians Incorporated. That’s worrying. Democracy will suffer if public office becomes little more than an audition for a second truly lucrative career.
Politics has a problem in the era of the global billionaire. The challenge is illustrated by the business empire of Tony Blair - dubbed “Blair Inc” - in a timely new book by veteran reporters Francis Beckett, David Hencke and Nick Kochan.
Blair has kept busy since stepping down as UK prime minister in 2007. He apparently charges $200,000 a speech, advises JPMorgan, and saved Glencore’s takeover of Xstrata. His mini-McKinsey, Tony Blair Associates, has worked for Abu Dhabi, Kazakhstan and Kuwait. And like a true Davos delegate, Blair leavens entrepreneurship with non-profit work, including his Tony Blair Faith Foundation and the Africa Governance Initiative.
He has also dabbled in diplomacy as Middle East peace envoy for the “quartet” of the United Nations, Brussels, Washington and Moscow. He was supposed to help strengthen the Palestinian economy, but critics charge he’s aloof, too close to Israel and tarnished by his government’s participation in the 2003 American-led invasion of Iraq. The Financial Times reported recently he has recognised this role is untenable, and is preparing to step back.
Many in Britain have serious problems with Blair’s whole portfolio career. “Blair Inc” lays out the charges. He wears “too many hats,” the authors say, so it’s not always clear whether he’s doing good or winning business. A personal fortune they estimate at 60 million pounds, plus a 36-property family portfolio, is unseemly, as it was largely built thanks to the contacts and gravitas acquired in public service.
The authors find his consultancy for illiberal regimes distasteful, although it’s not clear if they think he’s being naïve or cynical. Intense secrecy – opaque corporate structures, secret donors, keeping the press at bay – is a final insult. UK partnership rules and the fact he is no longer in parliament limit his disclosure requirements.
Much of this rings true. But “Blair Inc” is hardly the final word. The setup cries out for careful forensic analysis. This book offers much less. It is hyperbolic, vindictive and marred by errors, inconsistencies and poor editing.
A few examples: the book contradicts itself on fees paid by JPMorgan and Kazakhstan, and on who hired former chief of staff Jonathan Powell. A telling quotation from donor Haim Saban appears four times. More broadly, direct sources are limited and some lack authority. Verbiage, from LinkedIn profiles to property ads, jumps unquestioned from internet to page.
The authors get worked up about tiny things, but have little interest in the actual consultancy work, or in exploring the idea that engaging troublesome characters, as Blair did in Northern Ireland, could ever be worthwhile. (They do, however, concede that Blair’s team has done valuable work on malaria and Ebola). Nor is there much context: the obvious comparisons, to Bill Clinton, Henry Kissinger, Nicolas Sarkozy and Gerhard Schroeder, go begging.
For all that, though, this is a vital topic, and Blair has not made this an easy story to tell. But while the former UK leader’s breadth of ambition and divisive reputation makes him a special case, the wider problem is obvious and serious: the extraordinary rewards for the global elite.
You’d need three millennia on a British PM’s salary to match the $690 million that Blackstone boss Steve Schwarzman received last year. Any ex-politician without a fortune of his or her own will feel impoverished in the familiar halls of Davos. Typically, elected leaders leave office with small nest eggs, by those standards, and a few decades left to earn serious money.
Since the opportunity and the desire are often there, there will almost certainly be more Politicians Incorporated. That’s worrying. Democracy will suffer if public office becomes little more than an audition for a second truly lucrative career.
March 30, 2015
I have lived in Britain under almost all of the years of Tony Blair's PM ship. Coming from Pakistan I have posses a healthy baggage of prejudice against the Establishment and I can safely say it served me well in coping with the Blair version of nonsensical propaganda dished out to the gullible British Public who were desperate to believe in their chosen leader. And I guess that is one area which wasn't covered in this book. If a con artist is able to make it to the top job using his charm and personality how do you get rid of him before he manages to completely tarnish the image and standing of a country? From the outside I always use to value the British for their ability to judge based on the content rather than the ability to argue and persuade but this choice of standing behind Tony has managed to alter my view. British public is as much a victim of propaganda as the Pakistani public, just the language is different.
It is clear that Tony Blair even out of the top office is still damaging the British image abroad but it is frustrating that nothing can be done to stop him. The Labour party wont go against him as he was one of them, and the Conservatives wont touch him as he is doing a fine job by defaming Labour Party, so it seems Tony will continue to prove a thorn in the side. But I guess British people need a good moan as well so there still might be a place for him?
Tony Blair the winner, no wonder totalitarian regimes and Arab royals are so fascinated by his personality.
It is clear that Tony Blair even out of the top office is still damaging the British image abroad but it is frustrating that nothing can be done to stop him. The Labour party wont go against him as he was one of them, and the Conservatives wont touch him as he is doing a fine job by defaming Labour Party, so it seems Tony will continue to prove a thorn in the side. But I guess British people need a good moan as well so there still might be a place for him?
Tony Blair the winner, no wonder totalitarian regimes and Arab royals are so fascinated by his personality.
September 17, 2019
Blair has made himself a multi-millionaire since resigning as Prime Minister and the aim of this book is to try to untangle the labyrinthine organisation of his business/ charity/ speaking/ faith/ property/ lobbying interests. In some respects therefore this book is unsuccessful due to the secrecy of his companies and the confidentiality clauses his employees are sworn to. It is impossible to know, for example, when he is meeting people for his "African Governance Initiative" or as the Quartet's Middle East peace envoy whether he is representing charitable interests, or his own interests or a bank or oil company's interests. The implication is that he uses access for one cause to help his other concerns. The way the same group of millionaires and banks pop up alongside him in different roles is nauseating. Also his wife's involvement with private health companies, his son's company working with "welfare to work" schemes, etc are flagged up here and just stinks.
The only conclusion you can draw from reading this is that the only interests he truly cares about are the interests of Tony Blair.
The only conclusion you can draw from reading this is that the only interests he truly cares about are the interests of Tony Blair.
July 12, 2016
I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
This is the sort of book that can make a person very angry... Blair has become quite a divisive figure and questions around his roles and the money he has made since stepping down as Prime Minister have abounded. Here, the authors go into detail about the various roles Blair has taken since leaving office which appears to be no mean feat given the difficulty in obtaining figures or verification of facts from those in a position to know that information. While acknowledging that some good has come from the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and Africa Governance Initiative, ultimately this book suggests that there is far more that is questionable in Blair's activities since leaving office. A well organised and detailed look at the questions behind brand Blair.
This is the sort of book that can make a person very angry... Blair has become quite a divisive figure and questions around his roles and the money he has made since stepping down as Prime Minister have abounded. Here, the authors go into detail about the various roles Blair has taken since leaving office which appears to be no mean feat given the difficulty in obtaining figures or verification of facts from those in a position to know that information. While acknowledging that some good has come from the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and Africa Governance Initiative, ultimately this book suggests that there is far more that is questionable in Blair's activities since leaving office. A well organised and detailed look at the questions behind brand Blair.
July 29, 2015
This is an illuminating book that sheds light on what Tony Blair has been up to since his days as Prime Minister. The authors have uncovered a lot of disturbing facts about the kinds of people he is willing to do business with. The book appears well researched and definitely raises questions about Blair's ethics.
The only part of the book that I thought was unnecessary was when he focusses on some of the colleagues of Blair which didn't add a lot to the story and felt superfluous.
Overall, an interesting read which shows the negative effect of politics, power, influence and money.
The only part of the book that I thought was unnecessary was when he focusses on some of the colleagues of Blair which didn't add a lot to the story and felt superfluous.
Overall, an interesting read which shows the negative effect of politics, power, influence and money.
May 12, 2015
Post-human: the drone behind the mask
Intellectually non-existent, repetitive, yet nearly mesmerizing in its dogged accumulation of evidence ...for what? What is Blair's sin? The authors flounder, their respectable, conservative stance and tone of voice notwithstanding. Is greed the problem? Oh, greed is so ancient, so human - you can build a religious conversion on it.
Not once does "rent extraction" appear in this too long, too boring report.
Intellectually non-existent, repetitive, yet nearly mesmerizing in its dogged accumulation of evidence ...for what? What is Blair's sin? The authors flounder, their respectable, conservative stance and tone of voice notwithstanding. Is greed the problem? Oh, greed is so ancient, so human - you can build a religious conversion on it.
Not once does "rent extraction" appear in this too long, too boring report.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews