Todo o Dinheiro do Mundo

by John Pearson, Elton Medeiros (Translator)

O magnata do petróleo J. Paul Getty construiu a maior fortuna dos Estados Unidos - e chegou perto de destruir a própria família no processo, com o nome Getty, como um jornalista declarou, "se tornando sinônimo de família problemática". Mas o desastre precisava acontecer?

Quando Paul Getty foi sequestrado aos dezesseis anos, a notícia se espalhou pelo mundo. Mas seu avô, então o americano mais rico vivo, se recusou a pagar o resgate, ignorando o sofrimento do neto. Com os dias se arrastando dolorosamente, virou responsabilidade de Gail, a mãe perturbada mas determinada de Paul, negociar com os sequestradores...

Nesta biografia completa da família Getty, John Pearson narra a criação da riqueza fenomenal e as maneiras como ela tocou e manchou as vidas de várias gerações, traçando boa parte dos problemas até a figura bizarra do bilionário avarento, o próprio J. Paul Getty - e demonstra que o dinheiro pode sim comprar a sobrevivência e até a felicidade.

Todo o Dinheiro do Mundo agora é uma superprodução de cinema, dirigido por Ridley Scott e com roteiro de David Scarpa, estrelando Michelle Williams e Mark Wahlberg. Cheio de personagens excêntricos, rixas e reviravoltas, se trata de uma saga fascinante de uma dinastia extraordinária e um olhar dedicado para as vidas dos super-ricos.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, True Crime, Biography Memoir, American History, Media Tie In

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

John Pearson is a renowned author and journalist who books include The Profession of Violence, his famous biography of the Kray twins which won the Edgar Allan Poe Special Award, The Life of Ian Fleming, The Life of James Bond, The Sitwells and Painfully Rich: The Outrageous Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Heirs of J. Paul Getty and The Cult of Violence.

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admit it, we are all drawn to stories about the wealthy and their experiences with how they are affected by having too much moola. In reading this book, I thought about the story of King Midas and how he wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. Of course, if the food you touch turns to gold, you can't eat.

J. Paul Getty touched too much food with his hands of gold.

The book does a good job of explaining the Getty fortune and who was affected by it. This was really a family in turmoil, especially Monsieur Miser. The author also looks at the grandson who was kidnapped and had his ear cut off when the Miser didn't want to pay the ransom.

Still, Mr. Getty gave us the magnificent Getty Villa in Malibu and the fantastic Getty Museum in Brentwood. Thank you for that. Plus, I can remember seeing Gordon Getty using public transportation in San Francisco and just enjoying life. So not everyone gets affected the wrong way with having too much gold, but beware the tides of Midas.

Book Season = Summer (cry me a river)

[Jill Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The other day I saw the movie "All the Money in the World". Filmed by Ridley Scott, the movie stars Michelle Williams and Christopher Plummer, who took over the role of J Paul Getty AFTER the filming had been finished. He was put in to replace Kevin Spacey and I'd love to read how the film's J Paul Getty's scenes were reshot and all the publicity material was changed. Another story, I guess... Anyway, the movie was excellent and I was intrigued by the Getty family, so I downloaded and read British author John Pearson's book, "All the Money in the World", originally published as "Painfully Rich" in the mid-1990's.

John Pearson's book covers the entire J Paul Getty family, from Getty's parents - his father build up the family's first oil fortune - to Getty's grandchildren. The part about the kidnapping in Italy of Paul Getty III in the early 1970's is not a major part of the book, but covered well enough that a viewer who goes to the book after seeing the movie will be satisfied with the information given. The book is actually a well-written family biography which is unbiased in who and what is covered. The warts and the roses of the family are all covered.

I can highly recommend both the movie and the book on which it is based.

[AnnaG · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know whether the Getty family's problems came from having money or whether they would have had their dysfunctions in poverty as well, but this book is an excellent cure for anyone whose goal in life is fame or money.

[Jill Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The other day I saw the movie "All the Money in the World". Filmed by Ridley Scott, the movie stars Michelle Williams and Christopher Plummer, who took over the role of J Paul Getty AFTER the filming had been finished. He was put in to replace Kevin Spacey and I'd love to read how the film's J Paul Getty's scenes were reshot and all the publicity material was changed. Another story, I guess... Anyway, the movie was excellent and I was intrigued by the Getty family, so I downloaded and read British author John Pearson's book, "All the Money in the World", originally published as "Painfully Rich" in the mid-1990's.

John Pearson's book covers the entire J Paul Getty family, from Getty's parents - his father build up the family's first oil fortune - to Getty's grandchildren. The part about the kidnapping in Italy of Paul Getty III in the early 1970's is not a major part of the book, but covered well enough that a viewer who goes to the book after seeing the movie will be satisfied with the information given. The book is actually a well-written family biography which is unbiased in who and what is covered. The warts and the roses of the family are all covered.

I can highly recommend both the movie and the book on which it is based.

[Heather Fineisen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went to the movie last weekend and was enthralled. I wanted to know more about the Getty family and the infamous kidnapping of Paul number 3. The book expands on the movie and hits just the right balance between gossipy and informative. The movie is a bit different in places when it comes to the kidnapping, but both book and movie are worth your time if the subject interests you. See the movie first.

[Lissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Editor needed

The editing is awful, there are mistakes of all kinds throughout the book. Frustrating given this is a do-over and they couldn’t fix mistakes. Re the writing, I thought the author was too biased in his sympathy towards Paul Jr.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have specifically linked this review to the original 1995 edition of this book and not the re-titled version 'All the Money in the World' which was the title of the Ridley Scott film (of which more later). I thought the book was intelligent, interesting and readable but anyone coming to it from the film will no doubt be surprised how much more the Getty story there is. As to whether it is the best book to read about the John Paul Getty and his descendents I do not know. It is better than many and probably more accurate.

Of course accuracy is the last thing that you can call 'All the Money in the World'. As a film it may be excellent but I could not quite accept the liberties taken with the horrendous suffering of a sixteen year old boy. That the film turned JPG III unhappy life into a fairy tale of happy endings and justice triumphing is really obscene if you know poor JPG III's true life story. Only his being dead allowed such a travesty of truth to be filmed.

[clumsyplankton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a strange book from the start to the end but the Gettys are such a strange family. I had never heard of this kidnapping before I picked up the book and wow that was nuts.

[Andreas Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mi ero ripromesso di scrivere una recensione, poi mi sono scordato persino di aver letto libro.
Ma in realtà no, è anche una buona biografia in sé di una famiglia di cui, insomma, checcefregaannoi di Getty che si crede la reincarnazione di Cesare Augusto (ma figuriamoci!) e della sua riproduzione della villa pompeiana (ma dico, non hanno un briciolo di amor proprio gli architetti? Se solo ci fosse stato Frank Lloyd Wright avrebbe saputo creare un'ottima villa con splendide quanto catastrofiche infiltrazioni d'acqua).
In particolare credo ormai pochissimo rimanga dei Getty nell'immaginario collettivo, ho dovuto vedere un film per sapere che esistessero, perché sono una manciata i miliardari americani conosciuti. Tra cui il mio preferito, l'Oracolo Warren Buffett.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting description of the travails of the Getty family. In this case, the mechanics of the family were set in motion by the patriarch, J. Paul Getty, who was sexually insatiable and could not abide being tied down by a family, so he serially married young women and then divorced them when they became pregnant or shortly afterward, all while keeping innumerable mistresses on the side. His five sons all grew up twisted, and one of them killed himself/overdosed, another descended into drug-induced monasticism for over two decades, a third died at twelve of a botched operation while pleading for his father's presence. A fourth was cut out of the fortune entirely, and the fifth managed to become a composer and be relatively normal. In the next generation, several children rebelled and suffered grievous physical harm from AIDS, torture by kidnappers, and drug addiction. The book only goes up to 1995, so isn't clear if the family is still suffering. One of the grandchildren is working to make the family more normal, and it appears the destruction and disbursement of the trust may resolve the terrible fights over money the children have suffered, but that remains to be seen. Well-written book that utilizes heavily one of the ex-wives of J. Paul Getty II and doesn't go into enough detail about the other sons, but valuable and interesting to read none the less.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If ever there were a case to be made for the old adage that money can’t buy happiness, this sorry tale of the extended Getty family would be it. An exploration of Jean Paul Getty himself from his origins to his many heirs, it’s a sorry tale of a dysfunctional family par excellence. Getty himself remains ultimately unknowable and I never felt I gained any insight into his inner being – perhaps he didn’t have one but was merely a man of straw with a knack of making more and more money. It’s a really sad and depressing story. What a miserable lot they all were and are. The effect of money on this family was catastrophic and far-reaching and I saw little signs of redemption even in the younger generation. A fascinating, if disturbing, examination of the getting and spending of vast wealth.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I would like this book. Reading about rich people and all their problems but it was quite interesting.
The book takes you on a journey through the lives, trials and tribulations as well as the good times for this crazy family. It was very interesting and you learn more about the people involved and how money, fame and family can and do change. But as always money may not buy happiness but it buys whatever you need in order to get through life.
The word 'RICH' is not all about money!

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle version needs editing... poor grammar and did not capitalize AIDS correctly. Decent & quick read for those too young to remember.

[Stephanie Hutabarat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really a good book, it’s a cliche i suppose that somehow even you have money there is something empty in your soul. 3 stars for this

[Entre letras y cámaras · Rating 3 out of 5]

Para leer la reseña al completo, haz click aquí.

Antes del estreno de la película del mismo nombre, Harpercollins Ibérica editó el pasado mes de febrero el libro que recoge un amplio relato biográfico por toda la familia Getty. Aunque se cuenten los mismos hechos que en la cinta dirigida por Ridley Scott, esta obra escrita por John Pearson aporta muchos más detalles acerca del que fuera en su momento el hombre más rico de la historia.

El libro que comienza con unos agradecimientos de Pearson a toda la gente que ha hecho posible escribir algo tan complejo, como son las personas pertenecientes a la familia Getty, ya que si no habría encontrado muchos problemas que seguramente acabarían en posibles juicios por derechos. También me gustaría remarcar la inclusión de un árbol genealógico de la familia Getty, para que así el lector no se pierda en el caso de que algún nombre no le suene de entre los muchos que salen en la historia.

[...]

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars ... I do recall the events of ’73 when Getty III was kidnapped and the recoil I felt when hearing (no pun intended) of his ear being cut off. Didn’t quite match the disgust when his grandfather refused to pay the ransom though … not as much from a principled stand as the fact he was a monumental tight arse. Purchased this book - republished from the original version ‘Painfully Rich’ to cash in on the movie - to get more detail on the kidnapping, but also to find out more about JP Getty. However, for me, the book was disappointing as it largely centred on ‘rich people’s problems’ where I would have preferred a greater focus on how Getty accumulated his incredible wealth. Ultimately, the book ended up more like an episode of Dynasty or Dallas and really dragged for the last 50 or so pages where the author sways from scathing to borderline sycophancy.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A horrifying tale of a family so dysfunctional at the hands of its patriarch that it’s taken generations to get past it. J. Paul. Getty was rich. He was also so unmeritorious a human being that I have struggled to find anything positive to say about the old crapcastle, excepting that at least his corpse was made of recyclable elements. To the extent that his descendants have been able to rise above, I salute them.

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating

I bought this when it was on offer in kindle.Had heard of the film but never saw it.Thought this book was really just about the kidnapping and the aftermath.Wow.A truly fascinating read.From the very beginning of John Paul Gerry right up to his great grandchildren.The highs and massive lows and misfortunes,NOT moneywise!!,and addictions.To be at the absolute lowest ebb of life to find a way and come back.I thoroughly recommend.And yup you've guessed it......Money isn't everything.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Happened before I was born so history was intriguing. Not a must read.

[Vic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting events and people but got tired about the negativity that was everywhere.
According to the Getty story money is the root of all evil.....

[J Eseltine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best-written book but an interesting story.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts with J. Paul Getty's death and the will that distributing the majority of his personal fortune to the Getty Museum with the massively wealthy family trust to take care of three of his four surviving sons and their families.

This is mostly an overview of three generations of the Getty family with views of the parents of Jean Paul Getty that was such a strong influence on him, the so-called ghostly keepers of his conscience. His parents - George and Sarah Getty - had installed in Jean Paul a sense of economy and frugality which was in opposition of his collecting of companies, artwork, homes and women. And his frugality was not confined to money matters. He seemed at times to be emotionally miserly, even cold and unaware of the wrongs he inflicted on his family.

With their distant father in the background, his four sons (the fifth died young) had to make their own way - making mistakes that only the wealthy can easily make. Drugs, addictions, depressions, emotional stunting, even the kidnapping of Paul Getty III and his eventual torture. Some of which lead to illnesses and medical problems which, in turn, had the best doctors, facilities, medications and care that money can buy.

They say that money can't buy happiness and the old man certainly personified that saying. The dysfunctional aspects of the following generations lives were certainly planted by their father and grandfather. Some managed - after many years, heartaches, terror, emotional and psychological damage - found a form of content.

I will say that the writing did seem, at some times, like an attempt to clean up the images of the Getty heirs - be it in America, England or South Africa. They admitted some of their faults but you have to wonder what they were unwilling to admit to.

There is an update in the 2017 version that relays what had happened to the children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren of the original J. Paul Getty. The money still flows but some have learned to love being outside of the spotlight and live in the shadows.

[Janalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's too bad the cover of my book has such a cheesy Hollywood cover from the "major motion picture" that came after the original publication. The movie cover cheapens the true story within, which is nearly unbelievable.

[Realini Ionescu · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the Money in the World based on the book by John Pearson


This motion picture has probably had more buzz surrounding the postproduction, re- shooting and financial aspects, than discussion over the merits or lack thereof of a feature that has a nomination for an Academy Award.

Christopher Plummer, at the age of 88 (!) has played the role of the obnoxious, despicable, greedy, and psychopathic to a certain degree, richest man of his time and for all history up to 1973- John Paul Getty.
Nevertheless, the excellent, veteran Oscar winner and nominated for this part for another Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting role and the oldest to get this nod, was not the first choice, but came after director Ridley Scott had decided to replace the original star, Kevin Spacey, in the aftermath of scandals surrounding his alleged abuse of teenage boys.

The production has taken to re-shoot the scenes involving John Paul Getty and called the other actors involved- Michelle Williams as Gail Harris, the daughter in law of the villainous, heartless tycoon and Mark Wahlberg as Fletcher Chase, the man who tries to help the mother recuperate her son.
However, the new scenes were paid with over one million- was it one point seven million dollars- in the case of the male star and only with something like eighty dollars per day for Michele Williams, a huge discrepancy that has highlighted yet again the discriminations that women still have to face, even in highly paid positions.

Alas, some may feel that neither Ms. Williams, nor Mark Wahlberg have had their best performances in this motion picture about greed, love, hope, courage, vitality, recklessness, indifference and humanity.
Early on, a group of criminals in Italy abducts John Paul Getty III –portrayed by a promising artist called Charlie Plummer- a coincidence, since he is not related to Christopher Plummer-.

One of the most important villains, the one who will both assist the felons and try to help poor young John to survive the ordeal and come out with as little trauma and physical damage as possible, is played by one of the best actors in the world, Romain Duris aka Cinquanta.
John Paul Getty is not just the richest man in the world, but also a billionaire who has invested vast sums in works of art- that have finally adorned the museum Getty, but only after his demise-and he has a reputation as a savvy, well versed, knowledgeable collector, who offers a gift to his favorite grandson.

This man is The Miser from the paly by Moliere and it is surprising to see him tell the story of a statuette, which he has found in the market, where a man was asking for $ 20 –was it? - and it took the billionaire one hour to take the price down to $ 10 for a work of art that he estimates at over one million.
If this looks like an outrageous, cheap game played by the richest man of the planet, it must also be said that a classic of positive psychology, Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, author of the archetypal Flow, mentions the example of an Italian art dealer who would refuse a client who does not negotiate, because he is “in the zone” when haggling, without this negotiation there is no Flow.

Nevertheless, when pressed by the demands of the kidnappers, Gail Harris decides to sell the valuable gift and travels to the Sotheby’s auction house to try to obtain the million dollars or more for the expensive possession, only to be told that the object is actually worth only $ 15.
One lesson from this incident and the whole story might be to think twice or more about rejecting a share of the fortune, which is what Ms. Harris had done, when she divorced her husband, she specified that she wants no part of the Getty wealth; she only wants custody of her children.

When the criminals ask for seventeen million dollars, the richest man’s response is that he will not pay, when further asked, he insists he has no money to spare, it is a difficult time and when Fletcher Chase mentions the oil crisis which brings Getty so much more, the latter still refuses to do anything for his unfortunate relative.
Meanwhile, as the gangsters saw that the mother has nothing and the wealthy old man does not play ball- he even speaks to the press and refers to his many relatives claiming that there is no way he would give in, because after that he would have to pay millions every day- they mutilate the poor boy.

Cinquanta plays a double game, calling the mother and warning her about the intentions of the other members of the gang, but as part of this complicated position, he is the one who holds young Paul down, when a doctor comes to cut one ear off, to be presented to the family and convince them that other anatomical parts would follow if the millions do not materialize.
A newspaper offers $ fifty thousand for the right to print the gory images, insisting that they know that the mother has no money and therefore this sum could help- Gail Harris rejects the notion of trading with the suffering and trauma of her beloved son, but has a brilliant idea, asking for one thousand copies of the newspaper in return for the copyright.

She sends the big packages to the residence- palace actually- of the wealthiest but also poorest man on earth- destitute not financially, but emotionally- and this appears to work as the heinous Getty pays more attention to the issue and finds that there is a way to deduct some tax from this kidnapping.
Loathsome as he is, he wants to offer a loan to his son, for tax purposes, since there is not legal benefit from paying ransom, and he wants in exchange that his daughter in law would give away the custody of the children.

Most critics have been happy with this motion picture, but you may find it less rewarding that expected, unless you consider Hamlet:

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”

[Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Getty's prove that money does not buy happiness.

I haven't seen the movie, "All The Money In The World", but this autobiography certainly tells a story of how a family can become incredibly dysfunctional. From J. Paul Getty's upbringing by strict religious parents, to the slight he felt when his father died and basically disinherited him, to the various marriages, children, and fortunes he made, this book was an intriguing look into a fascinatingly flawed family.

Great read and now looking forward to the movie. Having read the book, it gives you a little bit more incite as to why J.Paul wouldn't pay for his grandson's ransom.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well done biography of a family that tracks decades. It is beautifully edited and truly is never boring in the slightest. It also surprisingly personal and insightful without seeming contrived. This book gives great insight into what would propel anyone to amass insane wealth and what the consequences of such a quest would likely be.

[Amy Elrod · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very Slow book. Movie was much better!

[Kristine Betker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Renae · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing. Only ONE chapter dedicated to the kidnapping - the rest about how much J. Paul Getty was an asshole.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uwielbiamy historie rozpoczynające się od słów oparte na faktach. Świadomość, że wszystko to, o czym czytamy wydarzyło się naprawdę sprawia, że łatwiej wejść w opowieść. Nabiera większej wiarygodności za sprawą tych trzech wyrazów. Do jednych z tych książek zalicza się powieść Johna Pearson Wszystkie pieniądze świata.

Miało być tak pięknie. Amerykańscy krezusi, wielopokoleniowa historia najzamożniejszej rodziny Ameryki, którą swą niemoralnie olbrzymią fortunę zbiła na wydobyciu ropy naftowej i historia porwania wnuka seniora rodu. No właśnie miało, na koniec zostały mocno mieszane uczucia i potężne rozczarowanie.

J. Paul Getty I pochodził z średnio zamożnej rodziny. Rodzice surowi purytanie, ściśle przestrzegający zasad wiary, nie rozumieli zainteresowań syna literaturą i kulturą bardziej od spraw czysto praktycznych. Oni krystalicznie uczciwi, dochodzący do wszystkiego ciężką pracą, on ich zdaniem lekkoduch. Oni moraliści. On kochający towarzystwo i romanse z lolitkami. Wszystko to sprawiło, że między ojcem i synem nie było ciepłych więzi. Mimo obaw rodziców, wyrósł na potentata naftowego, posiadającego wszystkie pieniądze świata. Stał się sknerą, niestroniącym od romansów z coraz młodszymi kochankami.

Jeden z jego synów, Jean Paul Getty II odziedziczy po ojcu miłość do sztuki, kolejne nieszczęśliwe małżeństwa i umiejętność zniszczenia relacji z własnymi dziećmi. Hipis podążający za pragnieniem przyjemnego życia, alkoholik i narkoman.

Wreszcie Jean Paul Getty III w wieku szesnastu lat porwany, torurowany i okaleczony przez włoską mafię, co na zawsze odbije się na jego psychice. Aktor i człowiek o załamanym życiu.

Rodzina Gettych posiadająca zapierające dech w piersiach rezydencje w USA, Wielkiej Brytani i Włoszech, kontakty towarzyskie począwszy od Micka Jaggera kończąc na królowej Elzbiecie II, skoligaceni z Elizabeth Taylor i największy majątek na świecie, nie mieli miłości. Zaburzone relacje z ojcem Jean Paula Getty I rzutują na relacjach ojciec - potomstwo w kolejnych pokoleniach, niszcząc i zżerając ich samych. Stało się to swoistą klątwą wiszącą nad nimi przez kilkadziesiąt lat.

Pearson miał więc wszelkie szanse na stworzenie zapierającej opowieści o ludziach marzących posiadać własną dynastię, a skończyli jako życiowi rozbitkowie, którym trudno było pozbierać się po przeżytych traumach, dla których pieniądze stały się przekleństwem. Tymczasem ślizga się po ich życiu, zaczyna wątek i przerywa go, aby potem wrócić do niego. W konsekwencji historia ta zamiast niepokoić, zaczyna nurzyć. Kiedy rozbudzi zainteresowanie, szybko go gasi. Z drugiej strony zastanawiam się nad tym, czy bylibyśmy w stanie znieść więcej? To opowieść nasycona bólem, gorzkimi rozczarowaniami, tęsknotą za prawdziwą miłością i szczęściem, którego Getty nigdy nie zaznali. To prawdziwy pantagruel, który często wywołuje obrzydzenie i chęć skulenia się w kłębek. Mimo to cały czas czuje się niedosyt, zbyt pobieżną relację nie pozwalającą w pełni zanurzyć się w mrocznym świecie ludzi posiadających wszystkie pieniądze świata. Szkoda, bo mimo wszystko liczyłem na jeszcze więcej. To moja jedna z większych literackich kontrowersji tego roku.