Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Reading about some CEO in the insurance industry, even a colorful one like Hank Greenberg, would not normally be my first choice for spending a leisurely afternoon by the fire. But I am certainly glad I chose to pick up this book.
Ron Shelp's tale of Hank Greenberg and AIG is utterly fascinating. The rise and fall of Greenberg, an extraordinary man who despite his present troubles is obviously greatly admired by the author (a former senior officer of AIG who reported directly to Greenberg for 12 years), has elements of Greek tragedy. At age 80, Greenberg had everything one could possibly want in the world, and he had earned it all. One would think his highest priority should have been to protect his legacy and his well-deserved reputation as one of the world's great businessmen.
But he was tripped up by inattentiveness to his own vulnerability and that of his company in a post-Enron world. The free-wheeling ways of the international insurance industry, and the dubious financial engineering methods and questionable accounting practices that must have been growing like a cancer inside AIG over a number of years, never seemed to have sounded any warning bells in his mind. It was business as usual. But after Enron, the world had changed, and Greenberg had the bad luck to have as an adversary an energetic, determined and effective crusader against corporate malfeasance -- the Attorney General of New York (and now Governor-elect) Eliot Spitzer.
The rest is history. Ongoing litigation will determine the final chapter of this story. Greenberg's alleged misdeeds, even if they are proved in court, are trivial in comparison to the crimes committed at Enron and by many of the more egregious corporate bad guys of our era. Punishment, if the prosecutors prevail, will likely be a lot less severe than in some other high profile cases. But those alleged misdeeds have already been enough to destroy a great man's reputation, and that must be a stunning personal tragedy for the leading character of this excellent book.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Fallen Giant: The Amazing Story of Hank Greenberg and the History of AIG
A unique insider view into the recent AIG crisis and Hank Greenberg
For nearly 40 years, Maurice "Hank" Greenberg was one of the most powerful CEOs in America. He built American International Group (AIG) from a second-rate insurer with a great Chinese franchise into one of the world's most profitable companies. But times have certainly changed, and now, in the Second Edition of Fallen Giant, author Ronald Shelp-who worked alongside Greenberg and within the AIG organization for many years-with the help of Al Ehrbar, sheds light on both AIG, the company, and Hank Greenberg, the man.
This fully updated Second Edition digs deep to uncover the latest developments for both Greenberg and AIG, such as the many lawsuits underway, including a criminal trial that will send five men-one who still works for Greenberg-to prison. It also chronicles the incredible story of how AIG was rescued by the Fed, and why the government had no choice in the matter.
Includes new insights into the latest developments for both AIG and Hank Greenberg
Reveals the real reasons behind the U.S. government's unprecedented bailout of AIG
Explores AIG's history, starting in Shanghai in 1919, along with the downfall of its CEO
Offers rare insights into how AIG almost collapsed
Filled with international intrigue and expert business acumen, the Second Edition of Fallen Giant paints a compelling portrait of both the past successes and current crises of Hank Greenberg and AIG.
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