As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
by J. Getty
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Book Summary Information
Author: J. GettyEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-06-26
ISBN: 0892367008
Number of pages: 400
Publisher: J. Paul Getty Museum
Book Reviews of As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
Book Review: A life Well Lived
Summary: 5 Stars
"You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage-payer. You cannot further the Brotherhood of Man by encouraging class hatred. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves." Abraham Lincoln
Mr. Getty begins and ends his book with this quote. He discusses his political ideas, his personal life starting from his childhood, as well as, focusing on the current events of the day. I enjoyed learning about Jackie Kennedy, Aristotle Onassis, the Rockefellers, and other famous people in his day.
His parents were very involved and attentive. They helped him develop into a mature and successful adult. Their stable relationship created a nice environment for their only child, Paul. Unfortunately, Mr. Getty was unable to create an environment like this for his five sons. His short term marriages, created turmoil for his children. Mr. Getty felt like a failure in all five of his marriages.
He inherited the oil business from his father. But because of his hard work and his intelligence, he built an empire.
I enjoyed reading his ideas on women and men. He explains the differences between the sexes in the work place as well in relationships. He obviously learned a lot about women from his marriages.
Mr. Getty explains why he looks friendless and very grim in his media photos. He explains why he installed a pay phone in his mansion.
He actually was not a loner, or a miser, as the press incorrectly states. It would stand to reason that he wasn't friendless. As generally speaking:
"The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends."
It is ironic that he is considered cheap as he built two world class museums in Los Angeles. His admitted addiction to buying art created a need for the two museums, which he built with his own funds.He purchased the art for his museums as well. One museum was built before his death, the other was funded from a trust fund. Today his museums receive endowments from the Getty Trust to maintain them, as well as, to purchase more art.
I would have liked to know Mr. Getty. He would have been wonderful to converse with as he had a wide variety of interests, and he wasn't hesitant to state his opinions.
Paul J. Getty's wealth is not what makes this book interesting. His clever insights and his intellect are what make this book well worth reading. Throughout the book I noticed his keen mind and his sense of humor.
I appreciated the index, which made his book more of a pleasure to read, as I was able to easily reread subjects that were of particular interest to me. Although I am a fast reader the details in this book lends itself to be read slowly. You will enjoy this book.
Summary of As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
While writing his autobiography, Jean Paul Getty - then perhaps the world's richest man - hoped it would be the final verdict on himself, on his many friends and associates, and on his times. Regrettably, it proved to be so: Getty died in 1976 as "As I See It" was going to press. Now reissued with a number of new illustrations, this autobiography introduces the famed tycoon to a new generation of readers. Known largely for his fabled wealth, J. Paul Getty was highly educated, competent in six languages, a world traveller, and a committed collector of art. Getty describes how he amassed his staggering fortune, discusses the prospects of democracy, lists the seven key points success-oriented men should know about women, and recounts undergraduate conversations at Oxford with his good friend "David", the future King Edward of England. The cast of characters who populate his intimate anecdotes reads like a "Who's Who" of the 20th century: Winston Churchill, Clara Bow, Nelson Rockefeller, Bernard Berenson, Bela Lugosi, Jacqueline Onassis, Richard Nixon, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Charlie Chaplin, and hundreds more. He discusses with frankness his several marriages and liaisons and speaks about his notorious stinginess and the often-bizarre problems confronted by the impossibly wealthy.Rich & Famous Books
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