The Many Lives of Michael Bloomberg

Innovation, Money, and Politics

By: Eleanor Randolph

Narrated by: Steven Jay Cohen

Length: 15 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

With unprecedented access, the veteran New York Times reporter and editorial writer who covered New York City and state politics offers a revealing portrait of one of the richest and famously private/public figures in the country. Business genius, inventor, innovator, publisher, philanthropist, activist, and sly wit Michael Bloomberg.

Michael Bloomberg’s life sounds like an exaggerated version of The American Story, except his adventures are real.

From modest Jewish middle class (and Eagle Scout) to Harvard MBA to Solomon Brothers hotshot (where he gets “sent upstairs” and later fired) to creator of the machine that would change Wall Street and the rest of the world and make him a billionaire (a description by the author makes the invention clear to non-engineers).

Randolph’s account of Bloomberg’s life and time comes across almost like a novel, a quintessentially American story. She explains the “machine” he invented that gave and continues to give instant access to an infinite amount of information to bankers and investors on how, what, and where to invest and how it changed the financial universe.

Randolph recounts one day not long ago when the Bloomberg machine briefly blipped and the whole world’s financial marketplace came to a halt.

Randolph recounts Mayor Bloomberg’s vigorous approach to New York city’s care - including his attempts at education reform, contract control, anti-smoking and anti-obesity campaigns, green climate control, and his political adventures with both aides and opponents.

After a surprising third term as mayor, Bloomberg returned to his business and doubles its already tremendous worth. The chapter that describes this is one of the most revealing of his temperament and energy and vision as well as how he spends his “private” time - private but convivial.

Bloomberg’s philanthropies are education, Green Party, and anti-NRA. He is a moderate liberal in a time when that quality holds the future of the Democratic Party and the country to account.

Perhaps the public figure he resembles is Warren Buffett.

©2019 Eleanor Randolph (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio

Terrific book and well written. Enormous insight.

Overall book was excellent. This was a very fair assessment of the performance and achievements as a student, in business and as mayor.

LONG - but a GREAT listen!

Didn't know all that he has accomplished. Someone who cares about others ... REALLY giving back!

Best Mayor of all TIME!

Growing up in NYC specifically The Bronx, you get to see the stark difference between the rich and poor. This mayor had an ego that worked. He knew if he couldn’t get it done no one could. It was the right type of NY mentality that was needed. I experienced his tenure and admired his radical approach to tackling these tasks. I am certain that stop and frisk saved many lives. I want to be hopeful that the city helps with the cruise ships for homeless to be temporary homes while they find full time solutions. Anything is better than homeless shelters in The Bronx (worst experience of my life). Mike should have been President the guy is such a Maverick.

Great Narration!

Engrossing story and Cohen’s narration was beyond reproach.
Too bad the sock puppets trashed his narration!

A roadmap to organizational success and leadership

Reminded me of a successful business owner I once worked for. Success is in selecting the right people, establish your standard, have a means of monitoring progress or lack thereof and instill the need for goal achievement and weed out those who either can not or will not follow the rules. Most call these leaders as "hard nosed" and some times "over bearing". I found them to be successful leaders with whom one should emulate.

Insightful and interesting story of impressive man

Tho I’ve admired his work as Mayor, I hadn’t appreciated the depth of his achievements, the drive that made them possible, nor the philosophy that stitched them all together in a man who is impacting America and the world on the order of Carnegie

Book is good. Narration is so incredibly bad.

I literally know third graders who can do a better time narrating a book. The content of the book is good / fine / balanced, but wow. Buy the written copy!

Who is the next president?

So it has become a desire of mine to learn about the top prospective democrats that could potentially win. This story of Michael Bloomberg is astonishing story of hard work, competency and sheer determination. It is inspiring even though I conflict on many levels with Bloomberg’s ideologies. He is unabashedly powerful, forceful and simultaneously extremely concerned about the wellness of others. Generosity is pronounced from day one and his extreme wealth and influence has allowed him to explode to what I would argue could give the strongest position to remove the current president, though it appears his run is unlikely. I appreciate the intensity and willingness to fail and learn. Great book!

A complicated individual with a purpose.

Great book. I encourage anyone who’s asking why Mike Bloomberg is running for president to read this book. This book has solidified my conviction that Mike is the guy for the job.

Good bio, leans pro-Bloomberg

Well written and interesting. I got the sense that the author was pro-Bloomberg, even though there were “bad facts” discussed. Hard to know if it is bias or if his record speaks for itself.