The Richest Man Who Ever Lived

The Life and Times of Jacob Fugger

By: Greg Steinmetz

Narrated by: Norman Dietz

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Jacob Fugger lived in Germany at the turn of the 16th century, the grandson of a peasant. By the time he died, his fortune amounted to nearly 2 percent of European GDP. Not even John D. Rockefeller had that kind of wealth.

Most people become rich by spotting opportunities, pioneering new technologies, or besting opponents in negotiations. Fugger did all that, but he had an extra quality that allowed him to rise even higher: nerve. In an era when kings had unlimited power, Fugger had the nerve to stare down heads of state and ask them to pay back their loans - with interest. It was this coolness and self-assurance, along with his inexhaustible ambition, that made him not only the richest man ever but a force of history as well. Fugger helped trigger the Reformation and likely funded Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe.

The ultimate untold story, The Richest Man Who Ever Lived is more than a tale about the richest and most influential businessman of all time. It is a story about palace intrigue, knights in battle, family tragedy and triumph, and a violent clash between the 1 percent and everybody else.

©2015 Greg Steinmetz (P)2015 Tantor

meh

could have been so great but the writing wasn't clear and the story didn't seem to follow a timeline

Un interesante vistazo a la historia europea

Leer este libro te da un interesante vistazo a la vida en Europa en el Renacimiento y como Jacob Fugger forjó la mas grande fortuna de su tiempo y probablemente de la historia, además de su gran influencia en las cortes europeas, dejando una huella en el mundo de los negociad y las finanzas que perdura hasta hoy.

Very interesting

I really enjoyed this book at all that you told about financing in the people involved in it.

Great subject, descent writing, mediocre reading

Great subject, descent writing, mediocre reading. It is interesting and worth the time, but I would have died if I had listened at normal speed.

Interesting but Flawed

The Fugger story is interesting and it’s worth the listen.

However, the book repeats several historical myths: the Rothschild family did NOT make their fortune by knowing faster than others about Waterloo. That’s a myth. They made their fortune initially by contraband, breaking restrictions imposed by Napoleon. Waterloo was actually bad for their business.

Similarly, Luther likely did NOT say “Here I stand, I can do no other.”

So the book is not one with deep riguros research; so it could contain myths.

But you can check those in further reading. The book is still informative and entertaining in parts.

Narration is Boring

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator

Would you be willing to try another one of Norman Dietz’s performances?

I would give him a second, or even third chance, but if his narrations are as dry, monotonal, and unemotional as this one, No.

the biggest back room dealer of the middle ages

most of the world has never hear of this guy, but history happened because of him.
brilliant before his time. shrewd and cunning, wealthier than kings. amazing man. great read, enjoy

An excellent History of hey man most people don’t know

This historical account is packed with a lot of information and may be worth re-reading again. There are a lot of similarities with today’s current events bringing perspective to how we got to where we are today. Definitely a great read for anyone interested in free market and banking.

Good overall

I enjoyed this book. If you like history, especially regarding Europe in the 16th century, you will like this book. If you like business, businessmen, or stories involving getting money; you will like this book. The narrator was quite good, if a bit monotonous every once in a while. I would certainly recommend buying this audiobook.

WONDERFUL

Most people wouldn’t believe how many important events of the 16th century in Europe and elsewhere for that matter would never have happened or at least not in quite the same way without Jacob Fugger! This is truly a great read and his story a great surprise!