By Tim Saunders on
For anyone interested in the charity work of the rich and the famous, Philanthrocapitalism by Matthew Bishop and Michael Green is – in the words of Bill Clinton – “an important book.”
With a foreword by Clinton and featuring interviews with the movers and shakers of the charity world – including Bono, Bill Gates, Angelina Jolie and Richard Branson – Philanthrocapitalism is a highly readable and thoroughly researched study of who is doing what to tackle the big issues facing humanity today. It gives in-depth accounts of where the world’s wealthiest entrepreneurs and business leaders are spending their money and exactly what effect their efforts are having – both negative and positive. Even the most skeptical reader will get an insight into how money is being used to bring new solutions to age-old problems.
Bishop and Green give a well-rounded and in-depth view of the changing face of philanthropy in today’s world, detailing the history of charity to the dark ages and beyond. Their research studies the reasons behind the giving of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Ted Turner and their super-rich friends, and the effects they have on their chosen causes. In the process, it shows how the fame and status of big names such as Bono and Angelina Jolie play a useful part in making the world a better place – as Angelina says, “people take my calls.” This book shows us exactly how giving can save the world.
By revealing the successes of philanthropy and studying some of the scandals, Philanthrocapitalism shows how world leaders – from business, politics and entertainment – have a huge opportunity to solve the biggest problems facing the planet today. It is all too easy to sit back and be cynical when we hear of the giving of the rich and famous, but this book highlights the changing face of society, and how – with a population that now numbers over 7 billion – philanthropic leaders need to step up to the plate.
Written in a style that is immediately understandable and accessible, Philanthrocapitalism is a concise and direct roadmap for how we all can make the world a better place by learning lessons from those who are already making a difference.
To find out more about Matthew Bishop and Michael Green’s Philanthrocapitalism and how you can order a copy, visit Philanthrocapitalism.net. The book can be ordered from Amazon.com here, as well as from Amazon.co.uk.
Copyright © 2011 Look to the Stars
