Status
Available
Publication
New York : PublicAffairs, c2009.
Description
The first biography of business mastermind and u?bermayor Michael Bloomberg, written by an award-winning veteran New York Times reporter
Media reviews
The greatest strength of “Mike Bloomberg” is Purnick’s reporting, which is detailed and delightful... But fitting it all together is maddeningly difficult. Purnick calls Bloomberg “stubbornly elusive” and “allergic to introspection.” Traits that seem to define him at one point in his
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life nearly vanish at another. All we are left with is what she describes as “Bloomberg’s Zelig-like ability to fit in, to make himself part of a new universe.” Show Less
Lukewarm about her subject, she faults him for being dull. The result is a lifeless portrait. “He is not warm, beloved, or glib in a profession that demands all three,” she concludes, adding, “And that is okay with him.” We finish knowing a bit more about Mr. Bloomberg, but not knowing him
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any better. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member ALincolnNut
Before 9/11, the campaign of Mike Bloomberg to replace Rudy Giuliani as mayor of New York City seemed quixotic, at best. Although the massive wealth earned by Bloomberg through his eponymous company allowed for him to personally bankroll his effort, certain obstacles seemed insurmountable.
The 9/11 terrorist attacks and their aftermath completely changed the dynamics of the mayoral election, giving Giuliani his finest hour – which made his endorsement of Bloomberg valuable – and pushing normal city issues to the background in the campaign. Instead, a rather no-nonsense manager seemed a plausible choice in rebuilding the city's infrastructure and confidence. Ultimately, Bloomberg was elected.
Longtime New York Times reporter and Metro bureau chief Joyce Purnick offers a biography of the idiosyncratic mayor in "Mike Bloomberg: Money, Power, Politics." The book seems to have initially been timed for publication at the presumed conclusion of Bloomberg's mayoral administration before Bloomberg pushed to have the two-term limit changed so he could run for a third term, which he did successfully in 2009.
This timing, though, underscores a persistent theme of the book, which Purnick makes explicit when discussing Bloomberg's pursuit of a third term – this man simply believes he plays by a different set of rules than everyone else. In general, this attitude has served as the foundation for Bloomberg's successes in business and politics, guiding his start-up company into an international behemoth and creating a way for a brusque technocrat to win elections and push through contentious policies. Beneficially, it allows Bloomberg to quickly move beyond attitudes and history that frequently hamstrings change; however, it also rears when Bloomberg rankles when anyone questions his motives or means of doing business.
Sadly, Purnick's book barely scratches the surface of the enigmatic businessman and mayor, whose unique style led to significant speculation about an independent 2008 run for the White House and subsequent talk about Bloomberg becoming a running mate for either the Republican or Democratic nominee that year. Despite its 200 pages, the account feels more like an extended magazine profile than a fleshed-out biography. While the writing is clear and multi-sourced, it simply lacks depth. One example is the limited description of Bloomberg's company: while Purnick writes about the development of the Bloomberg computer terminal, which is the backbone of the company, the rest of the company's subsequent growth is only sketchily presented.
Certainly, there are difficulties to developing a more thorough portrait of Bloomberg. His closest associates are notoriously loyal, rarely speaking about him without his permission. Many who have worked with Bloomberg are affiliated with groups that receive financial gifts through his substantial philanthropy, lessening their desire to openly comment on him. And the mayor himself is both tight-lipped and apparently oblivious to certain types of self-disclosure, making any biographer's task more challenging. Throughout the book, Purnick mentions these limitations when trying to ascertain Bloomberg's motivations for doing (or not doing) certain things. Still, a more thorough presentation of Bloomberg's on the record comments, as elusive as they might be, might be an obvious avenue that is hardly explored here. Unfortunately, the same assessment seems true of the book overall.
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Bloomberg ran as a Republican in a heavily Democratic city that was nearing the conclusion of Republican Giuliani's often divisive tenure. Further, Bloomberg was a political novice in a highly politicized city. Even worse, Bloomberg had little natural affinity for a popular political persona, coupled with a bland speaking style and a strong disinclination toward glad-handing anyone in pursuit of votes – not other influential leaders, not the press, not ordinary voters.The 9/11 terrorist attacks and their aftermath completely changed the dynamics of the mayoral election, giving Giuliani his finest hour – which made his endorsement of Bloomberg valuable – and pushing normal city issues to the background in the campaign. Instead, a rather no-nonsense manager seemed a plausible choice in rebuilding the city's infrastructure and confidence. Ultimately, Bloomberg was elected.
Longtime New York Times reporter and Metro bureau chief Joyce Purnick offers a biography of the idiosyncratic mayor in "Mike Bloomberg: Money, Power, Politics." The book seems to have initially been timed for publication at the presumed conclusion of Bloomberg's mayoral administration before Bloomberg pushed to have the two-term limit changed so he could run for a third term, which he did successfully in 2009.
This timing, though, underscores a persistent theme of the book, which Purnick makes explicit when discussing Bloomberg's pursuit of a third term – this man simply believes he plays by a different set of rules than everyone else. In general, this attitude has served as the foundation for Bloomberg's successes in business and politics, guiding his start-up company into an international behemoth and creating a way for a brusque technocrat to win elections and push through contentious policies. Beneficially, it allows Bloomberg to quickly move beyond attitudes and history that frequently hamstrings change; however, it also rears when Bloomberg rankles when anyone questions his motives or means of doing business.
Sadly, Purnick's book barely scratches the surface of the enigmatic businessman and mayor, whose unique style led to significant speculation about an independent 2008 run for the White House and subsequent talk about Bloomberg becoming a running mate for either the Republican or Democratic nominee that year. Despite its 200 pages, the account feels more like an extended magazine profile than a fleshed-out biography. While the writing is clear and multi-sourced, it simply lacks depth. One example is the limited description of Bloomberg's company: while Purnick writes about the development of the Bloomberg computer terminal, which is the backbone of the company, the rest of the company's subsequent growth is only sketchily presented.
Certainly, there are difficulties to developing a more thorough portrait of Bloomberg. His closest associates are notoriously loyal, rarely speaking about him without his permission. Many who have worked with Bloomberg are affiliated with groups that receive financial gifts through his substantial philanthropy, lessening their desire to openly comment on him. And the mayor himself is both tight-lipped and apparently oblivious to certain types of self-disclosure, making any biographer's task more challenging. Throughout the book, Purnick mentions these limitations when trying to ascertain Bloomberg's motivations for doing (or not doing) certain things. Still, a more thorough presentation of Bloomberg's on the record comments, as elusive as they might be, might be an obvious avenue that is hardly explored here. Unfortunately, the same assessment seems true of the book overall.
Show Less