St. Martin's Griffin The King of Oil: The Secret Lives of Marc Rich

Interesting book

My father knew Marcel as they were in the commodity business togheter. Interesting resume of his life. I read it all over again every 3 months.

This book is as gripping as it gets. If one has the slightest interest in commodities or even in an interesting life story, this is it. Personally, this book gave me a a perspective to Marc Rich’s life and times that I never had. Also, an important book seeing as very few are actually aware as to the world of commodities/shipping and how it runs everything like clockwork.

In a world of cookie cutter financial market participants few people have the innovation, the charisma and the determination to stick out. Marc Rich was one of those people. I have read and reread this book a number of times - and frankly the personality of Marc Rich comes through. In parts it feels reflective - and there is a sense of brooding and sense of sadness as if Marc feels he was never properly appreciated by the US. Indeed the tax issues which ultimately led to him fleeing the US feel slightly flimsy.Daniel Ammann has done an excellent job in laying out how an outsider, fleeing from Germany developed into a global titan striding the world of oil. And then how he fell - and the portrait of the death of Marc Rich's daughter and how he could only attend via conference call is heart-rending.I was recently reading a Glencore presentation which described their business model (particularly for their marketing business) - and it was surprising how the principles of Marc Rich still permeate the business.This is a must read for anyone interested in oil, markets or Glencore. But it is also a fantastic story well worth reading in its own right. Highly recommended

GREAT SELLER +++ FAST, CLEAN,PERFECT ... WHAT ELSE ?GREAT SELLER +++ FAST, CLEAN,PERFECT ... WHAT ELSE ?GREAT SELLER +++ FAST, CLEAN,PERFECT ... WHAT ELSE ?

the book is a periodistic essay trying to follow the biography of Mark Rich. it is quite interesting and holds lots of investagion work. For me, the king of Oil is a passionating novel to learn how this indsutry Icon has been able to build and empire in the commodities from the ground to the skies.Very recommended, specailly if you are a fan of commodity trading.