Publishing information:
London: Perseus, September 2007. 338pp. Hardback. ISBN 978-1-58648-391-3
This authorized, but unapproved, biography tells the story of how Chuck Feeney made a fortune as the founder of Duty Free Shoppers, and then gave most of it away through his foundation, Atlantic Philanthropies. Feeney supports causes around the world, including extensive gifts in the Republic of Ireland where his intervention has been described as “epoch-making” by the Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney. Unlike many prominent philanthropists who turn to philanthropy after they have satisfied all their own wants for large houses, yachts, private jets and so on, the biographer paints a picture of a frugal man who travels economy class and doesn’t own a home or a car. Feeney intends to ‘spend out’ his foundation during his lifetime – he’s in his mid-seventies and has $4 billion left to give so this book is likely to be of interest to many. Read more about this book in the Influential Reading section of this issue.
