Boundless

The Rise, Fall, and Escape of Carlos Ghosn

By: Nick Kostov, Sean McLain

Narrated by: Sam Devereaux

Now an Apple TV+ limited series, Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn

The unprecedented rise and catastrophic fall of one of the world’s most feared and admired business executives—Carlos Ghosn—a remarkable story of innovation, hubris, alleged crimes, and daring international escape, as chronicled by two Wall Street Journal reporters.

Carlos Ghosn always wanted more. Born in the Amazon, raised by a well-off—if scandalized—family in Beirut, and educated in Paris, Ghosn rose to prominence at Michelin in the United States, Renault in France, and Nissan in Japan. Along the way he earned monikers of Le Cost Killer, for his incisive business savvy, and Mr. 7-Eleven, for the hours he devoted to his work.

Initially Ghosn thrived, becoming a poster boy for globalization and multinational corporations. Employees believed him to be among the greatest business minds of his generation, and the press hailed him a financial genius. The trouble started when Ghosn began to believe them. His power rose in tandem with an increasing certainty that he was underpaid and undervalued at his multiple posts. Executives grew unhappy with Ghosn’s talk of a merger with Renault, calling his loyalty to Nissan into question. Resentments brewed, enough so that a group of Nissan executives set out to uncover the truth about the man who many throughout Nissan and Japan perceived as a savior. Eventually, Ghosn was accused of financial misconduct and arrested for a bevy of alleged crimes—all of which he vehemently denied.

Yet even as he insisted his financial transactions were above board, Ghosn was planning an astounding escape, one that would either smuggle him out of Tokyo and back to his ancestral homeland of Lebanon; or land him in a Japanese prison for life.

Drawning from intensive investigative reporting, and including never-before-seen insider details from key players in Ghosn’s life and the investigations into him, Nick Kostov and Sean McLain piece together this fallen icon’s life and actions across the globe. Their sensational globetrotting adventure reveals the complexity of a man who watched for decades as contemporaries with far less talent amassed far greater wealth, and who took drastic measures to ensure he would finally get his due.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Great story, kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time

The author did a great job,l keeping the plot moving at the right pace through a very intricate storyline. Enjoyed reading every minute of this book. I couldn’t put it down, I finished it in three days.

Fascinating book on a complicated man

The life of Carlos Ghosn is a fascinating one. This bio/exposé takes you back to his family origins (ever so briefly) to give you a flavor of how such a man is forged. His unprecedented career leads to unprecedented temptation and a fairly unprecedented attempt at justice on the part of the Japanese. The writing is superb and keeps you engaged throughout; there are no dead spots in this narrative, and yet you feel like you are getting plenty of detail.

Better than Broken Alliance

I like both but this book offers a more balanced story from both sides. I would still listen to Broken Alliance thought.

Fantastic thorough investigation

Very entertaining, very detailed.
Excellent detailed story telling of Carlos’ life of fighting for power, recognition and ego

Great book and good pacing all around

I really enjoyed learning more about Ghosn family and origins, also the relationship with his mentors and then managing style gave me a great look into the executive’s motivation to succeed.
I thought that the escape part was gonna be the most interesting part but I was gladly surprised of the rest of the book.