The Great Getty

The Life and Loves of J. Paul Getty—Richest Man in the World

By: Robert Lenzner

Narrated by: Liz Smith

J. Paul Getty (1892-1976) was a shrewd industrialist who founded the Getty Oil Company in 1942, ultimately becoming a dominant player in the oil industry. In The Great Getty, Robert Lenzner presents an in-depth biography of the savviest entrepreneur of the 20th century and the world's richest private citizen at the time of his death—worth $6 billion, the equivalent of more than $27 billion in today' s money. As Lenzner chronicles Getty's life—through interviews with those closest to him—a picture emerges of a frugal man, a truly miserly art collector, and a notorious womanizer, but also a puritan and philanthropist—and perhaps a Nazi spy.

©1986 Robert Lenzner (P)1986 Phoenix Books, Inc.

OMG The Narrator

Who had the brilliant idea to have this read by a woman with a deep southern US drawl? Too distracting. Returning

Good story, bad narration

Shorter than I expected, but good overall review of his life. Unfortunately, it’s as though a grumpy grandma is reading you the news.

The biggest loser with wealth

Maybe a good story but what a shame. A petty loser who could have done well and instead just copied his dad’s business which was hit at the time. Very sad. Also a pedo which is bizarre and makes the story worse.

Hated the Performance of the Reader

I disliked the reader so much, I quit the audiobook. She made it uninteresting. Would not recommend.