Richard Pratt: One Out of the Box

Richard Pratt was one of Australia's most successful, formidable and charismatic businessmen. Yet for all this he was unfailingly human, his life playing out like a drama even after the final act.  Self-made billionaire, family man, generous philanthropist, patron of the arts and Carlton Football Club saviour were just a few of Pratt's many guises, and in this compelling biography the truth behind the headlines is revealed. The twists and turns of Pratt's life are chronicled with candour -- from humble beginnings in Poland to the heights of global business success tainted by the humiliating price-fixing scandal that earned Visy the largest corporate fine in Australia's history.  Pratt's many achievements and controversies polarised public opinion but made him one of Australia's most enigmatic public figures. Though his legacy is debatable, no-one can deny that Richard Pratt was ... one out of the box.

About the Authors vii Acknowledgements ix Introduction: the Last Days of a King xi 1 From Poland to Shepparton and beyond 1 2 The beginning of an empire 19 3 Keeping it in the family 41 4 The unreasonable man 57 5 Working five to nine 81 6 Giving back 101 7 A European affair 121 8 No shrinking violet 133 9 True blue Aussie 147 10 Mr Fix-it 169 11 The legacy of a Cardboard King 187 Notes 197 Index 205