Find and read more books you’ll love, and keep track of the books you want to read. Electrical power, communications, transport etc. Southeast Asian (which, in this book, includes Hong Kong and Macau) economic history as seen through the eyes of the billionaires that so captivate that region's attention. Some of them had colourful origin stories as black marketers selling fake medicines and blockade runners. It's an oligarchy squeezing everyone from common people to even minority shareholders. So why has the southeast languished so long? Angeline Boulley set out over a decade ago to write the story she wanted to read as a young Ojibwe teenager. The ‘over-banked’ nature of south-east Asia also helps explain a conundrum that has occupied some of the region’s equity investors: why, despite heady economic growth, have long-term stock market returns in south-east Asia been so poor? “South-east Asia’s high savings rates, most of which flowed into bank deposits, lent themselves to outsize banking systems, which invited godfather abuse. Error rating book. The Godfather (Mario Puzo's Mafia), Mario Puzo The Godfather is a crime novel written by American author Mario Puzo. Until the catastrophic economic crisis of the late 1990s, East Asia was perceived as a monolithic success story. The novel details the story of a fictional Mafia family based in New York City (and Long Beach, New York), headed by Vito Corleone. Thousands of products are available to collect from store or if your order's over £20 we'll deliver for free. [Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia] [Author: Studwell, Joe] [September, 2008]: Studwell, Joe: Books - Amazon.ca There is, in turn, a pretty direct line from the insider manipulation of regional banks to the Asian financial crisis. Highly recommended for anybody venturing into doing business in South East Asia, A unfortunate case study of what happens when manipulated democracies and concession-based economies take precedence over a free market and true competition. I wish more would read this book and realized how the public has been short changed by the government and these individuals. Share. 40 or 50 families control the economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. If you enjoyed "Crazy Rich Asians", and know a little of economics and finance, you have something of a moral responsibility to read this book. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published Although it's now a bit dated (published in 2007), it does provide a nice overview of the political and economic landscape of select countries in Southeast Asia. The book is too dense and trying to cover too many things. But heady economic growth rates masked the most divided continent in the world - one half the most extraordinary developmental success story ever seen, the … Interesting. Asian Godfathers, Studwell attached this same subject through through a different lens. The billionaires are not astute businessmen, instead they build vast wealth through monopolistic concessions, and then use that wealth to enrich themselves and expand into sectors that they are not optimized for. Few groups are secretive than the Asian godfathers, the tiny group of obscenely wealthy businessmen who control the economic fates of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines Mysterious, shrewd, and ruthless, these tycoons represented eight of the twenty five wealthiest people on the planet in the 1990s and they continue to command mFew groups are … by Joe Studwell, published 2007. This book represents lots of facts in the economy in Asia: political games, private banks, cash flows, and secretive alliances. Asian Godfathers is a riveting and illuminating book that lifts the curtain on a world of staggering secrecy and hypocrisy, and reveals—for the first time—who the leaders of one of the planet’s most important and tumultuous markets really are, why they got to the top, and how they keep themselves there. My only misgiving is that it sometimes attempts too much, and the mostly engaging writing turns unwieldy at parts. Japan and South Korea). Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Asian Godfathers : Money and Power in Hong Kong and South East Asia. Refresh and try again. CD-Audio US$30.95. It is interesting to know how these individuals manipulated the system and back door dealings to their advantage. It was published nearly a decade ago but remains painfully relevant and contemporary, which is not something that can be said of most titles about Asian (political) economies in general. Some stuff that is outright weird, tough to understand why. This book opened my eyes to one of the economic realities of the region. Be part of the world’s largest community of book lovers on Goodreads. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Through the years, I have actually admired many tycoons through printed media, interview etc. Viet Nam is not mentioned, for obvious reasons. However, it still gives a good historical account on some of the rich and famous tycoon in Asia. A review of Asian Godfathers by Joe Studwell. He has particular animus towards Lee Kuan Yew for his racialist theories and elitism and. Asian Godfathers is a riveting and illuminating book that lifts the curtain on a world of staggering secrecy and hypocrisy, and reveals—for the first time—who the leaders of one of the planet’s most important and ... Goodreads Asian Godfathers 3. Along the way, Studwell gives anecdotes and biographies of the rich and powerful in the region, and these anecdotes serve as the necessary flavor to an otherwise dry book. There is, in turn, a pretty direct line from the insider manipulation of regional banks to the Asian financial crisis. At their peak, eight of the world's two dozen richest families were south-east Asian, yet they are largely unknown outside the region. There are big implications here for both China and the USA. Studwell notes that Hong Kong and Singapore are not "free" economies, despite Western interpretation. In this explosive account, Joe Studwell finds that the facts are even more remarkable than the myths, as he lifts the lid on a world of hypocrisy, power and enormous wealth. Super insightful read - except the chapter on post-war banks was wayy too much for me and kinda went over my head. "The whole of Asia suffers from the perverse curse of high saving rates and bloated banks, which have depressed stock market returns throughout the region ... [the high savings rate] create minimal pressure on capital markets to offer decent returns.". If bank fraud on Wall Street left Mark Baum (for anyone who has seen the Big Short) frothing, the political manoeuvring and financial deception by the select few at the expense of the rest of SEA's population (read: taxpayers and shareholders) make Wall Street's investment bankers look like schoolboys; all a byproduct of opaque, broken political systems which have resulted in SEA lagging behind the rest of Asia (e.g. “South-east Asia’s high savings rates, most of which flowed into bank deposits, lent themselves to outsize banking systems, which invited godfather abuse. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Some people might think it doesn't make sense and are curious how Joe Studwell can explore the truths, but according to my personal experience, Asian Godfathers is such an amazing opportunity for you all to understand and analyze economic situations in SA. Forbes magazine’s ranking of the world’s richest people lists eight Southeast Asians among the 25 wealthiest people on the planet. This book methodically dismantles the myth of the astute business tycoon and tells the real, often-unflattering stories behind the "success" of the people that make up Southeast Asia's economic elite (which, in my opinion, is a more interesting angle compared to the fawning hagiography typically reserved for persons of their ilk). Welcome back. Through exhaustive research, Studwell shows how Asia's super-rich (including the family on which CRA's Youngs are directly based) made their wealth: extracting monopoly rents, rigging political systems, and along the way helping to impoverish their already-poor countries. Welcome back. English. I seldom write reviews, but this is a book that deserves to be read by more. There is, in turn, a pretty direct line from the insider manipulation”, “But the blame for the resultant situation, in as much as it needs to be attributed, belongs with politicians not with businessmen. That said, well worth the read! He is the author of The China Dream and Asian Godfathers. The book left me with a feeling of bitterness of being in a dynamic but backward and corrupted region of the world. Most obviously, banks respond to central bank guidance. Studwell critiques the trajectory of economic development throughout the region, and attempts to overturn several enduring myths in the process. Their interests range from banking to property, from shipping to sugar, from gambling to lumber. Asian Godfathers is a riveting and illuminating book that lifts the curtain on a world of staggering secrecy and hypocrisy, and reveals—for the first time—who the leaders of one of the planet’s most important and tumultuous markets really are, why they got to the top, and how they keep themselves there. It was published nearly a decade ago but remains painfully relevant and contemporary, which is not something that can be said of most titles about Asian (political) economies in general. Through the hidden lives of some mysterious and fascinating men, Studwell explores the broader economic and political issues facing a region of 500 million people: how the Asian tycoons took such a strong hold over their local economies, how they survived the Asian financial crisis that began in 1997, and what their endurance teaches us about the real state of the countries they live in. We’d love your help. By (author) Joe Studwell. One of my favourite books, really eye-opening, especially concerning the subjects that have a lot of myths related to them (Singapore, bamboo networks, etc). This is must read for anyone interested in understanding the background of the large Asian families and how they came and kept their power. Best book of the history of some of the most powerful families in SE Asia, very interesting book! Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Cosmopolitan privileged people who where in the right place at the right time. There is, in turn, a pretty direct line from the insider manipulation of regional banks to the Asian financial crisis. Taikun-taikun ini, pada awalnya mengeksploitasi peluang arbitraj yang dibantu oleh polisi Import Substitution Industrialisation (ISI). I am not too sure as these individuals has dug deep in the roots of our life's necessity. Ben Mezrich (Goodreads Author) (shelved 1 time as asian-business ) avg rating 3.87 — 3,872 ratings — published 2004 The ‘over-banked’ nature of south-east Asia also helps explain a conundrum that has occupied some of the region’s equity investors: why, despite heady economic growth, have long-term stock market returns in south-east Asia been so poor? Studwell tries to debunk what he regards as the myth of the SE Asian Horatio Alger-type tycoons, whose successes largely owe to political corruption and government protected cartels. He has particular animus towards Lee Kuan Yew for his racialist theories and elitism and LK Shing for his popular portrayal as a shrewd and frugal businessman whose massive fortune is entirely a product of Hong Kong's highly regulated domestic economy. Essentially a who's - who introduction to the modern history of South East Asian tycoons. The economies of Hong Kong and south-east Asia are dominated by only forty or fifty families. Even though the author's tone is very subjective and negative, the ending was much lighter and positive. Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and South East Asia eBook: Studwell, Joe: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and South East Asia. It's The System there, in which capitalism has meant favoring the few. Shop for Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and South East Asia (Main) from WHSmith. Why is the purportedly free-market Hong Kong now wracked with protests fueled by the difficulty of making a living there? At their peak, eight of the world's two dozen richest families were south-east Asian, yet they are largely unknown outside the region. Their interests range from banking to property, from shipping to sugar, from gambling to lumber. Will be reading a lot more on certain places and people thanks to this experience. It did not work for me but looking at all the great reviews; Maybe I lack something to appreciate this work. Studwell tries to debunk what he regards as the myth of the SE Asian Horatio Alger-type tycoons, whose successes largely owe to political corruption and government protected cartels. Southeast Asian (which, in this book, includes Hong Kong and Macau) economic history as seen through the eyes of the billionaires that so captivate that region's attention. Everyday low … MPHONLINE | Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia | 9780802143914 | Studwell, Joe | Grove Press | Books | Language-and-Reference I recommend this book, as your view will change. By (author) Joe Studwell. by Profile. Read it with an open mind and reflect. Studwell has spent fifteen years as a reporter in the region, and he marshals his unprecedented … Buy How Asia Works: Success and Failure in the World's Most Dynamic Region Main by Studwell, Joe (ISBN: 0001846682436) from Amazon's Book Store. Many things had happened since then. Superb sketch of South East Asian economies using the basis of "godfathers", or big tycoons. Now this book answers the why, it sets the scene how the current environment has come alive and what are the main differences from other Asian countries like Taiwan, South Korea & Japan & how come South East Asian countries have not been able to follow the same path until now. This cozy relationship between the political and merchant class produces monopolies in gaming, commodities, and domestic distribution to the detriment of homegrown businesses that could be competitive on an international level. The book could definitely have done with a better editor — to streamline the flow of the arguments and building up of character / case studies, to organise the footnotes better, and change the damn cover of the book. A complex mythology surrounds them, one which informs Asian views on culture, entrepreneurialism and economics. It is the politicians’ job to defend society’s interests.”, “It is also worth recalling that tranquil Singapore maintains what is probably the highest rate of state executions in the world, well ahead of China or Saudi Arabia.32”, Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and South East Asia, Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asian nations of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines – plus the city of Hong Kong – have produced a large number of billionaires. Nothing surprising though for anyone who lives in Asia and follows what's going on. Exactly what can we do? A complex mythology surrounds them, one which inf. If bank fraud on Wall Street left Mark Baum (for anyone who has seen the Big Short) frothing, the political manoeuvring and financial deception by the select few at the expense of the rest of SEA's population (read: taxpayers and shareholders) make Wall Street's investment bankers look like schoolboys; all a byproduct of opaque, broken poli. Studwell critiques the trajectory of economic development throughout the region, and attempts to overturn several enduring myths in the process. Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. (My guess is that it's an attempt to riff off the Random House edition of "The Godfather" by Mario Puzo, but it does it so horrifically to turn off any potential buyers who couldn't be faulted for thinking it's some craptacular noir / crime copycat story set in exotic Asia...), Really important description of how crony capitalism wrecks economies and the hardworking laborers that live in them. July 2nd 2007 After reading this book, I realised that many are just smart marketing and PR work. Their interests range from banking to property, from shipping to sugar, from vice to gambling. Studwell notes that Hong Kong and Singapore are not "free" economies, despite Western interpretation. Godfathers today Defending the precious. This is a relatively old book published in 2008. Find books like Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and South East Asia from the world’s largest community of readers. A complex mythology surrounds these billionaires, but in Asian Godfathers, Joe Studwell finds that the facts are even more remarkable than the myths. Also available in. English. Studwell is well-researched and has clearly thought out how best to map out his arguments whilst covering macro- and micro-level accounts of the intersection between public, private, and political godfather economics and kleptocracy in Southeast Asia. It's forgotten now that the northeast and southeast Asian nations were economically equivalent in the wake of the second World War. Really important description of how crony capitalism wrecks economies and the hardworking laborers that live in them. Cosmopolitan privileged people who where in … This is a great read that gives the reader an insight into how wealth was really created in the region including how migration within the region, both forced and voluntary, played an important role. A unfortunate case study of what happens when manipulated democracies and concession-based economies take precedence over a free market and true competition. Very comprehensive book that helps me with a broad picture about how capitalism (and the markets) works(ed) in South East-Asia. The economies of Hong Kong and south-east Asia are dominated by only forty or fifty families. This is a relatively old book published in 2008. It's an interesting economic history of Asian countries, but I think the author is biased. Asian Godfathers is a riveting and illuminating book that lifts the curtain on a world of staggering secrecy and hypocrisy, and reveals--for the first time--who the leaders of one of the planet's most important and tumultuous markets really are, why they got to the top, and how they keep themselves there. Why is the purportedly free-market Hong Kong now wracked with protests fueled by the difficulty of making a living there? Asian Godfathers by Joe Studwell ISBN 13: 9781861977113 ISBN 10: 1861977115 Paperback; Great Britain: Profile Books Ltd, 2008; ISBN-13: 978-1861977113 Great book. 3.94 avg rating • (493 ratings by Goodreads) Softcover ISBN 10: 1861977115 ISBN 13: 9781861977113. Basically the more indepth contextualized version of Crazy Rich Asians. Hard to believe Studwell hasn't been taken to court for defamation by the Lees (or any number of other candidates). Publisher: Profile Books, 2008. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Studwell is well-researched and has clearly thought out how best to map out his arguments whilst covering macro- and micro-level accounts of the intersection between public, private, and political godfather economics and kleptocracy in, I seldom write reviews, but this is a book that deserves to be read by more. I wish more would read th. 17 quotes from Joe Studwell: 'The easiest way to run developmentally efficient finance continues to be through a banking system, because it is banks that can most easily be pointed by governments at the projects necessary to agricultural and industrial development. The billionaires are not astute businessmen, instead they build vast wealth thro. Refresh and try again. Learn from the lessons of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand; see the truth of Hong Kong and Singapore; and keep it from happening where you live. This book should be required reading for anyone trying to understand SEA. Studwell, Joe. Fewer books are written about South East Asian crony capitalism with such candor and lucidity as this one. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia at Amazon.com. Since 1993, when a flood of foreign money increased capitalisation in regional markets by around 2.5 times in one calendar year,37 dollar-denominated returns with dividends reinvested (what investors call ‘total’ returns) in every regional market have been lower than those in the mature markets of New York and London, and a fraction of those in other emerging markets in eastern Europe and Latin America.38”, “South-east Asia’s high savings rates, most of which flowed into bank deposits, lent themselves to outsize banking systems, which invited godfather abuse. Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and South East Asia. Asian Godfathers by Joe Studwell, October 10, 2007, Atlantic Monthly Press edition, Hardcover in English Many things had happened since then. Originally published in 1969 by G. P. Putnam's Sons. Share. In Asian Godfathers, he tells the story through Asia’s business tycoons; from the taipans of Hong Kong to Stanley Ho – the Macau gambling tycoon. It is interesting to know how these individuals manipulated the system and back door dealings to their advantage. 4.27 (2,863 ratings by Goodreads) Paperback. ISBN 13: 9781861977113. So why has the southeast languished so long? Paperbackpages. To see what your friends thought of this book, Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and South East Asia. At their peak, eight of the world’s two dozen richest men were Southeast Asian, but their names would not be familiar to most regular readers of The Wall Street Journal. It's The System there, in which capitalism has meant favoring the few. There is, in turn, a pretty direct line from the insider manipulation”, Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year Nominee for Longlist (2007), YA Debut Is an Ojibwe Murder Mystery Ten Years in the Making. 13 of the 50 richest families in the … Dalam buku Asian Godfathers ni, Joe Studwell menerangkan tentang bagaimana kewujudan taikun-taikun dan Godfathers di Asia Tenggara bermula dari pra-perang dunia hinggalah pasca perang dunia. Product details. Since 1993, when a flood of foreign money increased capitalisation in regional markets by around 2.5 times in one calendar year,37 dollar-denominated returns with dividends reinvested (what investors call ‘total’ returns) in every regional market have been lower than those in the mature markets of New York and London, and a fraction of those in other emerging markets in eastern Europe and Latin America.38”, “South-east Asia’s high savings rates, most of which flowed into bank deposits, lent themselves to outsize banking systems, which invited godfather abuse. Be the first to ask a question about Asian Godfathers. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Start by marking “Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and South East Asia” as Want to Read: Error rating book. When living and doing business in Indonesia, you get to notice a lot of cultural differences. However, it still gives a good historical account on some of the rich and famous tycoon in Asia. Buy Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and South East Asia by Joe Studwell (14-Aug-2008) Paperback by (ISBN: ) from Amazon's Book Store. … Asian Godfathers is a riveting and illuminating book that lifts the curtain on a world of staggering secrecy and hypocrisy, and reveals--for the first time--who the leaders of one of the planet's most important and tumultuous markets really are, why they got to the top, and how they keep themselves there. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2035572.Asian_Godfathers 3.92 (591 ratings by Goodreads) Paperback. It must have cost Joe Studwell a good deal of work to integrate his knowledge of Asian business and politics and produce this exceptional book. In Asian Godfathers, he tells the story through Asia’s business tycoons; from the taipans of Hong Kong to Stanley Ho – the Macau gambling tycoon. It's forgotten now that the northeast and southeast Asian nations were economically equivalent in the wake of the second World War. This cozy relationship between the political and merchant class produces monopolies in gaming, commodities, and domestic distribution to the detriment of homegrown businesses that could be competitive on an international level. Lots of information. Through the years, I have actually admired many tycoons through printed media, interview etc. There is, in turn, a pretty direct line from the insider manipulation of regional banks to the Asian financial crisis. It's an olig. Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia eBook: Studwell, Joe: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store After reading this book, I realised that many are just smart marketing and PR work. Asian Godfathers Quotes Showing 1-4 of 4 “South-east Asia’s high savings rates, most of which flowed into bank deposits, lent themselves to outsize banking systems, which invited godfather abuse.