Hank Greenberg, Cornelius Vander Starr and AIG

This weekend I read “Fallen Giant: The Amazing Story of Hank Greenberg and the History of AIG”… fascinating story, especially if you share my passion for insurance. Some think insurance is filled with people that did not have enough personality to become accountants, but this book should help set the record straight.

Obviously, AIG achieved stellar growth and size (ranked 4th on the Fortune 500 in 2006).  Less well known is the firm’s commitment to keeping excellent managers.  Their primary tool was, until recently, a generous vesting pool set-up by the founder Cornelius Vander Starr.   

The book is as much about Cornelius as it is about Billionaire Philanthropist Greenberg. This book is not some “blow sunshine up your arse” corporate PR job. The author was a senior executive at AIG for years and clearly has been out long enough to have a more balanced perspective.   If you like mogulographies, international business or big egos you might like this book.

Comments

[linda carfagno]

Milton Hebald, sculptor living in Santa Fe, was close to Cornelius Van der Starr (his busy in Tokyo; sculptures in Morefar to mention a few) and
also a friend of Hank Greenberg. My documentary on the life on this illuminated master of 20th Century figurative art will bring this relationship into focus. Mr. Hebald and I would like to contact Mr. Greenberg personally. Your book appears to be as fascinating as your subject.
Thank you. Linda Carfagno