“My book would be, ‘Billion Dollar Whale’. It’s a sad story of corruption in international finance but fascinating”, this was the response from Microsoft founder Bill Gates when he was asked by CNN host Fareed Zakaria to recommend a book.
Gates appeared in the Global Public Square show with CNN host Fareed Zakaria, where he was asked to give his recommendation for a book.
The mention sent interest about the book on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal through the roof.
“It’s a sad story of corruption and international finance,” Gates said of his recommendation, Billion Dollar Whalewritten by Wall Street Journal’s Tom Wright and Bradley Hope.
Labelling it a “very quick” and “thrilling” read, Gates compared the book to another one of his previous recommendations, Bad Blood by journalist John Carreyrou about multibillion-dollar biotech startup Theranos.
In the same interview, Gates also talked about inequality, his charity and global warming.
Wright posted Gates’ video on his Instagram account, and thanked the philanthropist for his recommendation.
The writer also claimed that Gates’ recommendation has seen interest in Billion Dollar Whale rising on book review database Goodreads.
According to Gates’ profile on Goodreads, he started reading the book on January 26 before completing it two days later.
The book narrates financier Jho Low’s journey to becoming a friend of the Hollywood elite and powerful figures around the globe, using funds allegedly stolen from 1MDB.
Meanwhile, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s first trial linked to 1MDB scandal was deferred last week. He has a total of 42 charges against him from several separate cases.
[via Malay Mail]
