Richard Pratt

One Out of the Box : The Secrets of an Australian Billionaire

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

James Kirby is Managing Editor of online investment magazine Eureka Report and a weekly columnist on The Sunday Age. In the past he has worked for The Australian Financial Review and The Australian, as well as writing for Business Review Weekly. James has written several books for John Wiley & Sons, including Richard Pratt: Business Secrets of the Billionaire Behind Australia's Richest Private Company and Gerry Harvey: Business Secrets of Harvey Norman's Retailing Mastermind.

Rod Myer is a Melbourne-based writer and journalist with 25 years' experience in the Australian media. He has worked as a business writer for The Age, The Herald and the Herald Sun and has made radio documentaries for the ABC, 3RRR and Public Radio News. Rod also worked as a speech writer, political adviser and researcher for the Australian Democrats in the 1980s.