Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? by Reginald F. Lewis

Yet despite the notoriety surrounding Lewis’s financial coups, until now, little has been written about the life of this remarkable but private man. A noted art collector and connoisseur, he was also a celebrated philanthropist who gave away a vast fortune to charity. Having apprenticed in the art of the leveraged buyout while head of his own successful Wall Street law firm, he went on to mastermind some of the most spectacular deals ever, including the $1 billion purchase of food giant Beatrice International-one of the largest leveraged buyouts ever. At the time of his death in 1993, his personal fortune was estimated by Forbes to be in excess of $400 million. Profiled in Forbes magazine as one of the four-hundred wealthiest businesspeople in America, Lewis reigned over a commercial empire spanning four continents. When asked for his opinion on the subject, six-year-old Reg simply replied: 'Why should white guys have all the fun?' Why, indeed! This precociously self-assured boy would grow up to become the wealthiest black man in history and one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time. 'Why should white guys have all the fun?' One of Reginald Lewis’s earliest childhood memories was of hearing his grandparents talk of employment discrimination against African-Americans. 'synopsis' may belong to another edition of this title. What emerges is a vivid portrait of a proud, fiercely determined individual with a razor-sharp tongue - and an intellect to match - who would settle for nothing less than excellence from himself and others. Based on Lewis's unfinished autobiography, as well as scores of interviews with family, friends, and colleagues, the book cuts through the myth and media hype to reveal the man behind the legend. Despite the notoriety surrounding Lewis's financial coups, little has been written about the life of this remarkable man.

At the time of his death in 1993, his personal fortune was estimated in excess of $400 million and his vast commercial empire spanned four continents.

When six-year-old Reginald Lewis overheard his grandparents discussing employment discrimination against African Americans, he asked, “Why should white guys have all the fun?' This self-assured child would grow up to become the CEO of Beatrice International and one of the most successful entrepreneurs ever. Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? is the inspiring story of Reginald Lewis: lawyer, Wall Street wizard, philanthropist - and the wealthiest black man in American history.

Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? by Reginald F. Lewis