Synopsis
William E Simon-quintessential American figure of the American century: Wall Street wunderkind, treasury secretary under Presidents Nixon and Ford, successful entrepreneur, US Olympic Committee president, best-selling author, pioneering philanthropist, and devout Catholic. Simon's insightful and often humorous autobiography, A Time for Reflection, includes a diverse cast of characters whose lives intersected with Simon's: from the president and his advisers at the White House; to the highest realms of the Catholic Church (in particular, Cardinal Egan), to celebrities, like actress Meryl Streep; and sports figures, like basketball coach Bobby Knight. In A Time for Reflection, Simon offers us some behind-the-scenes glimpses of history being made, including: President Nixon as Simon knew him, both in office and after; How Simon confronted Ronald Reagan during the Republican convention in 1980 to help nix the idea of a co-presidency with Gerald Ford; The tumult of the 1980 Moscow Olympic games, boycotted by the United States, and the 1984 Los Angeles games, boycotted by the Soviet Union; How Simon battled the Arab 'oil crisis' as 'energy czar' for President Nixon; Simon's fight in the Ford administration against Vice President Nelson Rockefeller on how to help a bankrupt New York City; Making the case for freedom with his best-selling books A Time for Truth and A Time for Action. Simon's fascinating life also encompassed sailing adventures -- including conquering the Northwest Passage from Alaska to Greenland and being named king by a group of Fiji islanders -- as well as adventures of the soul: giving away millions to charity; becoming a eucharistic minister; and helping to care for the sick, the poor, and the dying. William E Simon passed away on June 2000, but his autobiography, written in conjunction with and completed by John M Caher, is now published for the first time, a testimony to one of the truly impressive Americans of the twentieth century.
Reviews
If Bill Simon had something on his mind, he said it. Outspoken and honest to a fault, Simon was a man of action, a man who loved taking risks and beating the odds. His admirers spoke of his passion, his sharp intelligence and his conviction, while his enemies labeled him "controversial" and "William the Terrible," among other things. He is well known as secretary of the treasury under Presidents Nixon and Ford, but Simon, who died in June 2000, wore many hats, from Wall Street phenom to U.S. Olympic Committee president and explorer. His last book, written with and completed by John M. Caher, offers an inside look into this extraordinary life, from his boyhood days, to his Wall Street successes, to his political adventures. While in Washington, Simon began to develop his penchant for private enterprise into a cohesive political philosophy. He studied free-market principles and encouraged their application to public policy. In the following years, he became a major figure in the conservative movement, supporting Reagan and backing and presiding over a conservative think tank, the Olin Foundation. No doubt, those of a more liberal bent will find Simon's ideas infuriating. But Simon has garnered a broad readership and many will find his book thoroughly engaging. It is not shy about Simon's politics, but unlike Simon's previous books, it is not strictly a forum for the author's conservative views. It is, more accurately, the story of Simon's life, an articulate and inspiring read, and an absorbing look at the financial and political worlds seen through the eyes of an endearingly forthright man.
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