"A propulsive narrative filled with boldfaced names from business and
politics. At times, it is a dishy score settler."--The New York
Times
For nine years, Rajat Gupta led McKinsey & Co.--the first foreign-born
person to head the world's most influential management consultancy. He
was also the driving force behind major initiatives such as the Indian
School of Business and the Public Health Foundation of India. A globally
respected figure, he sat on the boards of distinguished philanthropic
institutions such as the Gates Foundation and the Global Fund to Fight
AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and corporations, including Goldman
Sachs, American Airlines, and Procter & Gamble.
In 2011, to the shock of the international business community, Gupta was
arrested and charged with insider trading. Against the backdrop of
public rage and recrimination that followed the financial crisis, he was
found guilty and sentenced to two years in jail. Throughout his trial
and imprisonment, Gupta has fought the charges and maintains his
innocence to this day.
In these pages, Gupta recalls his unlikely rise from orphan to immigrant
to international icon as well as his dramatic fall from grace. He writes
movingly about his childhood losses, reflects on the challenges he faced
as a student and young executive in the United States, and offers a rare
inside glimpse into the elite and secretive culture of McKinsey, "the
Firm." And for the first time, he tells his side of the story in the
scandal that destroyed his career and reputation. Candid, compelling,
and poignant, Gupta's memoir is much more than a courtroom drama; it is
an extraordinary tale of human resilience and personal growth.
