Billionaire, Nerd, Savior, King: Bill Gates and His Quest to Shape Our World BY Anupreeta Das

Billionaire, Nerd, Savior, King by the finance editor of The New York Times offers a penetrating examination of Bill Gates, one of the most influential and enigmatic figures of the past forty years. The book traces Gates's transformation from a tech visionary and co-founder of Microsoft to a controversial capitalist and then a global philanthropist through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Initially celebrated for his technological innovations, Gates later faced criticism for his ruthless business practices. However, his reinvention as a philanthropic giant set new standards in billionaire charity. Despite the public admiration, Das reveals a more complex and unsettling picture of Gates, shedding light on the hidden aspects of his philanthropy and the secrets of his vast influence.

Das draws on extensive interviews with current and former employees of the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, academics, and insiders to explore Gates’s connections with prominent figures like Warren Buffett, Jeffrey Epstein, and Melinda French Gates. These relationships, combined with his philanthropy, illustrate how Gates has navigated his public image and wielded his wealth to shape policies and perceptions.

The book also delves into the broader implications of billionaire influence, showing how the wealthiest individuals can use philanthropy to become perceived heroes, repair their reputations, and exert significant control over public policy. Billionaire, Nerd, Savior, King is a timely and insightful exploration of the intersections of money, power, and media, and how the richest people in the world captivate and manipulate public attention.