Crazy Rich

Power, Scandal, and Tragedy Inside the Johnson & Johnson Dynasty

By: Jerry Oppenheimer

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

From the founders of the international health-care behemoth Johnson & Johnson in the late 1800s to the contemporary Johnsons of today, such as billionaire New York Jets owner Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson IV, all is revealed in this scrupulously researched, unauthorized biography by New York Times best-selling author Jerry Oppenheimer.

Often compared to the Kennedy clan because of the tragedies and scandals that had befallen both wealthy and powerful families, Crazy Rich, based on scores of exclusive, candid, on-the-record interviews, reveals how the dynasty's vast fortune was both intoxicating and toxic through the generations of a family that gave the world Band-Aids and Baby Oil

.©2013 Jerry Oppenheimer (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Oppenheimer follows the clan of dysfunctional Band-Aid and baby-powder millionaires through the adulterous affairs, ugly divorces, drug and alcohol addictions, tragic accidents, suicide attempts, paternity disputes, will contests, and other turmoil as the family reaps the rewards of inheritance through privilege, opulence, and excess, for better and for worse." ( Booklist Starred Review)

Should have been called "Woody and the Jets"

Advertised as a story of the Johnson & Johnson family, this book was a disappointment on several levels. 1st it was obsessed with Woody Johnson, owner of the NY Jets. 2nd the time-line of the narration was convoluted, confusing, ham-handed, and annoying often offhandedly mentioning some future event as though was all know it is coming, but then over explaining things that are obvious. 3rd the condescending tone of the author was made even more irritating by the tone of voice of the narrator. 4th I made several notes about inaccurate conclusions drawn by the author, for example, page 332 in the Kindle text is discussing sit-upons, a popular piece of Girl Scout camping gear, as "cushions" in the style of Martha Stewart. My in book note reads a follows:

They're sit-upons and they're so NOT Martha Stewart cushions.
"What is a sit-upon? They are homemade, usually waterproof pads used to protect the user's backside from the cold and damp while "sitting upon" the ground! They are also great for sitting any where the sitting surface is hard... a Girl Scout tradition for camping."

Fascinating but sad

It just shows to prove that money cannot give one class and grace.

There is a lot to learn from that families failures.

What a messed up bunch.

I happen to like Mr. Prichard’s narrations. I guess they could used somebody like Ryan Seacrest and turn it into a chrome plated trashy tabloid.

Narrator sounds bored

The story is fascinating but the narrator sounds like he's jaded and bored which made it difficult for me to finish the whole book

scandelous

Very sad family values. I am not sure they really want to be good people.

Dull

I love reading/listening to books based on American history. However, I think this is rather dull. Maybe it is the narrator, maybe it is simply due to listening to it rather than reading it. It seems that some information is repeated. I also do not care for how the appearance of women is described.

Boring

The narrator is monotoned and the story line is just boring. It mainly only focused on Woody/Bob.

Terrible Narration

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I just enjoyed listening to Fortune's Children (about the Vanderbilts) and looked forward to this book. The story seems promising, but the narration was awful. The reader was completely unmodulated - everything was rapid and at an uncomfortable pitch - rather like a tv furniture store ad. I'm returning it - couldn't get more that 4 chapters in.

What other book might you compare Crazy Rich to and why?

Fortune's Children about the Vanderbilt family, in the subject matter.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Michael Prichard?

Frankly, anyone.

Not what you're looking for.

Dry and requires a map of lineage. overall unless you're writing a paper on the Johnson family, you might want to find a more entertaining book.

Not Enticing.......boring

This could have been better if it was written better and the narrator was much better. Not worth listening to.