Mind Without Fear

By: Rajat Gupta

Narrated by: Rajat K. Gupta

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 this book, 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.

©2019 Rajat K. Gupta (P)2019 Rajat K. Gupta

truly inspiring!

Loved it! Hearing the words spoken by the author himself makes the narrative quite relatable.

Inspiring and full of life experiences

I was glad that this book was published. Not only because of the authors great journey and experiences but also for the exceptional ideas emerging through it.

One of the best books I read, it has made me think deeply on multiple topics surrounding life and it’s meaning.

Story of an unrepentant criminal

Rajat Gupta captures his rise and fall well enough in these pages. And, I found both the story and his telling of it absorbing. However, I was constantly doubting him -- despite his pronouncements of innocence. His attempts to compare his tribulations with those of his father and his usage of the language of Geetha and Tagore pushed me away, instead of ingratiating him with me. I believe he is a good, public-spirited person; but I'm not convinced that he is innocent of the crimes for which he went to prison.

And incredible well told journey

I retired from professional services, Price WaterhouseCoopers, LLP 15 years ago. Having worked in this industry as a business management consultant for many years, I understand how difficult and grueling every day life can be under the incredible, high stakes microscope of Fortune 50 leadership. This book and the phenomenal experience Rajat Gupta expresses through his soul and spirit, rise and fall from grace is both a joy and a crushing heartbreak to read. This is a story that is can only be made in America, well written, reads like a mystery novel an autobiography and a tale that will provide a basic contempt for our legal system just by listening. It’s a real and quite astonishing insight into the financial devastation of this past decade, Wall Street players and the natural downfall of many perpetuated by greed and distrust. This amazing leader whose reputation preceded him in every major institution became a victim torn to shreds albeit for the exception of his Mind Without Fear. Loved his steady narration. Certainly no one could have told the story with the passion, perspective and conviction that he did. Each chapter left me wanting to know what happened next, in his own words and whether or not Rajat Gupta came out whole. Read it and find out. Answers to a lot of question for me and our colleagues. A look into the world of business management consultants working in rare air and what that life is like, why the stakes are higher and how it must feel to free fall.

Honest and Inspirational

Mr. Gupta's career and professional acheivements have always been inspirational and motivational, so have been his tireless pursuits for human welfare.

This book seems to be very honest and I have a sense of beleif he did not commit the crime he was convicted for.

I greatly admire is his profound sense of persevarance, deriving spiritual optimism and spiritual intelligence from Bhagavad Geeta, ultimately emerging from the difficult sentence like a winner.

Great book on Mind and the Times of an exceptionally accomplished person

I finished listening to Rajat Gupta’s memoir ‘Mind without Fear’ in just two sessions. It is a compelling story. He had the good luck to be the right person in the right place to become first non (white) American managing director of MicKinsey & Co, when the firm was ripe to go global. He was the wrong guy at the wrong time when he entered the financial markets with the wrong guy, and got the wrong overzealous prosecutor thus getting jailed for two years. He draws inspiration from his father who was an ICS officer but resigned Gandhiji’s call for freedom and was jailed and beaten mercilessly with permanent damage. He also draws inspiration from Rabindranath Tagore, whose beautiful poetry threads the book and gives it the title of Mind without Fear. He also draws solace from his strong family and the many friends who stood with him and believed his story. He however deeply regrets not taking the stand and testifying in his own trial, as he received overwhelming advice from his lawyers and his family that allowing the prosecutor to question him directly will be too risky. At the end of it all, he comes out of the ordeal with his head held high, without much bitterness for those who deserted him including the McKinsey firm who dismissed him summarily and took his name off their alumni list.

I believe Rajat Gupta’s story, as I have done over the years. He is a fellow IITD alumnus ten years my senior. I met him at Pan-IIT meets in 2007 and 2009. He looked handsome and seemed very honest and a good listener. I do remember some of the stories of the next few years as the attorney Preet Bharara with political ambitions set his sights on a fellow successful Indian. There was a story in the Indian press about Preet Bharara and Dr Sanjay Gupta, whose moms knew each other from India, about who is doing better in the US. I recall a feeling of a certain revulsion at that approach to achieving success by beating down an iconic fellow Indian. Some of my well-meaning friends however felt at that time that greed and power had gotten the better of Rajat Gupta.

Rajat Gupta has done much good work including seting up Indian School of Business and the Public Health Foundation of India. He also started the Global Fund against three major diseases. These inspirational stories are laid out in great detail in the book. That alone makes the book worthy of attention. What the book does not tell is that none other than Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, compared Rajat Gupta with Jawaharlal Nehru for having started two world class organizations in India. I also salute Rajat for his great work. May God grant him strength to continue his good work. He wants to work on the American penal system which he observed from the inside and found deeply lacking. He should write a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, the book that he read during his incarceration and which helped him come out stronger, with malice towards none and with his head held high.

Good Story

Well written and it does convince me as listener about author's innocence but it also tells me about Rajat's personality . Seems he was an arrogant man during his hey days and hence many friends turned against him and were happy to see him fall.

Inspired

A thorough narration of life events in stark clarity. Loved the audio - in his own voice. I could feel the pain and his composure to convey his truth.

Good will triumph over evil - albeit it took its time. May he and his family find peace.

His rise from the humble beginnings to those dizzying heights are a manuscript inspiration for the lot who find excuses to wallow.

An amazing story!

An amazing read. Very impressive story telling. Pretty emotional too.

Totally nitpicking but the one thing which you got wrong (I think) was your grand dad giving two rupees from under the bed for sweets. Assuming that was appx 60 years ago - 2 rupees in Calcutta would have been a lot for sweets.

One of the best - amazing learning

Rajatji, thank you for the book. It was such a learning experience. I could almost feel what you were going through specially when I heard the audio version of the book in your voice.
I would recommend this to everyone on how things can go so wrong so quickly.