The Big Rich By Burrough Book Review Sample

The book “the big rich” is written by the bestselling author Bryan Burrough in which the author has discussed how Texas Oil grew and then went bankrupt in the twentieth century. The author has presented the topic beautifully and was successful in presenting an alluring tale of family, money and power. The book was published in 2009 and has proved itself to be a massive hit of the American century. ‘The big rich’ is the fifth book of Burrough, which is reviewed as a highly entertaining book and covers the topic with deep insight and zest. It is definitely a must-read book for everyone.
The story of the book revolves around four people namely Roy Cullen, H.L.Hunt, Clint Murchison and Sid Richardson. These four people belonged to modest families and together; they were successful in making themselves the wealthiest oil families of Texas. They became the legends of America who intermingled with the presidents of America and Hollywood stars. They owned numerous islands and perhaps had their own football teams. These four people were popularly known as “the big four”.
Burrough presented the character of the four people as being genius and independent. All four of them considered themselves brilliant in all ways and together; they were successful in making a big fortune in a period of five years only. All four of them made their mansions alongside plus Richardson and Murchison bought their own islands and private planes. The author also narrates how the four spent their wealth to spread their political views. Richardson and Murchison befriended several presidents and even attempted to unseat the vice president and bring one of their friends’ in power. Cullen and Hunt used their powers against the communists, Jews, and blacks. Further, they used their money to revive the hapless Texas GOP. Between the year of 1940s and 1950s; Texas oil-fueled prosperity which made the ‘big four’ political kingmakers, and they acted as rulers of the state.
Even the offsprings of the big four created million cases which kept them in headlines most of the time. The author narrates the scandals of each child in detail and compelling style. The offspring of Murchison assuaged Dallas’s post-assassination shame by building an American team, namely ‘cowboys’. The offspring of Murchison is narrated as a hooligan by excess scenes of women and drugs.
Unfortunately the book is not successful in answering whether Big oil made Texas or Texas made Big oil but apart from this, the book proves that the author is well versed in his research and knowledge and among other things, he clearly explains the cyclical economics of boom-and-bust commodity.

References:

Burrough, Bryan. The Big Rich: The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes. New York: Penguin, 2009. Print.