Bloomberg by Bloomberg, Revised and Updated

Michael Bloomberg rose from middle-class Medford, Massachusetts to become a pioneer of the computer age, mayor of New York, one of the world's most generous philanthropists, and one of America's most respected—and fearless—voices on gun violence, climate change, public health, and other issues. And it all happened after he got fired at the age of 39.

This is his story, told in his own words and in his own candid style.

After working his way through college and graduating from Harvard Business School, Bloomberg landed on the bottom rung of a Wall Street firm and worked his way up to partner. But in 1981, he was forced out of the firm. With an idea for computerizing financial data, Bloomberg started his own company. And, since personal computers barely existed, he built his own. Specially designed for Wall Street traders and analysts, the Bloomberg Terminal revolutionized the world of finance. Under Bloomberg's leadership, his company grew rapidly, playing David to the Goliaths of finance and media—and making Bloomberg one of the world's wealthiest men.

Bloomberg by Bloomberg offers an intimate look at the creative mind and driven personality behind the Bloomberg brand. He describes in vivid detail his early Wall Street career, both the victories and frustrations, including a personal account of what it was like to be fired and given $10 million on the same day.

He combines personal stories with penetrating insights into business and technology, while also offering lessons from his unique approach to management. There is no one in business or politics quite like him—or who has had more success in both areas.

Preface vii

Chapter 1 The Last Supper 1

The Thrill of Getting Fired: Tarrytown 1981

Chapter 2 Capitalism, Here I Come 9

School, Work, and Hard Knocks

Chapter 3 I Love Mondays 39

Entrepreneurship: Vocation and Avocation

Chapter 4 We Can Do That 69

Elementary Journalism, Not Rocket Science

Chapter 5 “No” Is No Answer 93

Establishment Ignorance and Arrogance

Chapter 6 Money Talks 113

Textbook Multimedia

Chapter 7 Man vs. Machine 129

Technology: Politics and Promises

Chapter 8 Management 101 153

The Bloomberg Way

Chapter 9 Coming Up Next 177

America’s a Wonderful Country

Chapter 10 Out of the Office 189

Character and Consistency

Chapter 11 Wealth, Wisdom, and Work 211

Philanthropy and Public Service

Index 239

Michael Bloomberg is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who served as mayor of New York for 12 years. Bloomberg L.P., the technology start-up he launched in 1981, has grown into a global company.

Michael Bloomberg rose from middle-class Medford, Massachusetts to become a pioneer of the computer age, mayor of New York, one of the world's most generous philanthropists, and one of America's most respected—and fearless—voices on gun violence, climate change, public health, and other issues. And it all happened after he got fired at the age of 39.

This is his story, told in his own words and in his own candid style.

After working his way through college and graduating from Harvard Business School, Bloomberg landed on the bottom rung of a Wall Street firm and worked his way up to partner. But in 1981, he was forced out of the firm. With an idea for computerizing financial data, Bloomberg started his own company. And, since personal computers barely existed, he built his own. Specially designed for investment professionals, the Bloomberg Terminal revolutionized the world of finance. Under Bloomberg's leadership, his company grew rapidly, playing David to the Goliaths of finance and media—and making Bloomberg one of the world's wealthiest men.

Bloomberg by Bloomberg offers an intimate look at the creative mind and driven personality behind the Bloomberg brand. He describes in vivid detail his early Wall Street career, both the victories and frustrations, including a personal account of what it was like to be fired and handed $10 million on the same day.

He combines personal stories with penetrating insights into business, technology, and entrepreneurship, while also offering lessons from his unique approach to management. There is no one in business or politics quite like him—or who has had more success in both areas.

"Lots of entrepreneurs make money. Lots of entrepreneurs who make money write books. Few of those books make you glad they did. This one does."
- The New York Times Book Review

"This is the best insight yet on how one man shook up the entire financial information industry."
- Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Group

"Mike is a big thinker and a great philanthropic leader. His ability to drive local and global change, coupled with his willingness to take bold risks, is inspiring. We can all learn from his example."
- Bill and Melinda Gates

All author's royalties from Bloomberg by Bloomberg are donated to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Bloomberg by Bloomberg was written with invaluable help from Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Matthew Winkler and Frank Barry.