Book reviews: Rich People Poor Countries

With the opening up of China and the rise of Asia, most of what has been written about 'emerging markets' has been noise and gossip, over substance and facts. This book is an exception. Dr Caroline Freund's Rich People, Poor Countries looks at the rise of the newly super rich in the emerging world: who they are, how they got there, and their characteristics compared with the multi-generational wealthy in developed markets, such as America. This book is full of interesting facts, statistics and stories – but the chapter that captured my attention was the one on women. Of the 38 female self-made billionaires in the world – 16 live in the US and eight are in China. This book looks at why China could be different for female success and why women inherit less than men do. Wealth inequality has become more of a public issue in recent years and Caroline Freund adds some much needed facts, careful analysis, and educated arguments into the debate.