AFRICAN SAFARI.....a Book Review

 "African Safari" is an intriguing title for a book that nowhere talks of  any expeditions to animal kingdom in the jungles of Africa. This book is about a cigar smoking business tycoon , a multibillion and multinational conglomerate whose business interest goes beyond his inherited empire of liquor and beer industries and spreads across industries  as diverse  as Airlines, Pharma, Paints, textiles to name a few. The media across the globe dub him as "King of good times". 

"African Safari " is the story of "Rana Kapoor" the business tycoon and his business ventures in the French speaking regions of Africa, a continent that is fast emerging as world's big time growth market. The book takes us through  intricacies of clinching  business deals.  It talks about how political lobbying and networking with people in high places and bankers collaborate and become a blue print for M&A  stories. The book tells you that stories of business ventures traverse far beyond healthy Balance Sheets and Financial ratios. The book makes it clear  that political lobbying is more a rule than an exception to strike gold in business ventures. For no reason in particular the book  reminds me of the famous "Radia Tape controversy that stole the media head lines long before India  entered the "Amrit Kaal" 

By the way even before you flip a page of "African Safari" you will know that "Rana Kapoor" is a fictional  version of Vijay Mallya  who happens to be one of the earliest member of the tribe of  absconding business tycoons and fugitives who instead of languishing in Indian jails are living a lavishing life in Western countries. This is  more because of a weakening Indian political will than any legal process.

Incidentally  it is the author of the book  who is recounting his experience through the 267 pages of this book .  African Safari  is author's 12th  book in a row and  beyond doubt a book worth reading. Don't forget to pick up this paper back from Amazon online.