Philanthropy as practiced by the current generation of superrich is different from that practiced by earlier generations. Whereas once the superrich would have been willing to simply give their money away to good causes, today they are "social investors" using their business experience and business-style strategies to bring about social change and expecting both accountability and results. Bishop (economics journalist, The Economist) and Green (development economist) discuss the philosophy, strategy, and tactics of a small sample of "philanthrocapitalists." The most recognizable include Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, George Soros, Richard Branson, Bill Clinton, Angelina Jolie, and Bono. The authors use personal interviews they and others have conducted, as well as expert analyses. The result is not traditional economics scholarship, but rather a well-researched journalistic account of the activities of a group of individuals whose past success has given them extraordinary influence over the future of the world. See related, Global Development 2.0: Can Philanthropists, the Public, and the Poor Make Poverty History?, ed. by Lael Brainard and Derek Chollet (CH, Apr'09, 46-4556). Summing Up: Recommended. All collections and readers. R. S. Rycroft University of Mary Washington
