A new autobiography has just been released by John Browne, the legendary former leader of British Petroleum who help turn the once ho-hum company into a major global economic powerhouse before resigning amidst scandal in 2007.
For those of you who don’t recall, Browne — who lived in the closet during his entire 41 year career with BP — was Knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his service to Britain by helping BP grow to become one of the world’s top oil companies.
But he was forced to leave the firm he led after his Canadian ex outed him to the British media — complete with allegations of financial misconduct by Browne during their relationship. Browne — clearly trying to protect his reputation — initially lied about the circumstances of his relationship with the Canadian, beginning the downward spiral that would cost him his job.
Three years later, Browne is back with “Beyond Business” — his new autobiography — which tells his tale of rising from a modern-day oil pioneer in the wilds of Alaska and Azerbaijan to running one of the biggest firms on the planet.
Along the way, Browne met a who’s-who of political and economic leaders worldwide — and managed to still live with his mother from 1980 to 2000!
The book details BP’s attempts to twice buy Royal Dutch Shell — the big “get” in the global oil arena — and as well as Browne’s handling of a tragic oil refinery fire in 2005 in Texas that killed 15 BP workers.
Ultimately, Browne offers some tepid insight into his own downfall and the perils of living as a closeted Gay man in the years leading up to his outing.
Beyond Businss is a rare book — one which speaks volumes about the silence of the modern-day closet.