oligarch

James Palumbo: Gangsters, Guns, Russian Oligarchs & Risk (interview) (PART 2)

July 22nd, 2009 |

James Palumbo (click on the picture to access the Tomas website)

“There are two sorts of men, my friend: those who seek riches and glory, and the others. The former will, no doubt, find what they seek, in varying degrees. So? They die. What imprint do they leave? Nothing. Only echoes. The others seek a higher purpose: to make a difference to those around them: to change, shape or improve things, if only to a small extent’.

Though Ministry of Sound chief James Palumbo is the first to admit his novel Tomas, like all debut novels, is partially autobiographical, it’s through side character Napoleon that the book delivers his best lines.

“The risk taker is defined by one idea only, burned into his soul: a willingness to fail,” the French Emperor tells Tomas as he outlines his roadmap to becoming a ‘great man’. “That’s why wealth and glory seekers can’t qualify,” Napoleon continues. “They may take risks but only up to a point. And they would never endanger their spoils or glory.”
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