The Business Plus Blog

New York, NY // March 26, 2009 // Business Plus, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group), announced today that it will publish a new book by former Secretary of the Treasury Henry M. Paulson, Jr. It is scheduled for publication in October 2009.

The book, which is yet-to-be titled, will be an insider’s account of Paulson’s experiences as Treasury Secretary and how he dealt with the greatest financial crisis confronting the United States—and the world—since the Great Depression.  A fast-paced narrative, it will include Paulson’s personal recollections of key moments and decisions. It will also include his insights on what has happened since he left office and will add reflections on where he feels our policies should take us in the future.

“This book will be my account of our challenges as first responders in dealing with a once- or twice-in-100 years global credit crisis, armed with imperfect information and limited powers,” said Paulson. “My goal is to provide a historical record to help the public and future policy makers understand how, as market and political forces collided, we made our biggest decisions—where we did things right and where we didn’t do quite as well, and what we learned as we held the system together with the equivalents of duct-tape and bailing wire.” 

Paulson will donate his author’s profits from the book to the non-profit Homeownership Preservation Foundation, which owns and operates the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline, 888-995-HOPE, which helps families avoid foreclosure.

Mr. Paulson was represented on the book by Robert B. Barnett of Williams & Connolly LLP.

Jamie Raab, Executive Vice President and Publisher of Grand Central Publishing, said “We are proud to publish a truly historic book that will go beyond anything else that’s been reported to date. Others were mere observers; Hank Paulson was there — in the arena.  His insights will provide a fascinating account of how our financial system nearly collapsed and what needed to be done in order to save our world from total economic chaos.”

Rick Wolff, publisher and editor-in-chief of Business Plus, added “There are a number of books coming forth about the Wall Street meltdown, but Hank Paulson was indeed the man in the middle — right in the middle of everything.  Hank’s first-person account will be absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in this monumental economic crisis, both for readers now and for future generations.”

Henry M. Paulson, Jr. served under President George W. Bush as the 74th Secretary of the Treasury from June 2006 until January 2009. Before coming to Treasury, Paulson was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs since the firm’s initial public offering in 1999. He joined Goldman Sachs Chicago Office in 1974 and rose through the ranks holding several positions including, Managing Partner of the firm’s Chicago office, Co-head of the firm’s investment Banking Division, President and Chief Operating Officer, and Co-Senior partner.

Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Paulson was a member of the White House Domestic Council, serving as Staff Assistant to the President from 1972 to 1973, and as Staff Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon from 1970 to 1972.