Ben Johnson

“Money Talks, Bullsh-t Walks” is the first book to chronicle the career of larger than life dealmaker Sam Zell.

Sam Zell, one of history’s greatest contrarian investors, started with nothing and worked his way up to a $5 billion real estate fortune. He also made headlines for his tumultuous takeover of Tribune Company (owner of the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times)—which, in less than a year under his ownership, went bankrupt.

Real estate expert Ben Johnson, who knows Zell and members of his circle, draws back the curtain on this colorful mogul, who is fond of blunt declarations such as “Money talks, bullsh-t walks.” The author shows Zell’s humble origins as the son of Polish immigrants in Chicago, his early days as a college town landlord, and his astonishing run of dealmaking in unglamorous industries such as cargo containers, fertilizer, and plumbing.

Why did Zell pursue Tribune just when the bottom was falling out of the media business? Johnson tells the real story of Zell’s adventure with Tribune, including untold details of his conflicts with his employees, investors, and pundits who saw Zell as a sign of the media apocalypse.

Now available from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Borders.