Twiggy: The High-Stakes Life of Andrew Forrest

“Not just a terrific read, but an important life to have on the national record.” – George Negus“A riveting investigation of one of our richest businessmen, biggest philanthropists and greatest fast-talkers.” – Laura Tingle


Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest is the public face of Australia’s once-in-a-lifetime mining boom. A swashbuckling entrepreneur in the finest West Australian tradition, Twiggy took on mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto at their own game – and won. Yet he has also been embroiled in two of the most heated debates in recent Australian history: over the treatment of Aboriginal people and the mining super-profits tax. In this unauthorised biography, Andrew Burrell traces Twiggy’s business triumphs and disasters to reveal the complicated man behind the myth. Why do his mining ventures attract so much controversy? And what do his philanthropic schemes tell us about him and his plans for the future? 
It takes extraordinary force of will, combined with boundless energy and cunning, to create enterprises on such a mammoth scale. With the value of iron ore now integral to the health of the federal budget, Twiggy’s business affects all Australians. This entertaining book gives a unique insight into one of the most powerful men in Australia today.
“Burrell’s Forrest is the epitome, some would say a caricature, of the Australian self-styled capitalist risk-taker, utterly convinced that ‘what’s good for Twiggy is good for the country!’ But what if it’s not? He didn’t cooperate with the author, but Twiggy should read Twiggy. He might learn something about his methods, about his unapologetically mercenary manner and motivation, indeed about himself – the good, the bad and the ugly.

 Not just a terrific read, but an important life to have on the national record.” – George Negus

Andrew Burrell has been a journalist for twenty years, covering business and politics in Australia, South-East Asia and China. He worked for the Australian Financial Review in Melbourne, Sy