Peter Peterson, the cofounder of The Blackstone Group, tells his compelling rags to riches story in The Education of the American Dreamer. The son of poor Greek immigrants and raised in 1930s Nebraska, Peter Peterson rose to prominence in government and then Wall Street. But throughout his illustrious career, Peter Peterson applied the lessons of hard work and humility that he learned from his father. His final great success was the private equity powerhouse The Blackstone Group, which he formed with another financial wunderkind, Stephen Schwarzman.

After graduating from Northwestern University, Peter Peterson rose quickly in his career, eventually working his way up to Secretary of Commerce. After his service to the country, Peter Peterson moved on to private equity, and eventually became the CEO of the Lehman Brothers. Not satisfied at this pinnacle of success, he took a big risk and formed the fledgling Blackstone Group with fellow Lehman Brother colleague Stephen Schwarzman.

According to reviewer Vera, The Education of an American Dreamer is not a preachy book that scolds its reader about being a hard worker. Pete Peterson is the first to admit that he often enjoyed the benefits of “dumb luck” in the advancement of his career. But Pete Peterson has some serious advice for the United States. He holds forth with his genuine expertise on subjects ranging from foreign policy, the Nixon Administration, budget deficits, and the fiscal irresponsibility that has led to the current economic crisis. Pete Peterson isn’t just all talk; he has donated $1 billion to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about financial policies. He also advocates wholesale health care reform.

But Peter Peterson certainly does not pat himself on the back throughout The Education of an American Dreamer. He blames his workaholic ways for his two divorces, and laments that he did not spend more time with his children. He also gives his longtime associate Stephen Schwarzman plenty of credit for Blackstone’s success, citing his old friend’s many achievements.