Book SummaryThe Big Guy, by Miranda Devine

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Big Guy

Allegations of misconduct and the exchange of favors connected to the Biden family, particularly emphasizing the overseas business dealings of Hunter Biden.

Miranda Devine suggests that Hunter Biden leveraged his father's position as Vice President to secure lucrative deals with foreign companies, particularly in Ukraine and China. The author underscores the person's lack of necessary abilities and suggests that his appointment to the role was solely due to his connections with family and close associates. Devine implies that Joe Biden, along with Jim Biden and other relatives, are implicated in what she describes as an intricate operation of exchanging influence for their own benefit. The author supports her claims using information sourced from a computer abandoned by Hunter, along with financial records and testimonies from individuals who witnessed the events.

Throughout the book, Devine illustrates various occasions on which the Biden family interacted with Hunter's overseas partners, encompassing social events at a renowned restaurant, early discussions at the vice president's home, and impromptu teleconferences during other scheduled activities. The author suggests that international groups might see interacting with Hunter as a chance to infiltrate the inner circle associated with the former Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, and potentially sway decisions.

While his father served as Vice President, Hunter Biden participated in lucrative business dealings with organizations in Ukraine, China, and several other countries.

Miranda Devine contended that the international business dealings of Hunter Biden, especially those in Ukraine and China, were dependent on the use of his political ties. The author details a series of dealings and appointments that, from her viewpoint, seriously call into question the ethical standing of the Biden family.

In 2014, Hunter Biden, without the requisite qualifications, secured a position on Burisma's board and was compensated with a significant monthly salary.

In the same year that Joe Biden was designated as the point person for Ukrainian policy by the Obama administration, his son Hunter was appointed to the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company with a questionable reputation, and was compensated with a monthly salary of $83,333. The author contends that the fee was significantly higher than the industry norm, casting doubt on Hunter's suitability for the position. The author highlights the total absence of experience in the energy sector for Hunter, particularly in a country infamous for its pervasive corruption. She describes this appointment as a clear example of the way in which Hunter leveraged his familial political connections to further his own monetary interests.

Devine underscores the fact that Hunter's appointment coincided with Burisma being under investigation for purported corrupt practices, tax evasion, and money laundering in both Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The author suggests that Mykola Zlochevsky, the proprietor of Burisma, sought to shield his enterprise from scrutiny and leverage Hunter's connection with his prominent father for the benefit of his firm by placing Hunter on the board.

Context

• The year 2014 was a pivotal time for Ukraine, marked by the annexation of Crimea by Russia and the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine. The U.S. was heavily involved in supporting Ukraine's new government and promoting anti-corruption measures.
• Burisma is one of the largest private natural gas producers in Ukraine. It was founded in 2002 and has been involved in various controversies related to its business practices.
• The designation of Biden as the point person for Ukrainian policy was part of a broader strategy by the Obama administration to stabilize Eastern Europe and counter Russian influence in the region.
• Ukraine has struggled with corruption, particularly in the energy sector, which has been a significant barrier to economic development and integration with Western economies.

Other Perspectives

• The definition of "requisite qualifications" can be subjective and vary from company to company; Burisma may have had its own set of criteria for board members that Hunter Biden met.
• The figure cited may include other forms of compensation, such as bonuses or equity, which, when separated from the base salary, might align more closely with industry norms.
• The presence of politically connected individuals on corporate boards is not uncommon and does not, by itself, indicate any wrongdoing or influence over policy decisions.
• The value of a board member can also be in their ability to provide governance, oversight, and strategic direction, rather than specific industry experience.
• The term "questionable reputation" is subjective and may not reflect the views of all stakeholders or experts familiar with Burisma's operations and improvements over time.
• The appointment of Hunter Biden could have been part of a broader strategy to improve corporate governance and public image by associating with Western professionals.

Hunter Biden established businesses and secured deals in countries including China, Kazakhstan, and Romania, apparently leveraging his father's political influence while he was Vice President.

Devine delves into the breadth of Hunter's international business activities, which extend across multiple countries, including China, Romania, and Kazakhstan. She focuses on the relationships Hunter established with CEFC, a Chinese energy conglomerate known for its close ties to the governmental officials of China. According to Devine, Hunter and his uncle Jim Biden established a partnership with CEFC via a project called Hudson West III, which led to them earning millions of dollars in compensation for what the author suggests was essentially offering chances to capitalize on the political influence of Joe Biden.

Devine presents as...

The Big Guy Summary Scrutiny of Hunter Biden's commercial dealings has led to substantial legal and political consequences.

Miranda Devine's book suggests that influential figures in Washington, intelligence entities, and prominent media outlets, along with affiliates of the Democratic Party, orchestrated the impeachment of Donald Trump and investigated Hunter Biden's dealings, which could involve his father, as part of a strategy to protect the Bidens. The author emphasizes how the Department of Justice and legal prosecutors attempted to diminish and obstruct the investigation into Hunter, which led to the rejection of serious allegations.

Legal entities, including the Department of Justice, have actively worked to postpone, obstruct, and ultimately limit the scope of investigations into Hunter Biden's alleged criminal activities.

The book scrutinizes the behavior of Joe Biden's son in great detail. Miranda Devine describes unforeseen complications and obstacles that emerged while Hunter's financial dealings were under IRS examination, a circumstance that persisted during Trump's administration. The writer argues that after the commencement of Joe Biden's presidential term, strategies of obstruction by policing bodies resulted in the dismissal of the most serious charges from 2014 and 2015 due...

The Big Guy Summary The alleged conduct involving Ukraine by members of the Biden family has led to substantial apprehensions regarding the security of the nation.

Devine posits that the association of Hunter Biden with Burisma, along with the undertakings of the Biden family in Ukraine, might put at risk the diplomatic and security interests of the United States. She highlights the challenges that arise when a child of the vice president occupies a managerial role at a firm in a country where American influence plays a substantial role in the development of energy strategies.

Concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest and threats to national security due to the Biden family's business dealings abroad, particularly in Ukraine and China.

Joe Biden advocated for the advancement of shale gas to enhance Ukraine's energy self-sufficiency, an effort that sought to diminish Ukraine's reliance on Russia and align it more with NATO, contrasting with his son's alleged objective of maximizing personal financial gain at every opportunity. The author stressed that this issue had been either disregarded or missed by those who back Biden.

Concerns about possible improper behavior emerged in connection with Hunter Biden's position at Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company, while his father was involved in formulating American...