David Gonski, company chairman and director, patron of the arts and philanthropist, has become a household name since the release of the Gonski report into education funding.

In this collection of speeches, he writes about the issues he feels passionately about - everything from the importance of philanthropy to why we need more women on boards, from what makes a good company director to why better education funding is of such critical importance to our nation.

He also provides some deeply personal insights into the man behind the name, writing for the first time of his family heritage, his parents' migration from South Africa and his reflections on turning sixty.

Sure to stimulate some lively conversations, this is an exciting, thought-provoking and accessible examination of some of the important issues in Australian society by one of our leading thinkers.