Rating: 
Summary: A brilliantly light-hearted approach to serious business...
Review: 10 stars. Never have I met more people than I have recently when they've seen me reading this book in public places as I laugh and turn page after page eager to learn of Richard Branson's and Virgin's next (ad)venture...I have learned about the evolution of all of the Virgin companies from its predecessor as a student magazine to the music record and recording industry to Virgin Atlantic airlines and beyond. Richard Branson is inspirational in his approach to life and business: adventure, risk, commitment to overcome challenges, and most important -- fun and going with the intuition. Within this book lies the insight to the success factor for which most people spend thousands of dollars to try to attain... the beauty is that you are born with it -- you don't learn it in a classroom.
Rating: 
Summary: Inside Branson
Review: This book is a revelation to people who buy the Branson image. You know Branson: - the nice trustworthy guy who'll never let you down, the astute businessman, the caring employer, the entrepreneur who gets things done by a combination of drive and decency. Yes, I thought so too until I read the book. What an eye-opener! The real Branson, it turns out, is just like everyone else in business - risking other people's money, running up huge overdrafts, suing his competitors, bending the rules and struggling to stay solvent. Business genius? Well on his own admission probably not. But he's certainly lucky. ....And unfortunately there's nothing on the business bookshelf that'll give you advice on how to be lucky in business...You either are, or your aren't. And he is.
Rating:
Summary: Awe inspiring; minus the Epilogue.
Review: The book is brilliant, inspiring yada yada yada. I read the latest edition of this book which included a few pages of pictures at each quarter of the book. The pictures were an essential part of Branson's story as each event, as unbelievable as they sounded, was then driven home by the stunning reality portrayed in the pictures. My only criticism of the book is that after the last chapter Branson has included an Epilogue that spanned the years from around 1997 through to around 2003. I found this addition to the book poorly written and a half hearted attempt from Branson. The events were repetitive and particularly boring. By this stage I found myself completely "Virgined OUT." If I was to read another word about another Virgin anything, I think I would have screamed! It was delightful to hear about a company growing from nothing into something great. Unfortunately after the Epilogue, I am left with the taste in my mouth that Virgin has become what Branson fought so hard to defeat.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book on a brilliant entrepreneur
Review: I always wondered how business moguls got their start. In this book Richard Branson describes how from a very humble background he built up the Virgin group to become one of the world's great companies. It is well written and full of great insights for budding entrepreneurs. Read this book for inspiration if you are thinking of starting a business.
Rating:
Summary: A different path in life and business
Review: While Branson is certainly intelligent, creative, and perseverant, his business ventures illustrate just how much luck and good timing play into becoming successful. The stories also show how people pursue numerous ideas, end up failing at many of them, learn from prior experience, and finally -at long last- they break through. Branson's business pursuits are a testament to value investing - make a number of risks with a limited downside, yet a few can pan out and pay off handsomely. The importance of networking is also shown, which is how Branson connected with new ideas and valuable people. Branson's adventures are great reminder of all the fun and excitement life has to offer. What a contrast to most people's habits of passively sitting in front of the television, routinely doing chores, and other low-energy ways of passing the time. While most people are not going to go out and literally risk their life, this does serve a useful point of comparison. This is a quick, action-packed read, full of insights into business and life. Recommended to a wide range of readers, who will find this informative, interesting, and enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, superb, exquisite...
Review: An amazingly fast paced narrative full of adrenaline pumping narratives of corporate rivalry and raw aggressive enterprunal instincts almost all of which came good at almost all the right times interspersed with crazy and ambitious life threatening balloon expeditions. The story of Richard Branson told by Richard Branson almost reads like a bestseller Michael Crichton novel and not an Autobiography. I really was not aware that the virgin group of companies has under it's flagship (can you believe this) 200 companies and all this created just by the positive energy and never say die attitude of a man whose mantra is "anything is worth a shot at least once". And he really applies this as Branson dabbled his fingers in almost anything and everything so that from the beginnings of a record company virgin music (which he later sold to EMI), he created Virgin Atlantic airways, virgin cars, virgin rails, virgin cola, virgin books, Virgin holidays, Virgin insurance, Virgin cinemas, Virgin wear and even - Virgin Bridal! There are a lot more Virgin companies, which need to total around 200 making up Virgin Group as a whole. I kept glancing at the cover and kept rechecking whether this was an autobiography or a piece of fiction. If some one had even written a novel, which scripted the whole Virgin story, I would have found the plot too unbelievably fairy tallish even if it inhabited a fictional world. Branson is as candid as he can be in this book. Although if he has left out anything, we will never know and don't have the right to know in any case. Also if he presents his viewpoint on the battle against British airways as a righteous crusade painting himself as a hero, he has every right to, as this is his autobiography. The most exciting parts of the book are the balloon expedition narratives and the most suspenseful is the narrative of the crusade against the 'dirty tricks' campaign by lord King of BA (This part is almost like a first rate novel, you'll forget you are reading an autobiography, full of intrigue, corporate skullduggery and potentially damaging but 'untrue and baseless' journalistic exposes planned by some papers against RB albeit with the supposed help of the BA dirty tricks wing.This is the best autobiography I have yet read. Most mainstream bestseller novels will seem dull in comparison to this action packed success story, which actually happened to a person. In fact I would love to read the other side of the story regarding BA and RB. Would be interesting to read a book on BA by someone from BA and how it compares to what RB has to say. After reading this book, I have stuck RB's poster to my cupboard which when I look at immediately inspires me to stay positive and to persist carrying on chugging away at achieving my goals and to laugh off the temporary setback and carry on.
Rating:
Summary: If It Was Not True - He Would be Hard to Invent. Great Book.
Review: This book leaves your head spinning while you laugh at the same time. I do not want to retell the book but there are a few parts that really make you laugh and jump out at you. Once such story is when Branson is in London and had to take a cab from his home to an important business meeting. He jumps into a cab parked in front of his house, and there was a slightly familiar figure driving the cab. The cab driver says - you are famous - you are Richard Branson. Branson agrees and they drive off. Then the driver says do you mind if we stop so my mother can meet you. Branson starts muttering to himself. Then the driver says - oh, by the way I am a bit of a singer can I play one of my tapes - I know you own a record company. Branson mutters again then agrees to be polite. The driver pops in the tape, and Branson hears Phil Collins singing. The cab driver turns around and it is Phil Collins driving the cab ...and they both have a great laugh. That story sums up the life and career of Branson. He has done well but had a lot of fun along the way making a lot of money, having a great time, and meeting many famous people. This is a story of a non stop, creative, informal, problem solving, optimistic, friendly, positive, resourceful, hands on, fun filled, super energetic - and natural business man. He starts off in school selling a magazine that he has created as a teenager. Then he graduates to music stores, then to music production and artists. He has a few setbacks and in one case almost went to jail, but he keeps on going making a bigger and bigger success. One night when an artist did not want to perform - but Branson knew the concert was critical - he took the performer for a drive in his car then gave the performer his Bentley convertible that he was driving if the perfomer promised to do the concert that night - which he did. That performance resulted in great success for the artist and Branson. Then he sells out and starts new businesses all over again. As we all know he takes the Virgin brand and expands to airlines and electronics and all kinds of other things. He somehow overcomes all kinds of financial gyrations, including beating back British Airways and the banks. In parallel to the business he leads a wild and crazy personal life, with many trips and gambles including trans Atlantic boat trips and ballooning. But in the end, whatever he does, he does it well with a certain flair for the dramatic. Just a great book. Cannot recommend enough. Jack in Toronto
Rating:
Summary: I highly recommend !!!!
Review: I have never seen an autobiography other than "Losing my Virginity" that I couldn't stop myself from reading on and on. It is like a Sidney Sheldon novel. You can't stop yourself from moving on to next chapter as soon as you done with the earlier chapter. Richard Branson has lived an extraordinary life full of adventure, sex, and fun. And he doesn't mind talking about it. Richard Branson is an outstanding entrepreneur -- what an inspiration!
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal Ideas and Inspiring
Review: I read this book on a flight en route to London in 1998 and continually refer back to it as a source of brainstorming and inspiration. It is a book that will entertain, educate and encourage all, bit just those with a mind for business. Every page is full of humourous "Nransonesque" anecdotes and life experiences. A must read!
Rating:
Summary: OH YEA!!!!!!!!
Review: This book is a must for any dreamer. It is an honest presentation of the wonderful life of Richard Branson. Even his mistakes are revealed. It makes you think that all it takes is a dream and a small loan to make it.
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