Rating: 
Summary: good old richard
Review: Businessmen's autobiographies usually range on a scale from doorstop to toilet paper - too long, too boring, and far, far too uninsightful. They're all modelled on Lee Iacocca's anyway, and the only great one is Sloan's 'My Years With General Motors'. Branson's however, does avoid a lot of the pitfalls - and is a funny wacky read. Guess you could tell that from the title.For a start he's pretty modest - he's not afraid to discuss his mistakes (currency smuggling, for example) and failures. He's full of praise for his subordinates, many of whom went on to great successes elsewhere (like Don Cruikshank, now chairman of the London Stock Exchange, and Ken Berry, the music head of EMI). He jokes about himself - Branson is famous for saying that he can't read a balance sheet and doesn't understand the difference between assets and liabilities (right, Richard). He puts a lot of effort into producing good products (apart from the dreadful Virgin Rail), and into creating effective organizations for people to work in. He obviously very ruthless, but is by all accounts a nice man in person - from this book he seems so. But the best thing about it simply that anybody, let alone for a British businessman (!) Branson has had an extraordinary life, founded an incredible range of companies and in many cases made a huge success of them. Some of this is fun to read because of the music side, though Branson of course plays down the fact that Boy George almost single-handedly saved the Virgin Group from insolvency in the early-mid 80s! There are lots of pop-stars and celebs, and few bankers and consultants. More interesting is just the sheer number of projects - magazines, records, shops, books, clothes (briefly), financial services, weddings, phones, trains. Best of all is the Virgin Airways saga, Branson's most courageous and daring and successful venture. p.s. You might be interested to read this alongside the autobiography of another great rogue from the 60s, Howard Marks - the two men are surprisingly similar. If you want an outsider's view of Branson, read 'Virgin King' by FT journalist and QXL.com founder Tim Jackson - a very good book.
Rating: 
Summary: A roller coaster of a life
Review: Possibly one of the most enjoyable autobiographies one would come across. The life of Branson is indeed a roller coaster of a ride with his own ups and downs. What is amazing are his beliefs and determinations in ensuring success when it meant thinking outside the box... or the law for that matter when he so nearly got himself in jail.I believe Branson gave an 'honest' account of his life so far but maybe some exaggeration. His near death experiences should have taught the gentleman to appreciate life better but it seems there are nothing in stopping this man in achieving what he wants. From the tiny operation of the student magazine to the today's Virgin Empire, one has to admire his approaches in innovation, tactics, and customer satisfaction. Branson's belief in "bankers" is also a notable mention - being blood-sucking people. In my twenties... should I have experienced a quarter of what Branson had experienced, I think I would have probably been hospitalized or have suffered numerous heart attacks. Overall, a great read and a great keep.
Rating:
Summary: If only
Review: Unlike all billionaires, politicians and humans, Richard Branson has the humility to tell the truth. Rare these days, I know, but true! I hope when I too, one day make millions, I still maintain the decency to recognise that it wasn't just down to me.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: Refreshing biography of one of our most innovative entrepreneurs!
Rating:
Summary: The way a leader is supposed to think
Review: Now with the caveat that this is Branson's view of how he got to where he is today, I found this book to be a terrific read. In my mind, 'Losing My Virginity' perfectly encapsulates the way a leader is supposed to think and act. Ever heard Branson speak in public? He's surprisingly shy, ill-at-ease, and not all that eloquent. But the guy works hard every day at crafting his vision and pushing it forward one day at a time. That's the genius of this book - Branson shows us the method he's used to succeed and admits that there's no great genius involved, but a heck of a lot of perserverance, determination...and a fair degree of flair! My caveat at the beginning? If you want a very different viewpoint of Branson's career, check out Tim Jackson's excellent "Virgin King."
Rating: 
Summary: Roll the Dice with Richard Branson
Review: Don't expect to raise your business IQ with this book. But you may be inspired by Branson's aggressiveness,tenacity and perhaps even his honesty in telling his story. He succeeds because he never loses momentum, even when he fails, or runs out of money. His high wire lifestyle is pretty entertaining, and it was instrumental in attracting artists like Janet Jackson to the Virgin Label. So why three stars? Because Branson's constant need to show off and perform make him seem more desperate than admirable. And after reading his business strategies, I thought a better subtitle would be, "better lucky than smart".
Rating:
Summary: A fun and racy romp of a story
Review: Great book. Loosing My Virginity is a colorful, vivid, and entertaining look into the adventurous, daredevil life of Richard Branson. The book starts out like a rollercoaster ride with an exotic feel to it as Mr. Branson tells of departing Marrakech in a hot air balloon and nearly crashing hours later on one of his around the world journeys. The rest of the book reads much the same way, with tales of the wild antics and bold, risky ventures that helped make Richard Branson one of the most successful entrepreneurs ever with a worldwide travel-entertainment-retail conglomerate worth $2 billion today. His life story focuses mostly on how he became successful and built thriving business after business, but there are plenty of amusing tales about his personal life, as well. His entire being is based on recreation and entertaining, and this book is no exception. The hardcover edition also has 120 photos, various illustrations, the agreed statement read in open court at the end of the British Airways libel case, the article "A King Size Disaster" by Bernard Levin, an appendix of cartoons related to British Airways, a speech made by Richard Branson to The Institute of Directors, and a chronological history of the Virgin group of companies.
Rating:
Summary: Sometimes, even the big boys have to bend over and take it..
Review: Branson shares one heck of a story. It includes antics as a teenager, problems in school coupled with entrepreneurial endeavors, harrowing hot air balloon adventures, and culminates with a heated battle with British Airlines. Branson was wheelin' and dealin' from day one, when Virgin began as "Student", a magazine bootstrapped to moderate success. It soon led to selling records via mail order, the opening of retail record outlets, and other business ventures, including the launch of the Virgin Atlantic airline. Throughout the book, Branson shares early run-ins with the police, harrowing hot air balloon adventures, intimate encounters, and his perspective on all his life experiences. The book culminates with an in depth recount of the battle between Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. According to the book, BA throws obstacle after obstacle, including a dirty PR machine in the path of Virgin Atlantic, attempting to force it out of business using any means necessary. The upstart, Virgin, determine to get a fair shake, ultimately puts together a case to silence BA's slanderous campaign, and emerges with the right to compete freely with BA, and a substantial financial settlement. The little guy wins, and BA gets what it deserves. Branson sees and writes about life as one big adventure. No obstacle is too big to overcome, no calculated risk too big to take. Virgin's gotta be an exciting place to be, and Branson quite a character to know. Whether you're looking for a business book, a novel, or just a great autobiography, check out "Losing My Virginity"!
Rating:
Summary: A nice bloke
Review: For me the worst part of any autobiography is the first half a dozen chapters where the subject tells of the hard times and the strict father when most of us want to get to the parts we can relate to.This book does not have too much time for that as Branson started his entrepeneur skills at just sixteen setting up his own magazine. He takes us through the mail order side of Virgin, the record shops the meteoric rise of the other sectors and his ballooning exploits, and his infamous battles with British Airways. What makes Branson different is there are no pretensions, he comes across as lucky rather than overtly clever and astute as opposed to brilliant minded. he loves his wife and kids, yet is driven on to do more and more (mad) projects. The book is a story rather than a chronological tale. He has been arrested, fell out with friends, been ruthless even but when you shut the book up at the end you don't feel bitter or resentful, just that he is an ordinary nice bloke.
Rating:
Summary: Do It Branson's Way
Review: Losing My Virginity is one of the most captivating, enjoyable, and surprising autobiographies I've read. Whether or not you have followed Virgin's (and Branson's) success, this book is definitely a worthwhile read - both for the content and for the style. From the age of 17, Branson shows how his adventuresome nature, competitive spirit, and pure drive (in addition, of course, to a more than fair share of good luck) have helped him succeed. And unless you've followed his life closely, you'll be surprised at just how many business areas he's had his fingers in. From aiding in the success of the Sex Pistols, to launching Virgin Cola Atlantic, and Brides, Branson has seemingly done it all. It's a great story and an enthralling read.
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