No comments about The Boy from Altheimer: From the Depression to the Boardroom.

5 comments about Business the Richard Branson Way: 10 Secrets of the World's Greatest Brand-Builder.

1. I suggested that we choose Virgin as a company to research as an MBA Project. Our group used this book as research material. We found it wonderful, and uplifting, exactly what what was necessary for this project. I would highly recommend it to others as well as the book "Losing My Virginity". Virgin is a company that should be studied by US business'executives, its shows you can create an empire - differently!



2. I believe that Richard Branson is a unique character and that information about his life and business philosophies would make an interesting read. Thus I chose to read this book.

   However I was somewhat disappointed. Although I did learn a few things and there were some interesting passages, a great deal of the book consisted of quotes obtained from OTHER biographers and journalists attempting to document Branson's life.

   Each chapter concluded with a summary (read: repetition) of the information in that chapter, and dozens of other sections/quotes/anecdotes were obviously repeated in various chapters. Perhaps because of this, it only took me an hour to read the entire book (admittedly I am a reasonably fast reader).

   One thing that I can say in its favor is that the book was structured well; there were 10 main sections, each devoted to a different "Branson philosophy" (for example, "pick on someone bigger than you").

   In short, although I did get some interest out of this book I am looking for another Branson biography to read because this one fell short of expectations.




3. This book is a handy compilation of observations, hypotheses and speculations on the subject of Richard Branson. Author Des Dearlove freely and frankly admits his debt to several other writers who have probed the Branson story in depth and breadth. There is little if anything original to be found, aside perhaps from the author's style of presentation, which tries hard to be light and deft. Although the book carries you along, its biggest punch resides in the author's list of "10 secrets" of Branson's success. Readers who would like to know in the most general terms what Branson has done and how he has done it, and who are willing to swallow a few clichés in lieu of explanations, will seize upon this book.we think you will enjoy it and, after all, enjoying your work is one of Branson's great secrets.



4. And that's pretty much all this book does. And truly I'd be okay with that if it were at all well written or offered ANY real insight into his method. Y'know how reality shows always spend like one-third of their air time repeating stuff they already told you? This book is like that.
   
   The King of Virgin is clearly a marketing genius. Surely there's another book that does him justice.



5. Des has done a good job into explaining how Richard Branson does business.
   A fun read full of practical ideas!

No comments about The Eye of Illusion.

No comments about Beyond the Mine: A Steelworker's Story.

No comments about H.B. Phillips, Impresario: The Man Who Brought McCormack, Kreisler and Robeson to Derry (Belfast Society Publications).

No comments about Foreward Ever!: Including section on ''What Happened to Warner Press''.

No comments about Innovation & Integrity: The Story of Hub Group.

No comments about Staying in the Game: The Remarkable Story of Doc Seaman.

1 comments about Stuckey: The Biography of Williamson Sylvester Stuckey, 1909-1977.

1. A nice biography in a narrative and oral fashion of the family /man behind the once ubiquitious Stuckey's roadside candy, pecan log-roll and gas station chain. It was the place where my sister and I "blew" our souvenir money on those cross country station wagon vacations. A richly detailed, folksy biography of a cultural icon that was swallowed up and spit out by corporate conglomerates. An important book that documents roadside America. This book demonstrates that Ameican wealth is a function of opportunity and circumstance. Not everybody is in a position to become wealthy. However, the author showed through the workings of Williamson Stuckey and his stores, that when shared, the "pecan pie" can get bigger for everybody. One can surmise from reading this bio that a market economy and wealth sharing are not mutually exclusive. Mr. Stuckey shared his chain and ideals with people who might not otherwise have had the chance at wealth. The most important line in the entire book: "They (blacks) would tell me that they had to plan their trips back in the '40s and '50s when they were going across the country so they could use the rest rooms at Stuckey stores. In those pre-integration days, public restrooms were off-limits to blacks, but Stuckey's was different." A very interesting read and it was nice to learn that Stuckey's was back in family hands.

No comments about Stock Market Development in Africa.