|
Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way (平装)
by Richard Branson
| Category:
Biography, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Business |
| Market price: ¥ 178.00
MSL price:
¥ 148.00
[ Shop incentives ]
|
| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
Entertaining and inspirational, this book is the ultimate mentor for those with self-employment dreams. |
| If you want us to help you with the right titles you're looking for, or to make reading recommendations based on your needs, please contact our consultants. |
|
| |
AllReviews |
1 2   | Total 2 pages 13 items |
|
|
Ivana Trump (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
The man behind the Virgin Empire. What they're saying about Richard Branson:
Richard is good-looking and very smart, which is good to start with. He also makes a billion dollars before breakfast – and still knows how to have fun. |
|
|
CQ (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
Few people in contemporary business are as colorful, shrewd, and irreverent, and no one's nearly as much fun to be around… Branson embodies America's cherished mythology of the iconoclastic, swashbuckling entrepreneur. |
|
|
Newsweek (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
Branson wears his fame and money exceedingly well: no necktie, no chauffeur, no snooty clubs. Boiled down to its singular essence, Richard Branson just wants to have fun.
|
|
|
Time (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
Branson, a self-described "adventure capitalist", is a business-creation engine who was clearly born in the wrong place. He belongs in the US, the wellspring of genius, entrepreneurs, and shameless hucksters alike… He has amassed a billion-dollar fortune by doing things business strategists suggest he shouldn't… and then attacking heads-on. Those business instincts are matched by an ability to motivate people who work for him. And he wouldn't want to – Branson seems hell-bent on making sure that everybody, but everybody, is having as much fun as he is.
|
|
|
An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
This is by far the best autobiography or biography I had ever read. It's no exaggeration to say that it's far more intriguing and "unbelievable" than most of the novels. Luckily enough we know it's a real guy and we saw what he did, dyslexia, a secondary school dropout, editor of a student magazine, opening a mail order record company, record store, Virgin Records, first man to cross the Atlantic, Pacific on a balloon, Virgin Atlantic... Seemingly a maniac but truly a born entrepreneur who knew and took "controlled" risk.
Most importantly, if what he wrote was 90% true, that he had privatized in 1988 the once public Virgin Group with double the market price (70p) so that all shareholders could get back what they paid in the 1987 IPO (140p) just before the 1987 market collapse, and he had distributed the 500,000 pounds he got from BA for libel compensation as bonus to his Virgin Atlantic staff, then, Sir Branson, I salute you.
In short, a must read. Dont miss it. Looking forward to a Part II for stuff after 1993... The short epilogue for things after 1993 is just too short and incomplete. |
|
|
Mathew (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
I've always found Richard Branson to be a fascinating man from his strong business acumen to his perilous and well-documented adventures. That being said, when I picked up this book to read, I didn't expect to find it as intriguing as I did. Many business autobiographies that I have read tend to drag on and focus on the same old business philosophies. Mr. Branson runs his business completely opposite to how we are told by most experts that a business should be run.
Branson's passion and drive are infectious. His blatant disregard for the stuffy way business "gurus" say that businesses should be run is refreshing. The many stories shared in this book are extremely interesting and fun to read. I found myself unable to put this book down, which is saying a lot for me. A very enjoyable read!
|
|
|
Mel (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
Unlike most people whose exposure to Richard Branson came from his reality show, I bought this book after reading one of the Forbes "Richest People" lists. I was intrigued by a man who could make a few billion dollars, jump out of planes, set record after record, cross-dress for promotions, and still remain a respected businessperson!
This autobiography covers Richard's life until around 1993, and the epilogue very briefly goes to 1997. Thus, there is no discussion about the impact of the internet on Virgin, or how the dot-com bust affected them, and so on. However, everything else until that time is very detailed and interesting.
Reading this book, you will learn the challenges that Branson had to overcome in his youth, including dyslexia. You'll learn how he started a vastly successful magazine while still in school, all the gritty details that involved in operating it, and how he progressed to record shops, record label, mega shops, airline, and eventually his Virgin empire. Exploits in his professional and personal life are also revealed, including his many world records and how he broke them, his numerous relationships, and the historic case against British Airways.
Make no mistake: Richard makes sure to put a happy face on Virgin and to promote his brand as much as possible. Then again, I don't know of a single book written by the founder of any such company - especially one that deals mainly with consumers - that does not "toot" its own horn on every other page.
Regardless, this is a great book of a great man by a great leader. Whether you are an accomplished businessman, a student, or a bystander looking to learn more about Branson and Virgin, this book is worth purchasing! |
|
|
Don Nguyen (MSL quote), Australia
<2006-12-27 00:00>
Whilst the success of the Virgin Group is undeniable, Losing My Virginity reveals that the company is led by a gambling megalomaniac driven by an insatiable urge to emblazon his name in the headlines. Two incidents in particular strike me as clear examples of why Richard Branson is an unfit leader for the group.
The first was his decision to stake the entire future of the Virgin Group on the success of the airline company. It is universally acknowledged that the introduction of the airline business posed an enormous risk to the company as a whole. Whilst I can understand one man's desire to gamble his stake on a high risk venture, what is unacceptable to me is the incredible willingness with which Branson is willing to risk not only his own stake, but that of his friends and life long business partners who also had a share of the group.
The second incident that appeals me is the willingness with which Branson risks his life despite the presence of a family who rely on his support. I suspect his intent was to garner gasps of admiration from the audience for his apparent bravado; however I can only wholeheartedly express my disgust. I can certainly understand why a single man would engage in such a thrill seeking adventure. However, to gamble not only your own future but that of your family is an act of a man whose ego dwarfs the size of his balloon.
The book makes it difficult to judge his skills as a businessman, however as a person Mr. Branson exemplifies the "me first" philosophy which unfortunately has become so common in modern life. Despite my criticisms of Branson as a person the book itself is an enjoyable read and contains many moments that I am confident the reader will enjoy. |
|
|
W. Wade (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
After reading the business autobiography of Richard Branson (Sir Richard Branson), Losing My Virginity, I've decided to tell of how riveted I was to the book. The CEO of Virgin has many things to say and for almost the entire book, I couldn't put it down (other than his extended musings on British Airways). From starting his first magazine called 'Student', then opening up the first Virgin store on Notting Hill, to buying an old castle to make into a recording studio, to losing his virginity to an Asiatic girl. He has broken world records in hot-air balloons around the world. He gets the balloons up to an altitude of around 35k feet where the jet stream is and rides across the Atlantic ocean reaching speeds of 240mph, or the pacific ocean and the way he recounts these trips is addictive to read and hard to put down. He's also broken ocean records by being the fastest man alive to boat the Atlantic ocean averaging 45 knots (I think that's the speed). Branson's reality show on Fox starting November 9th at 7pm should be interesting since the contestants will compete over the CEO position of Virgin. I don't know if the position will be permanent or not. Branson's book is a very, very entertaining read and makes anybody want to go out and start their own business because he makes it sound just the opposite of business. One former airline CEO tells Richard that he needs to get a physical every year and have the doctor stick his finger 'up your bum, then he'll tell you what's what.' The man when on to say, 'just make sure to look back when his finger is up your bum and make sure that both his hands aren't on your shoulders.' Branson goes into detail about many of his relationships and what he thought about other people at the time and feels no shame, the book sounds as if the thoughts went straight from Sir Richard's steno-pad into publication. Richard Branson is now my new entrepreneurial hero. The book also explains the much asked question of why he decided to name his company something so innocent but epicureanly alluding. |
|
|
Miguel Hidalgo (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
Richard Branson is one of the most brilliant iconoclasts in the industrial age. It appears he will not have any difficulty converging his sheer tenacity and skill into the final chapters of globalization. Richard Branson is regulated by his own set of rules. Institutions were forced to recognize him as a serious contender. Even today, he uses incredible charisma and vision to strike in the United States and Australia. The CEO at Quantas ridiculed Richard Branson as a circus act. His critics should be more thoughtful as they are now seen as the laughing stock.
Throughout the next century, questions will be asked whether Richard Branson made the world a better and happier place. The answer is a resounding and unequivocal, YES. He has the will and the capacity to do whatever his heart desires. That ability is nerve-racking since he wipes out competitors, large and small, that have spent decades refining their products and services. These companies are led by people who are suppose to be the best trained pedigree in the world!
Let us not confuse skill and luck. Rather, let's compare Sir Richard to Genghis Khan. Along with their music, they 'danced the beat' about sex and power and didn't mind saying so. Still, it is both shocking and refreshing to read about Sir Richard's exploits growing up. How he languished as a child but created the will to challenge the world is stunning! He has an uncanny sense of timing and strategies for masterfully positioning himself.
Many times, Sir Richard was extremely reckless in pursuit of his dreams. In most situations, his unconventional wisdom prevailed but his male psyche was triggered by conquest and conquer, regardless of the cost. Oh please, he could be vicious so stop pretending. My simple advice, along with others who care for his success and health, is to kiss more babies, flatter your allies and increase the share of bounty. Govern by consent (you certainly have an incredible ability to select great managers that love you) and balance your impulses.
Whether he has the desire and the ambition to leave us his legacy will be forthcoming and, hopefully, explained in his second biography. I have watched Richard Branson through the years. In a wicked sense, I can understand why the Czars of Russia and other leaders got rid of their advisors. After a while, leaders become isolated. I know this because as a huge dreamer on a smaller scaler, it has become impossible to contact him to do business. |
|
|
|
1 2 | Total 2 pages 13 items |
|
|
|
|
|
|
