Richard Branson

Candid, funny, inspirational and often revealing about Branson's family, close friends and his personal philosophy on life and business, this long-awaited autobiography covers dramatic events such as the dirty tricks campaign and the balloon adventures.

The Autobiography

Losing My Virginity

The author looks back over his exploits as one of the world's most unconventional business tycoons

How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way

siegs

Entertaining recounts of a very interesting man's adventures through business. I especially enjoyed learning about some of his relationships in the music industry and his love for hot air balloon adventures.

Fun and interesting. Wisdom of life and business compared with a lot of funny stories.

Lena Köninger

Pranav

** spoiler alert **
           A landmark in personal and professional autobiographies. Past readers of Sir Branson's work may find that he revisits events mentioned in previous books, but in this one, are recounted in more detail. An incredible chronicle of a business titan with a golden heart. Don't let the size of the book discourage you, the language is free flowing and highly entertaining. Picture compilations are included at various intervals. A lovely book to read at a leasurely pace, to be savoured and imbibed, rather than gobbled.

"Much more than just a memoir, this is Richard Branson's own take on his extraordinary life so far - and a definitive business guide that reveals his unique philosophy on commerce, success and life."--Page 4 of cover.

Laura Nisioiu

Richard Branson is my kind of business man, interested in helping others, considerate towards the environment and with a strong moral compass.

Omar

Richard Branson's autobiography is fantastic. He's am energetic entrepreneur who has been able to take big risks with protected downside, paying off massively. In the book he goes over so many interesting things about his life, you can't help but think that the guy is equal parts passion, business savvy, and plain crazy. 

In general, I took from this book a really fun story. Also, it is obvious that Branson's success laid on building a brand that is strong, representing quality service and fun, and using that to enter businesses were the competition is severely lacking those attributes. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

"Oh, screw it, let's do it." That's the philosophy that has allowed Richard Branson, in slightly more than twenty-five years, to spawn so many successful ventures. From the airline business (Virgin Atlantic Airways), to music (Virgin Records and V2), to cola (Virgin Cola), to retail (Virgin Megastores), and nearly a hundred others, ranging from financial services to bridal wear, Branson has a track record second to none. Losing My Virginity is the unusual, frequently outrageous autobiography of one of the great business geniuses of our time. When Richard Branson started his first business, he and his friends decided that "since we're complete virgins at business, let's call it just that: Virgin." Since then, Branson has written his own "rules" for success, creating a group of companies with a global presence, but no central headquarters, no management hierarchy, and minimal bureaucracy. Many of Richard Branson's companies--airlines, retailing, and cola are good examples--were started in the face of entrenched competition. The experts said, "Don't do it." But Branson found golden opportunities in markets in which customers have been ripped off or underserved, where confusion reigns, and the competition is complacent. And in this stressed-out, overworked age, Richard Branson gives us a new model: a dynamic, hardworking, successful entrepreneur who lives life to the fullest. Family, friends, fun, and adventure are equally important as business in Branson's life. Losing My Virginity is a portrait of a productive, sane, balanced life, filled with rich and colorful stories: Crash-landing his hot-air balloon in the Algerian desert, yet remaining determined to have another go at being the first to circle the globe Signing the Sex Pistols, Janet Jackson, the Rolling Stones, Boy George, and Phil Collins Fighting back when British Airways took on Virgin Atlantic and successfully suing this pillar of the British business establishment Swimming two miles to safety during a violent storm off the coast of Mexico Selling Virgin Records to save Virgin Atlantic Staging a rescue flight into Baghdad before the start of the Gulf War . . . And much more. Losing My Virginity is the ultimate tale of personal and business survival from a man who combines the business prowess of Bill Gates and the promotional instincts of P. T. Barnum. Also available in the UK from Virgin Publishing, and in Canada from General Publishing, From the Hardcover edition.

Losing My Virginity The Autobiography

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