The Bill Cook Story: Ready, Fire, Aim! [Hardcover]

Bob Hammel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 2008

Bill Cook epitomizes the American success story. His business ventures in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, genetics, real estate, retail management, and travel services have made him a billionaire. Yet, Cook continues to lead a modest life, involving himself in a variety of philanthropic activities that have included historic preservation and even a marching band. This riveting story is the first-ever biography of the entrepreneur who, working from the spare bedroom of his Bloomington, Indiana, apartment in 1963 with a $1,500 investment, began to construct the wire guides, needles, and catheters that would become the foundation of the global multi-billion-dollar Cook Group. Biographer Bob Hammel, with extraordinary access to Cook, his files, and his associates, has created a vivid portrait of this modern, multidimensional Horatio Alger—quirky humor, widely varied interests, and all. Informative and inspiring, this book celebrates an exceptional self-made individual.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bill Cook is a great American success story.... Not only is Cook's journey from garage tinkerer to extraordinary wealth a great yarn, it reveals interesting lessons in how success is achieved and how it is defined.... I learned a lot from him." —Angelo Pizzo, writer and producer, Hoosiers

(Angelo Pizzo, writer and producer, Hoosiers 2008)

"Bill Cook's amazing life and career become both fascinating and inspirational in the hands of Bob Hammel. A must-read biography." —Michael Koryta, novelist

(Michael Koryta, novelist 2008)

"Thanks to Hammel, Cook as inventor, entrepreneur, preservationist, and philanthropist truly comes to life—and readers come to know a fascinating Hoosier and American." —Robert Schmuhl, author of In So Many Words

(Robert Schmuhl, author of In So Many Words 2010)

The subject of this biography, Bill Cook, is said to 'epitomize the American success story'. From the early days of conducting business from the spare bedroom in his apartment, Cook built up a global multi-billion dollar business. So far, so American Pie. But the twist in the tale is that Cook continued to live a modest life and spends his money on a wide array of philanthropic causes, from historic preservation to marching bands. Whilst it seems a bit of an exaggeration to suggest this is typical (most super-wealthy givers seem comfortable being simultaneously conspicuous consumers and philanthropic), it is always fascinating to gain insights into the life and thoughts of notable donors. Given unlimited access to the subject and his wife, the author is able to paint a particularly intimate portrait, albeit one that is written in a style that never lets the reader forget his day job as a sports journalist. Readers will either like or loathe Hammel's writing style – breathlessly short sections, bullet-pointed paragraphs and a plot-driven account full of narrative tricks – but those who stick with the text will emerge with many insights into the mind of a generous, though probably atypical, American businessman.Beth Breeze, Publications Editor, Philanthropy UK Newsletter, September 2008, Issue 34

(Beth Breeze, Publications Editor Philanthropy UK Newsletter )

"... Given unlimited access to the subject and his wife, the author is able to paint a particularly intimate portrait... [Readers] will emerge with many insights into the mind of a generous, though probably atypical, American businessman." —Beth Breeze, Publications Editor, Philanthropy UK Newsletter, September 2008

(Beth Breeze, Publications Editor Philanthropy UK Newsletter )

"Hammel's engaging book is a tribute to a remarkable man." —Bloomington Herald Times

(Bloomington Herald Times )

"The Bill cook Story is as exciting as any championship series. Told by a master storyteller, the narrative sweeps the reader through the personal and private lives of Bill and Gayle Cook." —Indiana Magazine of History, Vol. 106, no. 4, December 2010

(Indiana Magazine of History )

From the Publisher

"Bill Cook is a great American success story. . . . Not only is Cook's journey from garage tinkerer to extraordinary wealth a great yarn, it reveals interesting lessons in how success is achieved and how it is defined. . . . I learned a lot from him." --Angelo Pizzo, writer and producer, Hoosiers

"Bill Cook's amazing life and career become both fascinating and inspirational in the hands of Bob Hammel. A must-read biography." --Michael Koryta, novelist

"Thanks to Hammel, Cook as inventor, entrepreneur, preservationist, and philanthropist truly comes to life--and readers come to know a fascinating Hoosier and American." --Robert Schmuhl, author of In So Many Words

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press; 2nd Printing edition (September 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253352541
• ISBN-13: 978-0253352545
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #783,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a story!, October 11, 2008

By 

John Eckberg "John" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bill Cook Story: Ready, Fire, Aim! (Hardcover)

This book is an epic tale that is equal parts ambition, pluck and smarts. Hammel details how a guy who once slept on a cot in a Chicago factory where he worked (because he had no place else to stay) was able to eventually create a medical devices company that has saved millions of lives and created jobs for tens of thousands of people in the last 40 years. Settle in for a great read and expect to take away insights galore from this remarkable story of achievement. Only in America could something like Bill Cook and the Cook Group happen. Get ready to be "Wowed."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of many facets, November 14, 2008

By 

Greg Dawson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bill Cook Story: Ready, Fire, Aim! (Hardcover)

An extraordinary portrait of a remarkable and unsung - till now - American entrepreneur. Those familiar with Bob Hammel's writing will recognize the great reporting and inimitable style which have marked his journalism and several books. As he did in his bestseller about another complex genius, former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight, Hammel displays a knack for finding and revealing his subject's psyche.The reader feels as if he is perched on Cook's shoulder listening to him think. Hammel's story of a life and fortune well-spent is wrapped around a suspenseful crime drama. Don't miss this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Personality, January 7, 2010

By 

ArtyLea (Indiana) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bill Cook Story: Ready, Fire, Aim! (Hardcover)

Living in Indiana, I have heard the name of Bill Cook for years. I'd ask people in Bloomington, "who is this man?". I'd get a vague answer. Then one day, I saw that Bob Hammel, a great writer wrote a biography of him. I snatched it up and began reading an amazing story about an amazing person. I don't really like biographies, but this one is truly intriguing! A great read about a truly amazing person who has revived Southern Indiana through renovating French Lick and West Baden. along with being a leader in the medical arena.