Customer Reviews

An Enterprising Life: An Autobiography

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Were others reviewing the Amway business, Van Andel, or the book? I see that a few were of the book, and this is too.

I loved the first part where he talked about their other businesses and travels through S. America. Great detail and I could really feel the joys and pangs of their challenges. It was fun. I wish that the rest of the book had been this way.

What made Amway? What made MLM? What changed the course of business history in the US and possibly the world? The battle with the FTC! Amway winning this case alone has created thousands of millionaires in the US and possibly the world and has allowed for hundreds of other legitimate MLM firms to become successful. But this part of the book WAS ONLY ABOUT 12 PAGES!

Deciding to keep the book short to get more readers was the wrong way to go with this story. Like it or not, Amway changed business history. The story needed more detail and feeling for how they changed history.

The story further deteriorates as the writer chose to use the book as a soapbox (esp. towards the end). This took away from the suspense and flow. I expected an autobiography, not a pontification.

2 1/2 stars. Good book for those interested in business from a purist point of view. Van Andel was a good example of tenacity and no-quit in action.

What an impressive individual, and a well documented and well-written book. Wow, what an inspiration, not just to Amway Global IBO's, but to all entrepreneurial thinkers and businessmen in general.

This is a book which exemplifies true leadership & courage. It brings out the lost values in the current society. A business built on a strong foundation of honesty, Integrity and Godly principles will continue for generations to come.

Amway is an increadible opportunity and this is a great insight at one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time. As a distributor I have often wondered about the history of the Amway opportunity. This book gave me some of that history. I am just glad that we live in a country where a great man such as Jay Van Andel is allowed the freedom to write what needs to be written, without the interference of government.

AN ENTERPRISING LIFE is a prime example of the opportunities that are open to everyone; most people just don't even consider doing or even trying anything that would be a step beyond what they are doing now. VanAndel describes building a life and businesses around moral, integral, and ethical principles. He mentions many advantages that Americans have compared to the rest of the world, most of which are overlooked, taken for granted, and not used fully to their potential. Plus he exemplifies how every opportunity/decision/action comes with both consequences (good and/or bad) and responsibility to those whom are affected. This is a great book for everybody to read, especially: business people, entrepreneurs, students, distributors and non-distributors. I agree with compassionate capitalism fully, and urge everyone to evaluate opinions--but always get the facts for yourself--read the book for yourself!

In spite of the obviously biased review wirtten by an unnamed reviewer in the Kirkus Reviews, I maintain that this is an entertaining and enlightening story aboout the author's life. This is precisely the type of biographical sketch that Jay Van Andel set out to write, and he succeeded admirably. Along the way he sets the record straight about a number of misconceptions about the Amway business. Anyone who reads this book with an open mind will enjoy a great story and receive an education in the process.

This book opened my eyes and mind. We need more companies like Amway. This book tells a story that should have been shared years ago. I have a greater respect for the founders of Amway after reading this book. I belive every one should read this book, especially our polititions.

How did Jay Van Andel keep his autobiography to just 226 pages? Each of chapters 2 through 9, which detail the Van Andel/Rich DeVos partnership and rise of Amway Corporation, left me wanting a heck of a lot more. Van Andel and DeVos are the only two qualified to tell the Amway story; I hope DeVos is working on his own book.

Jay Van Andel is highly opinianated, what one might expect from a leader. He showed that a true entrepreneur must face failure and rise again if failure is encountered, in order to succeed. He spoke of integrity, but more effective, he showed that he and his partner, Rich De Voss truly possess it. When confronted with the obstacles of Canadian Tariffs, they could have left Canadian Amway Distributors stranded, made a monetary business decision and walked away from the stress of an ongoing battle. Instead, they considered whose lives they would affect by walking away from Canada and choose to continue on their uncomfortable course.

Mr. Van Andel took an opportunity to get on his soap box regarding government regulation by conveying that government intervention actually cages its victums into mediocrity. He takes a thought provoking stance, twinged with naivety if he thinks that all other corporations would consider the peoples lives of more value than the almighty buck, without government regulations.

I believe that those not in the Amway business would benefit from reading this book if they have ever considered starting a business of their own because like any other business consideration, Amway is a vehicle for financial freedom. When he talks about Amway Distributors that quit when the going got tough, he demonstrates what other entrepreneurs must face in order to succeed in their choosen vehicle.

It would be interesting to read the opinions of this book from readers that are either Candian, non-Chirstian or non-Amway Distributors.

EVERY TIME I READ THIS BOOK I HAVE TO READ AT LEAST 50 PAGES OR SO. THE MAN HAS POURED OUT HIS WISDOM ABOUT HOW ANY BODY CAN HAVE A MULTIBILLION $ BUSINESS IN THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A DIPLOMATIC TALK, VERY EASY FLOW OF STORIES WITH DEEP UNDERSTANDING MESSAGES ARE CONVEYED IN A VERY NATURAL FORMAT AS IF YOU ARE SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO THE MAN HIMSELF.

THE BOOK IS EASY TO READ AND ONCE YOU START READING THE BOOK DO NOT GET SURPRISED AS YOU MAY FINISH THE BOOK IN TWO TO FIVE DAYS.

THE MAN SHOWS THE PASSION FOR THE REFORM ABOUT FLAT TAX LAW OF 10%, FREE ENTERPRISING ECONOMY, THE REFORMS IN US POLITICS, THE LOVE FOR THE COMMUNITY, RESPONSIBILTY TOWARDS WEALTH HOW HE HAS SHARED MILLIONS OF $ TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE.

HE SHARES HOW THE CAPITALISM AND WEALTH BRINGS WINGS OF FREEDOM AND ROOTS OF RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS THE MANKIND AND YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEING.

HE ALSO SHARES HOW ONE COULD BE DANCING IN THE PEANUT BUTTER CONFUSING ACTIVITY WITH ACCOMPLISHMENT AND HOW YOU CAN MAKE A LEMONADE OUT OF A LEMON WITH ONE BASIC CONCEPT CALLED HARDWORK AND PRAYERS.

THE BEST PART IS WHEN HE DESCRIBES WHENEVER THERE IS WEALTH GIVEN TO YOU IT IS GOING TO BE DISTRIBUTED EITHER BEFORE ONE'S DEATH OR AFTER. THE IDEA OF SHARING THE WEALTH BEFORE IS THAT YOU GET TO ENJOY THE FRUITS IN FRONT OF YOUR OWN EYES.

AFTER BECOMING A BILLIONAIRE HE SHARES HIS FEELINGS. HE ADDS FURTHER WHERE HE GOES ON TO SHARE YOU CAN DRIVE ONLY ONE CAR, EAT ONE MEAL, SLEEP ON ONE BED AT A TIME-THAT IS LIMITED; BUT YOU CAN CREATE MULTIPLE TIMES WEALTH AND SHARE WITH OTHER PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY LIMITATION.

HE DESCRIBES IN THE BOOK WHAT HE WENT THROUGH WITH RICH DEVOS IN EARLY DAYS OF NUTRILITE COMPANY DISTRIBUTORSHIP AND WHY THAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE PROVIDED THE STRONG FOUNDATION FOR AMWAY PRINCIPLE OF LOYALTY, HONESTY INTEGRITY AND SINCERTY TO THE DISTRIBUTOR FORCE.

A MUST READ FOR THE PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THEMSELVES, THEIR CHILDREN, WIVES, FAMILIES, SOCITIES,CULTURE, HEALTH, AND MAKING A LASTING DIFFERNCE IN OHTER PEOPLES' LIFE IN POSITIVE WAY.