Customer Reviews

Fuqua

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This review is going to come out as more negative than maybe it should, but in light of the fact that all the other reviews posted here seem very favorable, I just gotta provide some balance: this book left me disappointed.

I was looking for much (!) more detail on how Fuqua actually conducted his business deals. He seems to gloss over so much --- "I bought company X for 10 million, and sold it 3 years later for 30 million" --- why? How? Give me the freakin' gory details so I can do it too.

Big, big business deals get described in a few sentences, when they should really be given much more space for detail.

I bought this book because I am a businessperson, and I wanted to learn something from one of the most successful business dudes out there. I felt like he told me 5% of what he could have.

Yes, this is definitely a well written and informative biography of Mr. Fuqua. It is unfortunate though, that it has the word "how" in the title, as it does not tell you "how" he made his fortune, rather it tells you how HE made HIS fortune, (and that was by using other people's money). It is nevertheless a very good book, that has many smart ideas, as well as moves that he made in his life, which could be imitated, or expanded upon, by others, to fit their situation, and thereby they could possibly make their own fortune. (Case in point: living out in the sticks, nowhere near any library, he figured out a way to get knowledge about subjects otherwise closed to him -by borrowing books through the mail- and this was at a time when phones were almost a luxury!). It may not tell you just how to make a fortune, but it will probably give you a few ideas, or, pointers, to help you in that quest.

Words of wisdom from a man with the experience to back it up. Though not always deep into the intricate details, Fuqua writes enough to let you have an understanding of how he got where he is today. What I learned from this book is that in business almost anything is posible if you are open to suggestions and can think of innovative ideas. I did not expect a step by step how to book but more of an outline for success and that is what I got. I would recommend this book.

J. B. Fuqua is a very inspirational businessman. I enjoyed this book, but he gives very little detail. He mentions these big business deals but thats just it. He ONLY MENTIONS them!!! No doubt in my mind there could be a great book written about Mr. Fuqua, but in my opinion this is not it!

I was given a signed copy of this book that I promptly shelved for about a year. Such was fortunate, I believe, because when I finally picked it up, the timing could not have been better.

Reading J.B. Fuqua's memoirs may not give you a "how to" guide to making money, but it most definitely gives you an idea of why Fuqua succeeded: drive. You learn in this book that Fuqua never read books for pleasure though he constantly read books for knowledge. Though I don't subscribe to this particular ideology 100% (maybe more of a 50% knowledge, 50% pleasure mentality), it's easy to see the underlying one-mindedness that such an attitude requires. Fuqua had a goal of being financially successful. I believe he accomplished that goal because he could not busy himself with any other ideas and his thirst was never quenched for success - this easily comes through in his book.

Everything told, Fuqua's story is enchanting because it is the story of a poor Virgina boy becoming a "mover and shaker" who runs huge companies and befriends Presidents. Read it and feel the urge to find a similar passion that would drive you so far ...

Considering the era in which we live, when it is better to make money than be honest, a truly principled man is a rare and valuable thing. J. B. Fuqua is just the kind of man we need in these trying times. He is one of the best examples we have today of a man who came from meager means to become one of America's top business minds. His philanthropic work alone merits attention, from establishing the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University to The Atlanta Botanical Garden. A book about a true American original!

I could not put this book down! Every business man should read how Mr. Fuqua surrounded himself with smart people, and was not afraid to make a mistake. He made his fortune with honesty and integrity. The old fashion way, one might say... In todays world, it is still possible to do so, and Mr. Fuqua reminds us with great clarity what it takes to earn great wealth without the art of illicet deception. I bet this man slept good every night he went to bed! A must read!!

J.B. Fuqua is a true credit to capitalism. His success is in large part due to his honesty and integrity. If you are interested in becoming a success in business or in life, you should read this book!

A great book to learn from one of the masters of business! A very inspirational story!