Customer Reviews

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

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The book was, to my delight, a very interesting read. "Losing My Virginty" reads like a novel and I would say that it was as interesting as both "Memoirs or a Geisha" and the "Harry Potter" series. Yet the book was full of lessons in a variety of business fields; entrepreneurship and risk-taking being at the forefront of those fields. In its value as a business book, I would compare it to "Lessons from the Top" and "The Millionnaire Next Door", both of which were a much less gripping read. However, "Losing my Virginity" is different from those two books in that it is primarily about "World Class Entrepreneurship".

Branson takes the reader on a trip back to the 60's and 70's when Virgin took off and gradually leads you into the "jetstream" of his turbulant life. You will enjoy the ride.

This is definitely a book that I thoroughly enjoyed and earnestly recommend to anyone, not necessarily to businessmen, just to anyone who wants to make the most of his/her life.

Richard Branson used the book well on many occasions to tell his side of the story and to clarify to the public certain events that may have not been fully disclosed in that way during the time of their occurance.

He also talks freely about matters, which a conventionial bussinessman would find out of place, beyong the point or even downright embarrassing. Those "personal" moments are actually the essence of what this book is all about. The book is about Branson's life and Virgin Group is just that, a very large chunk of Branson's life.

I have to agree with several other readers. Sir Branson articulates himself to be a born entrepreneur, risk-taker (sometimes calculated, other times not), iconoclastic and, perhaps subtlely, family-centered.

Unfortunately, his vivid descriptions of his variegated love life and only tangential discussion of his personal life philosophy and philanthropic work, leaves one saying "He's an exciting, flamboyant character; but not someone who will be remembered in the manner of a Carnegie or Rockefeller".

Whenever I read and review biographies, I try to encapsulate key takeaways--relevant teaching points--for future benefit. I present them below in the hope that they might be beneficial to someone:

-A tight knit social circle of family and friends is critical; the wealthier and more successful one becomes, the tighter and more important this circle should be

-JVs (Joint Ventures) can be a valuable way of expeditiously creating new business lines in an unfamiliar industry or environment

-European banks are far more conservative/less risk-taking than American ones (rather well known)

-Sub-units managed as individual corporate entities are an effective way of hedging risk and building employee buy-in

-Put employees first (vs. shareholders) and profits to owners/shareholders will dutifully follow


Overall, I am pleased that I read this book because I enjoy Virgin's services (particularly Virgin Airways). Branson's adeptness at branding is unquestionable. However, I came away with the feeling one often has after completing a meal at a much hyped restaurant yet not having had one's appetite pleasurably satisfied.

Now with the caveat that this is Branson's view of how he got to where he is today, I found this book to be a terrific read. In my mind, 'Losing My Virginity' perfectly encapsulates the way a leader is supposed to think and act.

Ever heard Branson speak in public? He's surprisingly shy, ill-at-ease, and not all that eloquent. But the guy works hard every day at crafting his vision and pushing it forward one day at a time. That's the genius of this book - Branson shows us the method he's used to succeed and admits that there's no great genius involved, but a heck of a lot of perserverance, determination...and a fair degree of flair!

My caveat at the beginning? If you want a very different viewpoint of Branson's career, check out Tim Jackson's excellent "Virgin King."

Branson is NOT your typical international business tycoon. For one thing, he dropped out of school at 16 in Britain. He was a near-sighted dyslexic who was told by teachers he would amount to nothing. Young Richard was terrified of reading out loud and supposedly had to sit in the corner with a dunce cap. In a world that admires people for the masque they wear - Ivy League credential, private club memberships, burgundy office furniture, house size, neighborhood whereabouts, and all sorts of external "proof" of worthiness ... Branson broke all the rules (not in a maliscious way), had fun, made a fortune out of adventure, and avoided suits, chauffers, and still was knighted by the Queen. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets an O.B.E. (Order of the British Empire) one day. In a nutshell, if you aspire to fly with your own entrepreneurial dreams and stay true to yourself ... Branson's book (there is an updated to 2003 edition out now) provide an informal mentorship in the art of believing in oneself.

How often do bitter teachers crush the hopes of students because of their own insecurity? How often do people get promoted on the fact that they went to Wharton or Harvard and have an exclusive golf memberships? How many people go broke trying to look like a success and negate their true selves? Close to 90% of the population trying to go up the corporate ladder. Branson, like Charles Schwab, was featured in the May 2002 Fortune cover story "The Dyslexic CEO". His story is a testament to the power of will and street smarts that may not be taught in the bluest of blue bood MBA programs. If the saying is correct - "few great men could pass personnel" - then there is hope for countless others in the world. Who would have thought that 16-year-old dropout Richard, who would never have been hired as he was by any Fortune 500 comany, or at least identified as a "top talent" by the men in pinstripe suits, would rival Donald Trump. Trump, with his Wharton MBA, private school upbringing, and slick New York posh address, was the one "most likely to be voted most likely to succeed."

Branson, being British, also triumphed over a class structure and nation at the turmoil of socialist error. Thatcher's reign as Prime Minister may have helped young Richard, but I suspect economic Thaterism was an adjunct to his ruthless rebellious desire to amass an empire of his own that won in the end.

Losing my Virginity is witty, funny, honest, and intriguing. Richard Branson admits his errors, allows himself to be human, and seems to maintain his boyish charm. If you respect people who are self-made, not handed a thing, Branson is a great story especially when you'd like some real-life inspiration. Most of all ... Branson personifies why not to let your transcripts dictate your confidence, and why never to think that teachers or some educational authority is some oracle into what you can accomplish.

Rumor has it that Trump and Branson have some disagreement on business style. Whether it's true or not, consider this: would you rather spend your life being purley materially driven with money as your God OR would you like to go to your grave knowing that you have nothing left because you truly are "thoroughly used up when you die." Your talents released to their ultimate positive manigfestation in the world while you had a absoulute smashing time doing so? If it's the latter ... buy Branson's book.

"When kids grow up, Kinko's founder Paul Orfalea was told by his mom, "the A students work for the B students. The C students run the business. And the D students dedicate the buildings." Betsy Morris' article in Fortune May 2002 cover story.

I bought "Losing My Virginity" after reading and enjoying his latest book "Screw It, Let's Do It", which is a quick read... I wanted to know more about his life.

As with "Screw It, Let's Do It", he covers his life from early childhood to business mogul. "Losing My Virginity" contains a lot more details though. Although it is probably impossible to understand how hard Branson worked to get where he is, he does a good job of telling the story of how he started out, how he struggled in his early days, the many disappointments he had, and the successes they had that eventually snowballed into the business empire that Virgin is today.

By his own admission, Branson is not an academically brilliant man. He's just a regular guy who goes after what he wants with all he has. He doesn't let failures along the way derail him from achieving his goals.

This book is a great read that I highly recommend.

Branson shares one heck of a story. It includes antics as a teenager, problems in school coupled with entrepreneurial endeavors, harrowing hot air balloon adventures, and culminates with a heated battle with British Airlines.

Branson was wheelin' and dealin' from day one, when Virgin began as "Student", a magazine bootstrapped to moderate success. It soon led to selling records via mail order, the opening of retail record outlets, and other business ventures, including the launch of the Virgin Atlantic airline. Throughout the book, Branson shares early run-ins with the police, harrowing hot air balloon adventures, intimate encounters, and his perspective on all his life experiences.

The book culminates with an in depth recount of the battle between Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. According to the book, BA throws obstacle after obstacle, including a dirty PR machine in the path of Virgin Atlantic, attempting to force it out of business using any means necessary. The upstart, Virgin, determine to get a fair shake, ultimately puts together a case to silence BA's slanderous campaign, and emerges with the right to compete freely with BA, and a substantial financial settlement. The little guy wins, and BA gets what it deserves.

Branson sees and writes about life as one big adventure. No obstacle is too big to overcome, no calculated risk too big to take. Virgin's gotta be an exciting place to be, and Branson quite a character to know. Whether you're looking for a business book, a novel, or just a great autobiography, check out "Losing My Virginity"!

Richard Branson's story is at once inspiring and eyebrow raising. This tale really let's you see how it was that Richard Branson became the world stage persona he is today, and the steps (and stumbles) by which it happened. Especially revealing are his relationship with his family, and the manner in which he siezes opportunities, sometimes at the cost of all else. Mr. Branson pulls no punches on himself. He explains the mistakes he's made and the trouble he's brought himself in various situations, as well as his severe difficulties with the things we are taught as necessary for success-- like school. This book is an eye opener for the way things are supposed to work vs. the way the really do work. This is not the best edited book I've ever read, but it is one of the most enlightening.

Reading has never been a great hobby in my life,and dedicating too much time to a book was wasted, until I decided to buy this book, really to have on the bookshelf. I decided to read it months after I bought it, and so entered a life altering phase, which made more changes in my life than i could imagine. The book was SO well written, the topics just flowed so smoothly from one to another. The intrigue of Richards life, and the thought processes behind each decision, made the book an absolute gem. Each page became more involved than the next, which led me to pay so much attention to the book, I didn't notice I was losing a good friend in the process. In short, this book is woth losing your best friend for.

I have never seen an autobiography other than "Losing my Virginity" that I couldn't stop myself from reading on and on. It is like a Sidney Sheldon novel. You can't stop yourself from moving on to next chapter as soon as you done with the earlier chapter. Richard Branson has lived an extraordinary life full of adventure, sex, and fun. And he doesn't mind talking about it. Richard Branson is an outstanding entrepreneur -- what an inspiration!

It's been a long time since I've read a book as refreshing, interesting, informative and brash as Losing My Virginity. It should be in the curriculum of every business school that has a center for entrepreneurship -- if only to prove that the "traditional" route to starting and running a business is not the only way.

While his methods may have been unorthodox at times, Branson more than makes up for it with tenacity, guile and just plain guts. His story is the classic David and Goliath tale. Now he's the humble Goliath.

What I most like about this book though is that Branson pulls no punches -- even when it comes to his own failings. He outlines his bad decisions (along with the good) sometimes in great detail, taking full credit for the debacle. But through it all he finds his way out of trouble by re-inventing himself and never, ever giving up. He's a Navy Seal, an Army Ranger and a Green Beret wrapped up in an Oxford pullover sweater. He is self-deprecating at times, if only to show us that -- all of the above notwithstanding -- he's just like us.

I am not sure if this book could ever be used as a primer on how to start a mega-conglomerate of businesses, but I do know one thing: I WANT TO BE RICHARD BRANSON!