Next to Me: Luck, Leadership and Living with Parkinson's [Hardcover]

David Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 18, 2006

Next to Me: Luck, Leadership and Living with Parkinson's tells the remarkable true story of one man's journey from next to nothing to the top of a retail giant. David Jones turned around the fortunces of NEXT, from near bankrupty to a booming business, becoming the most talked about fashion retailer of the last twenty years-all while battling Parkinson's Disease and keeping it a secret. Next to Me is the story of one man's unstoppable determination in the face of personal and corporate crisis. In this compelling autobiography, Jones's enthusiasm and humility serve as a backdrop to the story of his struggled with Parkinson's and his rise to business success. In his fast-moving narrative, readers go behind the scenes of business deals and bedroom battles, and come to understand the two David Jones's: one chief executive...one with Parkinson's Disease. Perfect for those interested in his business insights or moved by the pwoerful story of his battle with a debilitating disease, Next to Me is an irresistable read.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"David Jones’story offers anyone living with Parkinson's the optimism and hope that great achievements â€" in business and in life â€" are still possible." Michael J. Fox

“David Jones is one of the most admired men in British retailing…few could have foreseen that the young boy who left school with underwhelming results would grow up to take the battered and almost bankrupt NEXT of the late 1980s and turn it into a multibillion-pound retail success story. Fewer still would have backed him to do this whilst fighting a very private battle with Parkinson’s Disease. The secrets that have led to his successes are revealed in the following pages, and they make great reading.” From the Foreword by Philip Green, Chairman of BHS

“David Jones was plainly a great and inspirational CEO who created a phenomenal growth story.” The Sunday Telegraph

“Many people live with Parkinson’s. David Jones defies it. This story is inspirational to both those with the condition and those without it. Buy this book and David Jones may yet fall into the second of these categories.” Tom Isaacs, Trustee, The Cure Parkinson's Trust

About the Author

David Jones, CBE, is the Chairman of NEXT plc and Deputy Chairman of Morrison's. His illustrious career has taken him through the most successful UK companies. He has dedicated this book to finding a cure for Parkinson's Disease though his charity The Cure Parkinson Trust, where all royalties are being donated.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing (January 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857883578
• ISBN-13: 978-1857883572
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Parkinson's Disease

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Corporate bio reveals triumph over business pitfalls and disease, May 17, 2006

By 

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Next to Me: Luck, Leadership and Living with Parkinson's (Hardcover)

David Jones, a leading executive in British mail order fashion retailing, was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease on July 25, 1982, at age 39. In spite of that diagnosis, he remained a CEO of major companies for two decades. Jones' interesting autobiography downplays his fight against Parkinson's and focuses on his compelling career. While he covers little of his personal life, he gives an honest, detailed account of an almost confusing number of people, companies, trends and power plays from his professional life. The book is not chronological. Part I covers Jones' dramatic efforts to rescue NEXT from bankruptcy. Part II reports on his childhood and early career, and Part III covers his later years as CEO, as well as his illness and his philanthropy. We recommend this straightforward professional saga, despite wishing that its forthright, gutsy author had told it in order.

4.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring and educational readdd, April 18, 2006

By 

Meryl K. Evans "Content Maven behind meryl.net" (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Next to Me: Luck, Leadership and Living with Parkinson's (Hardcover)

David Jones came from humble beginnings and worked his way up to CEO of a successful British retail company. And he did so without telling anyone that he had Parkinson's Disease for most of his tenure.

Jones was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease one year after he became the CEO of Grattan, which later merged with NEXT. In spite of the diagnosis, he continued as the CEO for almost 20 years. The primary focus is on Jones' climb and how the leaders saved a British retailer from going bankrupt. Parkinson's small role in the book does have a big impact as Jones describes the difficulties of living with it on a daily basis.

While he covers little about his personal life, he gives an honest account of the people in his professional life. Executives' stories of how they reached the top vary; reading about Jones' rise gives a great example of what it takes to get the C-level title.

Born and raised in Malvern in Worcestershire, Jones had a good childhood though money was scarce. To help sustain the family, he took a paper route with WH Smith delivering the paper six days a week without missing a day or delivering late. Fevers and bad weather couldn't stop him.

When he completed formal schooling at 17, on the advice of a youth employment officer, he applied for a temp job with Kays of Worcester, his first step into the world of retail. Jones went through merging and selling Grattan, the merger with NEXT in 1986 and the sale of Grattan in 1991 when the company was in trouble.

Throughout the book Jones shares his business beliefs, lessons, and experiences in dealing with heavy-duty business problems, difficult managers, and Parkinson's. He makes recommendations for how business governance should work. As he approaches the end of the CEO-ship, he gets involved with non-profit organizations and fundraising. In fact, all proceeds from this book go to Cure Parkinson's Trust.

Jones couldn't slow down after retiring because the hectic schedule helped keep his mind busy and off the symptoms that come with Parkinson's. He's currently a chairman at NEXT. Jones gives speeches about Parkinson's and continues as a business phenomenon, most proud of his accomplishments and those of NEXT.

American readers might have difficulty picking up some of the British business terms and titles. These become clearer as the reader progresses in the book. Next to Me is divided in three parts beginning with the challenging years of rescuing NEXT from 1986 - 1996, going into his childhood and learning the retail trade from 1943 to 1986, and closing with his retirement and speaking out on Parkinson's from 1996 through 2005. Going out of order proves more perplexing than helpful.

Jones encounters many people throughout his life. At times, the names of companies and people confuse the reader. In spite of the few glitches, the book is a gratifying read.