Customer Reviews

Richard Branson: The Authorised Biography

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You need an ego to build a company as large and successfully as Sir Richard has put together and that ego are captured by the author. The author gives us a view into the career of Mr. Branson from the start - the standard biography structure. The author did try to sneak in one or two items that are a bit on the tabloid side, but overall it looked to be a fair and complete review. I was most interested in how he structured his companies and moved from one to the next - I assumed he continued to own them, but that is not the case. Overall and interesting book that is enjoyable. If you are interested in the man then this would be a good starting point.

This book covers all kinds of Branson adventures - he's had more near death experiences than most people and lives life to the full.

Much is about the growth and transformation of Virgin - from music to airlines. There's also the relationships that propelled Branson from his family to his business colleagues.

If ever I'm shipwrecked I'll remember how Branson survived in Mexico by swimming behind an ex-wife for 2 miles when he had little experience. His persistence is a constant theme in this book.

It is unfortunate he was not the first man to circumnavigate the world in a balloon, but one cannot say he did not take the risks to try. The writer's description of his ballooning trials places you right in the scene and changes one's perception of the sport.

Mick Brown writes lucidly and energetically to create a really inspiring portrait of this extraordinarily talented entrepreneur.

This biography is quite thorough and gives readers a good look at the business and personal life of one of the most interesting entrepreneurs of our time. It's hard not to get inspired by Branson's life because no matter what you think of him, the guy just goes for it full throttle without regard to the obstacles in his path. It's also remarkable how the guy is constantly considering the infinite number of possibilities, both in his business life and in his personal adventures. I haven't read the autobiography so I can't compare it, but I do recommend this book for a glimpse into the life of a very compelling figure. I think you'll come away inspired. Paul Gehrman, Author, Kaleidoscope

While Richard Branson is an interesting person, the biography I considered just so-so. My main disappointment was what I thought was a real "gloss over" of the period when Virgin was just starting its rise. It seemed to me that within a page or two, Branson's life jumped from being hounded by creditors to being a millionaire. There didn't seem to be sufficient focus on that crucial time.

There are some strong points--I found the balloon episode quite fascinating, and there are many other details about Virgin's later rise to financial success and power that seemed sufficiently detailed. It was just that "lapse" of detail of what was the threshold period in Banson's (and Virgin's) transition to success and prominence that I considered wanting.

Unlike many journalists who have written about the man who is arguably the most innovative entrepreneur in Britain Brown manages to be supremely balanced: he describes Branson's rise, and pays tribute to his drive and ingenuity, but he is also critical, of Branson as a person and as a ruthless businessman. As Branson stands on the brink of taking over Britain's National Lottery this book deserves to be re-issued. supporter nor a cadoes not is neither a supporterot satdoes not is both adarthe most remarkable entre Branson Brown the