Richard Branson, Virgin King: Inside Richard Branson's Business Empire [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Tim Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 1996

Richard Branson is one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and possibly its most successful public relations man. Whether he’s promoting the Sex Pistols, hitting British Airways with a multimillion-dollar libel suit, breaking the speed record for crossing the Atlantic by boat, or cracking a monopoly on condoms in the UK, Branson cultivates his public image relentlessly: hip, charming, casual, open-minded, nice, fun.

But behind the dazzling smile, practical jokes, and notorious spontaneity (he once flipped Ivana Trump upside down at a party), there is another Richard Branson—shrewd, calculating businessman, relentless negotiator, almost compulsively daring risk taker. Based on interviews with Branson himself, his key advisers, his partners, friends, and enemies—and drawing on secret documents, letters, and court papers—this book reveals the compelling history of both a business empire and the man at its center. Richard Branson: Virgin King is the first fully independent, unauthorized account of one of the greatest success stories of our time.

About the Author
Tim Jackson is a columnist and author of Turning Japanese: The Fight for Industrial Control of the New Europe (Harper Collins UK). He lives in London with his family.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

British-born adventurer, entrepreneur, billionaire, and founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways, Branson is known to ascend great heights, whether air ballooning over the Pacific or ruthlessly negotiating successful business deals. Early on he learned entrepreneurial skills: At age 16 he started a student magazine. At age 19, he followed up with a mail-order company, achieved by targeting young customers through discount records; the business evolved into a lucrative music publishing operation. Not every business was a success, however, as in his attempt to run Britain's National Lottery, but failures do not phase him. Focusing on Branson's keen business sense, Jackson (The Next Battleground, Houghton, 1993) draws his unauthorized investigation from interviews. He also reveals Branson's sensitivity to staff, family, and the improvement of his society. Jackson's book provides inspiration for budding entrepreneurs. Recommended for public and business collections.?Bellinda Wise, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, N.Y.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

How a Fun-Loving High School Drop-Out Built a $3 Billion Empire From the Ground Up—And Had the Time of His Life Doing It!

"All is laid bare . . . a blow-by-blow guide to Branson's rise from hippy entrepreneur to global player." —The London Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Prima Lifestyles (January 31, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761503439
• ISBN-13: 978-0761503439
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,360,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a business man, what a book, July 5, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Richard Branson, Virgin King: Inside Richard Branson's Business Empire (Hardcover)

This book is a must for anyone who has ever, as I have, sought to become financialy stable though a variety of different businesses.

From the begining of the empire this book gives a blow by blow account of Richard Branson's rise from mail order vinal records to starting and owning an airline,and in his personal life, from the failure of his first marriage to the first time he held his son.

Possibly the greatest PR man ever, you'll see how Richard Branson can be asked to join in on a project (as with Virgin Atlantic) and ultimately taking full charge and often driving out business partners, thus handing full control over to the Virgin group.

If you've ever wonderd how people like this get to be so rich and powerful, READ THIS BOOK.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Makes a suitable doorstop..., May 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Richard Branson, Virgin King: Inside Richard Branson's Business Empire (Hardcover)

Though Branson's achievements are impressive and many, the book is heavy with praise and lacks the depth and detail I was interested in reading about.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for entrepreneurs., January 15, 2001

By 

Auren Hoffman (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Richard Branson, Virgin King: Inside Richard Branson's Business Empire (Paperback)

A good book detailing the rise and riches of Richard Branson. A truly good book for entrepreneurs.