Product Description

This fully updated edition of Sir Richard Branson's bestselling autobiography features his latest intrepid ventures in the areas of health, environment, media and, of course, exploration. Discover new details about Sir Richard's commitment to the future, through the Virgin Health Bank and its contribution to regenerative medicine, Virgin Fuels' pledge of 200 million to renewable energy projects, and his charitable body Virgin Unite. Sir Richard also discusses the earth-based launch of Virgin Media, and the progress toward the literal 'launch' of Virgin Galactic and a new era of commercial space travel. Featuring many new insights into his family life, "Losing My Virginity" is an amazing memoir, a definitive business guide and an inspirational story that reveals Sir Richard's unique philosophy on business, the Virgin brand and life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23317 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-09
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 624 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Love him or loathe him, you've got to admit it, Richard Branson has drive. And guts. And enough ambition to sink a battleship--or perhaps that should be a jumbo jet--or even a whole company of jumbos if the Virgin Atlantic/British Airways debacle (which takes up a huge chunk of this already huge tome) is anything to go by.

Branson's autobiography makes immensely fascinating reading. Whatever you think of Britain's most famous entrepreneur, the odds are that you will enjoy reading his autobiography. You may snort at descriptions of his "poor" childhood--spent eating bread and dripping while living in a house the majority of us visit on Bank Holidays and attending a "minor" public school. You may groan at memories of early initiative tests: how about being ejected from the family car and told by his mother to find his way home--at the age of four? You may flinch at accounts of his early business days as an unwashed, unshod, hippy magazine publisher living en famille with his staff in the crypt of a West London church. But, all in all, you'll get to understand where the guy's coming from--man.

And, like the man himself, there's no holds barred here. Richard bares his soul, from childhood, school days (cheating at exams), loves and losses (lost one wife when a spot of wife-swapping went drastically wrong--for him), death-defying adventures (yes, the balloons are all there), to the rise and rise of the Virgin empire. His interviews for Student magazine and the early days of Virgin Music read like a chronicle of popular music and culture in the late 20th century. Famous names bounce off every page. Prepare to be enthralled by the life and times of a walking publicity machine. --Carey Green

Review
"'Branson has a list of achievements unmatched by any other UK businessman. For anyone burning with entrepreneurial zeal, his reminiscences are akin to a sacred text', Mail on Sunday 'Grabs you on page one and never lets go... a rollercoaster ride... read what makes this brilliant and hardworking man tick', Spectator 'Candid and humorous', The Times 'An incredible man, and this is an incredible autobiography... a great read - sex, balloons, intrigue and money', Sunday Business 'Branson bares his soul - and everything else - in a non-fiction blockbuster... a must-read', Business Age"

The Mail on Sunday
'Branson has a list of achievements unmatched by any other U.K businessman. For anyone burning with entrepreneurial zeal, his reminiscences are akin to a sacred text'

Customer Reviews

Riveting, the 500 pages whistle by, it's an inspiration
The way Branson invented Virgin and then re-invented the products and the image is an inspiration to us all, entrepreneurs or not. If you're not in business, you'll want to be after reading these 500 pages which whistle by as fast as a Virgin Atlantic jumbo. He's honest to a fault and that makes the book all the more readable - I never want to fly BA again! The tales of adventure on sea and by balloon are fascinating insights into how close Branson came to death - in fact you could say he's had a charmed life which inspired me to make my next 40 years as worthwhile and fulfilling as his first 40. Sorry to gush, but it's a top read whatever age.

An exceptional read
I'm not a lover of books that are 500+ pages long so when I first received this book I was a little put off. After reading the first few pages though I was gripped and couldn't put it down. At a very early age, Branson seemed to have that drive that has stayed with him and has made him what he is. His lifestyle in the early days is not what you imagine and he has had his fair share of bad luck. The book takes you step by step through his life up until he is 40. He is a very likeable, genuine and considerate man and he seems to be into everything, literally!. If you think being dislexic might set you back, think again. I admired Branson's drive and enthusiasm before I read this book, now it's got me hooked and I want to find out more about him. A totally gripping book start to finish and this is the first book that I can honestly say that I couldn't put down. It has my recommendation and if I had the chance of working with him I'd jump at it ! Brilliant - well worth a buy.

Highly readable
This is the highly readable account of Branson's life and business ventures to date. He comes across as extremely personable and honest, with a great deal of integrity. His battles with BA make fascinating reading and his various balloon flights and other 'extreme' sports adventures make for exciting interludes to his business life. The picture plates are also very clear and give a good cross section of his life. This is so easy to read and thoroughly engrossing, once you start reading, you can't stop and you're left with high respect for a British business role model.